Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat

Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat is a compilation game that combines two distinct experiences: Brave Dungeon, a straightforward yet engaging dungeon-crawling RPG, and Dark Witch Story: Combat, a card-based RPG with a self-playing mechanic. Developed by Inside System, the creators of the Legend of Dark Witch series, this title offers players a mix of classic dungeon exploration and a more casual, automated combat system. Released on Nintendo Switch and Windows, the game features pixel graphics, turn-based combat, and a level editor, appealing to fans of retro-style RPGs and JRPGs.

Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction

Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat is a unique compilation that pairs a dungeon-crawling RPG with a card-based battle game, both set within the whimsical universe of the Legend of Dark Witch series. Released in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch and later ported to PC in 2021, this package offers two distinct experiences under one roof. While Brave Dungeon delivers a straightforward yet engaging dungeon-crawling adventure, Dark Witch Story: Combat presents a more divisive, luck-based card game. This review will dissect both games in detail, exploring their mechanics, narratives, and overall contributions to the indie RPG landscape.

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Development History & Context

Developed by INSIDE SYSTEM, a Japanese indie studio known for the Legend of Dark Witch series, Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat represents a departure from the studio’s traditional platforming roots. The Legend of Dark Witch games are celebrated for their Mega Man-inspired boss battles and lighthearted action-platforming, but this compilation ventures into turn-based RPG and card-battle territories.

Brave Dungeon originally launched on the Nintendo 3DS in 2016, with an enhanced port included in this compilation. The Switch version features higher-resolution art assets, a single-screen format, and additional playable characters, including Klinsy and Neville from Heaven Garden. Dark Witch Story: Combat, on the other hand, is an entirely new addition, designed as a card-based spin-off featuring characters and creatures from the Dark Witch series.

The game’s release in 2017 coincided with the Nintendo Switch’s early lifecycle, a period marked by a surge of indie titles filling the eShop’s digital shelves. Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat was positioned as a budget-friendly option, priced at $9, catering to fans of retro-inspired RPGs and casual gamers alike. The compilation’s dual-game structure was a strategic move to offer variety, though the execution of Dark Witch Story: Combat left much to be desired.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Brave Dungeon: A Lighthearted Dungeon Crawl

Brave Dungeon follows the adventures of Al, an intrepid treasure hunter drawn to the Belfer Islands in search of Magic Items—powerful crystals that grant magical abilities. The narrative is minimalistic, focusing more on gameplay than storytelling. Al’s journey begins with a humbling defeat in the legendary dungeon Godshill, forcing her to regroup, build a party, and tackle smaller dungeons before attempting her ultimate goal.

The game’s tone is lighthearted and whimsical, with humorous monster designs and a lack of serious stakes. The absence of a deep narrative allows the gameplay to take center stage, making Brave Dungeon an ideal title for players seeking a pure, grind-heavy RPG experience. The characters, while charming, lack development, and the plot serves merely as a framework for the dungeon-crawling mechanics.

Dark Witch Story: Combat: A Card Game Without Depth

Dark Witch Story: Combat is framed as a card-battle game where players collect and upgrade cards featuring characters from the Dark Witch series. The premise revolves around climbing the ranks of a battle arena, but the narrative is virtually nonexistent. The game’s structure is repetitive, with players moving from one opponent to the next, earning new cards and leveling them up.

The thematic focus is on competition and progression, but the lack of player agency in battles undermines any sense of achievement. The game’s reliance on randomness—from card order to critical hits—makes victories feel hollow, as success is often determined by luck rather than skill or strategy.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Brave Dungeon: Simplicity with Depth

Brave Dungeon is a turn-based dungeon crawler with a party of three characters. The gameplay loop is straightforward: explore dungeons, engage in battles, return to town to upgrade stats, and repeat. The dungeons are divided into floors, each with a mid-boss and a final guardian boss. The game’s difficulty curve is well-balanced, encouraging players to experiment with different dungeons and floors to find the most manageable challenges.

Combat System:
– Turn-based battles with a party of three characters.
– Revenge Gauge: Fills as characters take damage, allowing for powerful revenge attacks.
– Class Changes: Characters can specialize in different paths, such as healers or all-rounders.
– Crafting System: Materials dropped by enemies can be used to craft accessories, adding a layer of customization.

Progression:
– Tres Currency: Used to manually upgrade character stats.
– Lunch Coins: Earned by fulfilling material requests, offering random stat boosts.
– New Game+: Unlocks additional challenges and secrets for completionists.

The game’s simplicity is its greatest strength, making it accessible to newcomers while offering enough depth to satisfy RPG veterans. The lack of random encounters and the ability to choose when to engage in battles add a strategic element, allowing players to optimize their dungeon runs.

Dark Witch Story: Combat: A Game of Chance

Dark Witch Story: Combat is a card-based battle game where players assemble a team of three cards to face off against opponents in a best-of-three format. The gameplay is divided into two modes: Quest Mode (single-player) and Battle Mode (multiplayer).

Combat System:
– Card Stats: Each card has health, attack, and Syega (magic) stats.
– Rock-Paper-Scissors Mechanics: Cards have elemental advantages, but critical hits are randomized.
– Equipment: Items can be equipped to cards to boost stats, but their effectiveness is often overshadowed by RNG.

Progression:
– Leveling Cards: Repeated use of cards levels them up, but the process is slow and grind-heavy.
– Gacha Mechanics: Multiplayer mode relies on random card selection, further emphasizing luck over skill.

The game’s biggest flaw is its lack of player interaction during battles. Once cards are selected and equipped, the outcome is determined by the game’s AI, leaving players to watch passively. This design choice strips away any sense of strategy or control, making Dark Witch Story: Combat feel more like a slot machine than a card game.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Design

Brave Dungeon features pixel-art graphics with a retro aesthetic, reminiscent of classic 16-bit RPGs. The dungeons are visually distinct, with each floor offering unique enemy designs and environmental details. The character sprites are charming, though somewhat simplistic, and the higher-resolution assets in the Switch version improve upon the original 3DS release.

Dark Witch Story: Combat reuses many of the same assets, with card designs featuring characters and creatures from the Dark Witch series. The art style is consistent but lacks the depth and variety of Brave Dungeon.

Sound Design

The soundtrack of Brave Dungeon is energetic and fitting for a dungeon crawler, though some tracks appear to be sourced from asset libraries or public domain, as noted by reviewers. The sound effects are functional but unremarkable, serving their purpose without standing out.

Dark Witch Story: Combat shares much of the same audio design, with repetitive battle themes that can become tedious during extended play sessions.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat received mixed reviews upon release. Critics praised Brave Dungeon for its accessible yet engaging gameplay, while Dark Witch Story: Combat was widely criticized for its over-reliance on luck and lack of player agency.

• Nintendo Life (60/100): Described the package as “uneven,” highlighting Brave Dungeon’s strengths while lamenting the weaknesses of Dark Witch Story: Combat.
• Digitally Downloaded (40/100): Criticized Dark Witch Story: Combat for its grinding and lack of strategy, calling it a disappointment compared to Brave Dungeon.
• eShopper Reviews (42/100): Noted that Brave Dungeon was enjoyable but felt the package was overpriced due to the inclusion of the weaker card game.

Commercial Performance

The game’s budget pricing and niche appeal likely limited its commercial success. While it found an audience among fans of retro RPGs and indie games, it failed to make a significant impact in the broader market.

Legacy

Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat remains a curiosity in the Legend of Dark Witch series, offering a unique but flawed experiment in blending dungeon crawling with card-based gameplay. Its legacy is overshadowed by the stronger entries in the series, but it serves as a testament to INSIDE SYSTEM’s willingness to innovate within the indie RPG space.

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Conclusion

Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat is a compilation of two games that cater to different audiences. Brave Dungeon is a solid, if simplistic, dungeon crawler that excels in its accessibility and grind-heavy gameplay. It’s an ideal choice for players seeking a no-frills RPG experience. Dark Witch Story: Combat, however, is a missed opportunity, suffering from a lack of player agency and an over-reliance on randomness.

Final Verdict:
– Brave Dungeon: 7/10 – A enjoyable, if repetitive, dungeon crawler with charming retro aesthetics.
– Dark Witch Story: Combat: 3/10 – A frustrating card game that fails to deliver meaningful strategy or engagement.
– Overall Package: 5/10 – A mixed bag that’s worth considering for Brave Dungeon alone, but the inclusion of Dark Witch Story: Combat drags down the overall experience.

For fans of retro RPGs, Brave Dungeon is a worthwhile purchase, especially at its budget price point. However, those seeking a more polished or narrative-driven experience may find better alternatives elsewhere. Dark Witch Story: Combat is best approached as a curiosity rather than a core part of the package.