Ever wonder how Gauntlet would be a better dungeon crawl if only it had equipment, levels, NPCs, an actual story? Well, maybe not; the visceral action is quite cathartic on its own. However, someone seems to have posed these thoughts and answered by creating Dungeon Explorer. The quick story has a king recruiting some random PCs to find a magical stone that will return the land to former glory. Off we go...
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| Why is everyone glowing? I don't think that stone is healthy |
Dungeon Explorer was created by a little company called Atlus. Okay, not really a little company; Atlus was well into their legacy as the creators of the Megami Tensei series, yet before they hit it big they developed various games including this gem. It was published by Hudson Soft, which had stake in the NEC co-designed PC-engine (TurboGrafx-16). Being released on the TG-16 explains why I hadn't heard of it, but it seems it was well received by at least two reviewers that gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.
The game sports 10 classes to choose from: fighter, thief, warlock, witch, bishop, elf, bard, or knome [sic] (Princess and Harmet are unlocked later on according to super secret sources). Due to the opposite of foresight, I didn't make a poll to choose the character I should play, so if anyone has any strong opinions, then please express them in the comments. The game also supported multi-player like any good Gauntlet game. Five players could play simultaneously. Now your fifth gaming friend could join in! Really, who had this many people to play with? Oh, am I the only one that played alone? Maybe that's why I prefer CRPGs.
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| Let's do this! |
Anyway, I'll be playing on the Wii Virtual Console release if that means anything to anyone. The 5 player option is retained in this version through the use of four Wii-motes plus 1 Game Cube controller (sorry to those that missed out on the Game Cube compatible Wii consoles). I still don't have 4 other people to play with regularly, so we'll keep this playthrough a strictly solo affair. Hopefully I remember there is a turbo button inherent to TurboGrafx games.
Currently I'm leaning towards going straight fighter, as I'm not sure what my survivability is with going solo. Wish me luck.
Did they seriously spell "gnome" as "knome?" WTF?
ReplyDeleteYou can play a TurboGrafx-16 game on Wii Virtual Console? Interesting. I thought only Nintendo games would work there. I do know almost nothing about the Wii. We (or Wii) just got one a couple weeks ago. I just have to get a composite video cable for it, before the money gets spent on something else...
I put [sic], so I'm absolved. (Yes, it is spelled that way in the game.)
DeleteThe Wii Virtual Console has a bunch of games from different platforms including arcade, Neo Geo, Commodore 64, Genesis, TurboGrafx, and the NES consoles. Here's the full list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_%28North_America%29
I use the S-Video cable I got online, and it looks must better on CRTs. Before the text was kind of blurry, and now it's clear. Definitely recommend it if your TV has the option.
Hmmm, weird, but no I didn't think it was you. :)
ReplyDeleteMy Wii doesn't have an S-Video hookup. We'd be playing it on a LCD widescreen TV anyway.
Yeah, there's no official Nintendo S-Video cable. I use one like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-Video-AV-Stereo-Cable-for-Nintendo-Wii-Audio-Video-/260820715839?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3cba20493f
ReplyDeleteIf you have an LCD TV, then why aren't you just using HDMI?
It's not an HD TV, thus no HDMI input. :/ S'okay though, it's for the kids. I'll be happy with my new PC on the way. ;)
DeleteAh, so presents for everyone I see. How long until you get your new rig?
DeleteYeah, late Christmas, I guess. Big tax returns FTW! ;) I got it from iBuyPower, and they're slow, plus I chose ground shipping. I'm hoping for two weeks, but I'm thinking more like three. I have a whole series of posts on my blog if you're interested. :)
DeleteI read the first couple, haven't caught up on your more recent postings.
DeleteI have a way of not posting for awhile, then coming out with a bunch of posts in a few days. ;)
DeleteSo, I just tried this game. Turns out it's not a CRPG. I thought it had experience levels and such, but you only gain "levels" after beating a boss. I'm pretty sure I was near the end when I stopped playing, but I was getting tired of the constant back tracking after a game over. I'll make a more formal post soon.
ReplyDeleteOtay. My condolences on the RPG psyche. At least you can move on, in any case.
DeleteThe idea of Gauntlet with equipment, levels and all that actually appeals to me! I really loved Gauntlet II as a kid, although I don't think I could get very far.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame this game didn't turn out to be what you were hoping for.
I'm sure someone's made it, although Diablo II is probably the closest resemblance I can think of.
ReplyDelete