Dungeon
And Fighter Duel
ABOUT: Developed
by Eighting, Neople, and Arc System Works, Dungeon And Fighter Duel (DNF
Duel for short) is a 2D fighting game utilizing a 3D graphics engine similar to other modern Arc System Works
fighting games like Guilty Gear
-STRIVE-,
Granblue Fantasy Versus, and
Dragon Ball FighterZ.
The game's high-end anime-style visuals boast large 3D character models and huge
super move effects onscreen, all of which cleverly resembling traditional 2D sprites
during gameplay. That is... until expressive animations and epic dynamic 3D camera angles
kick in during intro cinematics, super moves, and throw techniques. That said,
DNF Duel is definitely visually exciting for a "traditional"
1-on-1 2D fighting game!
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DNF
Duel character selection screen.
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DNF Duel features
16 playable characters at launch. Instead of having normal
names, the characters of Dungeon And Fighter Duel are identified based on their class from the Dungeon Fighter Online series. The visual designs of the characters also inspired by their prior appearances in the series (but are new / updated for this game). Each character has a small selection of normal
attacks, specific buttons to unleash MP Moves, and powerful screen-filling Special MP Moves.
Holding directional inputs while pressing Skills or MP Skills can result in different techniques entirely, for some characters. Several characters can also delay or alter their attacks when
a player holds down the attack button.
Awakening Skill (Supers) are performed with 1 button. Check out Neople's official
gameplay system tutorial videos for
more details and information about DNF Duel's core mechanics.
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quality
2.5D visuals and simplified special move inputs.
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DNF Duel features a classic Health meter with a MP meter directly under it. Players spend MP to unleash MP Special Moves
— each which carry their own MP cost based on their power or how powerful the player chooses the move to be. Another main gameplay mechanic is Conversion, where the player spends their own white life HP (damage
they previously
took) for extra MP. This mechanic is very similar to the Baroque system from
Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, which unironically was designed by the same battle system developers.
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Get your
SoulCalibur Nightmare vibes on with Berserker.
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DNF Duel's
online mode features rollback netcode. The first
open beta test for Dungeon
And Fighter Duel took place on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 from December 17th-20th.
DNF Duel was released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (Steam)
on June 28th, 2022. In December 2022, Nexon and Arc System Works announced a Season
Pass for the game in 2023 which will add 5 additional characters to the
game.
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Page
Updated: |
May
3rd, 2024
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Developer(s): |
Eighting, Neople, Arc System Works
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Publisher(s): |
Nexon
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Designer(s): |
Kodani
Ryosuke
Director
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Platform(s): |
PS5,
PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Epic Games Store
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Release Date(s): |
June
28th, 2022
PlayStation
5, PS4, Steam
April 20th, 2023
Nintendo
Switch
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Characters: |
Berserker,
Inquisitor, Grappler,
Striker, Ranger,
Hitman, Dragon
Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi,
Crusader, Ghostblade,
Launcher, Troubleshooter,
Swift Master, Enchantress,
Lost Warrior, Spectre, Brawler,
Battle Mage, Monk, Nen Master |
News
Links: |
Sep.
2023: Battle Mage and Brawler Revealed for DNF Duel
June
2022: DNF Duel ENGLISH Movelists |
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Featured
Video: |
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Related Games: |
Guilty Gear -STRIVE-, Dragon Ball FighterZ, BlazBlue
Cross Tag Battle, BlazBlue: Central Fiction, Blade Strangers,
Battle Fantasia,
WeaponLord, Golden Axe: The Duel, Samurai Shodown (2019),
Mortal Kombat 11, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition,
Street Fighter 6, UNIST-CLR,
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom,
Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars, Granblue Fantasy Versus, The King of Fighters XV,
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R, Pocket
Bravery, Blazing Strike
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Gameplay Engine
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6.5 / 10
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Story / Theme
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6.0 / 10
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Overall Graphics
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7.5 / 10
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Animation
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8.0 / 10
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Music / Sound Effects
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7.5 / 10
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Innovation
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6.0 / 10
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Art Direction
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7.0 / 10
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Customization
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7.0 / 10
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Options / Extras
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7.0 / 10
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Intro / Presentation
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6.5 / 10
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Replayability / Fun
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6.0 / 10
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"Ouch" Factor
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8.0 / 10
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Characters
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7.0 / 10
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BOTTOM LINE
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6.9 / 10
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Review based on
PS4
version
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Final
Words: |
Some might say Arc System Works fighting games
are all starting to "look the same" these days due to the 2.5D
graphics engine shared by most modern titles. But is anyone really complaining?
Is it a bad thing? In my opinion... NO.
It's the new standard, if anything. (And a game like DNF Duel looks eons
more visually compelling than SNK's recent offering with KOF
XV, in my opinion.) Like its predecessors, DNF Duel offers flashy
anime-inspired visuals,
interesting character designs, and intuitive gameplay that's easy to
get into for casual and seasoned fighting game players, alike.
DNF Duel uses simple inputs for special moves (with only a few motion inputs), making it
very
accessible even for players who don't play fighting games. DNF is perhaps most similar to the BlazBlue series, with massive, screen-filling special moves
and gimmicks just one button press away. While I
personally prefer fighting games with motion inputs (#1 because I grew up with them, and
#2 because they make characters and games feel more distinguished and fun), DNF Duel's mechanics are
still inviting for new players of any skill level.
However, DNF Duel's simple nature is (predictably) also the game's
biggest flaw. The DNF Duel player base dropped off severely in about
month's time, after the game's newness wore off. In this day and age of fighting
games, that's a problem. Where will the disgruntled Guilty
Gear -STRIVE- players go off to now? Obviously, the trend of "simple inputs" still isn't a hit with many in the
FGC... and like I've said a thousand times before, "dumbing down" what
a fighting game can be kills its longevity, potential, and fun. If there's no
risk of dropping your combo, what's the point? Where's the risk / reward? At the
least, DNF's simple layout makes it easier to learn this game rather
quickly (among others), since there are
indeed so
many fighting games to play nowadays.
There's definitely a coolness about DNF Duel's visuals, huge special moves,
and perhaps most-importantly in this game's case... its character designs. DNF
Duel lives and dies by its characters and match-ups. I did find a character that I
enjoy using due to her
speedy combo style — and that's Kunoichi. I used Chipp in -STRIVE- due to his ultra-fast combos and mix-ups, so Kunoichi is the perfect character for me... and that's a perfect example
of what to expect from DNF Duel. If you're familiar with how modern
anime fighting games usually play, it won't take you very long to find a
character that you might enjoy using based on their play-style, let alone their snazzy
appearance
and sick special move effects.
The ridiculous and massive special moves that completely fill the screen (potentially even at the very
start of the round)... gives DNF Duel its unique charm. Alas, characters have
access to simple 1-button comeback mechanic supers at the ready when health
is low, but conserving the MP gauge to connect big combos, apply crazy
chip-damage (comparable to certain assist attacks in MVC2),
or connect a super move is the meat and potatoes of DNF Duel. The thrill of throwing huge projectiles or gimmicking your opponent with side
switch mix-ups, high-hitting combos, and corner resets immediately feels fun if
you spend an hour or so in the lab and learn a character or two.
Characters can only perform basic directional jumps (no super jumps, no short
hops). However, some faster characters can double jump. When using slower
characters, some players might feel a lack of mobility
and a dependence on using certain (repetitive) special moves to get-in and apply pressure. However, faster characters have enough
options, alternate normals, and combo-paths to feel "complete" with plenty of mix-up
opportunities... but thankfully, nothing too over-the-top in terms of
juggles. (I say this being able to hit 45+ hit combos and corner resets with
Kunoichi.) Combos with fast characters feel fun and balanced, while slower
damage-heavy characters and projectile-type gunner characters have their own
stylish path to destroying opponents. There's a DNF character for
everyone.
Survival, Arcade, Training, and
Online might keep you busy for a while... but DNF Duel's "cut &
paste" / mostly-text Story mode doesn't offer anything compelling or
worthwhile. On the flipside, the Tutorial is decent and makes it easy to learn the
game's fundamentals, at least.
However, once the newness wares off, DNF Duel's randomness, easy-confirm
combos, and low skill-ceiling inevitably hinders the game
competitively. DNF Duel is kind of a rare gem in some ways, but the
severe lack of post-launch DLC support will inevitably kill the potential and
longevity of this title. My favorite part of the game? The main menu theme.
Great tune!
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
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