In the many decades that video games have had us battling through monster-filled dungeons, we’ve seen hundreds of variations on the format – but Boyfriend Dungeon marks the first time that we’ve been able to go on dates with the weapons we wield. It’s a fun conceit. As you fight esoteric enemies, from flying VHS tapes to sentient cocktail glasses, you build up affinity with your chosen weapon, which has the uncanny ability to transform into a human.
After a while, you unlock a date with your human/weapon hybrid companion. And after you’ve, say, taken a stroll around the park or gone to a concert – choosing along the way whether you want to take things further or remain just friends – you unlock powerful extra abilities for that blade. You can romance everyone within sight, or opt for platonic friendships across the board. Either way, your phone will be constantly buzzing with requests for your company.
The two halves of the game, dungeon crawler and dating simulator, work in surprising harmony. Dates can give you an extra edge in battles, while the fighting is enhanced by the thrill of levelling up your relationship status and discovering new weapons to date/wield. Still, the dating part is where the real action is, so to speak. Slicing through enemies is enjoyable, precise and reasonably challenging, but the dating portion is superbly compelling, with some intriguing storylines and surprising twists.
The game’s title sells it short. It’s not just man-weapons you can go on dates with: there are women, non-binary folk and even a cat as well (before you ask: no, you can’t sleep with the pussy). You’re also given free rein to design your player character, picking your preferred gender and pronouns. Perhaps Boyfriend Dungeon’s greatest strength is that it portrays the complexities of dating as well as its excitement; as you get to know each character, you’ll be exposed to their flaws and often complicated backstory. The dialogue, although often very funny, deals with issues such as polyamory and depression with an admirable degree of sensitivity and frankness. The stories draw you in, provoking a strong sense of attachment with each human/weapon, to the point where switching to a different blade actually made me feel guilty.
Boyfriend Dungeon begins with a warning that it portrays stalking and emotional manipulation, and indeed the main plotline concerns someone who just won’t leave you alone, with their unwanted attention eventually escalating to violence. It may indeed upset players who have experienced stalking in real life, but as someone who’s never been on the receiving end of this kind of coercive behaviour, I found it eye-opening. Dates can take on a frisson of fear and dread, as you wonder whether your nemesis will turn up unexpectedly. It reinforces the message that although dating can be exciting, it can sometimes be dangerous. Having come to this game for the silly sword romancing, I finished it filled with unexpected empathy and understanding – not to mention catharsis at finally vanquishing my stalker foe. If only it were this simple in real life.
Boyfriend Dungeon is out now; £15-£18
