Next Up Hero is an action RPG dungeon crawler developed for PC. Players select from hand-drawn heroes and battle through procedurally generated Ventures filled with monsters from the Ceaseless Dirge. The core loop centers on combat, exploration, and progression in a style reminiscent of classic Gauntlet games, where death carries permanent consequences but leaves behind echoes that later players can raise as AI followers.
Gameplay
Combat emphasizes direct engagement with a variety of hero abilities. Heroes hack and slash in melee, fire projectiles, use boomerangs, play drums for area effects, jet across the screen, or trigger explosions. Each hero brings distinct tools that encourage experimentation with positioning and timing against waves of enemies. There are no health kits, so survival depends on skillful play and managing resources during runs. Gearing out involves collecting items to improve stats, while maxing those stats becomes a focus after initial clears. The echo system adds a layer where fallen heroes persist as resurrectable AI companions, allowing up to twenty followers to assist in subsequent attempts. This mechanic turns repeated deaths into opportunities for building temporary armies rather than pure setbacks.
Game Modes
Standard play involves rolling through Ventures in single-player or local co-op with a friend. After defeating bosses, players can craft custom dungeons and share them with the community. Successful challengers keep rare loot, while failures leave the treasure with the creator. Insane difficulty serves as a higher challenge tier for those who have mastered base content. Min-maxing favorite characters extends long-term engagement by refining builds across multiple runs. The Mixer Interactive feature once allowed spectators to influence matches by directing echo armies or strengthening Dirge enemies, though this integration is no longer active.
Hero Selection and Progression
Nine heroes were available at launch, each with unique attack patterns and movement options that shape how players approach encounters. Progression rewards repeated play by unlocking better gear and deeper stat customization. The hand-drawn art style gives the action a distinctive look while the twin-stick controls support precise movement and targeting in crowded dungeon spaces. Gamepad support covers a wide range of controllers, including Xbox, PlayStation, and Logitech models, making the experience accessible on standard PC hardware.
Is It Worth Playing?
Next Up Hero received mixed reviews on its primary platform, with 60 percent of user ratings positive. The game suits players who enjoy challenging dungeon crawlers that reward persistence and build experimentation over forgiving progression. Its community dungeon crafting and echo resurrection mechanics provide replay hooks not found in every title of the genre. Those seeking straightforward co-op action with permanent-feeling death systems may find value in its focused design. Availability remains on PC with no recent seasonal updates or expansions confirmed, so expectations should align with a 2018 release that emphasizes core loop repetition and difficulty spikes rather than ongoing content drops. Fans of Gauntlet-inspired games who appreciate hand-crafted hero variety and stat grinding will likely get the most from its systems.
