So I played the Demo..

[AunDrew]

Only playing through one dungeon level doesn't seem like it really shows how progression works at all. You buy and sell cards? to buy other cards? Deck building or not so much? The constant respawning of enemies made me really feel like I wasn't accomplishing much. Every room had 2-4 orbs (Felt like Far to many) that didn't exactly feel like something to use tactically, and more just something to occasionally shoot from far away and avoid. Do poison fields expand? I was standing next to the edge of one and then it grew, but no orbs nearby to expand it further so.. that raised an eyebrow. Is it worth it actually exploring the dungeon for loot, or better to just rush through each level? I like the overall concept of this game, but enemies respawning behind you in rooms you 'cleared' feels counter to a dungeon crawl adventure, as well as leaving a level not fully explored because you are playing rush to the exit. Killing all the monsters and searchng every room, just feels like it would have far more value than race to finish. You get rewarded for rushing through and playing the game less..

[beans out]

Demeo doesn't have skill/stats progression that you would expect in a typical RPG.

Your player account level (from clearing floors) only earns new cosmetics.

You can get (relatively rare) stat boost cards to make a hero a little stronger. But once you beat the dungeon boss, all heroes are back to base stats for the next dungeon.

You'll only get "stronger" in Demeo as you develop your strategic approach through trial & error and learning from other players to understand:

-specific game mechanics (like poison spread, and the different 'orbs' and how they work.)
-the action economy.
-enemies abilities and behaviors.
-how each class' role synergizes with the others.

Cards are dealt randomly, so instead of deck building you're managing your hand and making the most of what you are dealt. (Use your cards to kill enemies, which earns you new cards to kill more enemies, which earns you new cards...)

The constant spawning of monsters and the constant turnover of your hand of cards means that neither playing to clear the level -or- rushing to the exit will work well. You'll be more successful if you find a balance between the two.

[Goemoe]

So Demeo has no real progression at all? Only hack 'n hack and hope for good rng in a mess of slime and poison?

Are there settings, how much respawn, loot, rooms etc. there are so you can play the system you like most, or is it a love or hate style of game?

[beans out]

correct - no progression to the hero's stats or skills - only your progression learning (from your actual experience, rather than experience 'points') to use them optimally.

Progression feels great and I'd love to see some good RPGs like that in VR. But Demeo is not that game. For me, it's enjoyable - it's quite good at what it IS doing.

If you aren't at least intrigued by the demo, though, you might not like the full game.

It's basically the demo floor, plus a larger second floor (maybe about twice the time to clear as the first,) and then a smaller 3rd floor with the boss. Each module is largely that same format, but a different environment, with a few new enemies, and some new mechanics and strategies that build on those basics in interesting ways.

IMO It's extremely rare for it to get so overwhelming that it's un-fun (with the exception of the rat king module.) I'm often surprised at the mobs and poison messes I'm able to make it through, even when the RNG is unfavorable and myself and/or other players make some poor moves.

I'm usually able to clear most floors of all chests and gold and make it out with no major problem from the spawning enemies. But there will be times that it will be more advantageous to cut and run once you have the key (rat king floor 2 is a bad one for forcing you to do that to survive.)

There are not any difficulty settings like you mentioned. Enemy hit points and damage do scale down if there are fewer heroes in play, but it's balanced to pretty much be the same game.

Playing by yourself can be fun, but i benefited greatly from learning with other players first. Being randomly matched with strangers can either be a wonderfully pleasant surprise, or really suck. You'll never be stuck in a bad game, though, as you can leave any time, or kick out problem players if you hosted the room. I haven't made the rounds lately so i can't speak to the current quality of the player base (though in my experience it gets worse the longer a game exists...)

[OtakuD]

Very helpful, thank you. I think I will wait on some sort of progression update since I pretty much only play games solo. Cosmetics is not enough to make the dice grind feel worth it.

[DeLastOne]

Originally posted by OtakuD:

Very helpful, thank you. I think I will wait on some sort of progression update since I pretty much only play games solo. Cosmetics is not enough to make the dice grind feel worth it.

Then don't hold your breath. It is not in the roadmap. The game itself was not designed as a classic RPG / Roguelike

BTW you can send them your feedback on https://resolutiongames.canny.io/demeo