There’s a certain charm in seeing a small studio swing for the fences, and Heroes of Mount Dragon is one of those ambitious throws. Developed by RuniQ and published by indie.io, the game promises dragon-infused heroes, wild curses, and co-op chaos. On PS5, it mostly succeeds at delivering a colorful, action-packed beat ’em up, though some rough edges and content limitations hold it back from soaring.
From the first moments, the world of Üna feels alive. RuniQ blends hand-drawn 2D character art with layered 3D backgrounds in a way that gives their locales real presence: forests, swamps, ruins, all bursting with color and flair. The shift into dragon form is especially satisfying, turning your hero into a blazing force of nature that feels fun, visually distinct, and meaningful in combat.
Combat is fluid and approachable. Each hero – there are four playable at launch, with more promised later – has a distinct style, and the basic combos, aerial juggling, and dragon transformations make for moments of thrilling spectacle. Playing through with friends in local or online co-op elevates the experience: you coordinate super moves, share curses, and revel in the chaos of enemy hordes. The addition of competitive modes and curses like shrinking or flipping controls gives matches a party-game edge that can shake things up.
But the game leans heavily on repetition. Even though the maps change in their skins, many feel like variants of the same stage. Enemy variety is limited, and hazards don’t evolve much, so after a few hours the loop feels repetitive. Precision sometimes falters too – an attack might miss simply because of slight vertical misalignment.
Controls are solid overall – with responsive movement, dash, combo chaining – but the limitations in combat precision can be felt during tight fights. The accessibility is commendable: it doesn’t demand hours of training to feel competent, which helps in co-op. But when the game throws tougher encounters your way, the lack of deeper mechanical layering shows.
Visually and sonically, the game’s presentation is one of its strongest pillars. The world feels like a vibrant fantasy cartoon brought to life, and the dragon sequences deliver real spectacle. Music and sound effects blend well with the action, supporting immersion rather than overwhelming it. Dialogue is delivered mostly via narration or text, which keeps the pacing brisk but sometimes limits emotional weight.
In the end, Heroes of Mount Dragon is a promising indie beat ’em up with heart and flair. It nails the sense of chaotic fun in co-op, and its visual style and dragon transformations are standout features. However, the limited variety of stages, technical wrinkles, and repetitive structure mean it doesn’t always sustain that thrill over longer sessions. For fans of arcade brawlers or co-op action, it’s worth diving into – and with updates and additional content, it has the foundation to become something stronger.
Score: 7.0/10
Press Play Media 