Highlights
- Dungeons of Hinterberg is set to reach the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC on July 18.
- The debut title from Vienna-based studio Microbird mixes ARPG gameplay with social sim elements, thus potentially appealing to everyone from Zelda to Persona fans.
- Dungeons of Hinterberg also boasts stunning cel-shaded graphics seemingly inspired by legendary cartoon artist Moebius.
Xbox Game Pass title Dungeons of Hinterberg has been treated to a release date, July 18. This day-one addition to Xbox Game Pass may appeal to both The Legend of Zelda and Persona fans, as it includes a healthy mixture of both series' elements.
Originally announced in June 2023, Dungeons of Hinterberg is the first-ever title from Austrian studio Microbird Games. While primarily pitched as an exploration-heavy action RPG in the vein of The Legend of Zelda franchise, it also incorporates some life sim elements, including a point-based social bond system akin to the one used throughout the 3D Persona games.
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Dungeons of Hinterberg Playtest Sign-Ups Now Open
Half a year after publisher Curve Games confirmed Dungeons of Hinterberg as a day-one Xbox Game Pass title, the ARPG has received an official release date, July 18. Apart from PC, the game will also be released for the Xbox Series X/S. Microbird is planning to hold a closed playtest ahead of Dungeons of Hinterberg's summer debut. The test will be exclusively available to Steam users, with its sign-ups already being open. Buying Dungeons of Hinterberg via Steam is not a prerequisite for participating in the test, not least because pre-orders for the game haven't even gone live yet. The closed beta will run from May 9 through May 16.
Aside from its distinct mixture of genres, Dungeons of Hinterberg also tries to set itself apart with its mesmerizing visuals. The game takes place in a fantasy version of the Austrian Alps, around the eponymous village of Hinterberg, with its visuals seemingly being inspired by the iconic works of Jean Henri Gaston Giraud, better known by his pseudonym Moebius. The late French artist and cartoonist had a reputation for creating incredibly vivid scenes characterized by confident linework and a liberal use of dot halftone patterns for shading. Dungeons of Hinterberg brings this style to an interactive format using cel-shaded graphics.
The game itself stars Luisa, a law trainee who visits the Austrian Alps in search of a break from her hectic career. But her vacation soon takes an interesting turn after magic appears in Hinterberg, prompting her to set out on an epic adventure and make friends along the way.
Dungeons of Hinterberg is one of many titles presented at the June 2023 Xbox Games Showcase that are yet to hit the market. Action adventure South of Midnight, roguelike 33 Immortals, and ARPG Avowed are all in the same boat. But with Microsoft already confirming that it's planning another similar event for June 2024, more release date announcements may be just around the corner.
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