Page 48 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #8

and Zelda gameplay, the 3D
Dot Game Heroes mythology is
not exactly groundbreaking.
The story puts players in the
role of a young hero who
journeys off to find a legendary
sword, collect six magical orbs,
rescue a princess, and
ultimately save the Kingdom of
Dotnia from the malevolent
Dark King. For as derivative as
the plot is, the developers
should be commended for the
competency with which their
game emulates its source
material. The graphics
flawlessly translate the look of
8- and 16-bit games into the
world of 3D games, and the
music perfectly captures the
synthesized melodies of the
era.

But for all its effort, it never
quite captures the masterful
pace and tremendous balance
that made Miyamoto’s games
so great. The original Legend of
Zelda expertly toed the line
between challenging and
difficult, refusing to hold
players’ hands as it dropped
them in the middle of a
massive world. That lack of
instruction was the
groundbreaking genius behind
the game, because it required
players to explore the world
around them, rewarding
curiosity at every turn.

It’s simply impossible for 3D
Dot Game Heroes to duplicate
the long-term impact of an
archetypal game released more
than two decades ago, but maintaining a singularity of but they rarely contain integral
replicating the tempo of Link’s purpose that made every items, and the bosses never
Super Nintendo debut is nearly conversation and side mission seem to fit the levels.
as difficult. A Link to the Past feel necessary. It is in this
seamlessly weaved narrative, regard that 3D Dot Game Meanwhile, many of the side
combat, and multiple avenues Heroes stumbles significantly. missions come off as extremely
of exploration, all while Its dungeons are well designed, arbitrary, often rewarding

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