Dragon Warrior I&II Game by Enix Reviewed by pikamom pikamom@supernet.com Save: 3 save slots and a temporary "field" save for each game Released: 2000 Works with: black pak, made for gameboy color but works with any gameboy **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: As the months went by I kept seeing more and more tidbits for this game in mags like Nintendo Power, plus Philip was really excited about it, so with high expectations I started playing Dragon Warrior I. I always like to start at the beginning. After only the first 2 nights of playing this game, though, my hopes were dashed. Most of my time was spent wandering, wandering, endlessly wandering to level up my character and earn enough gold for the equipment he needed. The save system was a sore in my eye, you could only save at the castle where you started. I found the field save totally useless, as I like to save after battles in my RPG's so if I perchance perish, I can just restart from my last save. Alas, in this game, after a field save the game ends, and when you resume play, the save is lost. But I digress...finally I finished Dragon Warrior I and began the sequel! What a difference! My faith in the game has been redeemed! Read on... **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: As you probably have figured out by now, you know I thought the first game in this pak was boring and a waste of my precious gaming time. I had to keep reminding myself that this was the first RPG Nintendo ever gave us, and since I love RPG's, I should be eternally grateful. And I am. The only reason I'm glad I played the games in order, is that in the sequel, you return to Tantegel Castle, and also people you talk to in the game make references to the first installation. Dragon Warrior II is an excellent RPG, with 3 controllable characters. You start out alone, and need to find your distant cousins from 2 other castles. Each character has his/her own strength and weakness. You are an excellent warrior, but can't use magic. The Prince can use magic and weapons, but he is frail and can't equip heavy armor. And finally the Princess is very good with magic. So in battle you can use your strength to fight monsters, and the Prince can help, or heal, and the Princess can use her magic to fight and heal! Each one can carry items and wear certain things, there are tons of items in Dragon Warrior II, menus to manage, gold to earn, inns and churches to help you if you are cursed... It's all pure role playing! Liked: I like almost everything about Dragon Warrior II, from the graphics and music, to the story, and even humor! Hated: You can only warp to the last town or castle you saved in. I would like to be able to warp back to anyplace I've already been. Maybe that will change, I'm still only halfway through the game. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics are wonderful and remind me of RPG's I've played on the SNES. It's bold and bright and colorful. I almost forget where I am (in real life) and get so into the game that I'm really there in the dungeon or castle... Liked: As good as SNES Hated: nothing **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Oh, I love Dragon Warrior music. It's hard to describe, you have to hear it to appreciate it. It's never annoying, and it changes depending on where you are. If you are wandering the countryside, its, well, soothing. Upon encountering a monster it immediately becomes dire. And in towns and castles it's upbeat. There is even pipe organ church music! Liked: I like it all. Hated: nothing **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: You use the plus pad to walk around, in 4 directions. It would have been nice to make it 8 ways. Walk up to someone and press the button to speak, or check a treasure chest, burea or vase. The battles are menu, turn based so you have all the time in the world to decide your next move. It's all relaxed, no frantic button pushing. People you talk to give you clues where to go and what to do next. Some of them also say funny things. One thing in particular that stands out is this guy in one of the towns in DWII, he is facing the town wall, and when you start talking to him you startle him and he shakes and says, "now look, my feet are all wet!" Another thing I thought was kind of cute is when you first discover you can save in a town in DWII, the guy says something like, "life keeps getting easier." Exactly what I was thinking, since it was so annoying in DWI to only be able to save in the castle. It's like he was reading my mind! Liked: It's pure RPG, SNES style! The graphics, music, story...everything....makes for a great adventure! Hated: There are 2 things that really marred my experience with these games, the first being the vast amount of time roaming the hills and forests to level up and earn gold. The second thing was the save system. You can read my thoughts about both of these things in the snide remarks section. Oh, and one more thing I just thought of...In DWI you need keys, and you can only carry 6 at a time. You can buy them, but not in every town, and in all but one place to purchase keys, you need at least one key to open the door to get to the merchant! So if you use all your keys, you have to walk all the way back to that one town where you can get a key without having a key! Whew! **************************************************************************** Improve: I've heard wind of Dragon Warrior III being converted for GBC. If it's better than DWII, I definitely want to play it. I hope you will be able to warp anywhere instead of just to the castle like in DWI, or just to your last save as in DWII. Also I hope you will have to spend less time leveling up. I think it's sufficient to just battle monsters on the way to your next destination, and by the time you arrive, you are strong enough and have enough gold for your essential purchases! RIYL: Any of the Final Fantasy Legends, Great Greed, Revelations: Demon Slayer. That's all I can think of for gameboy, where you wander around and monsters just "pop up", and you manage lists, level up, buy and equip weapons and armor, gather clues from people, stay at inns, explore dungeons, towns, castles... uh, roleplaying games. I guess you could include Pokemon, Azure Dreams, Dragon Warrior Monsters, Legend of the River King, even Harvest Moon and Survival Kids. Might as well add to this list Ultima: Runes of Virtue, and Rolans Curse, and Sword of Hope. As you can see, there are quite a few RPG's for gameboy! Oh, musn't forget about Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening, and Final Fantasy Adventure. Crystalis...have I missed any? **************************************************************************** Final Words: Dragon Warrior I&II is a worthy addition to anyone's gameboy library. I would recommend playing the games in order, even though the second one is way better. You will get more out of DWII if you take the time to complete DWI. Besides, it's a great history lesson. After all, DWI was the first RPG Nintendo ever gave us. Thank you Nintendo! **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: *** Personal Opinion: **** Total: 22 stars x 4 Final Score: 88 % **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: I know a secret about the names. In DWI your stats will vary depending on how you name your character, and in DWII the name of the prince and princess will be different depending on what you name yourself. Also, there is a secret way to rename the prince and princess, but my mouth is sealed!