Dragon Warrior

DW is the first true RPG for Nintendo, too bad that the game makes sure that you are constantly aware of that fact. Most people received this game and the walkthrough for subscribing to Nintendo Power back in the late eighties. As a result, a couple million carts of DW exist, so it's a very cheap game. Originally titled Dragon Quest in Japan (which now has about ten games I believe now and is a serious rival in the country to Final Fantasy) Enix's legendary RPG follows the great descendant as he attempts to clear the land of Alegard from the evil of the DragonLord. One of the great things about the game is that at the end when you meet teh DragonLord you can choose to become evil... AND YOU ARE REWARDED FOR THAT!!! Rarely does knowingly taking the path to Hell end well in video games. Unfortunately, Dragon Warrior painfully shoes its age with a few flaws. We should remember that DW was the pioneer in its field, but even when playing it back in 1989 I hated some aspects. Here are the fatal flaws. 1) You only get one party member. 2) The battle transition sequences that the MOST annoying RPG fight music which scares you when the battles suddenly pop up. 3) There is no character develop and the quest is extremely straightforward with little puzzles. The only real problem is when you run into a blue dragon when you're down to 5 hit points.  And finally, and most annoying, even twelve years ago 4) LEVELING UP TAKES AT LEAST 1 HOUR PER LEVEL!!! To top it off, even you you reach the final level (L.30) the monsters in the final castles will be able to kill you easily. because of this fundemental problem, DW, which should take less than 6 hours to beat, takes at least 20 hours and more like 35. Still, this game will remain the the RPG Hall of Fame.

Graphics: B

Sound/Music B- (Classic theme saves it)

Challenge C+ (rating RPGs is tough, because usually the difficulties comes from lack of levels, as with this game)

Play Control B- (come on, why should you have to have to go to a subscreen to climb up stairs?)

Fun Factor C- (spending 20 hours bulilding levels for one guy IS NOT FUN!)

Replay Value None

Overall C 1/2 links