Entering the World of Üna
From the moment I launched Heroes of Mount Dragon, I was swept into the mystical realm of Üna a world teetering on the edge of chaos, where ancient dragon power pulses beneath every hand drawn hill and vibrant forest. Developed by RuniQ, a studio founded by veterans from Beenox and Ubisoft, the game immediately boasts a pedigree that’s hard to ignore. The opening cinematic, with its bold narration and lush visuals, sets the stage for a classic fantasy adventure: the Celestial Dragon has vanished, and only the Dragon Souls our playable heroes can restore balance.
What struck me first was the game’s art direction. Heroes of Mount Dragon is a visual treat, blending 2D hand drawn charm with 3D depth. The environments burst with color and detail, reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. The character designs, too, feel like they’ve leapt straight from a tabletop campaign, each hero exuding personality and a touch of humor that gives the world a welcoming, playful vibe.
Gameplay: Brawling With (and As) Dragons
At its core, Heroes of Mount Dragon is a side scrolling beat ‘em up, a genre that lives and dies by its combat feel and variety. You choose from four distinct heroes (with more promised post-launch), each infused with the soul of a dragon. The movesets are satisfying, offering a decent array of combos and special attacks, and the ability to transform into a dragon mid battle is as awesome as it sounds at least the first few times.
The controls are fluid, and the action is easy to pick up, whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with friends in local or online co-op. There’s a real sense of camaraderie when you’re brawling alongside up to three other players, smashing through hordes of monsters and unleashing chaos with wild, over the top attacks. The addition of competitive modes and hilarious “curses” (like shrinking your rivals or flipping their controls) adds a welcome layer of party game unpredictability.
Level Design and Replayability
Despite the initial excitement, I quickly noticed a lack of variety in the game’s environments. While there are eight different settings spread across multiple acts, each act feels and looks almost identical to the last. The backgrounds change, but the gameplay loop remains stubbornly flat. The sense of discovery fades after the first hour, replaced by a repetitive march through similar looking stages with little to set them apart.
This sameness extends to the enemy encounters. While the moveset is decent, the lack of enemy variety and environmental hazards makes each level blend into the next. The game tries to spice things up with unlockable upgrades and increasingly tough foes, but it’s not quite enough to stave off the creeping sense of monotony.
Artistic Flair and Atmosphere
If there’s one area where Heroes of Mount Dragon shines, it’s in its presentation. The blend of 2D and 3D art styles works beautifully, drawing players into a universe that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The narration, in particular, grabbed my attention from the get go, giving the story a sense of gravitas and whimsy that fits the D&D inspired setting perfectly.
The humor is another highlight. From witty one liners to playful character animations, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s clear the developers wanted to create a world that’s as fun to inhabit as it is to fight through, and in that respect, they’ve succeeded.
The Indie Spirit and Ambition
Knowing that Heroes of Mount Dragon is the debut title from RuniQ a studio backed by accolades like the Catapulte Pitching Contest and GDC Pitch Day adds an extra layer of appreciation. There’s a clear passion behind the project, and the ambition to expand the IP beyond the screen (with books and board games in the works) is exciting for fans of the universe.
The development team’s experience with franchises like Spider Man, Crash Bandicoot, and Skylanders is evident in the game’s polish and moment to moment action. It’s a heartfelt indie project with triple A expertise, and that’s no small feat.
My Personal Verdict
While Heroes of Mount Dragon has a lot going for it gorgeous art, a charming world, and a solid foundation for cooperative chaos it ultimately left me wanting more. The lack of variety in environments and gameplay makes the experience feel flat after a while. Each act, despite the promise of new locales, feels like a re skin of the last, with little to differentiate them beyond a fresh coat of paint.
Combat, while initially fun, suffers from some frustrating limitations. For example, you won’t hit an enemy if they’re even a pixel higher or lower than you, which can make fights feel imprecise and sometimes unfair. The moveset is nice, and the dragon transformations are a highlight, but the repetition sets in quickly.
That said, I can’t deny the game’s appeal, especially for fans of classic beat ‘em ups or anyone looking for a lighthearted, co-op romp with friends. The art style and humor won me over, and the blend of 2D/3D visuals really does transport you into a living cartoon. The narration, too, is a standout, pulling you into the story from the very first moment.
Heroes of Mount Dragon is a promising debut with a lot of heart, but it needs more variety and depth to truly soar. If the developers can build on this foundation with future updates and expansions, there’s a real chance for this universe to become something special. As it stands, it’s a fun, if somewhat shallow, adventure that’s worth a flight just don’t expect to stay airborne for too long.