A remaster of Dragon's Lair
Haven't heard of Dragon's Lair?! Well, you play the heroic Dirk the Daring, a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon! Originally released in the summer of 1983, Dragon's Lair has solidified itself as a cultural icon in gaming. Control the actions of the daring adventurer, finding your way through the castle of a dark wizard, who has enchanted it with treacherous monsters and obstacles. In the mysterious caverns below the castle, your odyssey continues against the awesome forces that oppose your efforts to reach the dragon’s lair. Dragon’s Lair is a fully animated classic arcade game from legendary animator Don Bluth. You’ll make your way through the castle and caverns below and wield your sword against some strange creatures. Beware of your foes, as they are numerous! Lead On Adventurer. Your Quest Awaits! Features 720p HD Remastered Video Original Arcade Release Remastered Game Footage Bonus Extras -- Interviews With Creators, Watch Game and more!
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The gameplay is basically from the birth of QTEs, but even if you failed the animation was always nice to see and it's sometimes quite comical how Dirk can die from a simple trip to being eaten alive by something. If you're a fan you'll have a lot of fun with this, however I can't really say much to be honest as I've already described what the entire gameplay is. If you're searching for something with a real deep and epic story I would give this a miss, but if you are interested in in QTE gameplay with wonderful art which is enjoyable, even in it's frustration then I suggest you pick this up.
Now, to start building up my credibility again, go back and circle that “concept” word in the first sentence. While everything I said in the previous paragraph is true, the game breaks the fundamental rules too often to properly deliver on the idea. Some scenes do have those great establishing shots which keep the game fair, but some will literally flip 180 degrees at the last moment to ruin your sense of direction. The pacing between inputs is also inconsistent, sometimes requiring multiple dodges for what feels like a single hazard. Worst of all, the little flashes which indicate the right answer are sometimes red herrings, killing you for following directions. As I wrote for my first playthrough, it’s possibly the most token-takey game ever made, and that really does make me a bit sad. It didn’t have to be this way, players just needed slightly more time, more consistent camera angles, and extra space between inputs. I genuinely believe that a game that’s all about reading the room and thinking fast with QTE’s could be a lot of fun, especially with that same humorous tone where the failures can be enjoyed as much as the successes. On the other hand, maybe I’ve lost all grip with reality since I’ve played this game so much that I can beat it without dying.
…well, there goes all my credibility again.