Drod

In 2006, I clicked on a fateful hyperlink on a googled games website linking me to a game called “DROD: Journey to the Rooted Hold”. It had an interesting description, about dungeons and clowns and evil swordfighting lunatics, and since I love puzzle games, I gave it a shot. It must have been one of the best experiences of my life. DROD is one of the most engaging, funny, hard, and exciting games I have ever played, and without a doubt the best puzzle game I’ve ever laid my hands on. You look down on a 2D dungeon grid, filled with monsters, walls, doors, obstacles, and a myriad of features that can help or hinder your progress through the story. Though at first navigating through corridors and slicing rows of the basic DROD monster, the roach, might seem boring to some and too easy to others, as the game goes on the puzzles become simply mind-boggling and the story effectively comes to life. Taking days to figure out the best way to navigate a trapdoor maze in time to free Halph (your faithful sidekick) from a frustrating bomb-filled chamber is one of the most satisfying, “Aha” moment, PC gaming experience I’ve had in quite a while. The best part is the vibrant user community always available to help out in tough spots, run engaging monthly contests (in which you can win free games, books, T-shirts, and more!), and make you feel at home playing this “diamond in the rough” of puzzle games.

Check out the new user guide at www.drod.net to find out more about this game that has engaged me for four years.