Overview
Nefarious is your typical RPG dungeon exploring game, with a twist. Rather than controlling the explorer, you control the dungeon and the boss itself. Players design and construct a dungeon, then wait for AI-controlled NPCs to attempt to enter it. Players can create traps, minions, and hidden areas for enemies to fall into, and can even make some NPCs part of their army.
Core Mechanics
Nefarious is controlled from a 3D RTS standpoint, with the wide open map being visible to the player. Once they start a game, there is a short period where the dungeon's initial floors can be quickly carved out. Players can expand downward further to create twisting, turning dungeons with puzzles and traps available for the AI opponents to face. The twist is, players must be able to complete it themselves before opponents approach. Then, the AI uses this data to attempt to progress through the dungeon itself. Now, the player can control where their minions are, when traps can trigger, and can activate other functionality within the dungeon itself. Where Nefarious differs from games like Dungeon Keeper is the consistent expansion of the dungeon. Players continually expand their dungeon, moving deeper and deeper, as well as more outward, creating different levels and situations as they progress. As more enemies enter the dungeon, they will find the initial areas easier, as more corpses and identifiers build up. This creates a constant battle between the player and their AI opponents, as the player needs to use new and interesting combinations of tools and designs to outwit the invading 'heroes'.
The Boss
The boss in the game is a fully controllable character in 3rd and 1st person, and is able to interact with the world in a number of ways. The boss can engage in direct combat, crushing any that stand in his way with his powerful abilities and attacks. The boss is also able to summon a number of minions into combat if he needs to clear an area quickly. Much like an RPG, the boss can also be upgraded with additional equipment and abilities as the game progresses and more skilled and prepared opponents enter the dungeon.Dungeon keeper, the original dungeon construction game.
