Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Upper Reaches of Apshai retains the core mechanics that made Temple of Apshai a classic of early graphical roguelikes. You guide a lone adventurer through four meticulously designed dungeon levels, each brimming with traps, secret passages, and hordes of monsters. Movement and combat follow the turn-based, grid-isometric style popularized by mainframe D&D clones, requiring you to think ahead rather than rely on lightning-fast reactions.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The expansion adds roughly 150 new rooms, spread across varied environments—from dank corridors in Benedict’s monastery to winding subterranean caverns beneath Merlis the Mage’s cottage. Each area introduces environmental hazards such as hidden pit traps, pressure plates, or magical glyphs that demand careful exploration. While the fundamental loop of “move, fight, loot” remains unchanged, the expanded map variety keeps each descent feeling fresh.

Character progression remains straightforward but gratifying: monsters drop experience points and gold, which you spend in the safety of the surface camp to upgrade weapons, armor, and magical items. Since you control just one hero, every decision—whether to press on for more treasure or retreat to refill health potions—carries weight. This tension is heightened by the permadeath-style penalty: if you fall, you lose your gear and must restart from square one.

Graphics

Graphically, Upper Reaches of Apshai stays true to its 1980s roots with simple but charming pixel art. Monster sprites are easily distinguishable—kobolds with pointy hats, giant rats baring fangs, and spectral apparitions that hover ominously in dimly lit halls. The color palette is muted but effective, reinforcing the dungeon’s oppressive atmosphere without causing eye strain over extended play sessions.

Room layouts are rendered with minimal shading and a fixed overhead perspective. While this simplicity might feel dated compared to modern titles, it allows you to parse important visual cues at a glance: trap tiles flash briefly when you approach, doors stand out with contrasting hues, and treasure chests gleam invitingly. The UI overlays your health, inventory, and experience bars cleanly, avoiding the clutter that plagues many contemporary indie roguelikes.

Lighting effects, though rudimentary, play a key role in tension building. Torches cast circular pools of light, leaving edges of rooms in shadow—ideal for ambushes. When magical spells are invoked, the screen briefly flickers with vibrant colors, reminding you that danger can be both seen and felt. Overall, the graphics serve the gameplay and story rather than overshadowing them.

Story

The narrative of Upper Reaches of Apshai is woven subtly into your exploration rather than delivered via lengthy cutscenes. Your goal is to unearth the secrets hidden within Benedict’s monastery—once a place of piety, now rumored to harbor forbidden rituals. Crumbling manuscripts and faded frescoes hint at a dark history that unfolds as you delve deeper.

Beyond the monastery lies the secluded cottage of Merlis the Mage, whose arcane experiments have twisted the local wildlife into nightmarish forms. Scrawled notes, half-burnt tomes, and scattered alchemical vials piece together his obsession with bridging mortal life and arcane power. Though you never meet these characters face-to-face, environmental storytelling fills in the gaps, rewarding perceptive players who search every corner.

While the plot doesn’t branch or change based on choices—this is still a classic dungeon crawl—the sense of progression is palpable. Each new level brings fresh lore discoveries, tying back to a cohesive backstory. The minimalistic approach lets your imagination fill in the blanks, capturing the spirit of old-school role-playing adventures.

Overall Experience

Upper Reaches of Apshai is an exemplary expansion module that respects the original’s design while offering substantial new content. If you enjoyed Temple of Apshai’s blend of strategic combat and methodical exploration, this expansion will satisfy your craving for more labyrinthine challenges and hidden lore.

The difficulty curve ramps up steadily. Early levels are forgiving, allowing you to stockpile potions and gather basic equipment. By the time you confront Merlis’s corrupted guardians, you’ll need to employ careful resource management and exploit every advantage, from specialized weapons to cleverly lured monster ambushes. It’s a gratifying test of patience and planning.

For newcomers to the series, the learning curve may feel steep at first, especially if you’re accustomed to modern quality-of-life features. However, the simple interface and clear visual feedback quickly become second nature. Seasoned roguelike veterans will appreciate the throwback mechanics and the satisfaction of mastering each dungeon’s idiosyncrasies.

Ultimately, Dunjonquest: Upper Reaches of Apshai delivers a rich, old-school experience that stands the test of time. Its concise storytelling, challenging level design, and faithful graphical style make it a worthwhile adventure for anyone seeking a taste of classic dungeon-crawling glory.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10