Dragon's Crown |OT| -- NOW AVAILABLE! Hands-On Impressions Inside!

Well, hard mode is definitely harder. Tried the Minotaur and he spawns a bunch of goblins and orcs now... hard as Elf.

I just make things harder on myself...as an elf I play solo without resurrecting people too. I wonder how long it will take to beat the hardest difficulty this way

Finished normal. Last boss down in 1m11s.

syztem

[QUOTE="syztem"]

Finished normal. Last boss down in 1m11s.

CarnageHeart

I ended up just fighting him in his first room there. Never had the damage to kill him along the walkway because he never dropped any arrows for me.

I'm a bit confused as to the inventory system.  Are items shared between all characters?  It seems like my money is the same if I switch.  Usually I sell everything that's not for the class that I'm currently playing.  Should I?  I wish there were different save files for each character.

Also, I noticed that while in combat I can select different items with the d-pad, the hit up to use.  But I'm also able to select attire/equipment as well (like gloves, staffs).  Does this mean I'm switching stat benefits in realtime (not for weapons, but for equipment)?  All the stuff is hard to know what slot it fits into.

I'm a bit confused as to the inventory system.  Are items shared between all characters?  It seems like my money is the same if I switch.  Usually I sell everything that's not for the class that I'm currently playing.  Should I?  I wish there were different save files for each character.

Also, I noticed that while in combat I can select different items with the d-pad, the hit up to use.  But I'm also able to select attire/equipment as well (like gloves, staffs).  Does this mean I'm switching stat benefits in realtime (not for weapons, but for equipment)?  All the stuff is hard to know what slot it fits into.

MirkoS77

Are you the same Mirko from the Arkham City thread awhile back?  If so, hello :)

To answer your question, I'm not sure about the first part (because I haven't started a second character yet).  I know that the treasure you pick up is generally geared toward your class with the occasional exception -- for instance I'm playing a Sorceress (ohh la la!) but occasionally I'll find a Sword or a Bow that I can't use.   

But I can answer the second part -- your stats don't switch nessecarily.  But you can for instance, if you're carrying two swords, switch from one to the other in real-time using that interface.   A better way to switch items on the fly though is using Quick-Select.  Do you know about this?   When you're equipping items, you can assign a hot button to them by pressing to the left or right on the D-Pad.   So for instance, say I equip potions to TRIANGLE.   Then, during a hectic fight, I'd hold the D-Pad UP to bring up quick select, then press triangle (while holding up on the D-Pad) to immediately use the potion.  This is faster than scrolling through your real-time inventory to find a potion, for instance.   Quick select can accomadate up to 4 items at once.

Think I convinced a guy to buy DC. I saw him playing a Vita (he was playing CoD) and struck up a conversation. He had just bought Dungeon and Dragons for the PS3 and he was enjoying it so I told him he'd really love DC. He said he'd check it out.

CarnageHeart

Good!  I think more people need to play this game.  I doubt he'll be disappointed.  Actually, I know he won't.  

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

I'm a bit confused as to the inventory system.  Are items shared between all characters?  It seems like my money is the same if I switch.  Usually I sell everything that's not for the class that I'm currently playing.  Should I?  I wish there were different save files for each character.

Also, I noticed that while in combat I can select different items with the d-pad, the hit up to use.  But I'm also able to select attire/equipment as well (like gloves, staffs).  Does this mean I'm switching stat benefits in realtime (not for weapons, but for equipment)?  All the stuff is hard to know what slot it fits into.

Jbul

Are you the same Mirko from the Arkham City thread awhile back?  If so, hello :)

 To answer your question, I'm not sure about the first part (because I haven't started a second character yet).  I know that the treasure you pick up is generally geared toward your class with the occasional exception -- for instance I'm playing a Sorceress (ohh la la!) but occasionally I'll find a Sword or a Bow that I can't use.   

 But I can answer the second part -- your stats don't switch nessecarily.  But you can for instance, if you're carrying two swords, switch from one to the other in real-time using that interface.   A better way to switch items on the fly though is using Quick-Select.  Do you know about this?   When you're equipping items, you can assign a hot button to them by pressing to the left or right on the D-Pad.   So for instance, say I equip potions to TRIANGLE.   Then, during a hectic fight, I'd hold the D-Pad UP to bring up quick select, then press triangle (while holding up on the D-Pad) to immediately use the potion.  This is faster than scrolling through your real-time inventory to find a potion, for instance.   Quick select can accomadate up to 4 items at once.

I've been in a lot of Batman threads, AC's one of my favorite games.  I used to have a Batman sig and avatar.  Hey. :)

Thanks for the quickslot tip, I was wondering how that worked.  Immensely helpful when in the heat of battle.

My brother came by and we put in a couple hours into the offline multiplayer. We found out the hard way that characters select sidequests individually (so my brother didn't get the completion credit for a sidequest that I selected and we beat together) :P. Ah well. He was blown away by DC and I'm sure he'd buy it if he didn't have an X360. We don't visit each other enough and it looks like DC will rectify that.

Yes. Yes, it does!

i think i'm a pretty significant way through the game now and that i can say that, barring some unforeseen content late game, i don't think this game is saying (or showing, as the case seems to be made) anything at the expense of women.

the root of storytelling, particularly storytelling in medieval europe, is really based around damsels in distress and "manly" duties. the transparent nature of the quests and the ridiculous poses of the women highlights this rather than hides it away. women were seen as objects and men could also lose their identity in their own gender role (like the fighter, who may as well be a walking suit of armor in his embodiment of the knight. my favorite part is that he does sometimes take off his helmet. where you might expect some more personal depiction of him, he ends up with just another helmet underneath due to the worst case of hat hair ever).

i feel like it's played for laughs rather than titillation. i mean, how many people find the amazon attractive? even the sorceress is so exaggerated that she loses her sex appeal. i guess i can't speak for every straight guy or lesbian, but that's how i read it.

My local Wal-Mart did not have a copy of the game, so I had to go to my local Hastings to get it. Even then, they did not have the Vita version, so I had to get the last PS3 copy of Dragon's Crown. Too bad, too, because I was wanting the Vita version. Anyway, the game was not what I expected. I thoughtit would play like Muramasa, but it plays alot like a D&D game.That's not a bad thing, because I find the game very interesting. It has thevisual style of Muramasa, the fighting style of Double Dragon/FinalFight and the gameplay and theme of D&D.

beat normal mode and onto hard, the spike is definitely there but thanks to the S rank weapons from killing the dragon...I'm making it somehow

Anyone played the cooking mini-game?!  It came up ONCE for me.  And never again.  It was badass!  Anyone know what triggers it?

My brother came by and we put in a couple hours into the offline multiplayer. We found out the hard way that characters select sidequests individually (so my brother didn't get the completion credit for a sidequest that I selected and we beat together) :P. Ah well. He was blown away by DC and I'm sure he'd buy it if he didn't have an X360. We don't visit each other enough and it looks like DC will rectify that.

CarnageHeart

That is cool as hell.   This game looks to have rediculous replayability.  Local co-op, online co-op, multiple classes, etc.  

Anyone played the cooking mini-game?!  It came up ONCE for me.  And never again.  It was badass!  Anyone know what triggers it?

Jbul

Chain runs.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

Anyone played the cooking mini-game?!  It came up ONCE for me.  And never again.  It was badass!  Anyone know what triggers it?

syztem

Chain runs.

Yes, I know.   But within the context of chain runs, it doesn't always happen (I just played 4 quests in a row for instance, and the game didn't appear).   Which is why I'm wondering what are the criteria for it to happen :)

I'm loving this game. I'm playing the vita version, the screen can get hectic at times but it is really fun to play. and I just defeated the most epic Monty Python and the Holy Grail homage.

[QUOTE="syztem"]

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

Anyone played the cooking mini-game?!  It came up ONCE for me.  And never again.  It was badass!  Anyone know what triggers it?

Jbul

Chain runs.

Yes, I know.   But within the context of chain runs, it doesn't always happen (I just played 4 quests in a row for instance, and the game didn't appear).   Which is why I'm wondering what are the criteria for it to happen :)

It's random.

i think i'm a pretty significant way through the game now and that i can say that, barring some unforeseen content late game, i don't think this game is saying (or showing, as the case seems to be made) anything at the expense of women.

the root of storytelling, particularly storytelling in medieval europe, is really based around damsels in distress and "manly" duties. the transparent nature of the quests and the ridiculous poses of the women highlights this rather than hides it away. women were seen as objects and men could also lose their identity in their own gender role (like the fighter, who may as well be a walking suit of armor in his embodiment of the knight. my favorite part is that he does sometimes take off his helmet. where you might expect some more personal depiction of him, he ends up with just another helmet underneath due to the worst case of hat hair ever).

i feel like it's played for laughs rather than titillation. i mean, how many people find the amazon attractive? even the sorceress is so exaggerated that she loses her sex appeal. i guess i can't speak for every straight guy or lesbian, but that's how i read it.

LoG-Sacrament

[QUOTE="syztem"]

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

Anyone played the cooking mini-game?!  It came up ONCE for me.  And never again.  It was badass!  Anyone know what triggers it?

Jbul

Chain runs.

Yes, I know.   But within the context of chain runs, it doesn't always happen (I just played 4 quests in a row for instance, and the game didn't appear).   Which is why I'm wondering what are the criteria for it to happen :)

Starting to get a feel for the roles in co-op... Elf and Amazon are definitely the main damage dealers.

Beat the game on Normal last night and have one talisman on Hard.

Might be my GOTY and the best beat 'em up I've ever played.

WORD OF WARNING!

 

Don't select "Start New" from the Tavern screen while playing a loaded character!   It will auto-save over your current save instantly!   I lost about 2 hours of progress this way -- thankfully I had uploaded my Data to the server a few hours earlier (because I have the Vita version as well) so I was able to save my character somewhat.

 

 

Careful.

 

Oh, and the Amazon is pretty cool.  Feels like a whole different game, really. :)

Jbul

Yea, "Create New" just makes a new character on that save. You can have 16 per save file and switch between them whenever you go to the tavern. Your save file just displays the most recent character you've played. Right now mine shows my level 11 Sorc, but nothing has happened to my 60 Elf.

Beat the game on Normal last night and have one talisman on Hard.

Might be my GOTY and the best beat 'em up I've ever played.

Systems_Id

Yeah, I beat it with the fighter and am now going through with the male magic user. I put in a few hours with my brother (he played the Archer, I played the Amazon).

I wish I could play this with my daughters (we love playing Double Dragon style games together and they are big rpg fans) but the art (which I love) is a bit too racey in spots :P.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

[QUOTE="syztem"]

Chain runs.

CarnageHeart

Yes, I know.   But within the context of chain runs, it doesn't always happen (I just played 4 quests in a row for instance, and the game didn't appear).   Which is why I'm wondering what are the criteria for it to happen :)

Did you play Odin Sphere (PS2)?  Same developer.   Really sweet game! Cooking in that game, too :)

Yea, "Create New" just makes a new character on that save. You can have 16 per save file and switch between them whenever you go to the tavern. Your save file just displays the most recent character you've played. Right now mine shows my level 11 Sorc, but nothing has happened to my 60 Elf.

syztem

You guys are totally right.   See what happens when you drink and game?!   Haha! :P

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"]

i think i'm a pretty significant way through the game now and that i can say that, barring some unforeseen content late game, i don't think this game is saying (or showing, as the case seems to be made) anything at the expense of women.

the root of storytelling, particularly storytelling in medieval europe, is really based around damsels in distress and "manly" duties. the transparent nature of the quests and the ridiculous poses of the women highlights this rather than hides it away. women were seen as objects and men could also lose their identity in their own gender role (like the fighter, who may as well be a walking suit of armor in his embodiment of the knight. my favorite part is that he does sometimes take off his helmet. where you might expect some more personal depiction of him, he ends up with just another helmet underneath due to the worst case of hat hair ever).

i feel like it's played for laughs rather than titillation. i mean, how many people find the amazon attractive? even the sorceress is so exaggerated that she loses her sex appeal. i guess i can't speak for every straight guy or lesbian, but that's how i read it.

MrGeezer

well, i certainly couldn't agree with you more that vanillaware was very upfront with their influences but i think the two go hand in hand. i mean, just that the references could run from renaissance painters (and really the greek statues they were based on) to conan the barbarian shows some common ground on the ideals gender roles were based on. classes obviously play an important part in the gameplay too.

i don't think it's some extremely deep look at society or anything, but it's at least honest and it adds detail to the gameworld.

i feel like it's played for laughs rather than titillation. i mean, how many people find the amazon attractive? even the sorceress is so exaggerated that she loses her sex appeal. i guess i can't speak for every straight guy or lesbian, but that's how i read it.

LoG-Sacrament

Yeah, it's hard to see the art work as anything more than comical. Any titillation the amazon might engender is immediately dispelled by that pointy ass. And that design is conservative compared to the dwarf. There are some stills, though, like when you come across the female monk, that are just...! But even that is so absurdly in your face.

It's clearly tongue in cheek, but in the west we're pretty much taught from an early age to be ashamed of nudity, so the comedy will fail on a lot of us and inevitably be taken too seriously by some. There are works of Japanese fiction out there - manga, anime - that have no nudity and no sex, just a lot of suggestive imagery and innuendo and even more cheek. It's a different kind of comedy that we have no analogue for stateside because we're too busy spinning round and round on the stick wedged up our cultural asshole.

It's clearly tongue in cheek, but in the west we're pretty much taught from an early age to be ashamed of nudity, so the comedy will fail on a lot of us and inevitably be taken too seriously by some. There are works of Japanese fiction out there - manga, anime - that have no nudity and no sex, just a lot of suggestive imagery and innuendo and even more cheek. It's a different kind of comedy that we have no analogue for stateside because we're too busy spinning round and round on the stick wedged up our cultural asshole.Ish_basic

So I absolutely love that you can bring in your higher-level characters' allies into a game with a Level 1 character.   Cool little touch if you want to power through.  A few questions though.

In Multiplayer, can you give items to others?  Say I have a nice Two-Handed Axe but I'm a Magic User, is there a way to give it to another player?  Drop it, etc?

Also

Does anyone know if there is a way to repair your Allies'  equipment?   I've had to dismiss a few for having broken swords, etc, that were otherwise really useful.

Starting to get a feel for the roles in co-op... Elf and Amazon are definitely the main damage dealers.

syztem

I decided to create a separate save with the wizard rather than just creating a new character on the save of my fighter. I went through two dungeons but it was so easy due to the high rank of the reincarnated fighters fighting alongside me that I felt I was cheating myself.

Anyway, the wizard is awesome. He can drain his magic points in a few seconds but he can also inflict horrendous amount of damage in that timeframe, so provided you don't miss nearby enemies are too dead to take advantage of the several seconds the wizard needs to regenerate his magic.

Also its cool how the environment affects his magic (fire magic in water just results in harmless steam, which was a big problem for me when I went wading with only a fire staff equipped).

Finished the game on Normal today.   26 hours, it took me to beat the game, and I didn't even finish half the side-missions.  Game is a beast.

An amazing blast of old-school greatness with modern trimmings, Dragon's Crown deserves to be played by anyone who's been gaming since the 16-bit era or before, and probably most modern gamers.

Finished the game on Normal today. 26 hours, it took me to beat the game, and I didn't even finish half the side-missions. Game is a beast.

An amazing blast of old-school greatness with modern trimmings, Dragon's Crown deserves to be played by anyone who's been gaming since the 16-bit era or before, and probably most modern gamers.

Jbul

I agree completely with your analysis. DC is pure awesome. It took me 'only' 23 hours, but I did only a third of the quests.

Right now I'm in the middle of a playthrough with the wizard. I just got badly mauled in a boss fight. When I was a fighter I would let computer controlled opponents kind of drop in, but the wizard needs guys who can keep the goons off him while he recharges his magic, so I am going to start handpicking my parties.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

Finished the game on Normal today. 26 hours, it took me to beat the game, and I didn't even finish half the side-missions. Game is a beast.

 

An amazing blast of old-school greatness with modern trimmings, Dragon's Crown deserves to be played by anyone who's been gaming since the 16-bit era or before, and probably most modern gamers.

CarnageHeart

I agree completely with your analysis. DC is pure awesome. It took me 'only' 23 hours, but I did only a third of the quests.

Right now I'm in the middle of a playthrough with the wizard. I just got badly mauled in a boss fight. When I was a fighter I would let computer controlled opponents kind of drop in, but the wizard needs guys who can keep the goons off him while he recharges his magic, so I am going to start handpicking my parties.

I wonder how similar the Wizard is to the Sorceress (who is my main character).   I definitely enjoyed distracted enemies during my playthrough, but she's also got a power called "Witch Flight" which allows her to fly basically across the screen in a few seconds, so that helped.

I'm wondering who I should play next.   I'm thinking Elf, although my level 10 Amazon is temping (really fun to play) :)

[QUOTE="CarnageHeart"]

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

Finished the game on Normal today. 26 hours, it took me to beat the game, and I didn't even finish half the side-missions. Game is a beast.

 

An amazing blast of old-school greatness with modern trimmings, Dragon's Crown deserves to be played by anyone who's been gaming since the 16-bit era or before, and probably most modern gamers.

Jbul

I agree completely with your analysis. DC is pure awesome. It took me 'only' 23 hours, but I did only a third of the quests.

Right now I'm in the middle of a playthrough with the wizard. I just got badly mauled in a boss fight. When I was a fighter I would let computer controlled opponents kind of drop in, but the wizard needs guys who can keep the goons off him while he recharges his magic, so I am going to start handpicking my parties.

I wonder how similar the Wizard is to the Sorceress (who is my main character).   I definitely enjoyed distracted enemies during my playthrough, but she's also got a power called "Witch Flight" which allows her to fly basically across the screen in a few seconds, so that helped.

I'm wondering who I should play next.   I'm thinking Elf, although my level 10 Amazon is temping (really fun to play) :)

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

[QUOTE="CarnageHeart"]

I agree completely with your analysis. DC is pure awesome. It took me 'only' 23 hours, but I did only a third of the quests.

Right now I'm in the middle of a playthrough with the wizard. I just got badly mauled in a boss fight. When I was a fighter I would let computer controlled opponents kind of drop in, but the wizard needs guys who can keep the goons off him while he recharges his magic, so I am going to start handpicking my parties.

CarnageHeart

I wonder how similar the Wizard is to the Sorceress (who is my main character).   I definitely enjoyed distracted enemies during my playthrough, but she's also got a power called "Witch Flight" which allows her to fly basically across the screen in a few seconds, so that helped.

I'm wondering who I should play next.   I'm thinking Elf, although my level 10 Amazon is temping (really fun to play) :)

This game has PvP?   What the hell?!   I haven't heard a SINGLE thing about this from any review I've read/watched, nevermind the countless impressions!

[QUOTE="CarnageHeart"][QUOTE="Jbul"]

 

 

I wonder how similar the Wizard is to the Sorceress (who is my main character).   I definitely enjoyed distracted enemies during my playthrough, but she's also got a power called "Witch Flight" which allows her to fly basically across the screen in a few seconds, so that helped.

 

I'm wondering who I should play next.   I'm thinking Elf, although my level 10 Amazon is temping (really fun to play) :)

Jbul

This game has PvP?   What the hell?!   I haven't heard a SINGLE thing about this from any review I've read/watched, nevermind the countless impressions!

Played a Fighter to level 10.   True, the dude is a tank, but he really feels more to me like a class built to be in a big party with a healer, etc.   His abilities, many of them, are geared toward protecting others, which isn't really useful until I'm guessing, late-game.   His gameplay definitely feels like the most classic beat-em-up of all the classes, which is cool.   I actually ended up dying ALOT more with him than I did with the sorceseress, which is something I'm guessing the developers didn't intend.  :lol:   

His ability to automatically block attacks is extremely powerful though, I'm sure later it makes him very formidable. :)

Played a Fighter to level 10. True, the dude is a tank, but he really feels more to me like a class built to be in a big party with a healer, etc. His abilities, many of them, are geared toward protecting others, which isn't really useful until I'm guessing, late-game. His gameplay definitely feels like the most classic beat-em-up of all the classes, which is cool. I actually ended up dying ALOT more with him than I did with the sorceseress, which is something I'm guessing the developers didn't intend. :lol:

His ability to automatically block attacks is extremely powerful though, I'm sure later it makes him very formidable. :)

Jbul

*Shakes fist* The fighter is pure awesome! I think your problem is that you are trying to use him the same way you used the sorceress :P. Seriously, I didn't really start dying with him until I got to the B path dungeons.

Anyway, I'm still getting the hang of the wizard. For a while I would cast spells then just kind of try to run away while charging my health. I've only recently started smacking people with the staff. With the right skills, that quickly refills the magician's MP, though its dangerous as heck since he doesn't hit very hard and he goes down very easy.

Finally got the game and put a few hours into a Wizard, so far im loving the game and can see myself playing it alot in the near future.

Man, the boss design in DC is outstanding (one just beat my level 24 wizard and his party to death though we took him to the brink). To avoid spoiling any of the cool surprises that are DC's bosses I'll refrain from posting any more photos of them, but I will show off my level four golem. The screenshot also shows off the game's great water reflections.

Raistlin? Is that a name you chose or a named that was assigned?

Raistlin? Is that a name you chose or a named that was assigned?

Phantom_Leo

I choose it. I'm comfortable with my geekdom.