Dragon's Crown (Vanillaware)

[Zaarock]

I got two games this year that I really like (Metal Gear Rising and Ni no Kuni), but was disappointed a bit with both because they were too easy.

Very impressed if you had no trouble with Revengeance, S-ranks or VR missions I found it had just enough difficult challenges to go through.

On topic: Now that this has been out for a while how do you guys think it compares to Shadow over Mystara and Guardian Heroes?

[shmuppyLove]

On topic: Now that this has been out for a while how do you guys think it compares to Shadow over Mystara and Guardian Heroes?

Or Sacred Citadel

http://youtu.be/zUFEGXRvKxU

Great to see so much recent brawler love.

[CIT]

How does it compare to old beat-em-ups? Traditionally I am terrible at those, even worse that I suck at shooters. I don't think I've ever cleared the second level of any game like Captain Commando or Rushing Beat.

In Dragon's Crown you can just level up and gain new skills, and eventually you'll just plough through the stages.

On topic: Now that this has been out for a while how do you guys think it compares to Shadow over Mystara and Guardian Heroes?

I'd say Dragon's Crown is much more like Shadow Over Mystara, whereas Code of Princess is the one that's much more like Dragon's Crown.

Dragon's Crown is not that arcadey though, continuing doesn't make much of a difference, and you can improve your stats throughout the game. The challenge is to later chain stages together, which will give you a bonus for much more loot, but also becomes quite risky, since equipment can break, etc.

Overall the game is set up much more like Diablo, but the style of play is like a Capcom brawler.

[evil_ash_xero]

I got two games this year that I really like (Metal Gear Rising and Ni no Kuni), but was disappointed a bit with both because they were too easy.

Very impressed if you had no trouble with Revengeance, S-ranks or VR missions I found it had just enough difficult challenges to go through.

On topic: Now that this has been out for a while how do you guys think it compares to Shadow over Mystara and Guardian Heroes?

No, I didn't have trouble with Revengeance mode. It's the only mode that's sorta challenging, but with all the power ups...not that bad. The last boss is always tough though

[trap15]

Just played this for like 3 hours today in a shop. Holy fuck this game is amazing! I was afraid that the RPG elements and the length would be a turn-off for me, but it's really nice as just a sort of casual brawler. So, what kind of PS3 should I be getting?

[ZellSF]

Just played this for like 3 hours today in a shop. Holy fuck this game is amazing! I was afraid that the RPG elements and the length would be a turn-off for me, but it's really nice as just a sort of casual brawler. So, what kind of PS3 should I be getting?

Get a Vita and you can take the game with you everywhere!

...

Something tells me that didn't work (I sure hope it did though), so... Just get the newest PS3, unless you want CFW there's not much reason to bother with earlier revisions.

Still waiting for the Vita version to arrive in the mail . Better than waiting for the European release though.

[Skykid]

So, what kind of PS3 should I be getting?

2nd model revision. Only one that's not fugly.

[evil_ash_xero]

OK, since the B paths have opened up, the game is more of a normal difficulty now. It doesn't excuse how simple the A paths were.

I'm hoping that the Hard and Inferno modes make the the A paths "normal". You know, at least Castle Crashers hard.

It's a pretty cool game though. Getting into it now.

[GateofThunderforceIII]

I can't get into this and I'm a Vanillaware fan! Guess I've been spoiled by Bare Knuckles 2 and 3!

[Necronopticous]

How in the hell is treasure rank determined? Is it as completely random as it seems?

[iconoclast]

I think it's random, but there are ways to influence it. Doing chain runs increases your treasure rank, you can buy a prayer from the temple to increase your treasure rank, and I think the hidden chests tend to have higher rank treasure.

So I'm at level 99 with my Amazon. It seems like the Labyrinth of Chaos is meant to be the 'end game', since it has 99 (randomized) floors with 4 stages each, higher level enemies, better loot, and a secret boss. I wonder if it's even possible to solo the entire thing, since enemies will be level 255 by the end...

Overall the game is set up much more like Diablo, but the style of play is like a Capcom brawler.

Yeah, DC is a loot game that plays like a beat em up. Maybe Dungeon Fighter Online would be a good comparison for it? I've never played it though, so I might be way off.

[Jonst]

This is the only time I've felt jealous of ps3 owners...got to get one now!

[CMoon]

I realize I haven't been poking enough stuff in this game. I mean, from that fairy drunk in your glass to the dancing mouse, to that conan looking dude's nipples, I'm not poking enough of everything. The obvious poke at the magic shop owner's boobs only gets you a warning, so I'm not sure how far this goes, but I didn't realize how much this game was about poking things.

[PainAmplifier]

OK, since the B paths have opened up, the game is more of a normal difficulty now. It doesn't excuse how simple the A paths were.

I'm hoping that the Hard and Inferno modes make the the A paths "normal". You know, at least Castle Crashers hard.

It's a pretty cool game though. Getting into it now.

It's not immediately obvious, but all the A paths and their levels *change* once you beat the Gazer boss (last normal level) the first time. Each one has a new mix of enemies, more enemies, the enemy level increases to L17 minimum and there are other changes as well such as new traps and level elements. It's then worth it to chain run the A paths to build up levels, money and gear so you can take the B paths without having to continue (spend cash) so much against the really tough bosses.

It's like the game up to that point was more of a casual difficulty tutorial to the game's basic mechanics. And it's also about the time you will have a good selection of skills built up even if you picked L1 in as many of them as possible.

I'm still having issues with the controls at the cooking screen though...nothing I do seems to *work* when it comes to clicking and trying to drag/drop stuff much less what pot I am supposed to use. I need to hit the faqs or something since there is something there I just do NOT get right now.

[gct]

Finally managed to get a copy of the game locally, and I'm pleased that there isn't any French on the cover. I only played a little bit, starting with the Fighter dude. Damn I suck at games now, I haven't touched a video game in months, I got wasted by the first boss. I guess I'm supposed to block and dodge more?

About skills, is there any penalty for using skills like making money restore health and such, like it makes you get less money or something?
....Truthfully I should improve my own playing skill instead of choosing upgrades that make the game easier :S

[trap15]

Just bought a PS3 and this game on Amazon. Getting hype

[Jonst]

I'll be doing the same as trap...havn't bought a machine just for one game in ages.

[Octopod]

I preordered the game through Amazon because I wanted to be sure to get the art book. I have never owned a PS3. I'll be picking one up sometime in the next couple of weeks. For whatever reason this game was a system seller for me.

[CMoon]

Good! Better add a copy of Demon's Souls to your orders.

[evil_ash_xero]

Good! Better add a copy of Demon's Souls to your orders.

Very wise. I'd add Valkyria Chronicles too.

[CMoon]

There's some creepy video that seems to indicate the player can feel up an imprisoned female character. Seems kind of perverse, even for Vanillaware.

OK, so getting to the stage with the imprisoned female characters, I of course tried poking them. Absolutely nothing! Man, I'm starting to think all the rumors about this game being perverted were just to generate sales. Too bad I missed out on poking the mouse, I'll need to do that in hard mode or on a second character.

[jepjepjep]

There's some creepy video that seems to indicate the player can feel up an imprisoned female character. Seems kind of perverse, even for Vanillaware.

OK, so getting to the stage with the imprisoned female characters, I of course tried poking them. Absolutely nothing! Man, I'm starting to think all the rumors about this game being perverted were just to generate sales. Too bad I missed out on poking the mouse, I'll need to do that in hard mode or on a second character.

Did they censor it at all for the US release?

Good! Better add a copy of Demon's Souls to your orders.

Do you recommend Demons' Souls over Dark Souls?

[CMoon]

Did they censor it at all for the US release?

Why, what does it do in the Japanese version?

Good! Better add a copy of Demon's Souls to your orders.

Do you recommend Demons' Souls over Dark Souls?

I recommend both! If you like one you'll like the other. Personally I think Dark Souls is a more immersive world and I've spent far more time playing it, but Demon's Souls is certainly almost as good, just faster and possibly not quite so epic (though it is pretty damn epic.) Oh, same logic holds true, if you dislike one, you'll dislike the other. Dark Souls might as well just be Demon's Souls 2.

[CMoon]

Oooohhhh, this is the scene (I haven't gotten to it yet):

NSFW???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex133LSR6xE

[jepjepjep]

Ha ha, you beat me to the punch. I was about to post a link to that video.

[CMoon]

Funny how every SMT game gets an M rating (18+) and this gets a T (teen) rating. Not that I think the nudity and suggestive themes in the game are really worth talking about. People that are offended should probably go hang out with some 12 year olds for a while and discover what they actually talk and think about, but it is still kind of funny. Seriously, I applaud Vanillaware for getting a little perversion going on in their game. Conan certainly wouldn't hesitate ravishing a few woman along his travels.

[gct]

Just a quick question: Is there any way to pause the game in the middle of a mission, like if I need to answer the telephone or something?

[CMoon]

Just a quick question: Is there any way to pause the game in the middle of a mission, like if I need to answer the telephone or something?

Nope. In this sense it is even worse than the Souls games where you can quit and it saves your progress. In DC, there is NO WAY to pause your adventure.

[Ganelon]

The developers probably disabled pausing to get players used to online. Fortunately, the game generally subscribes to the beat-em-up credo that not moving forward results in no new enemies. Consequently, you're safe at pretty much every respite and there's no time limit to leaving it on-screen at those times.

[Necronopticous]

Does clear time count against your score/treasure rank at all?