I wanted to share some insights on the most modern version of Dragon Warrior (aka Dragon Quest) available. That would be the iOS version. Which is not so much "new" - it's an English translation of the SNES remake of 1&2 that was originally Japanese-only.
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| That "!" Means you can push the button in the middle of the d-pad and interact with him. |
After I beat the NES version over a couple of weeks during the holiday, I also played through the iOS version and beat that as well. It's not really a fully modern recreation, but the graphics are sprites from the 16-bit era (SNES and Sega Genesis).
There are many enhancements beyond just updated graphical details - lots of the speech responses from NPCs are more detailed, for example. Some of the dungeon designs are different. Some areas are given a different "look" - like Erdrick's Tomb actually has a monument in it instead of a chest that calls itself a monument. The shrines also have a unique look to he, instead of appearing just like any other cave in the game.
Gameplay-wise, the UI is more elegant. There are fewer items in the menu, and there is a unified action button for things like talking and searching and opening doors. There is also a little indicator icon (!) when you are near something you can interact with. That will definitely seem friendlier for modern users who aren't nostalgic for old control schemes.
Overall, it seemed the game was easier. I'm not certain that the leveling curve is friendlier, but it seems like it might be. Maybe it's just that I knew exactly what to do and just did it faster? However, one thing that definitely makes it easier is they out a sparkle animation on top of hidden items, like the Fairy Flute. If you're observant, you might pick it up without even being told it exists or where to look. Not sure how I feel about that one.
It also gives you a world map - which is handy if you get lost, but it's not a complicated world to begin with. I didn't have trouble without it.
One thing about the controls. I played the original on an emulator on my jailbroken iPad. As a controller, I have a device called a Thinkgeek iCade 8-bitty.
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| They don't make me no more... |
Which is a Bluetooth controller the size and shape of the original NES controller, but with the SNES buttons. It's awesome if you have these emulators. If you don't, not too many iOS games supported it. So they stopped making them and you can't get them anymore.
However, this thing appears to be a good replacement - I might get one of these anyway - they come in original NES flavor, or even the Japanese SuperFamicom version.
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| 8Bitdo thingy. |
Anyways, the point is, controlling a NES game with a NES controller is basically how this thing was meant to be played and it felt right.
The iOS version obviously has on-screen controls. Be aware it's made for phones vs. tablets, so I
found the controller positioning was not comfortable but could be on a phone. Even though the control options were more elegant, I liked them less. It could be fully due to preference and nostalgia.
Back to the game - the iOS version was easier except for the Dragonlord himself. He was tougher in both forms, and while he was not too tough at level 20, he put up more of a challenge than in the NES version.
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| Still has Dracula hair... |
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| He also actually breathes fire - and is the only monster in the game with any animation. |
In conclusion, if you've never played it and want to try it out, but aren't geeky enough to be messing with jail breaking and emulators and Bluetooth controllers, check out the iOS one. For a few bucks, it's a fun game that I feel has merit beyond just nostalgia and historical interest. If you can play for a while and the quirks of it don't irk you, you'll get a very satisfying feeling from beating it.
Some more blah blah blah...
I first beat Dragon Warrior 1 on my Gameboy Advance. I actually was not that into console RPGs when they were emerging s a genre. I preferred platformers and action games.
Comparing that to beating the original NES version is an odd experience. Because in a way the Gameboy version was more advanced, but then again, more primitive. For example, it had more colorful sprites and tiles, but a smaller visible screen area.
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| This is the Gameboy Color version - pretty, but primitive. |
My point is that going back and playing the original really did give me a new appreciation for it. However, since I already beat it, and had some pretty clear memories of the secrets and stuff, I "cheated" my way through with a walkthrough guide (via Gamefaqs.com).
So that said, if you've never played the game before, I'm not sure how engrossing or tedious it would come across to actually play unaided and try to discover everything from scratch. I'm going to find out playing Dragon Warrior 2. I've never played that one before so I am going to attempt to play it without a guide.
Wish me luck. It's apparently one of the harder games in the whole series.
Posted with Blogsy
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