Dungeon! (1975) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Dungeon! is a classic board game that was first released in 1975 by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), the same company that created the famous Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Designed by David R. Megarry, Dungeon! allows players to explore a dungeon filled with monsters, traps, and treasures while competing against each other to accumulate the most wealth.

Game Components of Dungeon!

Play map: A folding vinyl cloth gameboard featuring a six-level dungeon.

Rule book: Contains the game rules.

Player pawns: Four colors of Parcheesi-style pieces (white, blue, red, and green) representing different character classes.

Dice: A pair of six-sided dice.

Cards: Color-coded monster and treasure cards for the six levels of the dungeon. These include:

Monster cards: 116 cards with varying difficulties.

Treasure cards: 80 cards with different gold piece values.

Spell cards: 36 cards for the Wizard character, including Lightning Bolt, Fire Ball, and Transference.

How To Setup Dungeon!

To set up the game, players start by randomizing and placing the treasure and monster cards face down in the dungeon rooms. Treasures are placed first, followed by monsters. Additional monster cards are placed in chambers, which are larger rooms at key intersections. Each chamber contains three monster cards, with only the top monster encountered when a player attempts to pass through.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Classes: Players choose from four character classes: Elf, Hero, Superhero, and Wizard, each with unique abilities and treasure requirements to win.

Exploration: Players explore the six-level dungeon, moving through hallways and rooms.

Combat: Players roll two six-sided dice to defeat monsters; the required number to defeat a monster is listed on the monster card.

Treasure Collection: Defeating monsters rewards players with treasure cards, which have gold piece values.

Objective: The first player to return to the starting chamber with the required amount of treasure (varying by character class) wins the game.

Level Difficulty: The deeper the level, the tougher the monsters and the greater the treasure.

Player Experience

**Dungeon** offers a fun and simple dungeon crawl experience that is easy to learn and enjoyable for families and fans of fantasy games. The game provides a sense of adventure and high risk, high reward gameplay. Players appreciate the nostalgic value and the fact that it introduces young kids to the concept of D&D-style games. However, some players find the game mechanics to be relatively shallow compared to modern board games.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to all family members.

Fun and Adventurous: Provides a classic dungeon crawl experience.

Good Introduction to D&D: Great for introducing kids to fantasy board gaming.

High Replay Value: Each game can be different due to randomized card placement.

Value for Money: Generally considered a good value for the price.

Cons

Shallow Game Mechanics: Compared to more modern board games, the mechanics are relatively simple.

Card Size: Some players find the treasure and monster cards to be too small.

Quality of Components: Cardstock playing pieces are of average quality, and some find them to be cheap-looking.

Personal Thoughts on Dungeon!

**Dungeon** is ideal for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, families looking for a fun and easy-to-learn board game, and those who enjoy fantasy and adventure games. It serves as a great introduction to the concepts of D&D and is particularly suitable for younger players due to its straightforward gameplay. While it may lack the strategic depth of more contemporary board games, it remains a classic and enjoyable experience for those who love nostalgia and simple, yet engaging, gameplay.

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.