Dungeon Hustle (2017) Board Game

Dungeon Hustle is a fantasy board game released in 2017 by SD Games. Designed by Tim Eisner and Ben Eisner, the game is set in a dungeon where players navigate through various challenges and obstacles to achieve victory. With a playtime of around 45 minutes and designed for 2-4 players aged 14 and above, Dungeon Hustle combines pattern building and variable player powers to create a unique gameplay experience.

Game Components of Dungeon Hustle

Dungeon room cards with printed symbols

Archetypal character cards

Game tokens and markers

How To Setup Dungeon Hustle

To set up Dungeon Hustle, players first prepare the dungeon room cards, shuffling them to create a random dungeon layout. Each player selects an archetypal character and places their character token at the starting room. The game tokens and markers are distributed according to the game’s rules. The setup is designed to be quick, allowing players to dive into the adventure swiftly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dungeon Crawl: Players navigate through a series of dungeon room cards.

Symbol Matching: Players must match symbols on their character cards with those on the dungeon room cards to progress.

Fast-Paced: Hustles end when a player steps on a room that does not match their character’s symbols.

Objective: The goal is to successfully navigate through the dungeon, overcoming challenges and reaching the end.

Player Experience

Dungeon Hustle offers a dynamic and engaging player experience, with each game session being unique due to the random dungeon layout. Players must think quickly and strategically to match symbols and avoid setbacks. The game encourages teamwork and competitive spirit, making it enjoyable for both cooperative and competitive players.

Pros

Fast-Paced Action: Quick game sessions keep players engaged.

High Replayability: Random dungeon layouts ensure each game is different.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Archetypal Characters: Offers a variety of playable characters.

Cons

Luck Factor: The random nature of the dungeon can sometimes feel too luck-based.

Symbol Matching: Some players may find the symbol matching mechanic repetitive.

Limited Complexity: The game mechanics are straightforward but may lack depth for experienced gamers.

Personal Thoughts on Dungeon Hustle

Dungeon Hustle is ideal for players who enjoy fast-paced, light-to-medium complexity games. It is a great fit for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a quick dungeon crawl experience without the need for extensive setup or complex rules. However, experienced gamers seeking deeper strategy and more complex mechanics might find it a bit too simplistic.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.