Developer: Dragonstone Software Publisher: Ubi Soft Released: December 22, 2002 Genre: Action
Seeing Dragon’s Lair in the arcade back in the 80s is one of the biggest mind blowing experiences of my childhood. I remember thinking it can’t get any better than this; it’s a cartoon you can play! Of course it didn’t take long for me to realize it was an interactive game of Simon even at such a young age but I digress. Throughout the years video games would chase that dragon in many forms but it was not until the PlayStation 2 generation that it would finally be realized. Dragon’s Lair 3d: Return to the Lair attempts to realize the design goal of the original in 3d and to an extent succeeds. But it is also a clumsy and frustrating experience that will turn many away.
Technically while Dragon’s Lair 3d is a new game its story and gameplay frame it as a three dimensional remake of the first game with a few bits from the lesser known second arcade game. When the dragon Singh kidnaps Princess Daphne once again Dirk is forced to return to the castle once more. As a 3d game Dragon’s Lair 3d admirably captures the look of the 2d animation. Many of the rooms and such are familiar but the game does a good job of adding new elements everywhere. But while that may sound enticing know that you will suffer to see it all.
Dragon’s Lair 3d is a full-fledged 3d platformer with a dash of puzzle solving involved. Dirk has a variety of moves at his disposal from dashing, rolling, crouch walking, and blocking attacks. Although your sword is the primary weapon throughout the game eventually you earn a crossbow with a variety of arrows for long ranged attacks. You can Z-target enemies too as in the Ocarina of Time although it is not as smooth as that title. There is an inventory but that is mainly to use potions to restore magic and health. Honestly I forgot it was even there as the game provides plenty of restorative items in every room.
The controls are varied and for the most part responsive. The problem is their implementation. Dirk is not the most nimble protagonist and is clumsy in his movements. He frequently gets stuck in the environment and this will lead to many a cheap death. It also ruins some of the better set piece moments. Having to sheathe your sword before performing any platforming gets old fast considering combat is not a focus. Collision detection is also an issue. Attacks frequently miss, Dirk will fall through platforms and any time you need to swing from chains is a crap shoot. The best I can say is when everything works it is fun. But when it does not you will wonder why you are even playing this game.
Despite featuring the trappings of a platformer Dragon’s Lair 3d still features the trial and error gameplay of the original. Every room presents a new conundrum, be it simply reaching the exit or trying to figure out which item is necessary for the situation at hand. Knowledge of the arcade game will take you far but the game revels in turning that against you. Looking at a giant open area and figuring out the numerous steps to navigate it rarely gets old. With over two hundred individual rooms the game has a great deal of variety and is downright clever at times. Timed rooms, near invincible enemies, and trap doors abound and the developers somehow manage to make each permutation feel unique.
A large contribution to the game’s variety comes from the six dragon essences. These grant Dirk new powers like floating, reveal secret paths, protect him from fire, and even perform a spinning attack. These essences are doled out at a decent clip and open up new areas of the castle. While each essence requires magic to use the game is incredibly generous with it and it is never an issue. Combat is not a focus but it is present. Most enemies are fodder and dealt with easily. Boss battles require some lateral thinking at times and present a true challenge. The trial and error inherit to the game extends to its boss battles and while Daphne will provide hints the game can be obtuse at times.
What somewhat saves the game somewhat is its generous checkpoint system. Make no mistake: death comes swiftly and often just as in the original. However the game will restart you in the same room you left off and sometimes moments away from the same spot. So while the slippery controls may often lead to cheap deaths there isn’t much of a penalty other than your own frustration, at least initially. By the midpoint the rooms become large, multi-tiered engines of destruction with many moving parts. Failing in these means doing the whole sequence over and that is enough to slam the controller in anger. There were plenty of times I almost gave up, not because it was impossible but due to sheer frustration. I consider myself a resilient gamer but Dragon’s Lair 3d tested my patience. Take that as you will.
In Closing
Dragon’s Lair 3d is a valiant attempt at bringing the series into 3D that doesn’t quite work. It has its moments and when everything works it can be fun. But sandwiched in between these brief flashes of joy is a whole lot of frustration. I don’t regret playing it but I cannot recommend it either.
