ZarkSeven

“Dragon’s Lair!  The fantasy adventure where you become a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon!”  I can remember well playing the Dragon’s Lair arcade machine.  Specifically, I remember the Sears at Chesterfield Mall had one that beckoned to me with that looping intro every time I was in there with my parents.  Space Ace has already been on the app store for awhile, so you had to figure that Dragon’s Lair was not far behind.  Dirk Daring in the palm of your hand!  Can it possibly live up to the nostalgia?

Premise

Back in 1983, Dragon’s Lair was unique in video games as being a laserdisc-based arcade game.  It featured animation for former Disney animator Don Bluth.  As that looping intro states, you play Dirk the Daring, a stumbling, reluctant knight who must rescue Princess Daphne by working your way through the castle of a dark wizard until you finally reach the dragon’s lair.

The iPhone / iPod Touch version has two modes of play: Arcade and Home.  Arcade mode has gameplay exactly like the 1983 classic, and in particular has a feature that when you die, you move on to the next scene.  When you die in Home mode, you play that scene again until you conquer it.  Home mode also has some additional scenes not featured in the original.

Presentation

The graphics look just like the original, which is the point, really.  Being laserdisc-based, and animated by a legendary animator, the animation looks great.  The looks and sounds both match the original game and are well done in this version.  It’s very polished.

Interface

The original game was known for its unforgiving nature.  The game is played by making the appropriate directional move or sword swing as action unfolds on the screen.  Make the correct move, and you move on to the next scene.  Make the wrong one, and you die a usually amusing death.  The gameplay mechanic is well recognized in the iPhone / iPod Touch app.  There is an onscreen sword button and a directional pad that’s resizable.  There is also a Move Guide which will highlight which button to tap as you play.  While this sounds like it makes the game super easy, it still isn’t, even with the Move Guide on.  I suggest playing with it on at least until you get used to the mechanic.  Turn it off an you’ll see how hard the original arcade game was.  Luckily, you can also choose from 3 lives, 5 lives or infinite lives, so poor old Dirk can die as many times as you need.

Freshness

As a port of an arcade classic, there’s nothing per se that’s new or original here.  The game has been ported to many systems in the past, most lately to Blu-ray disc.  But despite how frustrating it can get, there is a certain addictiveness to it, in knowing that you can get past this part you’re stuck on and to the next area.  And there is a huge nostalgia factor for people who remember standing in line to play the original.

Value

The original arcade game cost (at the time) a mind-blowing 50 cents for a single play.  If you could beat the original in 10 plays (hah, good luck with that!) then the iPhone / iPod Touch version isn’t for you.  For the rest of us, the gameplay may not be on par with what we expect from new titles these days, but I’d say it’s worth a go for newcomers, and a good trip down memory lane for the nostalgic.  Lead on, adventurer!  Your quest awaits!

Summary

Premise:  Good
Presentation:  Impressive
Interface:  Sufficient
Freshness:  Good
Value:  Above Average
Overall:  Good app