Great game, great design. SPD is very hard. I eventually unlocked all badges after winning with 7 Challenges (1,202,937 points) [version 2.0.2] and having to lose about 700-something times. I and another guy who's also beat the game with 7 Challenges are trying to figure out the strategy on how to beat the game with all 9 Challenges.
Right now I'm playing the Mage, ignoring armor upgrades unless I find the Great Shield. Upgrades go into the Mage's Staff with Magic Missiles to get the bonus to other wands. Warlock subclass for Soul Mark and gaining around 10 to 12 health every hit. So far on 9 Challenges I've made it to Floor 12 but only if I find two to three wands in the sewers so I can stay at a distance from everyone. I've been waiting to find a Great Shield in the sewers or, copy seed, and then work on my strategy to see if the Great Shield fully upgraded with take me to the end.
Neat Easter Egg with the Halloween pumpkin pie - I expect to see something at Christmas ;)
Found that I can get the Rat King's crown in exchange for the Dwarf King's crown, neat, but I like the Mage's teleportation too beacons too much to trade down.
Any tips for making it through on 9 Challenges? I'm almost at 1,500 losses now and it's pretty discouraging :*(
Has anyone out there reported beating the game with all 9 Challenges? If so what version? I was disappointed to see shields reduced in Block from version 1.3.2 to 2.02.
Take good care and thanks for such a well developed game.
PS: I'd send money in support, a lot of it actually, but I'm in prison and don't have much money on my account. I would really like to see SPD with a redesign to modern technology and graphics with a full-development team. Your game would do really well. Also, if there were multiple dungeons/locations to travel to and a city or town as a central hub would be really awesome. Something like a continuing storyline and time to rest and save between each conquered dungeon and gear loadouts. BTW, the hero is insane or suicidal for going into such a dangerous dungeon all by him-/her-self.
Cooper
(Hey, Dev here)
Thanks so much for the kind words! high challenge gameplay is meant to be ludicrously difficult, borderline impossible, so it's definitely normal to feel frustrated. It is definitely possible though, I've screen screenshots of 9-chal win with 2m+ points. I'm afraid most of the advice I can give tends toward lower chals or getting your first win ,which you're well past. I'm glad to see that some other folks have posted their advice, hopefully that's of use to you.
No worries at all about money, especially if you're in a limited situation yourself. I am able to make a living from purchases on the game, so there's no need to feel compelled to make purchases. I might like to work with a pixel artist to improve the game's visuals at some point, though of course the amount I make is nowhere near enough to hire a team and re-make the game.