3D Dot Game Heroes

Rating: E10+

Score: 9.5/10

It's clear that video games these days are trying to mimic the childhood of older gamers while appealing to newer gamers using techniques which attracted the gamers years before. Nintendo, for example, has the Super Mario Galaxy series, which is the new equivalent of Super Mario 64, or Super Mario Sunshine, or (arguably) the Super Mario Bros series way back when. How much of an "older" gamer you are being depends on which game is your childhood equivalent. The two series are similar enough to appeal in the same manner, but the newer one has been refined, polished, and crafted with the praise of the critics. The Playstation equivalent is 3D Dot Game Heroes, which is stretching what classifies as "homage". It can’t be called a "shameless rip-off" because of how non-serious and self-aware it is, but "homage" doesn't quite fit either become of how much it "borrows". Either way, this Playstation 3-exclusive masterpiece is the reincarnation of the classic Legend Of Zelda.

From the top-down view, to the weapons, to the dialogue, to the enemies, everything is almost completely Legend Of Zelda orientated. The way the screen is on one "block" of scenery until you get to the edge of said screen and it does the pause-shift screen-unpause and even the way enemies fly backwards when you hit them with your sword, this game is oozing with Zelda.

The story line is you are the descendent of an old mythical hero who saved the kingdom of Dotnia and sealed the beast haunting it into an orb. Shortly after the king declares the 2-D world to be 3-D (due to lack of tourists in the 2-D world), the Dark Bishop Fuelle gains control of the orb with the beast inside and threatens the kingdom. It's in your blood to save the kingdom, and with your trusty sword and shield you plan to do just that.

As you adventure, you'll find dungeons with orbs inside, and mages who can teach you how to use the orb for magic. Of course, every dungeon has its own clever puzzles and unique boss to fight at the end. Midway through the dungeons, you always find an item to help you reach the previously unreachable parts of the dungeons. From boomerangs to hook-shots to bows, you'll find all the classic Zelda weapons.

One of the unique aspects of 3D Dot Game Heroes is your primary weapon, which you can switch for new weapons or upgrade to make it bigger, longer, more damaging, or give it a special ability. At max health, your sword becomes immense and doesn't even fit on the screen anymore, and that's with the smallest sword. With the biggest sword, you can hit enemies at five thousand paces with ease, with distance to spare. I know you think I'm kidding, but it's something that actually needs to be seen to be believed.

Another unique aspect is everything in the game is made from lego-like blocks, and blocks have never looked so polished in HDMI. The only thing that isn't blocky is water, which is shiny and sparkly and rather distracting. Not that it matters, because who plays games to stare at water? Anyway, the block idea blends perfectly with the rest of the game, creating a fun, old school-looking scenario that pretty well describes the game.

Because everything is made of blocks, it's obvious there would be a character-creation feature. Some impressive characters have already been produced with this simple tool, and all creations can, of course, be used in this game. Such creativity is not beyond me, but the patience to achieve it is, so for people like me, there's a ton of pre-set character models. From normal knights to Santa Claus to boxers to Dark Mages whose 3D sprites are inspired completely by Final Fantasy's Dark Mages. Each character can be a Hero, Prince(ss), or Scholar. Heroes have extra health at the start of the game, Scholars have extra magic, and the Prince(ss) are well rounded in both areas.

The music is just as retro as the rest of the game. Beeps, boops, and the likes are all included to parallel a 16-bit-ish tune. This also fits the game perfectly, making it sound like a genuine older game (which wouldn't be a good thing in any other situation).

With lawyers suing video games for being too violent while teaching kids to kill plus all the horrible games that make gamers sad, 3D Dot Game Heroes is a nice reminder of why video games are worth defending. This game is the reincarnation of a twenty year old game, but the fun shows no age. I would end on a really clever retro-video game pun but no one would get it, so I'll end with this: any gamer can be recommended this game. Older gamers will love this game because it tickles their childhood video gaming memories and newer ones will see why older gamers got into gaming, what we found so fun and intriguing. It’s worth your time.