Comment: Resulting from video playback points at HIDIVE, the place Alex was unable to play this episode in something aside from low decision, all screenshots on this evaluate are taken from the official trailer or different promotional materials. This permits us to offer photographs with greater than three pixels.
What’s it about? Clay was educated by her father to be a ruthless dungeon-crawling, treasure-seeking, monster-fighting machine. Nevertheless, her father has been lacking for 3 years. Decided to seek out him, or on the very least, discover some solutions, Clay ventures into the dungeon the place he disappeared. On the coronary heart of the labyrinth, she is shocked to discover a very unassuming younger lady who claims to be the “caretaker” of the dungeon… and much more surprisingly, she affords Clay a job.
Folks from the dungeon is the story of a lady who has by no means relaxed in her life and abruptly finds herself within the function of protagonist in a relaxed, cozy fantasy collection. She has been dwelling in Darkish Souls and has now been transplanted into some form of easygoing administration sim. What ought to she do? De-stress and heal from her emotional and bodily trauma? Uncover the magic of friendship? What the hell?
If Folks from the dungeon If Clay can pull off this vibe (and this character arc), it may very well be a very enjoyable present. I like Clay; whereas I do know they are often boring when finished poorly, I’ve a delicate spot for ridiculously competent, breathtakingly loyal “dwelling weapon” characters… and it is all the time enjoyable to see them thrust right into a scenario the place they’re compelled to chill out and study to be somewhat extra human. I really feel like this present is heading in that route: on this episode, we see Clay being gloriously good at sneaking, combating, and killing, however it ends together with her sitting in a comfortable mattress trying bewildered as somebody affords her unconditional security and a well-paying job. The distinction is a number of enjoyable, and may very well be particularly cathartic and enjoyable because the present delves deeper into the turmoil behind Clay’s super-serious survivalist perspective.
I really feel like we have had a number of fantasy collection lately that middle on father-daughter duos, and it is refreshing to have one the place the primary character is the lead. daughter—perhaps even one the place she involves phrases with the pedestal her father is positioned on and involves phrases with the truth that he wasn’t precisely hero materials. I am undecided how a lot Folks from the dungeon desires to weave this additional, however it’s an fascinating thread working by way of this premiere: Clay admires her father but additionally admits he wasn’t an awesome instructor, and is partly elated and partly depressed by the concept of going deeper into the dungeon that killed him(?) and eventually surpassing her previous man. It’s not the deepest characterization on the earth, however there’s a particular sense that the connection is sophisticated.
The present usually has a lighthearted tone, however the flashbacks to Clay’s grueling exercise routine present her father making the most of… what some individuals may assume powerful loveand what in a contemporary context is perhaps thought-about extra instantly youngster abuse, in his strategies of instructing her find out how to combat monsters. I get the sensation that we’re imagined to assume that is excessive (“Climb this comically excessive mountain peak in ten seconds!” he screams, as little Clay’s eyes spiral) however not take the entire youngster abuse angle too significantly. Nonetheless, it cements her father as an antagonist in Mine eyes, and I feel we might be lacking one thing if the story did not delve deeper into this.
First, questions of ability and legacy, and the stress between desirous to combat your father and wanting your father to be happy with you, are often reserved for fathers.son dynamic, so it might be cool if Clay’s storyline included a few of that. Secondly, a narrative about Clay lastly being in a protected (however unusual) place and studying to have purposeful, non-combative relationships with individuals can be actually worthwhile – much more so if the story instantly acknowledges her hardships and the unfairness of her father’s remedy. Which isn’t to say that this fantasy comedy wants to have a severe dialog about parental abuse, if solely as a result of coziness typically advantages from a specific amount of catharsis, and this might give the nice and cozy, small household story some extra emotional weight.
Possibly I am asking for greater than what this present will in the end give me, however I am asking as a result of I really feel the potential over there on this premiere, if not absolutely explored. However it may very well be a slow-burn affair: Clay is now below the safety of the dungeon and has on a regular basis on the earth to see what which means for her. Personally, I’m curious to see what occurs subsequent and what Clay’s new duties behind the scenes of a tropey fantasy dungeon seem like, a minimum of for the three-episode try.
