In an era where games like Omega Labyrinth and Monster Monpiece made waves among Western gamers, Yuuna in the Haunted Hot Springs Steam Dungeon made its debut on PS4 in 2018. However, the English release of the game, now titled Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami, occurred only recently. While this PC port retains much of the original content, including DLC items and subtle changes to steamy scenes, it falls short in terms of options and overall effort in this modern release.
The narrative unfolds with the discovery of a mysterious Miniature Garden that pulls Kogarashi in, prompting the female cast to embark on a mission to rescue him. The initial focus is on Yuna gathering the other girls and regrouping at Urami Inn to strategize. The story incorporates anime tropes and a slice-of-life narrative that works well, though the voice acting includes some loud pitch screeching during story scenes. The camaraderie of the group shines through, providing courage in the face of challenges.
Beyond the narrative, Yuuna in the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami reveals itself as a fun and challenging roguelike dungeon crawler. The basic systems of the genre are present, offering strategic gameplay with clever trap designs and floor-shattering abilities. As you progress, the dungeons become more challenging, requiring a deeper understanding of survival strategies and equipment fine-tuning.
The dungeons feature a minimalistic base equipment loadout with slots for a weapon, amulet, scroll, and uniform. Amulets and scrolls serve as buffs, improving over time, while weapons include quirky items like pans or Christmas trees. The introduction of a partner with long-range weapons and uniform costumes, offering cosmetic changes and unique costume break animations, adds variety.
Managing items in dungeons introduces a unique feature where you can buy and find baskets to store items, expanding your inventory. Additionally, the game allows you to regain lost equipment after death, enhancing the overall experience. Extra dungeons, unlocked through side missions, and postgame content contribute to the game's replayability.
Despite the engaging gameplay, the PC release faces criticism for its limited options and a lack of effort in design. The absence of controller support and the smallest browser launch window diminish the overall experience. The gallery feature allows players to replay hot spring minigames and view cutscenes or CGs. Optional side episodes delve into characters' backstories and interactions.
While Yuuna in the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami offers a unique dungeon crawler experience, it succumbs to repetition due to a lack of system evolution. The surface-level narrative, characterized by anime tropes, may not captivate everyone. However, the dense postgame content and optional features, such as the hot spring minigame, provide additional entertainment for those who embrace the game's quirks.
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