3D Dot Game Heroes

3D Dot Game Heroes is a 2009 action-adventure video game developed by Silicon Studio and published by From Software in Japan, Atlus in North America and by SouthPeak Games in Europe.

The game uses a unique style, presenting 2D, retro style graphics in a 3D environment.

The game was released in Japan on November 5, 2009 and is to be released in North America on May 11, 2010 and in Europe on May 14th, 2010, exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

Gameplay

The game’s gameplay strongly resembles that of retro 8-bit games of the past, particularly that of The Legend of Zelda.

Players move characters from screen to screen exploring dungeons, battling enemies, collecting items and solving puzzles reminiscent of the classic games of past.

When the player’s health bar is full, the player’s sword will grow to tremendous sizes whenever swung. Swords in game can be customized and leveled up to increase its length, girth as well as magical power, other special items that can also be used include boomerangs, lanterns, candles and bows.

Players can also create their own character model using the game’s 3D sprite editor.

Players are also able to collect monsters to be featured in an encyclopedia which is done through beating the monster on its head with a book until its profile shows up in the encyclopedia’s pages. Loading screens in-game also feature recreated box arts of classic video games using the game’s 3D sprites.

Plot

The game follows a hero on a quest to rid the Dotnia Kingdom of a dark plague caused by the forces of evil in order to restore peace to the land.

Legend tells of an evil king known as the Dark King Onyx who brought tragedy and darkness to the kingdom by stealing six magical orbs.

However a hero rose up against the Dark King and with his legendary sword as well as the power of the orbs, he sealed Onyx away within another orb.

However, the forces of evil rose again as the Dark Bishop Fuelle stole the orb and threw the Kingdom of Dotnia into a state of chaos once more.

The game’s main protagonist is the grandchild of the brave hero who sealed away the Dark King and thus is entrusted with the responsibility to save the land.

The kingdom was once a 2D pixelated world but as the King of the Land felt that sprites were outdated he thus decreed for the kingdom to make the switch to 3D. This caused the entire world to become 3D while still retaining its original pixelated look.

Video Review

Game Specs

Developer(s) Silicon Studio

Publisher(s) JP From Software / NA Atlus / EU SouthPeak Games

Platform(s) PlayStation 3

Release date(s) JP November 5, 2009 / NA May 11, 2010 / EU May 14, 2010

Genre(s) Action-adventure

Mode(s) Single-player

Rating(s) CERO: A / ESRB: E10+ / PEGI: 7+ / USK: 6

Media Blu-ray Disc

Input methods Gamepad