Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale
By Matt London
Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale, by Atari; ESRB rating: Teen; $15.00; Formats available: XBox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, Microsoft Windows; Format previewed: XBox Live Arcade
Realms of Fantasy recently paid a visit to the Atari offices in New York City to preview an exciting new game, Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale. Set in the elaborate world of Forgotten Realms, Daggerdale is the first Dungeons & Dragons video game based on 4th Edition rules. With fast pick-up-and-play controls, and options for solo, local co-op, and online up to four players, Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale is sure to be a game to look out for.
Players begin by selecting one of four character templates — a Human Fighter, Elven Rogue, Dwarven Cleric, or Halfling Wizard. Each class has a variety of feats and powers that allows players to create specialized heroes. After a quick cut-scene, the action begins in an enormous dwarven mine. Players must fight their way past scores of goblins, navigate labyrinthine caves, free miners, and collect treasure. The players’ end goal is to stop an evil cleric and save their homeland.
Although the game is based heavily on the Dark Alliance series, the controls will remind players of the more recent Dragon Age II. Combat involves a lot of button mashing, but in the co-op mode, where Daggerdale really shines, communication with your allies is the key to effectively defeating the seemingly endless stream of goblins.
Another element that distinguishes Daggerdale is the random loot generator. Like in an MMORPG, monsters do not drop the same weapons, armor, and treasure every time you fight them. As a result, the appearance of player characters may vary widely.
Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale contains elements of old arcade-style beat ‘em ups and massive multiplayer games. The quest structure resembles MMOs, and the character generation is old school role-playing games. Check it out if you are a fan of any of these genres, or Dungeons & Dragons in general.
Best played with friends.
If you enjoyed reading this, please consider subscribing to Realms of Fantasy.
