Doom & Destiny is an indie game developed by HeartBit Interactive released on the Xbox 360 on August 25, 2011. This game tells the tale of four friends (Nigel, Johnny, Mike, and Francis) on their way to see Benjamin, their gamemaster, for a role-playing session at his house. When they realized that he's not here, they search around his house and come upon his cellar. When they find a book entitled "Doom & Destiny", they try to start the game to prepare for his arrival. When they find out that the next room they enter is a burning dungeon, they see that there is more to the role-playing game than meets the eye. Eventually, it leads the boys into another world, where they are proclaimed to be "legendary heroes" to stop a villain whose name cannot be said. If they ever hope to return home and find their gamemaster, they must defeat the evil villain of the story, along with performing other heroic duties. Hilarity Ensues as they encounter many different characters and Shout Outs.
This game was also released on the PC for $4.99 on Desura, and for the Windows Phone in late 2012
. The game has since received two sequels: Doom & Destiny Advanced, and Doom & Destiny Worlds.
This game contains the following tropes:
- Affectionate Parody: Of video games, role-playing, and so much more.
- The Alcoholic: One of the dwarves you have to save needs 101 beers given to him.
- Animesque: The non-player characters in the fantasy world have more refined dialogue sprites than the four heroes, who came from the real world.
- Big Damn Heroes: After figuring out that Lord Destiny has made Death play D & D to prevent her from killing him—stating that Death is free to go when she wins and Lord Destiny is the Game Master and thus can't be killed—Benjamin pops in stating that due to Death having so much fun playing the game, Death has won and the deal is null and void.
- Chess with Death: The gang finds that Lord Destiny is playing D & D with Death for all these years and because she's so preoccupied in playing the game, Lord Destiny has become immortal. She doesn't realize she's been suckered in until the guys tell her that since Lord Destiny is the Game Master, she can't win against him.
- Combat Pragmatist: Francis and some of the other enemies attack by chopping throats and doing sneak attacks. Justified for Francis since he's a Ninja.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Despite their efforts in helping people, the main characters are still considered nuisances and threats among them.
- Foreshadowing: When the gang teleports into the land, they stop by two people playing D & D. That is actually very crucial to the plot. See above.
- Holding Out for a Hero: Mike points out with a question about why people could not at least fend for themselves. The response goes along the lines of "It's the heroes' tradition to save the day."
- I Like Those Odds: On their way to Elven Town, the heroes are chased in the dead of night by an villain shrouded in darkness and his army of mooks. Johnny and Nigel believed they can take them head on, but Francis objects since they (the heroes) are obviously outnumbered and their leader is a hint of savvy in a way.
- Interspecies Romance: Mike initially thought that Orcus is in love with the princess he kidnapped. However, this is averted because Orcus stated that they are not from the same species and that she's not his type.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Judas has betrayed the four heroes mid-quest. When the four have cornered him at a cliff, he accidentally says The Scottish Trope and dodges the lightning, only to fall down to his death in the process.
- Magic Music: Many of Mike's spells are songs that are used for healing or damaging the enemy.
- Megaton Punch: The boys were given one by a girl when they arrive at Neo Sushi through a spa after escaping from the air ship. Complete with Twinkle in the Sky.
- Mook Maker: There is one early in the game, which can be activated by pulling the switch. Albeit, it only produces one enemy at a time.
- Ninja: Found in Neo Sushi. This is also Francis's class.
- No Hero Discount: Lampshaded on one occasion after rescuing the weapon sellers from orcs. The boys asked for a discount as a reward, but the sellers refused because "Heroes always buy their stuff."
- Obviously Evil: Judas. Looks like Gollum, is the group's guide in chapter blatantly homaging The Lord of the Rings, is named Judas...
- Party in My Pocket: Only in the overworld map.
- Pirate: Can be seen from time to time. This is also Mike's class.
- Rouge Angles of Satin: The grammar of the game was lampshaded for laughs with a tombstone in one of the dungeons: "Here lies the English grammar." It is said that this was from translation.
- Status Effects: Burnt, Bleeding, and Curse are a few of the classic ones. Hate (Enemies go for those who caused the most damage and are agitated when the attacker heals) and Stagger (The victim is knocked back a few pegs in terms of speed/turns, which it's possible for others to go before him) are the ones that are unique.
- The Scottish Trope: Saying Dark Eidous will cause lightning to strike on an unfortunate victim. Used as a weapon by Nigel and several enemies to different effects.
- Tempting Fate: The leader in Elven Town does this three times in a row regarding her fortress' defense, the amount of time left to get the powerful rings, and the raiding done by the Unnamed's dragon. Three guesses what happened each time.
- Theme Naming: Most of Mike's comments when casting his spells has him calling out the "Flying Spaghetti Monster"
- Twisting the Words: After being rescued, the princess claimed that the boys were negotiating with the enemy and believe that she and King Orcus are in love with each other. However, King Orcus said she does not want to do anything with her and Francis wanted to resolve things without instantly rushing into battle.
- Weapon-Based Characterization: Each of the main characters uses unique weapons that fit a key aspect of their personalities, such as Francis specializing in Devious Daggers and being the group's Combat Pragmatist that would prefer to not engage deadly opponents in direct combat.
- Western Zodiac: A set of twelve monsters are fought in order to upgrade the Red Ring.
