Grotesque Tactics 2: Dungeons and Donuts

About Grotesque Tactics 2: Dungeons and Donuts

Grotesque Tactics 2: Dungeons and Donuts is a 2011 indie RPG sequel from Headup Games that blends turn-based strategy with absurd humor. Set in the Kingdom of Glory, it follows guilds of squabbling survivors trapped in catacombs after a mysterious fog. The game mixes strategic combat, dialogue-based puzzles, and resource management, all wrapped in a satirical tone. It leans into chaotic storytelling and quirky character interactions, aiming to parody traditional fantasy tropes. Released on PC, it’s a single-player affair with a focus on guild politics and survival. The sequel attempts to expand on its predecessor’s formula but divides players with its polarizing mix of charm and clunkiness.

Gameplay

Combat in Grotesque Tactics 2 is grid-based turn-based strategy where you control a party of four simultaneously. Each session involves navigating dungeon maps, managing limited resources like food and equipment, and solving dialogue riddles that often rely on wordplay or absurd logic. Missions force you to balance guild rivalries, players can sabotage other factions for advantage. The interface feels cluttered, with overlapping menus for inventory, abilities, and dialogue options. Battles require careful positioning to exploit enemy weaknesses, but AI allies often act unpredictably. Sessions last 30, 60 minutes, punctuated by awkwardly timed cutscenes and darkly comedic quests like baking donuts in a dungeon. The humor lands inconsistently, but the strategic depth keeps some players engaged.

What Players Think

Critics panned Grotesque Tactics 2 with Metacritic at 48/100 and IGDB at 33.6/100. Average playtime is 15 hours, with 33% of players completing the game. Community moods split between 28% “laughed hard” and 41% “frustrated.” The rarest achievement, “Rukel,” is unlocked by just 7.2% of players, often requiring obscure glitch exploitation. Reviews cite “unfunny jokes” and “poorly optimized menus” as major turnoffs, though some praise the bold satire. Only 24.7% of achievements are typically unlocked, reflecting the game’s steep learning curve. PlayPile users note it’s “a cult pick for masochists who love poking at broken mechanics,” with one calling it “the RPG version of a broken toaster.”

PlayPile's Take

Grotesque Tactics 2 is a niche gamble. At $19.99, it’s affordable for fans of self-aware, flawed strategy games. The 13 achievements are achievable but poorly balanced, most require brute-forcing through repetitive missions. It works best for players who enjoy mocking grindy RPG systems while tolerating its awkward pacing. Skip if you prefer polished mechanics or coherent humor. For those who relish its chaotic charm, it’s a 15-hour experiment in absurdity. Not a recommendation, but a curiosity for the right audience.

Storyline

Our story starts as the citizens of the Kingdom of Glory celebrate their victory over the Dark Church. While in the catacombs of their former enemies, their revelry is disturbed by a sudden all-encompassing fog. The citizens wrapped by the fog disappear screaming into nothing. Those that remain alive after the strange attack, barricade themselves in the depths of the catacombs. As time passes, food becomes scarce and the people of the Kingdom of Glory begin to realize that they might all meet their demise. The ‘heroic’ Knights of Glory, shady mercenaries and the arrogant high elves band together into guilds in order to survive and escape the dank catacombs. Unfortunately, the guilds are far too concerned with their distaste for each other and are oblivious to the awakening of dark forces in the dungeons below…