I was in a panic to find a demo to play and then I remembered that I saw something about a rogue-like dungeon crawler where all you do is play the crane game to attack enemies. I didn’t know if it had a Steam demo or not so I frantically searched for it and I found it and I gotta say it is pretty fun. This week is Dungeon Clawer.

Dungeon Clawer is proud to be a “rogue-like, claw machine deck builder” from Stray Fawn Studio/publishing and Playworks. The game is slated for a PC release in Q3 of 2024.

The aim is simple: use the claw arm to pick up stuff that deals damage. A deck can contain many items and that useful I formation is plastered right on the main screen during a fight. Icons in the claw machine are easily identifiable so it is not hard to find what you want and try to snatch on the next go around. Items that deal more damage, add defense and even add a liquid to the claw machine to make it easier to pick stuff up are present. Trying to pick up an equal amount of block and damage is a surefire way to success.

Enemies have their health bars on the bottom and the anticipated attack on the top so the player can see what’s coming and prepare for the worst. I’m sure because it is a demo, players start at 100hp and combat is steadily easy. I was able to grasp most game knowledge after about one run. I’m sure there is more but I got my ass beat because I lost track of an item and picked it up by accident.

Navigation is pretty easy. You are given a map with a few directions to choose from and there are rewards, shops, fights, and the ability to drop cards from the deck if need be. It works, I like it. It took no time to figure out what icons mean and figure out which way to go.

Dungeon Clawer is a cute-looking game if the title screen is any indication. There isn’t much to look at this early on in the development, but the enemies and the protagonists look good so far.

I am pretty sure that there is exactly one tune in the game but it is an absolute banger. I remembered it after only one run and dreamt about the song.

So far, Dungeon Clawer is an interesting game. I was a fan of The Wandering Village and how well they integrated city building onto the back of a giant roaming creature that adds to the gameplay. There are items plenty, including the non-stop gameplay plus the claw machine action is really addicting. I like this demo a lot to the point that I have been playing since I found it. I think it has the potential to be a really fun game.

I cannot wait to play more.