I take there's permanent unlocks/stat improvements/etc? Is gear permanent or per run? Surely the dwarves don't enter the levels unprepared? :D

To me Vampire Survivors started to get a bit obtuse with some unlock requirements (have skills x, y, z, survive this certain level this long, be at this exact place, possibly with a character C, have the hand towel on second hook.... etc). I'd assume DRG:S is a bit more straightforward?

Have you perhaps played Soulstone Survivors - it's the one I've played the most, unlocked everything apart from some hidden/masked achivements? If you have, how does DRG compare?