Oct 2023
Prepare your joystick for a blast from the past, as the 'Dragon's Lair Trilogy' has landed on Nintendo Switch, bringing back the pixelated princesses and flamingly flamboyant dragons of our childhoods. This iconic franchise, known for its mesmerizing animation by Don Bluth, gives you a reason to dust off your old gaming skills (or excuses for your failures). Who knew saving a princess could be so 'interactive' yet 'accident-prone'? Let's dive into this digital lair and see if nostalgia can truly date better than your ex.
Picture this: You, the dashing hero Dirk the Daring (because apparently saving damsels in distress requires a top-notch title), navigating through a labyrinth of quick-time events. You'd think saving a princess would involve, I don't know, more than just furiously pressing buttons, but here we are. Quick-time events rule the roost-a sequence of animated segments interrupted by your reflex (or lack thereof) deciding whether Dirk is going to get a fabulously animated early exit, or, you know, live to fight another day. The original game is short, taking about 12 minutes for a flawless run. However, with all the possible death sequences-of which there are many-each playthrough will feel like a new misadventure. And in case you're wondering, yes, failing will become your new best friend as you see the wild variety of ways Dirk can meet an untimely demise. Spoiler alert: dragons aren't the exclusive enemy.
As for visuals, I would argue calling Dragon's Lair a video game is almost a misnomer. It feels more like an animated feature, blending the style of classic Disney with some 'hey, what's that dragon doing?' moments. The hand-drawn animation paired with modern upscaling gives you a unique experience, like watching a vintage film with 4D glasses-that's a thing now, right? While the graphics evoke nostalgia, their slightly rough edges and vintage charm remind you that you're playing something that was revolutionary back when 'the game' was essentially hopping on a dino's back and watching your friend face-plant into a pit of spikes. You might even find your dexterity improved as you become more acquainted with Dirk's unfortunate (yet hilarious) failures.
The 'Dragon's Lair Trilogy' on Switch is a delightful journey back to a time when video games were less about hand-eye coordination and more about losing track of time due to stunning animation. It has all the charm of a 1980s arcade, including the feeling of throwing your quarters at the screen in frustration. The combination of nostalgia and that intoxicating blend of humor and frustration makes this game worth checking out-just don't expect it to make saving your princess a straightforward quest. With some added tweaking, should you find this little interactive masterpiece worth your time (because let's be real, most of us have a video game backlog longer than our grocery lists), you'll end up laughing with Dirk every time he plummets to his cartoonish doom. So grab your Switch and remember: it's not about the destination, it's about how many times you can fail to save a princess before you break your console. Happy gaming!
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