By SHAUN A. NOORDIN
3D Dot Game Heroes takes the classic 2D action-adventure game archetype and gives it another dimension to explore.
KNIFE TO MEET YOU: Nothing says action adventure like the ability to roam the vast world and kill the monstrous creatures that populate it.
KIDS these days are spoiled by videogames with their fancy schmancy voice acting, CGI cutscenes and elaborate storylines.
Why, back in the old days, all we needed to enjoy a game were some pixels to represent the hero, a poorly explained excuse to save the world/princess, and dungeons that are chock full of block-pushing puzzles!
3D Dot Game Heroes is a throwback to the good old days of 2D action-adventure games, specifically the ones inspired by the original Legend Of Zelda. Or perhaps it's a "throwforward," considering how the game takes the core gameplay of early action-adventure games and gives it a modern polish.
It is, in short, a 2D action-adventure game set in a stylishly pixelated 3D world.
3D world
The most distinct element of 3D Dot Game Heroes is its visual aesthetics - everything is made out of blocky 3D pixels. (Well, voxels if you want to get technical.)
The graphics brings to mind a world constructed out of tiny Lego blocks, but instead of making the game look "primitive," the blocks give the game its unique 2D-game-turned-3D look.
It's certainly a refreshing change from the "realistic" graphics of most other games on the PS3, and best of all there's nothing stopping you from trying your hand at some 3D pixel modelling.
BIT BY BIT: The 3D character editor lets you build your hero block by block.
The game comes with an editor that lets you create your own hero, which means you can make the hero look like a knight, a succubus (mind you, her curves would be blocky), a sentient howitzer or even a skateboarding banana. We're not kidding.
Mind you, the appearance of your hero, much like the 3D-ness of the game, is mostly for looks and doesn't actually affect the gameplay.
2D game
If you've ever played any of the NES and SNES versions of The Legend Zelda, you already have a clear idea of what to expect from 3D Dot Game Heroes' gameplay. (What, you whippersnappers don't know what an NES is? Kids these days!)
You play the role of a young, generic hero who's given free reign to explore a (surprisingly) large overworld map.
Your main quest takes you into several dungeons where you have to solve puzzles and kill monsters; the completion of each dungeon rewards you with the various items and tools that help you explore previously inaccessible (or secret) locations across the map.
The only distinct difference, mechanics wise, between this game and its original inspiration is the ability to collect and upgrade your swords to absolutely ridiculous levels.
TAKING INVENTORY: We've got a boomerang, bombs, bows and arrows... this game certainly has links to an early classic.
Our sword is now so wide and long that it literally takes up half of the screen.
The gameplay is arguably simple compared to modern adventure games but it's simple for a reason: It's fun.
What plot?
The simplicity extends even to the game's backstory, which is this: A long time ago, Dotnia was a 2D kingdom terrorised by the evil Onyx. Then, the Ancient Hero sealed him away. Then, the king of Dotnia declared that the kingdom should be in 3D (because kids these days prefer to play 3D games) and it was so. And after that, the evil Onyx broke free so it's up to a new hero to stop him.
That is it. That is the entirety of 3D Dot Game Heroes' story. When the developers of the game decided to embrace old school game ideals, it also embraced the philosophy that the background story is just an excuse for players to run around and kill things.
Strangely, it works. Most NPCs have simple or corny lines like "Welcome to Colneria!" or "Gosh, there are monsters in the Water Temple," but that just means that you spend less time worrying about a narrative and more time exploring the game's beautiful world.
Voxel populi
Like all good games, 3D Dot Game Heroes features a number of entertaining "extras." There are art and bestiary entries to unlock; minigames such as tower defence to play; and, of course, the 3D character editor.
USAGI, MEET YOJIMBO: A duel between rabbit and swordsman, for an apple. Let's hope neither have watched Monty Python.
For us, however, the most entertaining "extra" was the amount of irreverent humour spread throughout the game.
The game's narrative might be paper thin, but that doesn't stop the developers from inserting extremely obscure references to classic games ("It's a secret to everybody!") and subtle jokes of a cheeky nature.
You'd need to have a rather twisted mind and an encyclopedic knowledge of videogames to pick up all the references, however, but fortunately we here at In.Tech fit the bill perfectly.
Conclusion
In many ways, 3D Dot Game Heroes is both a parody and homage to the old 2D action-adventure games that started with Zelda.
Look beyond its simple story, its quirky in-jokes and its gorgeously unique 3D graphics, though, and you'll find a solid game built on basic gameplay principles.
WORDS OF WISDOM: Thank you, old NPC. And here we were, thinking of bringing our jackets into the Flame Temple.
Although younger gamers will nonetheless enjoy 3D Dot Game Heroes, we can't help but feel that this game is directed more towards older gamers.
In other words, gaming geezers, like us at In.Tech.
It's full of nostalgia and retro gaming elements and it's an entertaining distraction from having to yell at the kids to stay off our lawn.
Pros: Action-adventure gaming stripped down to its basics; unique visual style.
Cons: Some might find the game too simple; lacks a proper story.
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