INTRODUCTION
Feast your eyes on Dragon’s Crown, a two-dimensional action-packed Role-Playing Game (RPG) that intricately weaves elements of combat, platforming, and RPGs under the banner of sorcery and swordplay. This remarkable creation, born from the innovative minds at the Japanese studio Vanillaware, boasts an array of colorful, original 2D graphics that set it apart from its peers. Vanillaware’s reputation for top-notch quality precedes them, thanks to their critically acclaimed titles, Odin Sphere and Muramasa: The Demon Blade.
THE ADVENTUROUS NARRATIVE
The narrative of Dragon’s Crown plunges the player into the boots of a courageous hero driven by the allure of fame and fortune. Alongside a crew of stalwart companions, the player delves into an underground labyrinth in search of hidden treasure. However, reaching their glittering goal requires navigating a maze of forgotten ruins and confronting a menagerie of dangerous beasts lurking in the shadows.
CHARACTER-DRIVEN MECHANICS
Choosing your protagonist is the first step in this RPG journey, with a lineup featuring six unique characters – an elf, a dwarf, a warrior, an Amazon, a magician, and a sorceress. Each character possesses distinct abilities and tactics. A player selecting the elf must closely monitor their arrow count, replenished by touching defeated foes. In contrast, a warrior player depends on speed, strength, and a bulky shield to fend off incoming attacks.
THE 2D BATTLEFIELD
The world of Dragon’s Crown exists in a two-dimensional realm. Like in classic arcade games, players traverse the left and right terrain, simplifying control and ensuring fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping gameplay. A host of adversaries, each requiring a unique combat strategy, stand in your way. Boss fights present the ultimate test, with screen-filling adversaries capable of devastating, one-hit KOs. Friendly NPCs dot the labyrinth, offering side quests that reward unique equipment and valuable experience.
COOPERATIVE THRILLS
Dragon’s Crown shines in its cooperative mode, supporting up to four players and emphasizing teamwork. The characters synergize in unique ways, aiding each other in labyrinth exploration. For instance, if you lose your weapon mid-battle, hand-to-hand combat is your only option until a sneaky teammate retrieves new equipment. Player communication is restricted to gestures and death messages. Additionally, fallen heroes from other sessions can appear in your game and, for a fee, can be resurrected as AI-controlled allies, bolstering your combat prowess.
THE VISUAL SPECTACLE
The visual aesthetic of Dragon’s Crown is quintessential Vanillaware – evoking the charm of an animated storybook or a colorful cut-out. The stylized character designs and fantastical settings give Dragon’s Crown a visual flair that distinguishes it within the genre. And as icing on the cake, the game supports cross-play for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, enhancing the multiplayer experience.
