Dungeon Automata, developed by Medium-Rare Games, introduces a novel approach to the dungeon crawler genre with its "autologic" design. This game blends auto-battler mechanics with logic-based visual scripting, allowing players to dictate their party of heroes' behavior through programming. Each character can be customized by linking nodes that trigger specific actions, including responses to party member health levels or enemy presence.
The core gameplay loop revolves around optimization, where players experiment with different tools and strategies through trial and error to discover the most effective combinations. This programming extends to dungeon navigation, with players setting directional paths for their party before they embark on an adventure. Once the adventurers enter the dungeon, no further in-game intervention is possible, placing a premium on pre-mission programming.
Unlike roguelikes, Dungeon Automata features handcrafted levels, ensuring a consistent experience without random generation. The game is presented in a striking black and white pixel art style. Further enhancing its appeal, the soundtrack is composed by Yuzo Koshiro, renowned for his work on titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage. A demo is currently available on Steam for players interested in trying the game.