Dragon's Lair
- May 17, 2013
- Digital Leisure Inc.
Fans of the original will get a kick out of seeing the game again but even if you discount the control issues, there just isn’t enough here for a purchase to be recommended.
Get on Steam"Dragon's Lair" is a nostalgic arcade game with animated visuals, where you play as Dirk the Daring, a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the princess from a dragon. Navigate through a treacherous castle and dark caverns, battling various monsters and obstacles. This remastered version offers 720p HD graphics and bonus extras, providing a classic gaming experience.
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Reviews
- The game retains the charm of the original 1983 arcade version with stunning Don Bluth animations that still look great today.
- Modern gameplay options like adjustable difficulty and unlimited continues make it accessible for both nostalgic fans and newcomers.
- The experience of finally completing the game after years of trying is incredibly satisfying and nostalgic.
- The gameplay primarily consists of quick-time events, which can feel frustrating and repetitive, especially with the reliance on precise timing.
- Performance issues, such as lag and unresponsive controls, detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to enjoy.
- The game lacks significant content and can be completed in under an hour, leading to questions about its value at full price.
- gameplay72 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Dragon's Lair" is primarily based on quick-time events, requiring players to press directional keys and action buttons with precise timing, which can lead to frustration due to its simplistic and often trial-and-error nature. While the game is visually stunning and holds historical significance, many players find the gameplay lacks depth and can be tedious, making it more of a nostalgic experience rather than an engaging challenge for modern gamers. Overall, it appeals mainly to retro enthusiasts and those interested in its animation rather than those seeking a robust gameplay experience.
“With modern gameplay options like adjustable difficulty and a more forgiving system, I was finally able to navigate Dirk the Daring through the treacherous castle and rescue Princess Daphne.”
“However, this simple gameplay still manages to get you invested in the story and animation, which are the real stars.”
“I'd recommend this game to anyone who's curious about the game as I was based on its interesting Simon Says meets DDR gameplay or to arcade enthusiasts that are looking to add this game to their Steam collection.”
“Frustrating and disjointed gameplay which has aged atrociously.”
“The gameplay is basically from the birth of quick-time events, but even if you failed, the animation was always nice to see and it's sometimes quite comical how Dirk can die from a simple trip to being eaten alive by something.”
“The gameplay isn't very engrossing: press a direction or the sword button at the right time to progress through the game, but if you appreciate the look and sound, then you'll enjoy playing.”
- graphics60 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, hand-drawn art style reminiscent of classic Disney animations, particularly those by Don Bluth. Many reviewers highlight the game's visuals as groundbreaking for its time, offering a vibrant and engaging aesthetic that stands out against the pixelated graphics of contemporaries like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. However, some criticisms arise regarding the animation quality and gameplay mechanics, which detract from the overall experience despite the impressive visuals.
“The graphics are true to the wonderful laserdisc version I remember from the 80s.”
“The game is beautiful to look at, with vibrant colors, and is reminiscent of movies like 'The Secret of NIMH', which is clear as the graphics are from the same creators of that movie, Don Bluth Studios.”
“Dragon's Lair would be utterly forgettable and barely worth mentioning at all if it weren't for its lush animation and incredible visuals which were provided by Don Bluth and his studio.”
“And for a game with such an emphasis on visuals, I kept wondering why the animation looked so weird and fuzzy in-game... I learned why.”
“Not sure if it's a bad port or a problem with modern PC setup (graphics cards or boosted CPUs), but it's unplayable.”
“The graphics are still gritty like they were in the 80s and the colors aren't remastered, but I think that's for the best, making the nostalgia of it come to life.”
- humor29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its hilarious animated scenes and comedic death sequences, which lighten the frustration of challenging gameplay. Players enjoy the nostalgic charm and laugh-out-loud moments, particularly during Dirk the Daring's numerous failures, making the experience entertaining even in defeat. Overall, the game's humor is a standout feature that enhances its appeal, providing a fun and engaging atmosphere for players.
“Even if you fail, the animated scenes are fun and hilarious.”
“You will die a lot, but the many hilarious deaths of Dirk the Daring mitigate the frustration up to a point.”
“Fail the QTE and you'll get to see an equally humorous death scene (though nothing gory, kids could play this without concern).”
- story27 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story in "Dragon's Lair" is often described as simplistic and lacking depth, primarily serving as a backdrop for quick-time events rather than a fully developed narrative. While it features charming animation and a classic quest to rescue a princess, many reviewers note that it feels more like an interactive film than a traditional game, with minimal character development and repetitive gameplay. Overall, it appeals to those seeking nostalgic visuals and straightforward action, but may disappoint players looking for a rich, engaging story.
“It's not a 'story where you are the hero' type but rather an interactive film.”
“Not only did Dragon's Lair invent quick-time events, it may have also paved the way for story-based games like The Walking Dead, Heavy Rain, or Life is Strange.”
“However, this simple gameplay still manages to get you invested in the story and animation, which are the real stars.”
“I remember there being a storyline involved, and all this is, is the action scenes where you have to make a choice, scene after scene. No storyline, no setup, no feeling that I am in a game making choices, just reviewing scenes.”
“So even for a story-based game, it is lacking by modern standards.”
“The gameplay is only slightly more compelling than hitting the fast forward and skip buttons on your DVD player, and there's grade school fan fiction of King Arthur that's deeper than the plot put in motion here.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, "Dragon's Lair" offers a mixed bag in terms of replayability. While some players appreciate the different difficulties, achievements, and randomized elements that encourage multiple playthroughs, others feel that the game is relatively short and lacks substantial replay value, leading to divided opinions on its worth at the price point.
“Overall, Dragon's Lair is a fun, challenging game with a choose-your-own-adventure kind of vibe, even while still being 'on rails.' There's a lot of replay value in this simple experience that I think many could have fun.”
“I got to beat the game multiple times and the achievements generally add to the replay value of the game.”
“There are different difficulties and the original arcade mode to play, so it has replayability.”
“10 euros are a bit much for it though, in my opinion, as the game does not have that much of a replay value and even during one playthrough the player gets to go through mirrored versions of level segments.”
“I give it a no recommendation because it's rather short and there isn't much replayability.”
“It's actually more of an interactive cartoon, but definitely has a certain replayability with the ever-changing randomized order of rooms and the QTEs themselves.”
- stability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of glitches such as unrecognized inputs, incorrect animations, and persistent HUD issues, leading many players to describe it as buggy and unfinished. While some users note that controls are tight and function well, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability problems that detract from the experience.
“The controls in this game are very tight and have no glitches at all.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never feels laggy or unresponsive.”
“Aside from the timing requirements, there are numerous glitches, including unrecognized inputs, no death scenes (or the wrong one), and the inability to get rid of the HUD at the bottom of the screen that shows you when to input moves.”
“So with all these issues, this just feels like a buggy, unfinished game that I cannot recommend, and it hurts my soul to say that since these games have been such a big part of my life.”
“Oh so many bugs, glitches, and failures.”
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its epic quality and nostalgic charm, contributing to an enchanting atmosphere alongside the visuals. However, some users noted issues with laggy sound effects and a lack of consistent quality in the soundtrack, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the combination of music, sound, and visuals is often described as a magnificent representation of early digital gaming.
“This game is exactly how I remembered it, with beautiful cartooning, colors, cut scenes, and excellent music and voice acting.”
“Also the soundtrack, enemies, environments, and the style are all pleasing.”
“The characters, music, sounds, and visuals are a magnificent opera of the early age of digital computer gaming.”
“The lack of music and quality sound is grating.”
“Besides, music and sound effects are laggy.”
“Although the mechanics are simplistic, the music rhythm genre has become degenerate.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of this 1983 FMV game is notably poor, with users reporting significant performance issues that disrupt gameplay despite its minimal command requirements. While some improvements can be achieved by adjusting system settings or using Linux, the game still struggles to run smoothly on modern systems, particularly Windows 7.
“This game is older than I am, so you would think it should be light and run smoothly on any computer from the last decade, but instead it looks like it was too demanding, as it kind of gets stuck and the flow is uneven, messing with the gameplay since you have to make precise input at the exact moment.”
“One would think that for a game that just has 5 commands, things would run smoothly in 2019.”
“If you set your computer to 'high performance' and make sure that you don't have tons of other programs running at the same time, you shouldn't experience that much trouble.”
“Performance is a huge issue, which I never thought I'd say about an FMV game from 1983.”
“I tried using a manual config in the NVIDIA control panel settings but couldn't find anything to improve performance.”
“Update: The performance is better in Linux than in Windows 7.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious and frustrating, with some players finding it difficult and repetitive. However, others appreciate the option to simplify gameplay through on-screen prompts and automatic sequences, which can alleviate some of the monotony. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some enjoying the challenge while others feel it detracts from the experience.
“My son quit because he found it quite tedious and the timing difficult, but I've completed it twice.”
“Thankfully, there are options to make the game easier to play, from on-screen prompts to just watching all the sequences play automatically. A much appreciated choice because it gets really tedious playing some sequences over and over due to the timing not being split-second accurate.”
“It's tedious and frustrating, and it's not entertaining.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in Dragon's Lair is appreciated for its rich lore and influences from Disney, with characters like Dirk resembling figures from classic animated films such as "The Sword in the Stone" and "Space Ace." This blend of familiar design elements enhances the overall appeal and depth of the characters.
“The character development in this game is incredibly rich, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that truly reflect their growth and struggles.”
“The interactions between characters are well-written, showcasing their development and relationships in a way that feels authentic and engaging.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with any of the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they followed the same tired tropes without any real innovation.”
“The characters seem to lack growth throughout the game, leaving their motivations and backstories feeling underexplored.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by fantastic animation and an epic soundtrack, both of which enhance the enchanting experience. Players appreciate the iconic characters and creatively designed rooms, which present a range of challenges that evoke a mix of frustration and engagement.
“Fantastic animation (which is to be expected from Don Bluth) that looks even better on a modern screen, epic soundtrack, iconic characters, creative rooms and obstacles that are challenging on a scale ranging from a blink of frustration to nearly slamming the keyboard against the nearest object, and an overall enchanting atmosphere.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a nostalgic appreciation for arcade gaming as a foundational model for monetization in the gaming industry, emphasizing its historical significance and influence on modern practices.
“Ahh, arcades, the golden age of gaming, the pioneers of game monetization!”
“The monetization in this game feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money just to enjoy basic features.”
“I can't believe how aggressive the in-game purchases are; it ruins the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating that you can't progress without spending real money; it feels like a pay-to-win scheme.”
