Dungeon Lords MMXII wasn’t what fans were expecting, because it wasn’t what the developers originally planned. After announcing a full sequel titled The Orb and the Oracle, Heuristic Park quietly shelved it. Instead, they returned to the original game once more, rebuilding and repackaging it as Dungeon Lords MMXII in 2012.

This version brought a host of improvements to the original formula: revamped UI, new hero classes, improved graphics, updated audio, and even some expanded multiplayer functionality. While not the “final” form (that title goes to the Steam release that followed), MMXII was still a significant step forward and an unexpected part of the game’s legacy.

In this Vault entry, we’ll explore what made MMXII different, how it fits into the timeline between the 2005 launch and the definitive digital edition, and why this physical disc (shipped to me from Italy) is such a rare find today.

Unearthed in the Wild

Finding a physical copy of Dungeon Lords MMXII in 2025 feels like digging up a relic. Most versions floating around are digital, and nearly all of the boxed editions of Dungeon Lords are from its original 2005 release or the Collector’s Edition, not this one.

I tracked down my copy on eBay, shipped from Italy. That’s why the box carries a PEGI 16 rating instead of the usual ESRB. It arrived in solid shape, though the packaging was surprisingly barebones. No inserts, no art booklet, no special touches, just the disc sitting in a plain black case. You’d never guess from the outside that this version represents the studio’s last big attempt at a redemption arc for the franchise. Maybe my version is missing some pieces, I’m not sure.

Still, holding this disc feels significant. It’s one of the only physical releases of MMXII I’ve seen, and its scarcity adds weight to this version’s strange place in the series’ history.

Vault Images of the MMXII Edition of Dungeon Lords

The Final Patch That Wasn’t Final

Dungeon Lords MMXII wasn’t the sequel fans were once promised. That honor belonged to The Orb and the Oracle, a follow-up that was teased, delayed, and eventually canceled. Instead, MMXII arrived quietly in 2012, an upgraded version of the Dungeon Lords Collector’s Edition, meant to serve as a definitive release.

And it mostly was… sort of.

MMXII smoothed out some of the original’s notorious rough edges. It featured:

• A revamped UI with a new action bar and HUD layout

• Support for widescreen resolutions (finally)

• Reworked textures and visual improvements

• Improved audio and remastered voice lines

• A new character creation system with added Class Skills and Hero Classes

• Rebalanced enemies and loot drops

• Up to 8-player online multiplayer

But for all its polish, MMXII also trimmed the fat, sometimes too much. The original game’s choice of four races was reduced to humans only. Several class and quest options were streamlined or cut. The world was more stable but also less ambitious in some places, and despite its improvements, many longtime players still consider MMXII a stepping stone to the even more stable and accessible Steam version that followed.

So while MMXII was meant to be the definitive edition, it turned out to be more of a transitional fossil, fascinating, functional, but still unfinished.

Words of the Wizard

Here’s the official back cover text from my physical copy of Dungeon Lords MMXII. This version came from Italy, so it features a PEGI 16 rating, but the box and game are entirely in English:

The great wizard Galdryn of the Meadows has been vanquished by a deadly conspiracy within the Circle of Mages.
His chief ally, Lord Davenmor, now struggles to save his kingdom from the dark forces of the conspiracy and the onslaught of Lord Barrowgrim’s army of marauders.
But there is hope, for according to prophecy a Great Champion shall appear to challenge the evil invaders — the Realm awaits YOU to be this Champion!

FEATURES

• Co-op story mode for up to 8 players and full single-player game experience

• New Hero Classes, new and improved Class Skills, and new unique class action abilities

• Full World and Character Re-mastering for enhanced gameplay experience

• 50–70 hours

• Completely reworked intuitive Graphic User Interface like new Actionbar

• New Multiplayer Features like Trade System and more

• Dual Switchable Interface Modes (supports Hot-Key action play and Point&Click play)

• Improved Graphic & Visual Enhancements

• Updated full hardware Screen Resolution support (16:10, 16:9, 1920×1080 etc.)

• Newly Re-Mastered Audio sounds and speech

This box text says it all. MMXII was pitched as the definitive version of Dungeon Lords, with massive quality-of-life improvements and support for modern hardware. The tone is pretty epic for a re-release, calling the player a “Great Champion” and teasing a prophecy. While the story hadn’t changed from the original, the improved UI, audio, multiplayer systems, and class design gave it a much-needed facelift.

Despite being a cleaned-up edition, the packaging itself is bare bones. The inside of the box is just a disc, no inserts, no printed manual. A bit of a letdown, especially given the legacy of the title. Still, for fans and collectors, MMXII is the closest thing we ever got to a definitive edition in physical form.

The MMXII Difference

Dungeon Lords MMXII wasn’t a brand-new game. It was a rebuilt one. After the planned sequel (The Orb and the Oracle) was shelved indefinitely, this updated version was released in its place. It was marketed as the definitive edition, and in many ways, it succeeded… though not without trade-offs.

What They Improved:

• Modern Resolution Support: MMXII finally brought widescreen compatibility to the game. No more stretched UI or manual tweaks, everything just worked out of the box, including 1080p.

• New User Interface: Gone was the clunky original UI. In its place was a streamlined interface with hotkeys, action bars, and mouse-friendly features that brought it closer to a modern ARPG experience.

• Remastered Graphics & Audio: While not a full remake, textures were improved, effects were sharpened, and sound was re-balanced for better immersion.

• Multiplayer Updates: Trade systems and new co-op features were added, making it easier to play with friends (or, more realistically, other nostalgic fans with a copy).

• New Hero Classes & Abilities: They added more distinct class choices, refining the original system and expanding character options.

What They Removed or Changed:

• The Manual & Extras: Earlier versions, especially the Collector’s Edition, shipped with a thick printed manual and spell book. MMXII had none of that. No manual, no lore books, just the disc and case. At least the version I got was that way, and was likely the case as manuals and instructions became more readily available online as time went on.

• Old Bugs (Mostly): Some lingering issues were fixed, but others persisted. It was a cleaner experience, but not perfect.

• Hardcore Jank: The charm of the original Dungeon Lords partially came from its chaotic, offbeat design. MMXII polished the edges, for better or worse.

This edition walked a fine line between remaster and rebuild. It wasn’t the long-awaited sequel, but it was the best version of Dungeon Lords available, especially for newcomers or anyone trying to run it on a modern system.

Rarity and Region

Finding a physical copy of Dungeon Lords MMXII is no easy task. While earlier versions of the game had wide releases across North America and Europe, MMXII seems to have had a much more limited print run. Most players discovered it digitally, through platforms like Steam, making the boxed DVD edition a bit of an oddity.

The copy featured in this article was purchased from a seller in Italy, and it carries the PEGI 16 rating rather than the ESRB Teen label found on North American releases. So far, I haven’t seen any other boxed copies like it online. No U.S. releases. No alternate artwork. Just this one, complete with its orange PEGI sticker and Nordic Games branding.

Even more surprising is how plain the inside of the case is. Despite MMXII being marketed as the upgraded version of the game, it comes with no manual, no inserts, no bonus materials, just the disc in a black case. For collectors, this barebones packaging makes the item more intriguing, not less. It’s a glimpse into the awkward transition between physical and digital eras of PC gaming, where even legacy titles like Dungeon Lords weren’t spared the minimalism.

Whether more copies are floating around out there remains to be seen. But for now, this Italian PEGI version stands out as one of the only known physical editions in circulation.

Your best bet to play MMXII is to play the Steam version of Dungeon Lords. This is a ported version of the MMXII version of the game, but with additional bug fixes.

Steam Edition Credits Showing MMXII Version

A Final Word

Dungeon Lords MMXII wasn’t the grand sequel fans hoped for, but it wasn’t trying to be. It was a stopgap, a remaster, a final attempt to polish a beloved mess of a game that still held magic for those who dared to brave its jank. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t definitive. But it mattered.

And that legacy matters to me.

That’s why I created DungeonLords.com. Not just as a shrine to what came before, but as a place to carry the name forward. The world of Evania, the story in Dungeon Lords: The Lost Disciple, and everything we’re building here all stem from that first feeling of picking up a sword and venturing into a dungeon with clunky controls and big ambition.

So whether you’re here because of nostalgia or curiosity, because you loved the original or just discovered it today, welcome. You’re part of this legacy now, and the next chapter is just getting started.