The release of desktop dungeons beta has been wonderful. It’s available to those who preorder the full version at a cost of $US10.

Firstly I can reassure the same addictive gaming goodness remains as in the free version. Dungeons are still fast, challenging and fun so most of the glow of my review of the free version of desktop dungeons remains.

There’s graphics changes. A huge improvement really while sticking to the 2D basics. The portraits are particularly well done but we also see a lot of other nice graphical additions such as in the environments and spells. The sounds have also improved and I love the humour.

As before there’s risky options to face if you are to defeat the dungeon boss but if it is botched up there’s always running away. Included now is a tutorial system too.

The real advance though is in the metagame which has been enormously expanded and improved since the free version. Now there’s lots of upgrades and buildings, many of which can offer your stalwart hero assistance in various ways. A sword from the blacksmith for a bit of extra smacking power or maybe a bag of gold from the bank to buy things in the dungeon more easily. Perhaps you could take in a magical trinket you picked up in a previous dungeon.

This is beta but the result is very playable. There have already been some improvements integrated into the game. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.

Update: The teething issues appear to be all sorted.

Just released. You can get access by buying it here if you don’t have an account yet.  They are having some teething issues with the rush but it should settle down soon.

Naturally E3 is with us again so I’ve filtered the barrage of announcements to pick out what I see as the highlights.

Minecraft is coming to Xbox 360 and Kinect. That could be interesting. They should include a cardboard pick for realism so you can swing it around like a right loon. Naturally all the Microsoft stuff is centred around Kinect. Halo 4 is coming. Meh.

Nintendo has a new console the er… Wii U. Really. Apparently the controllers will be detachable and usable by themselves with a 6.2 in touch screen built in. There’s a stylus and cams and mikes and similar goodness. Pretty much a simple tablet. Naturally they cannot neglect their just released 3DS. It needs high profile games and it is getting them.

EVE makers CCP talk a bit about DUST 514. For those who don’t know it will be an FPS for the console as the planetary force and mesh and merge with the greater EVE universe, presumably seamlessly. They have decided to go exclusive with the PS3 which is risky IMO.

One big name game at E3 does excite me. Skyrim. I look forward to it despite the risk of sacrificing depth for accessibility. It definitely looks good and seems to be living up to the dragon centricity with powers unlocked by absorbing dragon souls. How it plays is of course an open ended question.

Sony was centred on the Playstation Vita actually drawing boos at the exclusive deal with AT&T. It seems it will cost $US 299 with the wifi only model a bit cheaper, which had a far more positive reaction. Sony is also pushing cross platform and 3D gaming which I think is a good move.

Bastion also sounds interesting but probably needs hands on play to fully grasp.

Finally the great guys at QCF Design have released the Desktop Dungeons E3 demo for play for everyone including you for the next few days. Looking good!

Pleased to see Desktop Dungeons swish new site where you can now preorder the improved game as well as grab a copy of the slightly updated freeware version. The game can be pre-ordered at three different levels. The base game, the special edition and the exclusive edition. All editions give beta access. The exclusive edition is interesting as it is both limited (and nearly sold out) and offers to put a reference to you into the full game. Prices start at $US10.

Check out the review of the freeware version.

QCF Design sum up one of the great qualities of the game – “The perfect coffee-break game”

They aim to be on Steam and the PC/Mac, web, iPhone and Android and also have a forum now.

Earlier Danny Day tweeted …

That’s right: Desktop Dungeons is going to be at E3 thanks to @IndieCade! Is this awesome? (y/y)

Good luck to QCF Design.  Hard for smaller game makers to get visibility but looks like QCF will get a slice.