Celebrating 20 Years of Dungeon Lords: From Cult Classic to Dark Fantasy Saga
Dungeon Lords is Back!… Kinda…
The Start of Something Amazing
On May 5, 2005, Dungeon Lords emerged as a bold entry into the action RPG genre. Developed by Heuristic Park and helmed by legendary game designer D.W. Bradley, the game combined real-time combat, character class customization, and a dark, arcane setting that stood apart from the high-fantasy fare of its time. While the initial release was criticized for bugs, unfinished systems, and a lack of polish, it still managed to carve out a fiercely loyal fanbase.
There was something undeniably captivating about the world of Dungeon Lords. Beneath the surface glitches lay a game filled with potential, one that dared to throw players into intense battles without hand-holding, while offering a sprawling, mysterious realm filled with cryptic lore, dungeon mazes, and magic-infused weaponry. The visual style was gritty and immersive, the enemy variety was wild (if not annoyingly insistant), and the mix of melee combat with spellcasting gave it a unique identity.
Despite its rocky start, Dungeon Lords had heart. It wasn’t afraid to be different. And that willingness to experiment, even if it meant breaking a few things along the way, is what made it memorable. For many players, this was their first taste of a fantasy world where chaos reigned, death came swiftly, and the line between mastery and madness was razor thin.
Below we’ll go briefly through the different versions of the Dungeon Lords PC game, but we provide a more in-depth overview of the different versions in another article.
We’ll also cover how I’ve bought the trademark for “Dungeon Lords” and turned it into an epic fantasy series, with book one now available on Amazon and more soon to come!
Dungeon Lords® is now a Dark Fantasy Series on Amazon!
Available in Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook, and Large Print!
The Original Release: Ambition Meets Adversity
Dungeon Lords aimed to merge the depth of classic RPGs with the immediacy of action games. Players could choose from various races and classes (but you weren’t cool unless you were an urgoth), engaging in real-time battles while exploring a rich fantasy world.
However, because of budget issues, the game was released before all features were fully implemented leading to a mixed reception. Critics pointed out issues like disappearing quest items and unresponsive NPCs. I’ve heard in forums that the original was virtually unplayable because the number of bugs.
Here are some screenshots of the Steam version of the game I’ve taken during my playthrough:
My big axe that does a ton of damage
Fighting a wolf from the Steam cover
Being attacked by Borrowgrim’s mages and Dark Elves, which seems like a random combination to be attacking at one time
The division of items that seem to just be suggestions, as any item goes in any category
A seemingly inconspicuous treasure chest
Guards fighting the loose ogre troll as thieves also attack
The two symbols you have to pick out from the rest and push in a super quick fashion or you don’t get treasure
The treasure crab has been defeated
The password that was hanging out inside a demon hound
The ogre troll I set free and trapped with a city guard in a room so he could kill him for me
The magical relic horn that does… something
The mage that’s being standing here dying for hours after I killed his demon
The long and painful process of trying to bash a treasure chest open
The guy I freed from prison for unknown reasons
The dark mage guarding the mage I need to talk to
The constant onslaught of theives in the slums
The captive troll I freed that immediately started attacking me. So much for thank yous.
Talking with Mage Aleister
Talking with Lord Davenmor
Stone head dude who felt a feeling of emptiness I gave him the password and his destiny was fulfilled
Our first look at Fargrove city after battling for hours through the sewers
Ogre Troll in the theater
Escaping the zombie pit to heal and then being attacked by spiders
Dungeon Lords Steam Edition Main Menu
Chilling in the Fargrove sewers
Being set upon by a zombie horde
As if lockpicking isn’t hard enough, this treasure turns into an attack crab
Collector’s Edition: A Step Forward
In 2006, just a year after its rocky debut, Dungeon Lords returned with a second chance to make a first impression. The Collector’s Edition was more than a repackaging, it was a redemption arc. This updated release addressed many of the original game’s shortcomings and gave players a more refined glimpse into the grim, magic-soaked world of Dungeon Lords.
Fans who had stuck with the game through its rough beginnings were rewarded with significant improvements. The Collector’s Edition introduced new quests that expanded the story, additional spells that deepened combat customization, more monsters to challenge seasoned adventurers, and enhanced character creation options. It also fixed several major bugs and streamlined parts of the user interface, making the experience more accessible without watering down the challenge that had become a hallmark of the game.
The changes didn’t turn Dungeon Lords into a perfect RPG overnight, but they helped realize more of the game’s original vision. For many, the Collector’s Edition became the definitive version of the game, an action RPG with unique mechanics, a gritty atmosphere, and just enough polish to show what Dungeon Lords could have been all along. Many in the forums say that this is the absolute best version of the game, with more features than even the later MMXII and Steam versions where aspects of the game were streamlined and some say “dumbed-down”.
This release marked a turning point in the game’s legacy. It proved that there was still life, and loyalty, in the community, and that the world of Dungeon Lords wasn’t ready to be forgotten.
Dungeon Lords MMXII: Revisiting the Realm
The 2012 Dungeon Lords MMXII edition sought to modernize the game for a new audience. While maintaining the core story and gameplay, it introduced updated graphics and interface improvements. However, some fans felt that certain changes simplified the game’s depth.
This was the first version of the game with an in-game map, and was meant to capture the excitement of the release, and get people excited for a possible sequel that never came.
The pictured below includes the only physical version of MMXII that I could find on the internet. It shipped from Italy, and frequent searches since have yielded no results. Physical versions of MMXII are rare.
Above is pictured all phsyical stand-alone version of the game. Bottom-left: Original Cover art. Top-left: Factory sealed mass launch cover. Top-right: Collector’s Edition steel case complete with full map inside. Bottom-right: Dungeon Lords MMXII PC DVD.
Steam Edition: Bringing the Game to a New Platform
In 2015, the Steam Edition made Dungeon Lords more accessible than ever. This version featured enhanced multiplayer support, an improved user interface, and various quality-of-life updates. Despite these enhancements, the game retained its original charm and quirks.
Confirmed by the game’s credits, the Steam version is simply a ported version of the MMXII version of the game. It’s just now more accessible to those looking to dive deep into the nostalgia that is Dungeon Lords.
This is the version I’m slowly playing through as I write the new Dungeon Lords saga, which you can learn more about below!
A New Chapter: Dungeon Lords: The Lost Disciple
Two decades after the game’s debut, Dungeon Lords steps into a bold new realm, not through a remake or reboot, but through the power of storytelling. Dungeon Lords: The Lost Disciple is the first book in the Fate of Evania series, a dark fantasy saga that honors the legacy of the original RPG while forging an entirely new path.
As the author, I’ve reimagined the spirit of the RPG game and its gritty tone into a rich, character-driven narrative. The story follows Faro, a humanoid lion who awakens with no memory of his past after being betrayed by the very hero who was meant to save the world. As war brews and monstrous rulers tighten their grip on the land, Faro and his unlikely party of allies must confront ancient powers, unravel hidden prophecies, and decide what kind of legacy they want to leave behind.
While this novel is not a direct adaptation, it channels the soul of Dungeon Lords, the dark magic, the mythic battles, the sense of danger and discovery. Longtime fans will recognize thematic echoes, while new readers can jump in with no prior knowledge and still find an epic journey worth taking.
The Lost Disciple is more than just a tribute, it’s the next chapter in a legacy two decades in the making.
Honoring the Legacy
The Kindle and Hardback versions of The Lost Disciple released on April 22, 2005, but I still had to make sure to honor the 20th anniversary of the game.
The paperback release of Dungeon Lords was on May 5, 2025, sharing the release date of the original game, just two decades late. This symbolic date celebrates the enduring impact of Dungeon Lords and its evolution from a cult classic game to a compelling fantasy series.
Looking Ahead
With the trademark now under my stewardship, the Dungeon Lords universe is poised for further expansion. Future installments will delve deeper into the lore, exploring new territories and characters.
Fans can look forward to a rich tapestry of stories that honor the game’s legacy while forging new paths. New book releases are planned every six months!
Get the new novel Dungeon Lords: The Lost Disciple on Amazon!
