This game is an overlooked RPG classic which is something you HAVE to enjoy, despite all frustrations in terms of difficulty. After the five minutes it takes to figure out how to get each character to be recognized by the game, you see a select screen for characters. It's unfortunate that the text in the game is exceptionally difficult to see because of the strange text and size. You have about 8 classes. You aren't given a good explanation as to what separates each character unless you go into the manual. There you realize that there are simple exclusive attributes like strength or health. These characters are all level one, but thankfully, when you die, you are given a password which you can type in when starting a new game so that you can import your higher leveled character. There are also unlockable characters like the Princess and Hermit. These characters' passwords are given to you in the game once you reach certain points, and will undoubtedly win you over. But the real difference in the classes is in the effect that each potion has. There are two potions in the game, black and white. The cool thing is that they have exclusive effects to each character. These may be "heal your party" or "kill all enemies on screen." But unfortunately, some of these seem quite unbalanced. While one character can heal, as well as eliminate all enemies, the fighter has increased strength, but the potions increase defense and strength for a VERY short time, making them feel pointless. The game allows for up to 5 characters which is undoubtedly the most appealing aspect. Because this obviously exceeds the 4-player limit with the Wii mote, or the 4 controller slots on the GCN controller ports, the game utilizes a combination of both. The game allows for any combination of Gamecube controllers or Wii-motes. The Wii-mote makes you hold the controller NES style, using the d-pad to move, and the 1 and 2 buttons, as well as the + and - buttons. 1 will make you attack, which is just a projectile that looks like something your character would use, while 2 makes you use potions. You can also use the Classic controller, although the option seems kind of pointless, unless of course you want to use the analog stick which is understandable. The gamecube controller uses the analog stick or D-pad, and the B and A buttons as the 1 and 2 buttons respectively. All the control options feel comfortable, and whoever is forced to use the GCN controller shouldn't feel like they're getting screwed over. Playing this game single player isn't something you'll want to do though. Multiplayer, not only is much more fun, it makes this game much easier to get through, not that you'll be getting far in the first place.
The gameplay is VERY simplistic. There's an attack button, and a use potion button. You have to make sure the red marker on your character hub is on the potion you intend on using with the 'potion' button. Attacking is simply firing projectiles of swords, spells, or arrows, all depending on your character. Shooting enemies is pretty easy, and fun, but sometimes, you'll find yourself getting overwhelmed. Actually, most of the time. Enemy spawn points will just keep dishing out enemies every few seconds, so if you don't manage to kill anyone, you can end up fighting an entire army. Shooting diagonally will also make you have to fire, but then while you're firing, point diagonally. Unfortunately, there are VERY few extra lives. Depending on how many people you have playing, you have a very limited resurrections, and next to none can be found while playing the game. Not only that, they are all shared among you're party, so you may find that you're only allowed to respawn only once or twice if you're all dying evenly. But then, the password system works well enough. Unfortunately though, this password will respawn your character, but only what level this character is, and not what upgrades or power-ups you have acquired. Not only that, but your character only gains levels after killing BOSSES, and not depending on how many enemies you actually kill. If playing multiplayer, if your friend dies while fighting a boss, if he dies just as you kill the boss, he won't gain the level-up.
The visuals are simplistic, but aren't hard to look at. There are simple textures, each enemy has two frames of animation, sometimes making it hard to tell what they are. The sound is pretty good, with a surprisingly good score, and repetitively awesome sound effects. You can't help but get immersed in the retro-ness while playing this game, or even listening to it. Overall, this game, despite it's rediculous difficulty of an overwhelming amount of enemies or enemies that won't let you run away far enough, is just plain enjoyable. It has little depth, but what is there will keep you interested, and make you really think of what character you want to choose. But unfortunately, this game really isn't meant for a single-player experience. However, even with just two friends with you, this game can have you playing hours and hours on end, dying hundreds of times, but enjoying every second of it. If you have 600 Wii points, this is a Turbographix-16 game that is a must-have.
To put it simply, Dungeon Explorer is a clone of Gauntlet, the Arcade/NES fantasy action game. Even if you've never played one of the older 2D ones... after playing any action RPG you'll see that they have roots in game... Read Full Review
even though i lost my TurboGrafx-16 some time ago it was still a great system the only game i could really remember was this one because it was my favorite i rememder i always played as the warlock i even remember the co... Read Full Review
