Let me start by saying this… the art style of Shroom and Gloom is what pulled me in before anything else did. I wasn’t even planning to try the demo, but the hand-drawn visuals colliding with those surreal 3D dungeon layers had my curiosity instantly piqued.
You know that moment you see a game and think:
“Okay wait… what is THIS?”
Yeah, that was me.
So obviously I had to jump in and see if the gameplay matched the weird, spore-filled atmosphere that grabbed me straight away and honestly? I’m glad I did.
Booting it up, the first thing that hits you is the atmosphere. Everything feels like a mix between cozy and cursed. Soft floating spores, weird mushroom faces, walls that feel like they’re quietly judging you. It’s the type of art style that pulls you in before you even know what the gameplay is going to do.
Once I started walking through the first rooms I realised it wasn’t just a simple dungeon crawler. You’re throwing cards to fight, throwing cards to explore, and suddenly you’re working with two decks at once. On paper that sounded like too much, but in practice it clicked surprisingly fast. One moment I’m just attacking because the card looks cool, the next I’m planning combos like I’m actually good at this game.
The deeper I got, the more I started appreciating how the rooms are laid out. Every space feels handcrafted, almost like the devs wanted you to slow down and look at things instead of rushing through. And honestly, it works. The art does half the talking for the game.
Of course it’s still a demo, so every now and then a card doesn’t do what you expect or an enemy hits harder than it feels like it should, but nothing that made me quit. If anything, it made me more curious about how the full thing will play once everything is polished up.
What surprised me most is how quickly the game got its hooks in. I launched it expecting to play for ten minutes and ended up losing track of time, trying to see how far I could get with whatever weird deck I was building. It’s familiar enough to pick up instantly but just different enough to keep you thinking.
So yeah, first impression:
The art pulled me in, the atmosphere kept me there and the gameplay turned out a lot deeper than I expected from a short demo. I’m honestly just curious what the full game will look like with more cards, more rooms and more of that strange little world the devs built.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Shroom and Gloom?
Shroom and Gloom is an indie dungeon crawler that combines hand-drawn visuals with 3D layered environments. Players use cards to attack, explore, and interact with the game world.
How does the card system work?
The game uses two decks simultaneously, allowing players to plan attacks and explore strategically. Cards can be combined for various effects, adding depth to combat and exploration.
Is Shroom and Gloom available on web3 platforms?
While primarily a traditional indie game demo, discussions of web3 integration have been mentioned in some sources. Current gameplay focuses on card-based mechanics without blockchain features.
What platforms is the demo available on?
The demo is available on PC. Details about console releases or broader platform availability have not been officially announced.
Are there any issues with the demo?
The demo has minor inconsistencies, such as cards not always performing as expected or occasional difficulty spikes with enemies. These issues do not prevent the game from being enjoyable.
What makes Shroom and Gloom unique?
The combination of hand-drawn art, layered 3D environments, and dual deck card mechanics creates a distinct dungeon crawler experience. The game emphasizes both atmosphere and strategic gameplay.
