Cladun: This is an RPG
Metacritic
IGDB
Loading critic reviews...
Finding live streams...
About Cladun: This is an RPG
Nippon Ichi Software released Cladun: This is an RPG on the PlayStation Portable back in December 2010. The title stands for Classic Dungeon and serves as a deliberate throwback to sprite-based dungeon crawlers of yesteryear. Players explore procedurally generated floors filled with enemies, traps, and treasures while managing a fragile party member who can die permanently. A standout feature allows users to toggle between standard visuals and an 8-bit mode that changes both the graphics and soundtrack to mimic older hardware. This single-player experience offers a distinct challenge for fans of difficult RPGs who appreciate retro aesthetics and permadeath mechanics on a handheld console.
Gameplay
You move your character tile by tile through dark corridors while managing food and healing items carefully. Combat is turn-based and unforgiving since losing all party members ends the run immediately. The core loop involves descending deeper into the dungeon to find better loot, then retreating to town to upgrade gear before trying again. You can switch between full-color graphics and a choppy 8-bit style at any moment without breaking the flow. Ad hoc multiplayer lets friends join your session locally to tackle floors together, though the game remains primarily a solo grind. Every step drains your HP or stamina if you do not eat properly, forcing constant risk assessment during exploration.
What Players Think
Metacritic gave Cladun a score of 78 out of 100, reflecting its niche appeal among hardcore players. PlayPile data shows that community members who finished the game spent an average of 42 hours inside the dungeon system. Achievement completion rates hover around 35 percent, suggesting many users quit when permadeath strikes too early. Community mood tags lean heavily toward "frustrating" and "addictive," with players often debating the balance between difficulty and fairness. Review snippets from our users highlight the 8-bit mode as a major selling point for retro enthusiasts. While some critics found the pacing slow, the majority agree that the tactical depth keeps them returning to the same floors repeatedly.
PlayPile's Take
This game costs around $15 on secondary markets if you can find a copy of the PSP cartridge. You should buy it only if you enjoy punishing difficulty and do not mind losing progress constantly. The achievement list offers plenty of goals for completionists willing to grind through hundreds of floors. Players who prefer casual pacing will likely get annoyed by the strict resource management rules. Nippon Ichi delivered a solid dungeon crawler with genuine charm, but the steep learning curve remains a barrier. Skip this title if you want a relaxing adventure or easy difficulty settings.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
84.0
Deals
Finding deals...
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...