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Thou Hast Found The Great Game
Dyhalto- 08/17/2014 07:14 PM
- 2040 views
Preamble
Ephiam Oricuna and his flagship series, Dragon Fantasy, are household names in the RM community. He's probably produced more Completed games than any other single gamedev, the majority of which being very approachable and buttered in nostalgia.
I, in one of my peculiarities, played Dragon Fantasy II without playing the first one. It didn't affect the experience any. I'm sure a few names and places are carried over, but the two are as indirectly related as Dragon Quest 1 and 2.
And frankly, I love what I played.
Visual: 5/5
The NES never looked so good.
Seriously, it didn't. The NES had hardware limitations on how many colors it could display on screen at a single time. Ephiam flagrantly disregarded this emulative constriction and went on to create an incredibly vivid world consisting of some beautiful 8-bit topography. As if the world isn't pleasure enough, none of the towns you visit are of the samey building-here, building-there construction. Each has a unique architecture style, keeping them fresh while you hound down treasure, socialize with the townsfolk, and pilfer people's homes.
Dungeons also have their own way of doing things. Even the lowest of the low, caves, differentiate themselves with poisonous marsh, connected waterways, skeletons of adventurers past, and the best part...
Obstacle Courses!!
So yeah. The NES could only muster 25 colors on screen at a time, and Dragon Fantasy 2 breaks that limit at every chance.
But whose counting?
Audio: 5/5
*BUMP*
The BGM is nothing special. The majority of it is midi incarnation of NES Dragon Quest music. Likewise, the sound effects are directly lifted from our NES counterparts. Considering the style of game Dragon Fantasy 2 is, this is totally appropriate and works in perfect unison.
*BUMP*
But then...
*BUMP*
Every time you crash into a wall, you'll hear that distinct bump sound only the early DQs had. It's everywhere. Everywhere. Map_153, the second-from-deepest level in an optional cave, at a non-descript dead-end that will probably never be more than glanced at by a player before turning around? *BUMP* I can't even begin to imagine the labor it took to make this happen.
*BUMP*
Storyline: 5/5
Considering the creative intentions behind this game, the plot actually goes above and beyond.
Standard NES fare is to start you off in front of a king or other authoritative figure and have him/her issue directives on what you must do. Here, it's to defeat the evil Emperor Xyan and get back the Crystal Orb.
Usually now, storyline grinds to a halt as you mosey your way from area to area, collecting key items to pass gates and cross bridges, only to resume near the end point of the game. The basic formula is no different here, but it's built upon with lots of meaty dialogue for all the situations and enemies you come across.
For example, every boss you meet has a monologue, usually lamenting their woeful decisions in life or questioning the meaning of their endless guardianship of a treasure box. Sometimes... you actually feel kind of sorry for having to kill them.
And then when you reach the end of the game and confront the final boss, you're met with a very unique storyline twist that crosses over from Dragon Fantasy 1. No spoilers in this review. Go find out what it is yourself.
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Dragon Fantasy 2 is a Dragon Quest-like game made in a program designed for making Dragon Quest-like games. Needless to say, use of the default systems places it well within it's element. But maybe it tries to emulate Dragon Quest a little too closely. Every so often, I find myself walking back and forth as the random encounter rate slowly feeds me the exp I need to beat the next dungeon.
Treasure hunting is also pretty uninspired. Jars and treasure chests can always be counted on to yield either basic herbs and antidotes, or a piece of equipment that's currently for sale in an accessible town (odds are, you've already bought it). I would've liked to see some unique gear that could substitute for the weapon shop fare. Let me find a sword with +3 Str, +8 Mag that a particular player might prefer over the +6 Str he can get in town.
And if you've ever played one of Ephiam's other games, you may fondly recall the equipment you start out with. His heroes never begin their quest with Short Swords and Bronze Swords. Wooden Sticks are par for the course, and I almost feel overpowered with the Rusted Sword our hero begins with in DF2.
Gee, I sure hope the next weapon will be a Mostly Okay Orb.
Overall: 4.5/5
Far from being a juggernaut packed with customized, original resources, Dragon Fantasy 2 merely takes the look and feel of the NES and lovingly embroiders a masterwork that would have easily stood alongside the greats of that era.
*BUMP*
Ephiam Oricuna and his flagship series, Dragon Fantasy, are household names in the RM community. He's probably produced more Completed games than any other single gamedev, the majority of which being very approachable and buttered in nostalgia.
I, in one of my peculiarities, played Dragon Fantasy II without playing the first one. It didn't affect the experience any. I'm sure a few names and places are carried over, but the two are as indirectly related as Dragon Quest 1 and 2.
And frankly, I love what I played.
Visual: 5/5
The NES never looked so good.
Seriously, it didn't. The NES had hardware limitations on how many colors it could display on screen at a single time. Ephiam flagrantly disregarded this emulative constriction and went on to create an incredibly vivid world consisting of some beautiful 8-bit topography. As if the world isn't pleasure enough, none of the towns you visit are of the samey building-here, building-there construction. Each has a unique architecture style, keeping them fresh while you hound down treasure, socialize with the townsfolk, and pilfer people's homes.
Dungeons also have their own way of doing things. Even the lowest of the low, caves, differentiate themselves with poisonous marsh, connected waterways, skeletons of adventurers past, and the best part...
Obstacle Courses!!
So yeah. The NES could only muster 25 colors on screen at a time, and Dragon Fantasy 2 breaks that limit at every chance.
But whose counting?
Audio: 5/5
*BUMP*
The BGM is nothing special. The majority of it is midi incarnation of NES Dragon Quest music. Likewise, the sound effects are directly lifted from our NES counterparts. Considering the style of game Dragon Fantasy 2 is, this is totally appropriate and works in perfect unison.
*BUMP*
But then...
*BUMP*
Every time you crash into a wall, you'll hear that distinct bump sound only the early DQs had. It's everywhere. Everywhere. Map_153, the second-from-deepest level in an optional cave, at a non-descript dead-end that will probably never be more than glanced at by a player before turning around? *BUMP* I can't even begin to imagine the labor it took to make this happen.
*BUMP*
Storyline: 5/5
Considering the creative intentions behind this game, the plot actually goes above and beyond.
Standard NES fare is to start you off in front of a king or other authoritative figure and have him/her issue directives on what you must do. Here, it's to defeat the evil Emperor Xyan and get back the Crystal Orb.
Usually now, storyline grinds to a halt as you mosey your way from area to area, collecting key items to pass gates and cross bridges, only to resume near the end point of the game. The basic formula is no different here, but it's built upon with lots of meaty dialogue for all the situations and enemies you come across.
For example, every boss you meet has a monologue, usually lamenting their woeful decisions in life or questioning the meaning of their endless guardianship of a treasure box. Sometimes... you actually feel kind of sorry for having to kill them.
And then when you reach the end of the game and confront the final boss, you're met with a very unique storyline twist that crosses over from Dragon Fantasy 1. No spoilers in this review. Go find out what it is yourself.
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Dragon Fantasy 2 is a Dragon Quest-like game made in a program designed for making Dragon Quest-like games. Needless to say, use of the default systems places it well within it's element. But maybe it tries to emulate Dragon Quest a little too closely. Every so often, I find myself walking back and forth as the random encounter rate slowly feeds me the exp I need to beat the next dungeon.
Treasure hunting is also pretty uninspired. Jars and treasure chests can always be counted on to yield either basic herbs and antidotes, or a piece of equipment that's currently for sale in an accessible town (odds are, you've already bought it). I would've liked to see some unique gear that could substitute for the weapon shop fare. Let me find a sword with +3 Str, +8 Mag that a particular player might prefer over the +6 Str he can get in town.
And if you've ever played one of Ephiam's other games, you may fondly recall the equipment you start out with. His heroes never begin their quest with Short Swords and Bronze Swords. Wooden Sticks are par for the course, and I almost feel overpowered with the Rusted Sword our hero begins with in DF2.
Gee, I sure hope the next weapon will be a Mostly Okay Orb.
Overall: 4.5/5
Far from being a juggernaut packed with customized, original resources, Dragon Fantasy 2 merely takes the look and feel of the NES and lovingly embroiders a masterwork that would have easily stood alongside the greats of that era.
*BUMP*
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Ephiam
8579
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CloseAn incredibly enjoyable read! I didn't think I'd see a review pop up for this again; Heroes of Tsufana's what I figured most people would be focusing on these days. I'm certainly not complaining, though! I was grinning from ear to ear the moment I began reading all the way to the end. I cannot thank you enough for this review, Dyhalto, and I appreciate both the review and the fact that you played the game to completion!
On that note, however, I regretfully inform you that the end of DFII doesn't really connect with the first game all that much, and it's not really much of a sequel. I was kind of spontaneous with my ideas at the time, so it didn't really turn out to be the follow-up (story wise) that I'd have liked it to be. If anything, you could consider DFR to be the TRUE prequel that leads into this game, as everything's been FAR more planned out in advance. You'll see what I mean once that game's released ;)
Also, you gotta love that Wooden Stick! *BUMP*
On that note, however, I regretfully inform you that the end of DFII doesn't really connect with the first game all that much, and it's not really much of a sequel. I was kind of spontaneous with my ideas at the time, so it didn't really turn out to be the follow-up (story wise) that I'd have liked it to be. If anything, you could consider DFR to be the TRUE prequel that leads into this game, as everything's been FAR more planned out in advance. You'll see what I mean once that game's released ;)
Also, you gotta love that Wooden Stick! *BUMP*
Dyhalto
7536
awww. For some reason I got the impression that DF1 and DF2 did cross over in that way I suspect you have planned with DFR. Well, whatever.
And fyi, this review is very belated. I think I played it in 2009 or 2010.
And fyi, this review is very belated. I think I played it in 2009 or 2010.
Ephiam
8579
That's not the case, sadly. That's one of the main reasons I wanted to remake the first game, actually; the original's story was so... IFFY, and given the opportunity, I figured it was high time I did the series some justice in the story department. With DFR's completion, the sequel should fit more into place within the timeline than it does now, but I still think DF II will need a little bit of tweaking in the future.
And regardless of when you played the game, I still greatly appreciate the review! I love getting these! (who doesn't?!)
I had to laugh at the *BUMP* bit, though, because that was certainly THE most tedious part of the entire making of this game. It payed off in the end, though. =)
And regardless of when you played the game, I still greatly appreciate the review! I love getting these! (who doesn't?!)
I had to laugh at the *BUMP* bit, though, because that was certainly THE most tedious part of the entire making of this game. It payed off in the end, though. =)
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