Pixelated fun that pays tribute to adventure gaming’s roots
Format: PS3 Dev: Silicon Studio / From Software Pub: SouthPeak Games Out: 14/05/10 Players: 1
Have you played The Legend of Zelda? No, not Ocarina of Time, the original Legend of Zelda? From the time when consoles had to be left on over the weekend because there was no save function and walking passed a cave could see you miss out on items crucial to a game’s eventual climax. I can’t claim to have saved Hyrule on the NES myself, so, if you happen to be in the same boat as me, take heart because this daring retro throwback is preposterously playable on a modern machine.
From a bird’s eye view, you oversee the kingdom of Dotnia. As was the case in 8-bit games, before dastardly scientists and Russian gangsters became cool, the kingdom is under threat from an evil lord. But it just so happens collecting six magical orbs from the land’s temples will restore order. Sound familiar? That’s because this game is a homage to classic adventure games thorough and thorough. Its exaggerated pixel visuals and MIDI score are the icing on the cake for Dot Game Heroes.
Retrieving the six orbs and defeating the Dark Bishop is your main objective. Travelling the overworld of Dotnia, you’re free to stock up on items, speak to NPCs for side quests and tactile the six temples in succession. Although it harkens back to games that were revolutionary in their day, it’s profoundly reliving that the developers have not done a Mega Man 9 and ignored modern sensibilities. You have the freedom to save when you choose and a retry will return you to a checkpoint.
Combat in game operates in a basic manner and four-point movement is as complex as it gets. The mainstay of your armoury, which also includes a boomerang and shield, is your sword – a sword that can grow to terrifying lengths. When at full health, upgrades to your sword’s size take full effect as you swing and lance this absurdly huge mass at enemies. Yes, it’s unavoidably phallic and, yes, friends will not be able to resist passing comment.
The tongue-in-cheek reverence doesn’t end there however. There’s plenty of referential humour for those who devote themselves to the world of gaming… “You must be the scholar. I read your dissertation on end-game grinding! It was quite epic!” The game is also has a few mini-games resembling Breakout and tower defence, though they’re no substitute. A pixel-by-pixel character editor also exists and can be a laugh, but the ability to share your creations with friends could be more streamlined.
Yet, if returning to gaming’s roots via this rose-tinted, pixel adventure does not do it for you then there’s little to say in its defence. Dot Game Heroes biggest flaw is that it just isn’t that original. Beyond its irreverent jokes and snigger-stick, it’s a Legend of Zelda clone that plays it safe. But, it remains a delightful tribute that entertains, even if it rarely innovates.
Aaron Lee
Tags: 3d dot game, adventure, retro, southpeak
