History VideoGame / DungeonKeeper

* BigBad: YOU. Yes, ''[[YouBastard YOU]]''.

* BigBad: YOU. Yes, ''YOU''.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor. Recently a new spiritual successor, [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subterraneangames/war-for-the-overworld War For The Overworld]], found its way to Kickstarter, got funded, and is looking like the closest thing to the canceled third installment that will ever see the light of day. Cyanide (Famous for the ''TabletopGame/BloodBowl'' videogames) and Paradox Interactive are also working on another spiritual successor titled ''Impire'' and set in Ardania, the setting of the ''Videogame/{{Majesty}}'' series and its spinoffs.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor. Recently a new spiritual successor, [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subterraneangames/war-for-the-overworld War For The Overworld]], found its way to Kickstarter, got funded, and is looking like the closest thing to the canceled third installment that will ever see the light of day. Cyanide (Famous for the TabletopGame/BloodBowl videogames) and Paradox Interactive are also working on another spiritual successor titled ''Impire'' and set in Ardania, the setting of the Videogame/{{Majesty}} series and its spinoffs.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor. Recently a new spiritual successor, [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subterraneangames/war-for-the-overworld War For The Overworld]], found its way to Kickstarter, got funded, and is looking like the closest thing to the canceled third installment that will ever see the light of day.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor. Recently a new spiritual successor, [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subterraneangames/war-for-the-overworld War For The Overworld]], found its way to Kickstarter and is looking like the closest thing to the canceled third installment that will ever see the light of day.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor.

* GladiatorGames/TrainingFromHell: In the second game, you can build a "Combat Pit" which is essentially a spiky arena. Putting creatures in it (any creature) will make them fight to unconsciousness. The good side is that it trains the creatures who fight (up to level 8), attracts Black Knights (your strongest melee unit) and provides amusement for the ones who do not fight (and for the player, if he is so inclined). The bad side is that a creature KO'd in the arena will appear unconscious next to it, and if an [[WorkerUnit Imp]] does not pick it up and brings it back to it's lair, it will die. [[EvilOverlord Ironically]], you will probably be forced to care for your creatures by picking up imps and dropping them next to them so they may not die.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''{{Overlord}}'', ''StarTopia'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor.

Both games in the series have been made available for purchase at [[http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/dungeon_keeper GOG.com]].\

Both games in the series have been made available for purchase at [[http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/dungeon_keeper GOG.com]].

* AntiPoopSocking: A whole series of them.

* BagOfSpilling: You lose all of your spells, room plans and your entire army between levels - except if you get a special bonus item which allows you to carry over a single creature (in the first game only!). If you didn't lose everything though, things would probably be a bit too easy.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: Wooden bridges cannot be built over lava, but stone bridges are just fine.
** In the second game, you can build wooden bridges over lava... they just won't last five minutes.

* TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything: Keeping the camera over Mistresses "working" in your torture chamber for too long will result in the Mentor warning you that [[ADateWithRosiePalms "You'll go blind, you know."]]

* ElectricTorture: One of several ways of torturing captured heroes.
* EndlessGame: My Pet Dungeon mode, which essentially gives you a patch of land to build your dungeon on, a couple of imps, a hero dispenser where you can dole out enemy attacks as you please, and then leaves you to your own devices. Each area has a preset goal which, when met, unlocks a new area to build another dungeon on, but the player can still stay and take care of his old dungeon at his leisure.

* EvilCounterpart: In both games many of your minions are this to the heroes, eg [[SquishyWizard Wizards]] and [[EvilSorcerer Warlocks]], [[KnightInShiningArmour Knights]] and {{Black Knight}}s, [[OurElvesAreBetter Elves and Dark Elves]], [[LoveableRogue Thieves]] and [[PsychoForHire Rogues]], etc.
** These minion types and their counterparts ''do not'' get along. Ever.

* FastballSpecial: Giants and bile demons have a 'dwarf-chucking' ability in the second game.

* LightningBruiser: Horned Reapers, at least in the first game.
** High-level Orcs fill this role as well.

* MeaningfulName: Lord Avaricious, who, in the sequel, must be tempted out of his fortress by accumulating a suitably large stockpile of Filthy Lucre.
* MightyGlacier: Bile Demons, plain and simple. As well as dragons in the first game.

* NoFourthWall: "Keeper, there is something nasty under your fingernail."

** Your minions demand cable.
** Your dungeon floor is lumpy. Order your minions to jump up and down!
** Your lair has been recarpeted.
** Your dungeon is on an incline - angry creatures cannot play marbles!
** Micro Piglets stalk your Dungeon. Beware...
** Your dungeon is damp. Install central heating.
* OppositesAttract: A word of warning: ''they don't''. Mixing Black Knights and Knights is a recipe for disaster. Wizards hate Warlocks, Rogues hate Thieves, Mistresses hate Fairies, Elves hate Dark Elves... the feelings are mutual. Wizards get along just fine with Black Knights though, and Fairies have no problems with, say, Dragons.
** The aggression isn't merely limited to evil minions vs good minions. There's plenty of inter-evil rivalry amongst your minions; Spiders hate Flies in the first game, and Bile Demons hate Skeletons. Inter-evil rivalry is not as pronounced in the sequel, but it's still there.

** OurAngelsAreDifferent: And ''eeeevil''.

** OurOrcsAreDifferent

* PsychoForHire: The Horned Reaper.

* TheRemnant: In the sequel the Sylvan Elves formerly under the command of Lord Ronin continue to fight against Keeper Asmodeous. Interestingly, and very unusually for this trope, if left to their own devices they'll actually ''win''. Granted it won't resurrect their commander, but they'll get their territory back. Of course, the mission objective is to kill Asmodeous yourself in order to prevent this, with the assumption being that the player has destroyed the remaining Elves in the process. Later, the remainder of Lord Bramble's forces don't give up either, but they're more interested in surviving in what remains of his fortress than actually aggressing against the two Keepers in the area.

* ShoutOut: The second is riddled with them in the form of bonus voice clips from your Mentor. [[{{Gauntlet}} The Wizard Needs Food]].
** Monks are the only unit able to kill a vampire at level 10 permanently, and they use whips. [[VideoGame/{{Castlevania}} Sound familiar?]]

* SinisterScythe: The Horned Reaper [[SarcasmMode oddly enough]] wields one of these

* SquishyWizard: Warlocks in both games, as well as heroic Wizards.

* TortureAlwaysWorks: Torturing heroes is a surefire way to boost your numbers!
* TheUndead: Captured enemies who starve to death in your dungeon become skeletons and corpses taken to the graveyard eventually combine to form vampires. Not to mention the Ghosts that result from someone dying in torture chambers (first game only)

** This is required in one of the bonus levels, as it's the only way to navigate the large enemy maze.

* WhatTheHellPlayer: "Your dungeon has an excess of Mistresses. There's a name for Keepers like you..."
* YouRequireMoreVespeneGas: You'll be burning through mana like a skinny kid through cake in #2. Which is nice, because spending gold on spells was a bit rough on one's bank account.

** [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Dark Angels]] in DK 2. Again, they're [[LightningBruiser fast and powerful]], with an arsenal of deadly and destructive spells at their disposal, but they only appear when you build a 5 by 5 temple, which is ''incredibly'' expensive, and what's more it only summons two of 'em. You need to build ''more'' incredibly expensive temples to get any more. Also, the temple's large water pool has a tendency to trap imps and other creatures which regularly traffic through the area. It seems they are 'pushed in' when there are too many people around, but I can't really explain it - it just happens.

A third installment was planned but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never produced]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''{{Overlord}}'', ''StarTopia'', ''[[http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=5820 Dungeons]]'', and (arguably) ''DwarfFortress'' and ''[[WhatDidIDoToDeserveThisMyLord Badman]].'' There is also a board game called ''[[http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/45315/dungeon-lords Dungeon Lords]]'' that is a non-video game SpiritualSuccessor.

* AbnormalAmmo: Grenade and Missile spells in the first game fired living projectiles that exploded in a shower of blood. the sequel added a 'Dwarf-chucking' mechanic which allows a bile demon or giant to pick up an imp or dwarf and hurl it at foes.

* BerserkButton: The Horned Reaper in the second game hates chickens... Well, slightly more than he hates everything else, at any rate.

* OurMonstersAreDifferent:

** OurDragonsAreDifferent

** Monks are the only unit able to kill a vampire at level 10 permanently, and they use whips. [[{{Castlevania}} Sound familiar?]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhOBVg2awB0 Dungeons]]'' by Kalypso[[hottip:*:best known for ''{{Tropico}} 3'']], to a certain extent. While thematically similar to ''Dungeon Keeper'', the gameplay itself is more of a cross between the VideoGame/ThemePark series and TowerDefence games.

** A patch for ''Dungeon Keeper 2'', made them less obsessed with the torture chamber.

* VillainOverride: You can assume direct control of a minion through magic. This tends to make them much tougher and stronger in addition to them obeying your commands, due to casting multiple spells and being able to side-step enemy attacks.
** This is required in one of the bonus levels, as it's the only way to navigate the large enemy maze.

** If you beat the Lord of the Lands in DK1, and imprisoned him, keep him around (that is, alive and unconverted to the good cause). When you finish the level, you'll get another kind of bonus stage entirely, Keeper...

* TheRemnant: In the sequel the Sylvan Elves formerly under the command of Lord Ronin continue to fight against Keeper Asmodeous. Interestingly, and very unusually for this trope, if left to their own devices they'll actually ''win''. Granted it won't ressurect their commander, but they'll get their territory back. Of course, the mission objective is to kill Asmodeous yourself in order to prevent this, with the assumption being that the player has destroyed the remaining Elves in the process. Later, the remainder of Lord Bramble's forces don't give up either, but they're more interested in surviving in what remains of his fortress than actually aggressing against the two Keepers in the area.

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhOBVg2awB0 Dungeons]]'' by Kalypso[[hottip:*:best known for ''[[{{Tropico}} Tropico 3]]'']], to a certain extent. While thematically similar to ''Dungeon Keeper'', the gameplay itself is more of a cross between the VideoGame/ThemePark series and TowerDefence games.

* AntiPoopSocking: A whole series of them.

** It's a great way to build up your army if creature supplies are otherwise limited, or you've exceeded the maximum number of creatures you can bring out of your portals. Plus you get the satisfaction of seeing the heroes get hacked down by the last party they sent down...

* TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything: Keeping the camera over Mistresses "working" in your torture chamber for too long will result in the Mentor warning you that [[ADateWithRosiePalms "You'll go blind, you know."]]

* ElectricTorture: One of several ways of torturing captured heroes.

* GlassCannon: Wizards, Warlocks, and Mistresses.

** (After playing through until Stupid O'Clock in the morning) "Your nocturnal perseverence has unlocked a hidden gaming tip... ''GO TO BED!''"
** Your minions demand cable.
** Your dungeon floor is lumpy. Order your minions to jump up and down!
** Your lair has been recarpeted.
** Your dungeon is on an incline - angry creatures cannot play marbles!
** Micro Piglets stalk your Dungeon. Beware...
** Your dungeon is damp. Install central heating.

** OurVampiresAreDifferent: They lose a level then later reappear at your graveyard if they are killed by anything other than a Monk. But if they get killed by a Monk, or are only level 1, then they are KilledOffForReal.

*** OurGiantsAreBigger: Smaller compared to classical giants, but still anywhere from 7-10ft tall or so. And armed with big clubs. And able to [[ConvectionSchmonvection wade through lava]] for some reason.

** Monks are the only unit able to kill a vampire at level 10 permanently, and they use whips. [[{{Castlevania}} Sound familiar?]]

The first game in the series has been made available for purchase at [[http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/dungeon_keeper GOG.com]] as of June 2, 2011.