Zelda Fans Should Play This Underrated 2024 Adventure Game

While recent The Legend of Zelda games have deviated from the series' established formula in some significant ways, the franchise remains synonymous with "great dungeons" for many longtime fans. Indeed, entries like Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword contain some truly tremendous dungeons, and that is exactly what many players have come to expect from Zelda titles. The Legend of Zelda series certainly does not have a monopoly on excellent dungeons, though, and there is one underrated game from 2024 that fans of the franchise should try.

Dungeons of Hinterberg is an action adventure game from indie developer Microbird Games, and it is a great option for gamers who are looking for a title that scratches the itch left by 3D Zelda dungeons. For those readers who are completely unfamiliar with the title, Dungeons of Hinterberg centers around Luisa, a character who is attempting to escape her humdrum life with a trip to the Alps. This is no average vacation, though, as the areas surrounding the town that Luisa visits are filled with enemies to defeat and dungeons to explore.

Dungeons of Hinterberg Review

Though many will not enjoy it's easy and more casual focus, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a pretty romp through a fantastical dungeon filled world.

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By Shane R. Moyer

Dungeons of Hinterberg Has 25 Puzzle-Filled Dungeons

While the dungeons in Dungeons of Hinterberg are not as individually complex as those that appear in most 3D Zelda titles, there are a whooping 25 of them, and each one features special items and mechanics that are used to solve the dungeon's puzzles. For example, some dungeons center around a ball and chain that is used to create paths and manipulate the environment, while others focus on cyclones that can help Luisa avoid hazards. This setup requires players to repeatedly familiarize themselves with new mechanics, and figure out how to use those mechanics to address a variety of puzzles, and that is sure to appeal to fans of classic Zelda dungeons.

Players will encounter enemies and bosses as they work through the dungeons in Dungeons of Hinterberg, and there is even an equipment upgrade system that adds a bit of depth to the game's combat. While those encounters may not quite reach the heights of Zelda's best boss fights, they are serviceable and should not prevent most players from enjoying their time with the title.

Dungeons of Hinterberg Has a Cozy Feel

When Luisa is not busy exploring dungeons, she is spending time interacting with the inhabitants of Hinterberg. These interactions are the core of Dungeons of Hinterberg's relationship system, which gives players access to side quests and perks. While these social sim elements may feel more akin to what is present in Persona games than anything that appears in the Zelda series, they do serve to establish the title's Zelda-like vibe. Perhaps the best word to describe that vibe is "cozy," and gamers who like the feel of titles like The Wind Waker and The Minish Cap are sure to enjoy what Dungeons of Hinterberg has to offer.

Dungeons of Hinterberg Was Overlooked in 2024

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While Dungeons of Hinterberg was well-received upon release, and is currently sitting at a healthy 81 average on review aggregator OpenCritic, it was absent from the majority of publications' best games of 2024 lists, and it did not receive any notable awards. Additionally, the game did not seem to find a significant playerbase on Steam, peaking at a little under 500 players just after its launch. While there was undoubtedly some stiff competition in 2024, particularly in the indie game space, it does feel as though Dungeons of Hinterberg should have received more attention than it did.

Playing Dungeons of Hinterberg in 2025

Fortunately, it is not too late for the game to get its due, and it is actually about to become available to a whole new group of players. Indeed, Dungeons of Hinterberg will release on PlayStation consoles on March 13, giving gamers who do not own an Xbox or PC an opportunity to follow Luisa on her trip to the Alps. And for those readers who do have access to an Xbox or PC, the game remains available on Game Pass, a service to which gamers with those platforms may already be subscribed.

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