You know what's the most cliché
thing that happens in medieval fantasy romance? The answer: a young man and a
young woman have romantic relation, the girl get kidnapped, and it's up to the
lad to rescue her because he happens to be knight/warrior/swordsman. That's
also what happens in Kemco's Dragon View
(1994) on SNES.
See? There's the pair of lover.
The man gives the lady his pendant as proof of his love backing out from sunset
view. It will be more romantic if they also watch the sun set slowly, right?
But they choose to ignore it for some reason. Everything goes well unless
there's upcoming storm cloud.
Then the title screen appears! Watch
out, lad! There's the infamous Smaug behind you! Although the title looks dull,
it stays true to its name. The Japanese version name of this game is Drakkhen
II and it comes out in 1991-1992. But due to expired license, the title change
into Dragon View. Not only the title change but also the gameplay. Drakkhen is
pure RPG with party consist of 4 men and such. Whereas Dragon View is the usual
1-man action RPG like Zelda series, Beyond Oasis, Crusader of Centy, etc. Or so i heard.
After choose new game and file
slot, the game begins with this scene where the woman (named Katarina) said
that her grandfather (who's happen to be protagonist's instructor in
swordsmanship) doesn't come back from the arsenal. The protagonist/her
boyfriend (named Alex by default) is willing to go after him. Damme (who's the
training mentor at the time, maybe) grumbles that Alex only want to skip his
training but later let him go.
Then Alex goes straight into the
arsenal (through cutscene) and immediately fights a lizardman (not cutscene).
The control is simple enough: d-pad to move Alex, 'B' button to jump, and 'Y'
button to swing his sword (indicated in the HUD on bottom part). 'A' button is
useless for now. Although fighting with the lizardman happen quite suddenly,
he's not hard to defeat. As the gameplay is kind of adapted from side-scroll
brawler/Beat 'em up, i feel kind of at home here because side scrolling beat
'em up is my forte. Alex's swing has a bit of range on the sides, so i can beat
the lizardman safely from slightly either up or down side of him. But unlike in
side scrolling beat 'em up, i can't form a combo of 3 hits or so. Alex hits
really hard that the Lizardman will knock back by half of the screen. As
there's post-hit invincibility on everyone (including Alex himself), you
shouldn't chase after the enemies immediately after they get a hit. Just let
them come after you again, sidestep a bit and slash them. Nice and easy.
After some walking, i found
master Argos (Katarina's gramps) and he tells me to go back to Rysis town and
save Katarina from Argos the evil wizard. I really love to get the content of
the chest at the back but auto cutscene prevents me to do so. Heavy_jeer05.wav
It's too late! Argos has his hand
on Katarina. I try to charge at him but he simply whacks me with his rod
because this happens in cutscene he's too strong for me. For now.
Alex rushes to rescue Katarina
but Master Quinos stops him and lecture him that what Alex will face isn't
ordinary thug or lesser monster but great villain. So the master gives him jade
and order him to supply for his journey. Our hero here tends to go forward
recklessly unless someone relevant to him, stops him. Previously, he's stopped
by Katarina and later give him a map around this part. In other word, Alex is
bumbling fool but still the hero nonetheless.
I like to know why the freak
aren't you prevent some shoddy mage kidnapping Katarina, dolt? This guy only
provides beginner hints so he's practically useless to me. I mean i played this
game several months ago, i don't need his petty tips!
I thought the one inside the
house is Damme. Turns out, here's Damme. But still he's as useless as his twin
because he doesn't know about the kidnapping and didn't help me at all back
then. The guard on his left also not competent enough to know about the event.
Obviously, it's up to me to save Katarina.
Before i go outside of the town,
i visit temple behind them. The right monk serves as savepoint and free HP
& MP refill station. While the left monk will provide travel hints
including current objective! This guy is my hero! I usually complain about
what's my agenda/objective in RPG that i left for long time. But you can say
that's my fault for being ignorant fool.
Here's what overworld travel
looks and this also featured in Drakkhen. But on contrary with gentle
introduction in this game, Drakkhen feels unfriendly and i don't get far in that
game.
When in the overworld, you can
bring the map by pressing 'L' or 'R' button...twice. To be honest, bringing the
map is cumbersome process due to how sluggish it is. First 'L'/'R' button press
will bring the overall map where you can select region map with d-pad and
choose it with the same button or pressing other button to close the map. You
can see where Alex facing direction on the map and it's nice feature.
Hujia
I did buy potion like what Master
suggested and...madam, please! I have girlfriend already. I know you're cute
and such but the shopkeeper in Legend
is still the best in my opinion.
I haven't gone to Galys pass but
this guy informs me that there's avalanche that blocks it and he suggest to get
some bomb from Tylon the bombsmith. Engineer_yes03.wav
Behind that room, i found 2
chests and...it speaks! The worse of all, i can't take their content unless i
prove that i'm the dragon's hero or whatever is that.
Tylon lives at this backstreet.
Some fat lady blocks the door of his house. I reply to her answer there: to
clear the Galys pass. Suddenly she shocked because her house is in the other
side of that pass and she let me pass to talk to the bombsmith. Tylon says that
he can't make bomb yet because he's out of dynamite. There's some in storehouse
but it's infested with monster. He will makes some bomb for free if i can get
him the dynamite. Deal!
Storehouse
(at south east corner of the region)
This placed called storehouse for
nothing. I found a chest contain armor energy that boost my armor's power. I
don't see Tylon wearing armor so i will use it for myself. :p
Anyway, you can find sword energy
that boost the sword's power through some exploration.
Besides giant scorpions and
moths, this place is filled with Dullahan knights. I say this escalates pretty
fast. There's supposed to be giant rat or zombie first before the infamous
headless knight, right?
What's stronger and worse than
giant scorpion? That's right! Bigger giant scorpion. Obviously, the most
dangerous attack of this boss is: from its stinger. But it telegraph
prominently when it's about to sting you by raising its tail really high. Then
you can dodge to either sides. Another attack of its is: charging at you really
fast. It's the most difficult to dodge but deal less damage than the sting
attack. You can equip potion in pause menu (by pressing 'Start' button) so you
can use them in battle by pressing 'A' button (also indicated in the HUD on
bottom part).
Beyond the defeated bigger giant
scorpion, i found the dynamite box and i take it along with 200 jade. Let's
consider it as extra payment for defeating the boss. ;)
While i'm at the entrance of
Hujia again, Argos inspects the storehouse to find out that Piercia (the bigger
giant scorpion) is a goner. Argos says that they must be careful to someone
that defeated Piercia although he met and mocked me 20 minutes ago.
Before , i deliver the dynamite
to Tylon. I talk to this seedy person that offers me some item that i can't buy
in any shop and it costs me 200 jade. As i have the budget, i accept his offer.
Turns out, it's maximum hitpoints upgrade. Medic_positivevocalization01.wav
I gave the dynamite to Tylon and
he asks me to leave a bit while he makes the bombs. As i leave his house, the
fat lady gives me Map of Casdra for the trouble. When i re-visit him, he gives
me 10 bombs at the desk on the corner and they're free. Demoman_thanks02.wav
So off i go to Galys Pass.
There's no random encounter in overworld. Do you see that cartoon-y brawl cloud?
It's moving randomly and it's the enemy encounter in overworld. You can outrun
it if you're quick enough.
But before i go to said pass. I re-visit
Arsenal (which is located at center north wall of the region) and help myself with
Hauza that i got here. I will use this for my quest to rescue master's
granddaughter so i'm sure he won't mind that i take it. Hauza is throwing
weapon with boomerang like behavior. On the same power level, it deals more
damage than sword but it requires accurate throwing.
Galys Pass
(at north east corner of the region)
This place also filled with evil
lesser Mothra fortunately Alex swing automatically adjust with his target so he
can do upward stab without special input or anything like that. There's also
downward stab while jump if he targets ground enemy.
Some little girl informs that
there's fruits that i can get in Galys Pass. The fruits that she talk about
must be these apples. You can harvest them by slashing some trees in this
place. Be careful though! The direction of your swing determine where the
apples fall so you have to slash them away from cliff. I should mention that
not only apples that can fall to the cliff but also you although it only
damages you a bit instead of instant death penalty. Said apples can be used as
lesser healing item (potion will restore whole hitpoints but you can only have
3-5 of them at most), or selling wares to the shopkeepers. There's other use of
them but i will discuss that later.
Here's the avalanche that block
the pass. All i need to do is equip the bomb and then throw it by pressing 'A'
button. Funny that the bomb looks smaller than when i saw it at Tylon's house
but whatever. Demoman_specialcompleted11.wav
Near the exit, i find cave that
contain this health upgrade that also serves as weight on the floor to prevent
a bridge to roll out. Should you get it not only your maximum hitpoints is
increased but also you get shortcut to connect between 2 exit points of this
place. Marvelous!
Unlike in RPG (especially Final Fantasy series), you can't save
your progress in overworld (without savestate, that is). Instead, you have to
rely on wild wanderer priest inside of cave like this one. Saving is
free but Good Lord! He asks 50 jade for recovery! I know this kind of priest is
less virtuous than the official ones. I knew it!
Behind the only waterfall in this game, i find
Lightning Ring that allow me to cast lightning spell! You may accuse that i
break the sequence but to my defense i already have MPs but don't have thing to
use them yet. Besides some NPC suggest me to go astray away from paved road, so
i discover something good.
On other occasion, i find
epigraph that teaches me how to do super move that will drain my health upon
execution. According to my experience, i don't see this special move is useful.
I keep rely on normal slashing most of the time. Before this, i find some place
called meadow that ends with health upgrade item. Wild exploring certainly
rewarding in this game.
Casdra
Argos said that he's expected at
Keire Temple so he along with Katarina must be there too. Unfortunately,
there's landslide on pass to said temple. But there's warp point that leads
there, inside this house. As The priest says that there's fortress filled with
ice pillars that block the entrance to Keire Temple, and he wonders how to melt
them. It seems blow torch isn't invented yet. No, the lightning ring can do
anything except destroying rocks and not ice pillars.
Someone at Casdra points me to
Rodister that know how to melt those ice pillars, and he also gives me a map to
his place. Once i talk to the man, he suggests to get Fire Ring in Fire Cave. Obviously,
there's fiery hazards inside of it. He further suggests to acquire serpent
scales to deal with them. Where do i get said scale? Master Qunos at Rysis, has
them. Hooray for backtracking! [Small Sarcasm]
In Casdra region there's a
junction with 2 path: one on goes to north east will leads you to Casdra town
and the another one that goes straight east will leads you to fire cavern. The
environment near its entrance is significantly different than the usual green
verdant field. It's filled with dead tree and rib cages but the road looks like
red carpet, makes you feel special when walks over it.
Here's the serpent scale in
action. It turns into icy bolt that extinguish flames inside of this cavern.
You can also use this to shoot enemy from afar but you only have 20 of it. If
you're out of serpent scale, you can go back to Master Qunos to receives
another 20 scales.
The dwellers of this cave are
obviously fire themed such as fire elemental, bug that can spews fire,
and...these burly gentlemen? Maybe i interrupt some secret wrestling practice
and they hate someone interrupts it. Well excuse me, guys!
After some monster/wrestler
busting and solving fire puzzle, i encounter this dungeon boss: greater fire
elemental. He's quite challenging especially with his fast ramming attack. He
can also conjure small fire pillars. My strategy remains the same: dodge to his
side, slash, and use potion when needed. The fire ring lies in next room and
remains in chest unscathed.
On the east of Casdra town, i
found some hollowed tree. There i find this fire wizard that willing to upgrade
my newly-acquired fire ring. He cast the spell "Azig taefed!". It's
very late of me to realize that his spell is the backward of "Defeat
Giza!". Giza is Argos' superior and he's the main villain but he's not
appeared yet.
To sell apples that you gathered,
simply talk to the shopkeeper but it only for 1 jade per apple so it's not good
way to use the fruit. Emergency healing item is still better way. Also the
shopkeeper at Casdra is none other than the fat lady that i met at Hujia. When
i ask for discount for the trouble back then, she just replies with "Haha!
You gotta be kidding me." Cheapskate #-_-
The priest allows me to use the
warp point after i tell him about my new shiny ring. It teleports me to
snowfield filled with snow rain. If you ever wonder about how the overworld
encounter looks like, here it is. There's no escape feature in this encounter
unlike in most RPG, so i'm trapped here with the monsters...or they are trapped
here with me! This ice golem is very hard bargain at least for my level/my
sword level/my hauza level/my armor level that i have right now. But fear not.
This fire magic is enough to sort them out. 1 Fireball at them and they turn
into dusts. As my fire ring is improved, i can hold the 'A' button for a while
to unleash bigger fireball. It cost more MP and deal more damage but apparently
the initial fireball is enough to vaporize this golem.
In the middle of snow field i
found a place that lead me to this wanderer. He demands 10 apples in exchange
of one of 3 chests behind him. Here's the better use of those apples although
this kind of gambling. First time, i pick a MP upgrade and the another i pick
an arrow. He also warns me that sometime the chest is empty. So be aware!
What comes after fire dungeon?
Ice dungeon, of course! Or is it the other way around? Anyway besides to take
care of ice golems stomp around here, the fire ring is used to melt the ice
pillars as intended before. Behind the ice pillars there's holes that creates a
maze on its own but it's not hard to figure it out which way to progress if you
memorize it well besides the maze is quite short. You don't need to afraid of
MP lacking from this ice melting activity as enemies will sometime drop
MP-refilling stars (along with HP-refilling heart or jade) also there's a pot
that's filled with those stars.
At the end of hole maze, i reach
some room with crumbling floor that makes me fall into the boss of ice dungeon!
He has spinning crystals around him that are lethal to touch. When his face
turns vicious, those crystals will be homing at me but i can run out of their
way quite easily. As my sword isn't strong enough, i can only rely on fireball
lvl 2 and it works wonder.
When his HP reaches 50%, he ditch
the crystals and start to use floating eye to emit thunder at my head. If i
bought the magic crystal from shop, i could use it to refill my MP and resumed fireball
casting at him. Unfortunately, i'm (also) cheapskate. Therefore i resort to
slash the eye over and over again. Tell you what? It's tedious process. Don't
do this, reader!
After defeating the ice boss and
snatching Ice Ring nearby, a priest come out from previously frozen door at the
center of this entrance room. He informs me that Keire Temple is under attacked
by monsters and he ask for my help and gives me a map around the temple. Beyond
the door is another warp point that transport me to another snowfield but
without rainy weather this time.
Keire
Temple...
It seems i'm too late because the
Prime Orb (which sounds important thing for this world) has been stolen. First,
they kidnap someone's girlfriend and now they take the most precious artifact
in this world. I say that escalates pretty damn quick.
After passing some rooms, i
encounter Giza himself! "Ha ha ha! Look, warrior! You can fly!!!" he
proceed to levitate my body then slam me to walls repeatedly. I say Giza is
really confounded bully. "Have a taste of my magic, Hero!". No,
thanks. I'm full. Seriously. You barraged me with any kind of magic projectile
and made me crashing into wall. Just leave me alone! 3:<
Fortunately, Giza leaves me after
he's informed by Argos that they finally found the gate to the underworld.
Also, a high wizard kindly heals me completely. Later, he asks me to meet some
scholar that's trapped here as there's still ice lizardmen around. After
rescuing him, he informs that the pendant that i have is Guardrak which is
powerful artifact that hopefully can defeat Giza. I think that's it for now
but...
...i happen to have savestate near the
end of the game. After some cutscene where Alex defeat Giza with the help of
Dragon Lords' power, he turns into powerful Lich. I know that final battle is
meant to be the most challenging battle but damn! This is way arduous. Even
with sword and Hauza that maximum level (which is 5), i can only pelt his
health by a small bit. Magic are useless. Either he blocks them or he's
completely invulnerable to them. You can try use bomb or arrow but that still
don't do much. I use the usual strategy: dodge sideways, approach him from the
sides and slash. Fortunately, his ranged attack is fairly easy to dodge. By the
way, we're fighting inside of fortress in underworld and there's no town in
underworld. Therefore the closest savepoint from this place is inside of cave
of the transition between the mortal world and the underworld. The savepoint is
created by Argos that's murdered by Giza because he thinks Giza's plan is too
much or something.
Once he's defeated (again), Giza
is about to destroy the Prime Orb to bring more disaster but ghost of his
deceased sister prevents him and he agrees. Later on, he and his sister vanish
and they live happily ever after in somewhere around, maybe?
Oh, yes! Katarina is there too, i
almost forget. With Giza defeated, the evil fortress executes self-destruct but
Katarina and Alex are warped to Keire Temple thanks to The Prime Orb. Then, the
dragon lords gives sermon to Alex. They pretty much says "You saved the world,
Alex. The world is threatened because there's humans with darkness on their
heart. We like to help you maintain the peace but only humans that must do
that. So, good night and bye!". Those lazy gits. If you wonder why The
dragon lords in the left looks grainy that's because they're flickering.
After the credit rolls, there's
the real prologue where Alex re-visit some of the town. The people thanks him
for saving the world and the fat lady married with Tylon! O_=
When he visit Keire Temple,
Methraton (the scholar) says that there's a chance that the Prime Orb will be
stolen again by some evil force and this whole island need king to be
responsible for The Prime Orb and overall peace. Then he suggests Alex to be a
king for everyone's sake. The he goes back to Rysis to inform Katarina about
this. Also he asks her to be his queen.
Good! Now, both of you make the
prince/princess here and now! I mean seriously. This whole house is just
bedroom with no kitchen or restroom. It's perfect for some "quickie"
action if you know what i mean. I apologize for creating some dirty imagination.
Because, i'm baffled with this half-hearted romance throughout the entire game. They hug when
reunited but only in narration. In visual, they just stand still,
looking each other, and practically do nothing. With how tough the struggle
that Alex have been through, i demand a proper 'making out' scene. Just saying.
Thus Drangleic Keire
Kingdom is born.
Despite the lack of romantic
interaction between the lovers, Kemco's Dragon
View (1994) is great Action RPG on SNES. As i mentioned before, i feel
comfortable with the battle because it's roughly side scrolling beat 'em up.
Although the final boss feels very exhausting and aggravating but since it's
the final battle, i can tolerate that a bit. The game rewards you handsomely
for wild exploration in overworld. You will most likely find cave that's filled
with secret upgrade (or wandering healer), if you search along the wall. Though
you have to be careful for being lost and marshland in northern region is
crawled with high level monsters. The RPG element is simplistic and easy to
understand. The save system is okay with complete healing but only located in
towns or some cave. The health or MP refill that's dropped by deceased foe,
helps a lot in dungeon exploring especially in long ones. Enemies don't respawn
unless you leave the dungeon or defeated the dungeon boss. The puzzle in this
game can be tricky. For example: in ice fortress, there's frozen skeleton that
you can push to open a door but closed the other one and you can return its
position to where it belong to revert the effect. The graphic is colorful
enough and good. The cutscene plays greatly but still lacks of romance scene. The
fetch can feels boring but there's quite variation (including puzzle) here and
there to make up for it. The map menu feels sluggish but functional. The music and
the sound effect are good and suitable with SNES chip.
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