The factor about video games focusing on area of interest audiences is that I can normally determine the area of interest. That isn’t the case with AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & Doomknights. Fans of NES-era RPGs appeared the doubtless candidate, however after taking part in AdventureQuest 8-Bit, I feel it’s simply extra of an in-joke for AdventureQuest followers.
That’s to not say there aren’t jokes for the remainder of us. The sport is stuffed with references to the whole lot from Nintendo to the Evil Dead. I laughed when an early enemy advised me “It’s secure to go alone,” and proceeded to steal my ax. I acquired a kick out of the extent that instantly turned the sport into Pac-Man. Pleasant surprises like these occur all through AdventureQuest 8-Bit’s entirety, however I largely felt like I used to be lacking the punchline.
It doesn’t assist that the gameplay merely isn’t that nice. Having by no means owned an NES, my information of 8-bit motion RPGs is admittedly restricted; my periods had been restricted to the video games my associates had and what I’ve tinkered with by Nintendo Switch Online. So, I’ll must ask you…
Was fight at all times so clunky? Despite a rising arsenal of weapons and abilities (together with a pomeranian that may be unleashed for ranged injury), our hero, Artix, by no means feels answerable for what he’s doing. He can swing his ax and miss an enemy proper in entrance of him, however hit one who’s clearly standing nicely under him. Proximity detection is bizarre all through, and I’m unsure if that’s a part of the gag or simply odd programming.
Was motion such a chore? Navigating the sport’s mazes is awkward as Artix will get hung up on partitions that don’t appear to be blocking him. There’s even a component the place he retains falling down a nicely for no obvious purpose apart from to maybe riff on that Atari 2600 E.T. sport (which I’ve performed). The sport will get irritating while you begin dying as a result of seemingly invisible obstacles forestall you from getting the positioning you want.
Were controls inconsistent? There appeared to be no rhyme or purpose to when the leap button labored and when it didn’t. Sometimes the Y button would launch that aforementioned canine, generally it might swing a weapon. I couldn’t inform if the sport was altering performance primarily based on my fast threats, if I had missed a tutorial someplace, or if the system merely wasn’t working.
Was there a degree? There actually isn’t a lot of 1 in AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & Doomknights. Artix returns from a earlier journey to search out his village in ruins, so he units out to rescue any survivors. I’m positive with a story that does little greater than arrange the motion, however I really feel this sport’s comedic bent would’ve been higher served by a sharper plot parody. Instead, it depends nearly solely on reference jokes and its behavior of turning RPG tropes on their head.
So, is that sufficient? Are you the viewers for that? If not, the sport’s saving grace could possibly be map exploration. Working your means by the a number of ranges is fairly enjoyable, and people ranges do a very good job of teasing you with locations to go with out telling you get there. Killing the identical enemies each time you come to a earlier room definitely will get tedious, however I do know that’s half and parcel of the style and period. And it’s rewarding to find {that a} notably tough room is rather a lot simpler when you may strategy it from a unique facet. The sport can be fairly pleasant with save factors, so repeated deaths are by no means rage-quit-frustrating.
The boss battles present a pleasant shot of adrenaline, serving to to maintain issues contemporary. The graphics are good with that, too. Constantly shifting palettes creates a enjoyable temper, and the colour decisions are sometimes fairly putting.
The sport additionally contains quite a few, enjoyable choices for altering the show to fit your throwback preferences.
AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & Doomknights is $20, and I feel that’s a bit excessive for what it presents. If you’re up for the gag and look at the sport’s clunkiness as a part of the joke, there’s some enjoyable available right here. Otherwise, you’re higher off taking part in any of the myriad video games being parodied right here when searching for your fox of nostalgia.
