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Post by radcow on Apr 18, 2010 15:38:27 GMT
I don't know why but I really love this game I first played this game on the game gear as my best friend had the time had a copy think I played it more than he did Dragon Crystal is a dungeon crawler with RPG elements, along the lines of classics such as Rogue or Nethack. Without relying on a story, the game throws you into a randomly generated world which you should explore carefully - and most importantly, where you must survive! The complex, maze-like levels reveal their structure only after you cover the corresponding map areas. Your goal in each level is to reach a teleporter which will take you to the next one. There are also a lot of random items scattered around - weapons, armor, money, and food. Money allows you to continue the game if you die, food prevents you from starving. The enemies are visible on screen, and you fight them in a fast-paced turn-based combat, moving around and pressing direction arrows to strike with the equipped weapon. You are always accompanied by an egg which will eventually grow up to be a dragon if you have leveled up enough. Some people say this is the 'unofficial' sequel to Fatal Labyrinth but I think that's rubbish as dragon crystal was first Released in 1990 (SMS).1992(GG) and Fatal Labyrinth 1991 (SMD). if you play it long enough to complete it you'll be treated with some pretty amazing art work at the end of the game any have fun and I hope you enjoy the game Attachments:
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Post by Transatlantic Foe on Apr 18, 2010 20:34:33 GMT
I borrowed this from a friend waaaay back in about '93. Never completed it but got pretty close to the end - I was basically thrown into an arena surrounded by dragons... I sorted my armour and sword, moved, and the whole load of them opened up on me before I could get within striking distance. Inches away from death, in my desperation I pulled the only rod I had... which turned out to be a wither rod and BAM, I was dead. Didn't play it again until I got Fusion set up on my new PC a month or so ago.
The random floor structure is quite interesting but also means the game lacks depth in the gameplay, because essentially all you do is level up by picking up and killing as much stuff as you can. A vague idea of story, even of progression beyond watching a few numbers rise, would have been nice. The way items start out a random colour is frustrating though, because it essentially throws you into a random moment where skill has no place at all - like having dodgy collision detection on a platformer or shmup. So to see what a scroll, potion, ring, rod etc. does you have to use it once - often with wretched results. Even once you've used them, some items have a pretty lame description like "bless scroll" - which you'll eventually figure out the purpose for through being unlucky with using other items!
What I did like was how different the equipment was. Sometimes a really awesome sword which won't hurt a particular enemy so you need to switch to a different one. There's a shedload of different types of armour and swords, most just being levelling up fare but the way some creatures are immune to some weapons adds a bit of depth. The food element is used well - if you don't eat your health starts dropping... although the random side to the game can sometimes seriously hurt you by leaving you without food for most of a floor. It doesn't happen often, but the random nature of the game means you can take an absolute beating just from really bad luck in the level layout (not the combat, the nature of it places some luck but it rarely leaves you thrashed by something rubbish) - which feels really cheap when it happens.
The music? Please oh please turn it off. It's the same short, irritating ditty for sodding ages.
I'm going to give this a bit more time again in Fusion (muted!!) and see whether I can reach my dizzy heights from 1993, and whether a few elements of the game get less frustrating.
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Post by Melanogaster on Apr 19, 2010 5:32:02 GMT
Haha, I love this game -- especially its music  I usually finish it at least once a year; last time was a couple of months ago. I don't know how I came to like this game, though; I can't stand RPGs...  |
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amtus
Cloud Master
Posts: 34
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Post by amtus on Apr 19, 2010 11:40:20 GMT
I'm definitely going to get my hands on this game and give it a try - ebay here i come:)
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Post by Stan on Apr 20, 2010 5:24:35 GMT
I've been meaning to complete this one for awhile after my brother and I finished the sequel (Fatal Labyrinth). Must finish this one...
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Post by grolt on May 4, 2010 15:17:39 GMT
This was the first Rogue-like game I'd played when I finally got this a few years ago. It's pretty addicting, and the random level generator always keeps it fresh. Fatal Labyrinth is a solid game, too. I've never finished either, though...the thought of getting some nice artwork is awful tempting. Great pick!
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Post by Stan on May 5, 2010 22:04:24 GMT
Wait, you mean the second time through, should you play it again, the levels randomize? I never knew that. When we get back from a tour this weekend, I'm putting this puppy in.
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Post by maxtakeshi on Jun 8, 2010 23:28:50 GMT
If there's one thing about this that sticks out... it's the music.
First played this on a friend's Game Gear in the early nineties, and THAT tune haunted me.
I now have the game (GG version) and for some reason... the tune makes me smile. Call it nostalgia for school days, I guess.
Never did finish it, the egg hatched... and then some worm thingy spat at me.
Worm spit is deadly. Take notice, people.
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Post by radcow on Jun 9, 2010 22:53:56 GMT
If there's one thing about this that sticks out... it's the music. First played this on a friend's Game Gear in the early nineties, and THAT tune haunted me. I now have the game (GG version) and for some reason... the tune makes me smile. Call it nostalgia for school days, I guess. Never did finish it, the egg hatched... and then some worm thingy spat at me. Worm spit is deadly. Take notice, people. I right there with you I first played this on the GG and it also remind's me of days gone by |
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Post by radcow on Sept 5, 2010 22:59:21 GMT
can my game get some more LOVE or HATE PLEASE LOL
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Post by JellyCrystals on Sept 14, 2010 8:26:41 GMT
Is the this the last "officially" posted game? Really??
I have had a crack, but I just don't like it. Maybe it is because I keep kicking my SMS when I walk past it and it freezes ruining all my hard work...
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Post by Estimated Prophet on Sept 15, 2010 20:42:41 GMT
There will be a new game up soon.
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Post by fr0st on Apr 26, 2011 10:53:29 GMT
Excellent game, one of my favourites on the GG and MS, I play thru this a few times a year. Anyone know any games similar in gameplay?
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dezanuebe
Sonic the Hedgehog
Master System, the best of all times...
Posts: 2,177
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Post by dezanuebe on Nov 18, 2011 23:53:45 GMT
If there's one thing about this that sticks out... it's the music. First played this on a friend's Game Gear in the early nineties, and THAT tune haunted me. I now have the game (GG version) and for some reason... the tune makes me smile. Call it nostalgia for school days, I guess. Never did finish it, the egg hatched... and then some worm thingy spat at me. Worm spit is deadly. Take notice, people. Agree 100% with your post. I can still hear the music from the first 10 levels in my head!! excellent game! |
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Post by Batman666 on Nov 19, 2011 10:28:26 GMT
I haven't really played this more than a quick test, so I can't relate, but I can relate to "still hearing the music" for alot of classic games I played back in the day  |
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I usually finish it at least once a year; last time was a couple of months ago. I don't know how I came to like this game, though; I can't stand RPGs... 
