Fun Action RPG
It is understandable to be frustrated or downright disappointed with an unfinished release, and DL certainly falls into that category. But in my 15 or so years of game buying experience, I can without a doubt say that I have yet to play a bug-free game. In fact, even the best games require a number of patches to fix unforseen problems. If one bases their opinions of games solely on bugs, then that person must not be much of a gamer since there isn't a PC game in history without them.
Dungeon Lords is a great amalgam of Action, Adventure, and RPG. I enjoy all three genres, but have never seen them combined so well. The story is interesting, if cliche. That really doesn't bother me, since the "save the world" formula is tried and true. Sometimes when designers try to be too original it just doesn't feel right and therefore doesn't work.
The interface is perhaps the most unique aspect of the game, requiring two hands to play just like most Action games. The world is expansive, although "containerized" a bit, if you will, unlike games such as Morrowind. I mean, there were very distinctive boundaries. There are a number of fearsome creatures to battle, and even the peons have a tendency to swarm and do some damage if you're not careful.
I do have a few complaints, though. The combat system is annoying at times, and some encounters can be inhumanly difficult without the right skills or equipment. The quest log is very poor and gives few details for direction. In fact, you almost need to go old school for many quests by jotting down some important points in certain NPC conversations. Some of the puzzles are difficult to figure out as well and I consulted the walkthrough guide a number of times.
Overall, however, this was one of the more enjoyable gaming experiences I've had in a while. I found the Collector's Edition in a resale store for $10, so I certainly got more than my money's worth. I would recommend you try to find a used copy, although it is certainly worth full retail to me.