Dragon Warrior 3
Reviewed by Chuck Roberts
Dragon Warrior 3 is the third game of Enix's mucho popular series of
Dragon Warrior. In this one, you are the son of Ortega, a brave soul who
goes out to rid the world of Baramos. Your father falls into a volcano after
a gruesome fight and you are looking to follow in Ortega's footsteps. Starting
at the castle town of Aliahan, you are sent off by the king and on your way
after stopping to recruit allies to form a party of four. There are a variety
of classes to choose from being: Soldiers, Pilgrims, Wizards, Fighters,
Merchants, and Goof-offs. The game does give you some default members,
but the names are dumb and they only offer the Soldier, Pilgrim and Wizard.
Besides, it would be a lot more interesting to pick and choose classes, genders
and names for yourself, wouldn't it?
Graphics 6 out of 10
Yeah, yeah, the same look of the previous two land-wise, but the characters
look unique (geez, the hero couldn't be more fat looking!). The battles are
just still frames of enemies with a black background, flashing used to show
damage. Like almost every RPG, when you equip something, the appearance
doesn't change, except when the Revealing Swimsuit, Magic Bikini or Animal
Suit is put on someone. The towns people are just reused sprites, some
identical to the second, only with a nice color change (um, yeah, all kings
are green, give me a break!). Still, the game has some good points, a big
variety of enemies and tables, chairs, dressers now litter houses, giving
it a feeling of modernization over the past two, even though this is supposed
to take place before the first one. Players will observe distinct differences
between male and female class members. It's a definite improvement over
the last two.
Music and Sound 5 out of 10
I personally like the battle music and such, though to some players, the
dingy music will ring your ears. Yes, there is a new soundtrack from the
other two (though it does play a cool version of Dragon Warrior 1's overworld
music), but the sounds aren't anything new to celebrate. Dragon Warrior is
not as strong in music/sound as it is in the playability and difficulty
factors. Music and sounds are repeated over and over, having no real effect on
the mood. I really like the game, but even if I am a die-hard fan, I can't really
defend the tinny noise. Oh well, enough of that stuff, let's move on.
Game Challenge 9 out of 10
This is the real strong factor, leaving us all crawling back for more! Gaining
levels up and hunting for items are the key to passing the game, with lot's
of time focused on nothing more than gaining levels up, though it is soooo
disappointing to work all that time for a miserable level up that gives you
basically NOTHING! Still, this game challenges you from start to finish.
You must search for the three keys, get back a crown, explore a pyramid,
rescue a kidnapped couple, track down a ship and a legendary bird for travel,
give birth to a new town and more! Just when you think you got Baramos
beaten, a whole new quest begins to destroy the real baddie, Zoma, in none
other than the World of Alefgard from Dragon Warrior 1! This should tell
you something, other than the fact that I ruined one of the bigger surprises
in the game. This is MUCH longer than the last two, taking many hours of
play. This is one to keep you going and tip lines too, ha!
Game Play-Fun 10 out of 10
This is what a Dragon Warrior game is for, and the third one is no
exception at all! First off, making your own preferred party is a big plus,
since it makes the game much more interesting. Discovering the talents
of different classes and discovering the ability to change classes makes
the quest unique. If you uncover the hidden Sage class (Hint: Goof-offs
can become them), consider yourself of having a key ally! This is not a
wham-bam- thank you mam kind of game at all. There is so many things
to do at once, you never run out of things to pursue. There is always a
goal to work for, from getting off of Aliahan's continent, to tracking down
the six orbs to free the phoexix, Ramia, to take your party to Baramos.
There are a wide variety of caves, castles and puzzles to keep up the
interest. It does begin with only one goal at a time, but after you improve
yourself, you got a whole world to deal with. Now you have to feel sorry
for poor Ortega, look at all the things going on!
Frustration
Oh yeah, did I mention that this game can get you mad? Oh yeah, any
RPG has a frustration level to it and Dragon Warrior 3 is no exception.
Anything from allies dying off like flies, or that you can't run from a
slime! Yes, the puzzles have stomped many people and it seems your hero
never seems to get the right amount of MP's for the expensive spells he
casts (Healusall is a whole whopping 62!!!). This game isn't quite as frustrating
as the second one, now that one got me boiled! Some caves and stuff are long
and hard and your just desperate to find the item and leave, plus enemies just
harass you until want to puke sometimes! Well, I haven't yet, thanks to the Repel,
though it costs the hero 4MP's and it was only 2 in the others, what a rip!
Replayability 10 out of 10
If you haven't read it already, here it is again! You will play this over and
over again!
Game Value
This game is sooo hard to find and it isn't sold in very many places. I bought
it for $30 used and it's gone up at the same place to $60! If you want it,
try Funcoland. I've even heard of prices of $130+ for this, yikes! I personally
suggest not that much, but $50 or below is not a bad bargain. It's a piece of
history and it's pretty darn fun for an oldie. Though getting it might start a
craving to obtain the others (it happened to me), another lengthy search!
Overall 9 out of 10
This is one heck of a game that is enough to keep you going for a long time.
This is one for the history books of the NES, for me too:). Look
around the internet, lots of stuff on it (a nice message board on this site
for it too, check it out if you didn't already). It looks like it's up to you
and a few good men (or women), to slay the wicked Baramos and defeat
his master, Zoma, all for the fun of it. Hey, this game rules and if
you don't like it, you can go into a nice corner and pout! If you agree,
I commend you, Dragon Warrior, you have good taste! Good luck and
may you not tempt the fates...