An early access code was provided, thanks to JFGames PR.
As fans of cosy management sims and strategy games, we’ve seen plenty of takes on business ownership in quirky settings, cafes for monsters, farms in otherworldly landscapes, or potion shops for adventurers.
However, Dungeon Inn takes it to a new level by blending innkeeping with dungeon-crawling vibes. Developed by Cat Society, this early access title offers a whimsical yet challenging experience that has you balancing rival guilds, secret deals, and a dungeon-side inn bustling with eager adventurers.
Dungeon Inn
Set in a world where dragons are more than myth, and rival guilds clash in the pursuit of dungeon riches, Dungeon Inn places you in the shoes of Sara, an ambitious innkeeper who’s struck a peculiar deal with a dragon to establish her business at the mouth of a mysterious dungeon. With adventurers constantly passing through on their way to explore the dungeon, your inn becomes the ultimate pit stop for all these heroes.
However, there is a twist: you’re catering to two competing guilds, and your mission is to keep them both happy (and none the wiser about each other) while turning a tidy profit.
A Balancing Act of Secrecy and Service
The gameplay revolves around managing the two guilds, each with unique needs and temperaments and a mutual dislike for each other. Balancing their visits without letting them cross paths adds a layer of tension that feels fresh and engaging.
Playing as an innkeeper, you’ll deploy turn-based strategies to attract guests, time tactics to keep groups separated, and even handle unexpected clashes. If guild members bump into each other, a scuffle can erupt right outside your inn doors, threatening your carefully cultivated double deal.
Luckily, Sara isn’t alone in this effort. She can call upon her friends, armoured wisps, small, mystical creatures trained to tip the scales in a fight. Sending these wisps into a brawl allows you to favour one guild over the other secretly, keeping suspicion low and profits high.
The challenge lies in managing these encounters without letting your dual loyalties become public knowledge, which is easier said than done on occasion. This clever mechanic adds a level of intrigue, requiring you to think on your feet and consider how each move might impact your overall strategy.
Choices That Matter (and Profit)
In addition to guest management, Dungeon Inn includes a lot of choices that impact the inn’s reputation and income.
Special scenarios see you deciding whether to serve fine wine or a simple black tea to a guest, each option with its costs and effects. How do you handle a rowdy adventurer who shatters a plate? These decisions may seem minor, but they shape the overall atmosphere and perception of your inn, affecting not only how often guests return but also how suspicious they become of your ties to both guilds.
The game’s early access mode offers two difficulty settings, catering to both casual players looking for a low-stress experience and those wanting a higher-stakes strategy game. The easy mode is great for those who want to focus on building up their inn and experimenting with strategies at a more relaxed pace. In contrast, the difficult mode intensifies the pressure, making each decision feel crucial to maintaining your double-dealing business.
A Cozy, Customisable Inn with Room to Grow
Of course, no good innkeeper is content with just a handful of rooms and a rustic bar. Dungeon Inn offers an upgrade system that allows you to reinvest your hard-earned coin into new facilities. Each upgrade not only attracts more adventurers but also unlocks unique events, making your inn an ever-growing hub of activity. From a simple tavern, you’ll transform your inn into a lively destination that adventurers from across the land flock to, drawn in by your strategic hospitality and the nearby dungeon’s intrigue.
What I’ve seen so far of the customisation system is promising. Adding new facilities and amenities directly influences gameplay, not just cosmetically but also in terms of business. Each upgrade opens up new opportunities and challenges, ensuring that even after hours of gameplay, the innkeeping mechanics stay dynamic and engaging.
Final Thoughts
In its early access stage, Dungeon Inn is already shaping up to be an enjoyable and unique management sim. The blend of innkeeping and turn-based strategy, combined with the delicate act of double-dealing between two rival guilds, creates a fun twist that stands out in the cosy management genre. While a few rough edges are to be expected in early access, there are the occasional bugs with guest AI or minor graphical hiccups, but the core mechanics show a lot of promise. You can find Dungeon Inn’s Steam page here and wishlist it to help the developers out.
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