Games Database
GameCube
Adventure
Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair - GameCube
Also known as: Dragon's Lair 3D: Special Edition
| Also for: | PC, PS2, Power Mac, Xbox | ||
| Viewed: | 3D Third-person, floating camera | Genre: | Adventure Platform |
| Arcade origin: | No | ||
| Developer: | Dragonstone | Soft. Co.: | Dragonstone |
| Publishers: | THQ
(GB) |
Released: | 5 Mar 2004
(GB) |
| Ratings: | PEGI 7+ | ||
| Accessories: | Memory Card | ||
Summary
Back in the late 1980s, the original Dragon's Lair arcade game was quite an impressive thing to behold, utilising the ultra-snazzy technology of laser discs to create a game that looked identical to a cartoon. The only thing was that playability was practically non-existent, with players simply having to press the right button/direction at the right time in order to trigger the correct pre-scripted scene. At the time the general consensus was: "If this was a REAL game, it would be fantastic." Well, many, many years later and technology has finally (almost) advanced enough to deliver such a concept - this latest iteration of the Don Bluth saga is a fully explorable, cel-shaded 3D adventure.
The story remains faithful to that of the original, with distressed damsel Princess Daphne having been kidnapped by the evil dragon Singe and hidden in a medieval castle owned by a powerful wizard known as Mordroc. You take on the role of the goofy-yet-courageous Dirk the Daring, as you embark on the obligatory quest to rescue her and save the kingdom from Mordroc's clutches. Along the way, a host of challenges face you - such as flaming pits, gaping chasms and swarms of the wizard's minions - as does an array of perplexing puzzles.
The expansive castle is divided into 43 different areas and comprises more than 250 rooms in total. Scattered throughout the environments is an assortment of around 40 grisly enemies, such as Cyclops Worms, the Grim Reaper and the oddly-titled Fire Goon Warriors. Luckily, not only can Dirk rely on his wits and his trusty sword to lay waste to the nasty hordes, but there are also a number of power-ups to be uncovered throughout the game.
Staying faithful to its cartoon roots, Dragon's lair benefits from some extremely fluid and realistic animation throughout, further helping towards the whole 'playable cartoon' idea, attempted in the original arcade version. The game also features brand new intro and end movies, which have been hand animated by the man behind it all, Don Bluth.
The story remains faithful to that of the original, with distressed damsel Princess Daphne having been kidnapped by the evil dragon Singe and hidden in a medieval castle owned by a powerful wizard known as Mordroc. You take on the role of the goofy-yet-courageous Dirk the Daring, as you embark on the obligatory quest to rescue her and save the kingdom from Mordroc's clutches. Along the way, a host of challenges face you - such as flaming pits, gaping chasms and swarms of the wizard's minions - as does an array of perplexing puzzles.
The expansive castle is divided into 43 different areas and comprises more than 250 rooms in total. Scattered throughout the environments is an assortment of around 40 grisly enemies, such as Cyclops Worms, the Grim Reaper and the oddly-titled Fire Goon Warriors. Luckily, not only can Dirk rely on his wits and his trusty sword to lay waste to the nasty hordes, but there are also a number of power-ups to be uncovered throughout the game.
Staying faithful to its cartoon roots, Dragon's lair benefits from some extremely fluid and realistic animation throughout, further helping towards the whole 'playable cartoon' idea, attempted in the original arcade version. The game also features brand new intro and end movies, which have been hand animated by the man behind it all, Don Bluth.
Artwork
