W is for... War For The Overworld

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Game Information

Developer:	Brightrock Games	Date Started:	14/08/2025
Platform:	Steam	Fresh Play / Continuation:	Continuation
Genre:	Strategy	Time Played:	11.3hrs
Theme:	Evil / Dungeons	Date Finished:	07/09/2025
Difficulty Rating:	Challenging	Recommendation:	Yes

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Growing up, I remember trying my hand at Dungeon Keeper and Dungeon Keeper II. It was seen as a novelty at the time to play as the villain. Not only that, but there was nothing like it at the time. Sure, there were strategy games like Dune or management games like Theme Hospital, but none combined the qualities like Dungeon Keeper did.

Sadly, after Dungeon Keeper II, the style would vanish for a while, even though the game ended with the indication of a sequel. Sure, some games tried to match it - Evil Genius, Impire, and the Dungeons franchise, but I still felt like they couldn't compare.

So when War for the Overworld was announced back in 2015, I was very intrigued. An indie company was attempting to continue where Dungeon Keeper II left off, without calling it Dungeon Keeper.

War for the Overworld plays as its predecessors did, so people who are familiar with the Dungeon Keeper franchise can easily pick it up and get stuck in with ease. And the game is not too difficult to get into for newcomers to the genre.

I enjoyed how Brightrock Games subtly picked up the game where Bullfrog Productions left off. Dungeon Keeper II teased that the third game would be called Dungeon Keeper III: War For The Overworld. By naming their game War for the Overworld, Brightrock Games was pretty much saying that their game was an indirect sequel. In fact, the way they play out the story is like you were in exile for some time, and now you are back to complete your campaign of evil.

I remember when I got it, back in 2015, I was excited because the gameplay was similar but a somewhat evolved formula. Some things were removed, for example, the research aspect, and replaced in this case with an ability tree, which still functions the same way. Then there were new additions to the structure, for instance, alchemical potions were introduced for the first time. But what struck me was how they worked around the core concepts. Brightrock Games couldn't outright use the same names as the Dungeon Keeper games, so they found workarounds. Instead of a Dungeon Heart, you have a Core that beats just like a heart; instead of Imps, you have Workers; instead of Bile Demons, you have Chunders; Warlocks? Cultists. Dark Mistress? Succubus. Even the rooms had the same alterations, but the main ones were easily recognisable, even if their names were slightly different.

The similarities even extend to the graphics and audio of the game. While the graphics are improved over the Dungeon Keeper titles, there is a similarity in style that is reminiscent of the source. And then there are the sounds and audio. They all bring back fond memories. Brightrock Games even went far enough to get the original voice actor to voice the lines of the mentor, Richard Ridings. As a Dungeon Keeper fan, it was like reliving the past and continuing the series. As a parent, though... I couldn't stop myself from unhearing Daddy Pig giving me the instructions...

Playing the game, I found a decent balance within the gameplay. It wasn't easy to the point where I was charging through the levels with ease. And it wasn't difficult to the point where I was restarting the level after every mistake. Were there some levels harder than others? Yes, especially the timed ones (where, after a countdown, an enemy wave or the entire mission was timed). But the rest could be tackled with strategy and patience. There was a little bit of grinding involved, especially when you had to level up your creatures to tackle the stronger enemies, but at no point did it ever feel tedious.

Because of the planning and strategizing I encountered, the game took a decent amount of time. And with thirteen levels, it took me a couple of evenings to get through. It is even possible to complete the game quicker, especially if you are aiming for each level's quick run achievements, though I struggled to achieve the majority of them.

The game is decently priced, especially for the content it offers, and even has a couple of DLCs and add-ons to keep you playing. And that's not including the skirmish maps and the downloadable user maps. And the game doesn't require a lot of specs to run effectively.

Honestly, Brightrock Games did an impressive job of creating an unofficial entry in the Dungeon Keeper franchise, and if people loved the original franchise or would like to get into it, I do recommend War for the Overworld to be included as part of the set.

Now with the W game out of the way, I make way for the X game, which is not easy to choose. Not many games for me to pick from that I haven't already played or that catch my interest. But one game did stand out - Xanadu Next. With the title being an RPG, I expect it would take me a while to complete, so I may need to give regular updates on my progress.