History VideoGame / DungeonKeeper

* OurElvesAreDifferent: The ArcherArchetype Sylvan Elves like to think so, and relish joining the fight against your forces of darkness. Their Dark Elf cousins like [[ScrewYouElves cutting them down to size]] just as much.

-->''"Your nocturnal perseverance has unlocked a hidden gaming tip: GO TO BED!"''

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking:
** The Lord of the Land is always the strongest hero in each level; the Avatar, the boss of the final land, is the toughest enemy in the game.
** In the sequel, the Princes and King Reginald are even more dangerous {{Lightning Bruiser}}s than the Avatar.

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

* MascotMook: The Horned Reaper. She's plastered all over the games' loading screens and box art, her face is the game's desktop shortcut, and she's probably the first thing anyone thinks of when they think of the games. It's for good reason, too, as she's one of the strongest units in either game.

** The Horned Reaper is an powerful unit who can be summoned at the cost of sacrificing a Dark Mistress, Demon Spawn and Bile Demon in a Temple to wreak havoc with her SinisterScythe.

** In the second game, the Horned Reaper is an invulnerable unit who can be briefly summoned at tremendous cost to wreak havoc with his SinisterScythe.

* DefogOfWar: Torturing an enemy has a chance of revealing part of the map. Both games also have a spell that temporarily reveals part of the map.

* SetAMookToKillAMook: The heroes don't like enemy keepers any more than they like you. hence, with good planning, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsSLobAtmZI&index=19&list=PL17FF40D9EAC9DA4B you can get them to destroy the enemy dungeon heart for you.]]

** Horned Reapers (In [=DK1=]). [[LightningBruiser Incredibly fast, monstrously powerful]], and capable of reducing all but the mightiest of heroes to shreds, but he's so damn ''[[HairTriggerTemper touchy]]'' that he's every bit as likely to [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters turn on you]], kill your other minions and start trashing your dungeon if you do anything, ''anything'' to annoy him because his anger constantly increases when he's idle unless he's kept busy in the temple or guard posts. Since you can easily win without him, it's just not worth it, except maybe on the final level.

** Vampires. Very good researchers, excellent combat units due to spells and good melee, easy to create (you just need corpses and a Graveyard) and will resuscitate one level lower when killed ... except when they meet Monks. There's a reason the Graveyard building is so expensive. You just need to train them properly.

* BenevolentBoss: You're required to be this for all your minions except for the Imps -- the best way to maintain a strong fighting force in the long term is with a good living environment.

* BreadAndCircuses: You will have to do this in order to successfully keep your (non-skeleton) army. Yes, you may be [[CardCarryingVillain EEEVIL]], but it's not a reason to treat your Mooks like dirt. You will have to provide at least decent payment, enough food and lodging, as well at having at least the most basic care about their happiness, else they will leave you forever and you will lose the money invested in their salary and training. Hopefully, most creatures are not too difficult. It's all PragmaticVillainy though : after all, [[Literature/TheArtOfWarSunTzu treat your soldiers as you treat your most beloved sons, and they will follow you into the deepest valley]].

In 2014, a mobile reboot of the series, developed by Mythic Entertainment and also published by EA, was released for [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and Android. It almost immediately became the subject of online rage due to its [[AllegedlyFreeGame requirement for extremely frequent in-game purchases]] to actually do anything, and [[DefunctOnlineVideoGames shut down]] [[https://archive.ph/Q2qJJ on August 2022]].

* ADungeonIsYou: Keepers can instantly furnish rooms within their territory, direct their minions (and can exert some direct control over them), and can use magic, but their only physical presence is the Dungeon Heart that sustains their existence.

* GladiatorGames: The "Combat Pit" in the second game forces people within it to fight to KO, and minions love to watch the show. This can be used as TrainingFromHell, a means of disposing of captured enemies, or both. It also attracts Black Knights, the strongest melee units of the game.

There was also an {{MMORPG}} released exclusively in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Western fans of the original games have responded to the news with a quick cycle through elation, confusion, anger, despair, and finally apathy. Very little is known about to the Anglosphere about ''Dungeon Keeper Online'' up to its [[DefunctOnlineVideoGames closure]] in December 2013 owing to its NoExportForYou status and the language barrier beyond [[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/nope-that-dungeon-keeper-mmo-isnt-dead-yet/ some concept art]] and [[https://youtu.be/a-gSeUCg4os gameplay footage]].

* BalefulPolymorph:
** The method of torturing enemy wizards involves the torturer stealing the wizard's staff and rapidly turning them into a frog and back over and over.
** The game's ending cutscene features [[spoiler:the Avatar shackled to a wall for a Horned Reaper to toss knives at while trolls party it up and loot the castle. One of them finds a magic staff and tests it out on the captured foe, turning the Avatar into a comely female troll wearing nothing but lipstick and a [[VisualInnuendo pearl necklace]]. While the former god of all that's good tries to cover her new bust, the trolls laugh and make gestures to indicate that she's in for a [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty rough night]]. "Baleful" indeed...]]
** The [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Chicken spell]], an excellent counter in some versions against enemies with overcrowded lairs, because the chickens can be fatally eaten by their own creatures.

There is also an {{MMORPG}} being produced, to be released exclusively in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Western fans of the original games have responded to the news with a quick cycle through elation, confusion, anger, despair, and finally apathy. At this point very little is known about ''Dungeon Keeper Online'', with the only thing being seen of it is [[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/nope-that-dungeon-keeper-mmo-isnt-dead-yet/ some concept art]] and a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss3uV274moE&feature=related video]] showing what's apparently some gameplay.

In 2014, a reboot of the series, developed by Mythic Entertainment and also published by EA, was released for [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and Android. It almost immediately became the subject of online rage due to its [[AllegedlyFreeGame requirement for extremely frequent in-game purchases]] to actually do anything.

* CluckingFunny: You hatch these to keep your monsters fed, and can transform enemies into chickens with a spell. It serves as a contrast to the evilness, and as a form of entertainment when you slap them.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dungeonkeeper_9452.png]]

A pair of groundbreaking management games by Creator/BullfrogProductions which put the player in the role of a fantasy EvilOverlord responsible for [[ADungeonIsYou constructing a dungeon]], recruiting an army of monsters and seeing off [[TabletopRPG RPG]] style hero invasions.

A sequel, ''Dungeon Keeper 2'' was released in 1999 and a third installment, ''Dungeon Keeper 3: War for the Overworld'', [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was briefly in the works before being cancelled in 2000]]. The series has quite a few [[SpiritualSuccessor Spiritual Successors]] in ''VideoGame/EvilGenius'', ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Dungeons}}'', and (arguably) ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' and ''[[VideoGame/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. A SpiritualSuccessor by the name of ''VideoGame/{{War for the Overworld}}'', appeared on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} Early Access after a [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subterraneangames/war-for-the-overworld successful funding]] through Website/{{Kickstarter}}, and is looking like the closest thing to a third DK installment that will ever see the light of day. Cyanide Studios (Famous for the ''TabletopGame/BloodBowl'' videogames) and Paradox Interactive have released another spiritual successor titled ''VideoGame/{{Impire}}'' and set in Ardania, the setting of the ''Videogame/{{Majesty}}'' series and its spinoffs.

In 2013, a mobile version of the game was released for [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and Android. It almost immediately became the subject of online rage due to its [[AllegedlyFreeGame requirement for extremely frequent in-game purchases]] to actually do anything.

** 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...

* BreadAndCircuses: You will have to do this in order to successfully keep your (non-skeleton) army. Yes, you may be [[CardCarryingVillain EEEVIL]], but it's not a reason to treat your Mooks like dirt. You will have to provide at least decent payment, enough food and lodging, as well at having at least the most basic care about their happiness, else they will leave you forever and you will lose the money invested in their salary and training. Hopefully, most creatures are not too difficult. It's all PragmaticVillainy though : after all, [[Literature/TheArtofWarSunTzu treat your soldiers as you treat your most beloved sons, and they will follow you into the deepest valley]].

* OurOrcsAreDifferent: Only present in the first game. Squat, purple miltaristic and industrious humanoids. Most of all, utterly forgettable compared to the more 'iconic' monsters. Phased out in favour of the weak-but-plentiful Goblins and powerhouse Black Knights in 2.

* SetAMookToKillAMook: The heroes don't like enemy keepers any more than they like you. hence, with good planning, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsSLobAtmZI&index=19&list=PL17FF40D9EAC9DA4B you can get them to destroy the enemy dungeon heart for you.]]

*** [[Videogame/SmashTV "Big monsters! Big prizes! I love it!"]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: Plenty have tried to be so, since DK has a very unique and charming gameplay, and it's fondly remembered by many gamers. Helping this is that DK lacks an official sequel after the first one. Notable examples of DK successors include the following:
** The ''Videogame/{{Dungeons}}'' series by Kalypso[[note]]best known for ''VideoGame/{{Tropico}} 3''[[/note]], only to a certain extent with the first game. Here's the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhOBVg2awB0 official trailer]] so you can see the similarities yourself. While thematically similar to ''Dungeon Keeper'', the gameplay itself is more of a cross between the VideoGame/ThemePark series and TowerDefence games. The later games became much more similar to ''Dungeon Keeper'', but differentiated themselves by allowing players to invade the surface world.

* TooKinkyToTorture: The Dark Mistress like it. A lot. You have to throw them out (or lock them out) if you want to use the torture chamber on your enemies. Even then they'll probably sneak in and use it again when you're not looking, or they'll show up and "help" with the torturing. Interestingly, when you're converting enemy Mistresses in the torture chamber they still don't lose health. The implication is that they join you because you're so ''nice'' to them, based on that! They also like it when you slap them with the mouse cursor/hand. Downplayed in a patch for ''Dungeon Keeper 2'', which made them less obsessed with the torture chamber.

* VideogameCrueltyPotential:

** You can be BadBoss and make life miserable for your minions, but [[VideogameCrueltyPunishment it's not a smart idea they won't fight for Keeper who mistreats them.]]
* VideogameCrueltyPunishment: You may be an EvilOverlord, but you need your minions. If you abuse or don't pay them, they will refuse to fight for you.

* YouRequireMoreVespeneGas: You'll be burning through mana like a skinny kid through cake in the second game. Which is nice, because spending gold on spells in the first game was a bit rough on one's bank account. Once you gain access to the money conjuring spell in DK2, you can have as much gold as you want if you're willing to wait for your mana to recharge.

* PortalStatuePairs: The portal from [[BeneathTheEarth the Underworld]] to the surface lands - the VillainProtagonist's ultimate goal - is flanked by a pair of stone knights. They also [[MistakenForGranite turn out to be the portal's last line of defense]].

* ImprobableWeaponUser: In the first game, monks beat people to death with their ''rosaries''. In the second this is changed to AllMonksKnowKungFu.

* ArtificialInsolence: In this game and the sequel, on top of the short-term combat MoraleMechanic, [[ADungeonIsYou your]] minions can become unhappy or angry if they dislike their living conditions. Unhappy creatures will sulk and refuse to work, while angry ones try to leave or [[TheDogBitesBack rebel outright]].

** You can be BadBoss and make life miserable for your minions, but [[VideogameCrueltyPunishment it's not a smart idea]] [[RealityEnsues they won't fight for Keeper who mistreats them.]]

* RealityEnsues: You may be an EvilOverlord bent [[ForTheEvulz evil for the sake of evil]], but you have to be a BenevolentBoss and provide for the needs of your evil minions or they won't do your evil bidding.
** While you can convert enemies to your side by leaving them in your torture room, you do have to heal them because leaving someone to undergo physical torture too long will kill them.

* DefogOfWar: Torturing an enemy has a chance of revealing part of the map. The sequel also has a spell that temporarily reveals part of the map.