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Review of Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts on Nintendo DS

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Feb 2008
Cover image of Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts on DS
Gamefings Score: 6.5
Platform: DS DS logo
Released: 12 Feb 2008
Genre: Action Role-playing
Developer: Amble
Publisher: Hudson Soft

Introduction

Dive into the world of *Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts*, just don't forget your allergy pills, because this romp through dungeons makes even the most experienced RPG fans sneeze from nostalgia! Featuring colorful characters, a plot thicker than a monster-sized burrito, and more bosses than in a WWE match, this game had us laughing and groaning in equal measure.

Gameplay

The gameplay is a wild ride! You've got three races and six classes to choose from right off the bat, and yes, character customization is so slick it'll make a sun-drenched action figure look underdressed. The story unfolds as your custom character heroically tries to save a town from a spooky evil-pretty typical, but you'll forget the clichés as you start leveling up by collecting jewels and completing quests. Additionally, *Dungeon Explorer* dishes out challenges with dungeons where armor and weapons become crucial. And let's not forget the mini-map that can go full blackout mode like your father during a power outage! Navigations become a fun test of your directional abilities, because who doesn't want a little challenge, right? Did we mention swapping classes? Oh, it's all true! Like a Pokémon that can't decide its final evolution, you can switch classes, leveling each one as you go. Mixing classes brings together skills you'd otherwise overlook, and that's where the strategy kicks in, turning your character composition into a delightful experiment. But if you aim for advanced classes, better brush up on your B and A ranks, because combining them feeds the ultimate RPG dreams. Get ready to pour in some time on collecting jewels. They fuel the dungeons, but also allow for alchemy and powering up - think quirky potions mixed with good old RPG charm. This adds a deliciously intricate layer to your dungeon crawling, making every run feel fresh...until they start sending you back to the same mission for the 49th time. Don't even get us started on those elemental dungeons following a planetary theme that could make even the solar system envious! Featuring dungeons named after our celestial buddies, dive in and uncover challenges that match-minus the black holes of course. This all comes together for a gameplay experience that's 'good enough,' but could use more spice, like trying to mix vanilla ice cream with mustard.

Graphics

Graphics wise, let's just say the DS isn't getting the high-end graphics award anytime soon. The visuals are akin to a charming indie film fresh out of a community college film class-definitely not the worst, but also nowhere near the pinnacle of 3D environments. The character designs pop enough to remind you that you're in an action RPG while the dungeons exude enough antiquity to make you feel some sort of nostalgia. You'll find those colorful backdrops that distract you, though meeting a pixelated monster feels like meeting your high school nemesis after ten years-you wished they'd put on some weight and effort, but they still seem to have that unsettling charm. At the end of the day, the visuals are partly to grab your attention while the depth of characters immerses you deeper than expected. Probably wore themselves out trying to balance the classic feel with a dash of new-age nostalgia and it shows in their offerings.

Conclusion

Overall, *Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts* presents a mixed bag, rather like indulging in a box of assorted chocolates-some bites will make you smile; others might leave you a little queasy. In a world where RPGs are often cookie-cutter adaptations or overly serious, this title manages to integrate humor and lightheartedness into the grim, dank dungeons. Multiplayer fun can be had, making this a great choice for gatherings, albeit the repetitive quests may trigger the slight urge to catapult your DS through the nearest window. Navigating the plot is reminiscent of checking your mom's texts-slightly mundane but necessary whenever you're dealing with dungeons full of shady guys wielding swords instead of cell phones. It's worth a look for nostalgia's sake, or if you fancy gathering your pals for couch co-op action; just leave the serious gaming face at home.

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