Sega
Force Vault
03.14.1999
Reviewed
10.23.2005
Publisher
Capcom
Developer
Capcom
Format
2x
CD
Origin
Import
Available
Mar.
4, 1999 (Japan)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
2D
View
Side
Genre
Action/Adventure
Player(s)
1-2
Options
Backup
8/8
Requires
4MB
RAM (disc 2 only)
Importable
99% |
| Intro |
|
> Dungeons & Dragons Collection contains both Capcom
arcade hack'n' slash titles from old-school heaven. Finally, after four
years, the Saturn has received two games like the original
Golden Axe (arcade/Genesis). Their subtitles are Tower
of Doom (disc 1) and Shadows Over Mystara (disc 2).
> The idea here is basic... Advance through the various locales while
slicing and dicing all the monsters into oblivion. Along the way
you'll encounter huge bosses which have special attacks of catastrophic
proportions. Use the treasure you accumulate in battle to buy items in
the shop between levels. It's mindless fun, and it's yet another Saturn
exclusive, complete with 4MB
RAM usage.
> Importing is a cinch as everything you really need is in English, including
the main menu, option menus and game screens. The only things that
are Japanese are the occasional dialog text and the names of the special
weapons. |
| Graphics |
|
> If you've seen Dungeons & Dragons in the arcade, then
you know what to expect. Both Tower of Doom and Shadows
Over Mystara are 2D hand drawn beauties from start to finish.
Of course, Shadows Over Mystara looks and animates better
since it's the newer of the two, and it uses the 4MB RAM
cartridge. As for the backgrounds, they're multi-scrolling and consist
of locales like a city, swamp, ship, castle, countryside, cave, and mine
(to name a few).
> As mentioned before, you'll fight against bosses and various monsters
like goblins, skeletons, gargoyles, lizards, liches and many more.
Both games share many of the same beasts, except they look better on Shadows
Over Mystara.
> The magic effects are decent in Tower of Doom, but they
are much more varied and improved in Shadows Over Mystara.
Overall, the freeze and bolt magic spells are my favorite to behold.
Oh... and don't worry, the bosses hurl magic at you as well. The
meteor spell that some bosses use is really cool, and the final boss in
Shadows
Over Mystara has a special treat for you. |
| Control |
|
> The control scheme for both Tower of Doom and Shadows
Over Mystara is simple and enjoyable. The buttons are attack,
jump, fire and select. You can use the D-pad to move along a wide
area and for running as well. Throughout your quest, you'll come
across treasure chests which may or may not be trapped, and usually contain
some goodies. Also, most enemies leave some booty behind once they're
defeated, which you can pick up and use.
> All the gold you collect will not go to waste either, since after every
round, you'll have an opportunity to stock up on weapons and health at
your local shop. It pays to enter the various pathways which you'll
encounter as they usually provide additional treasure. Overall, the
control is tight and classic. |
| Sound |
|
> I really can't remember what the arcade music sounded like, but I'm sure
it's at least as good in the Saturn iterations, if not better.
You'll hear a combination of orchestral and fantasy arcade tunes which
set the tempo nicely. Nothing to call home for, but solid anyway.
> The sound effects are probably straight out of the arcade as well. Tower
of Doom's effects are kind of weak, while Shadows Over Mystara's
effects are much improved, albeit they're essentially the same. You'll
hear things like swords swinging, enemies howling, chests cracking open,
monsters roaring, rocks falling and hellhounds breathing. The speech
queues are in English, by the way. |
| Fun |
|
> Tower of Doom has four characters with different abilities
and attacks: fighter, cleric, dwarf and elf. Shadows Over Mystara
adds two more characters: magic user and thief. You get a great value
here since both games are fully intact. Your interest level is maintained
with treasure, power-ups and additional weapons. The only downer
is that Capcom did not spend enough time optimizing these
games, as they load often. At any rate, the fun factor does go down
once you've beaten the games a few times. |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> If you're into Golden Axe type games with a little more
depth for adventure, then look no further than Capcom's latest
conversion. Dungeons & Dragons Collection is a
solid combination of two arcade classics which are fully intact on your
Saturn, thanks to the 4MB RAM cartridge.
I'd score these games a 10 for the conversion. Now Sega,
bring us a Golden Axe sequel for the Dreamcast
already! |
| Ratings |
| Overall:
8.4 | Graphics: 8.8 | Control: 8.8 | Sound: 7.9 | Fun: 8.0 |
~
Shinobi ~
|
