Why I can’t stop thinking about Dinolords, Gamescom’s weirdest game

Why I can't stop thinking about Dinolords, Gamescom's weirdest game

As an old-school gamer who cut his teeth on strategy games from the 90s and RPGs that made us all level grinders, Dinolords feels like a dream come true! I mean, who wouldn’t want to command armies of brave villagers while riding a T-Rex into battle against Danish invaders?


It’s been some time since I last attended school (to be honest, it might have been more than just a while), yet I can’t recall the English ever losing their battle against the Danes in 1002 AD due to the Danes having dinosaurs.

In the unique setting of Dinolords, we see an unusual blend, where armies are on a destructive rampage while riding on top of T-Rexes, causing castle walls to crumble. It seems quite peculiar, but it could potentially be mad enough to succeed.

No pain, no Dane

Why I can't stop thinking about Dinolords, Gamescom's weirdest game

Dinolords, as referred to by the CEO and Game Director of Northplay, is an exciting fusion of action-RPG and real-time strategy elements, often termed as a “Hack and Strategy” gameplay style.

Similar to dinosaurs wandering through the English countryside, it may seem implausible, but by utilizing intelligent control features and a Warband system that enables you to command your troops as you engage in combat, it turns out to be surprisingly intuitive.

In the game Dinolords, individuals assume the position of a Lord, responsible for building and fortifying a castle stronghold to ward off invasions by the Danes and aggressive packs of raptors.

Why I can't stop thinking about Dinolords, Gamescom's weirdest game

To begin with, the experience might seem somewhat similar to urban planning – players construct their town hall, draw in inhabitants, and commence the production of essentials such as food, craft castle walls, and make efforts to maintain community spirit.

It’s fascinating that each individual villager and every resource available are thoroughly tracked – so precisely that if your laborers fell a tree for house construction, you could accurately tally every piece of timber used before it gets utilized.

You can even get your hands dirty yourself, helping speed up construction. Everything your villagers do, you can do, including taking up a position on the castle walls to look out for invaders.

Invaders must die

Why I can't stop thinking about Dinolords, Gamescom's weirdest game

1. They’ll undoubtedly arrive, sometimes riding on dinosaurs and in great abundance. In the heat of castle defense, Dinolords transforms into an action RPG, even featuring a red health bar in the corner, much like Diablo.

1. In the game, players can wield swords for individual combat as well as unite with a band of soldiers to create a Warband, thereby unlocking extra skills. The extent of skill customization is something to look forward to. Moreover, cooperative play (co-op) is included, allowing you and your allies to jointly tackle colossal, enraged reptiles and swift Vikings alike, leaping from ramparts together.

Why I can't stop thinking about Dinolords, Gamescom's weirdest game

Of course, you’ll also have the opportunity to train and befriend dinosaurs, providing you with a reptilian companion to join you in combat. The entire game is presented in an aesthetically pleasing style that evokes memories of playing classic strategy games on a PC from the ’90s, but it surpasses those memories as your nostalgia tints the reality.

The delicate rustling of the grass by the wind and the crisp, intricate pattern on the castle’s bricks suggest that Dinolords was crafted with great care and affection.

Final Thoughts

Although it might seem as if it’s an overly imaginative fantasy, Dinolords stands out as one of the most intriguing games I’ve encountered this year – surprisingly, its unique appeal isn’t primarily tied to its storyline.

Come for the dinosaurs, stay for the chance to build a town and slay an army, I say.

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2024-08-23 00:42