Software:Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts

From HandWiki
Dungeon Explorer:
Warriors of Ancient Arts
PAL region Nintendo DS version cover art
Developer(s)Amble
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable
Release
  • JP: 15 November 2007[2]
  • NA: 12 February 2008[1]
  • EU: 28 March 2008 (PSP)
  • PAL: 4 April 2008 (DS)[3]
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira (ダンジョンエクスプローラー 盟約の扉, Danjon Ekusupurōrā Meiyaku no Tobira) and Dungeon Explorer: Jashin no Ryōiki (ダンジョンエクスプローラー 邪神の領域, Danjon Ekusupurōrā Jashin no Ryōiki) are a pair of action role-playing video game for the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, respectively. Both games were localized and released as Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts in the United States and as Dungeon Explorer in Europe. The games are related to the PC Engine game Dungeon Explorer. Both are action role-playing games. They feature wireless connectivity to allow multiple players to connect to each other, and Jashin no Ryouiki also allows for online play using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on the Nintendo DS.

Gameplay

The bulk of the storyline for Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts takes place in various dungeons.[4][5] Each dungeon is unlocked after various quests are completed by acquiring "plates" and can be leveled up by inserting jewels in said plates. Each level is more challenging than the previous one and can be selected at any given time. At one point Dungeon level progression is stopped until an item called a Sirius Jewel is acquired, a reusable item that unlocks further dungeon empowerment. Specific levels have specific challenges in them, such as Level 6 of a dungeon are considered blind; without the usage of a specific item, the mini-map is blanked out with only the character icons visible.

The title features 3 races and 6 classes that the player can choose from the beginning. From a certain point on, the character has the option to change classes when he is not in the dungeons, each one keeping its own ranks (from "E" to "S"). There are also 6 advanced classes that require the combination of two basic classes: one with rank B and the other with rank A. These advanced classes include the skills of the previous two classes plus new own abilities and unique weapons. All of these skills are acquired as characters level up their range of weapons as well as their range of work, and two of them can be equipped and changed on the fly.

The jewels have multiple purposes in addition to powering up dungeons, they can be consolidated, used in alchemy or installed onto weapons are armor. These jewels are elemental in nature and match each element of the dungeons, which follow a planetary theme (Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, etc.). In addition, each element has a status ailment associated with it.

Synopsis

The game begins as the "player", an unnamed, but customized character tries to make his or her way as an adventurer by attempting to save a town from certain doom. The hero is told about the great evil trying to escape from a large structure right in the middle of town. Someone or something is weakening the barrier holding the evil inside, and it is up to the new adventurer to find out what it is.[6]

Development

Release

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSPSP
1Up.comC[9]B+[10]
Famitsu26/40[11]27/40[12]
Game InformerN/A6/10[13]
IGN6/10[14]6/10[14]
Jeuxvideo.com11/20[15]8/20[16]
Nintendo Power6.5/10[17]N/A
Nintendo World Report6.5/10[18]N/A
PSMN/AStarStarHalf star[19]
RPGamer2/5[6]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic60/100[7]56/100[8]

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7][8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40 for the PSP version,[12] and 26 out of 40 for the DS version.[11] GamePro said of the former handheld version, "Graphics are decent, but the sound is obnoxious. You're going to be sick to death of the sonic snails you fight over and over (since missions constantly send you back to do practically the same thing every time) with their ear-drum piercing screeches. No significant voice acting, either, which could've livened things up a bit. Co-op games are great, but Dungeon Explorer failed to excite us."[22][lower-alpha 1]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the PSP version 3/5 for graphics, 2/5 for sound, 2.25/5 for control, and 2.5/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (12 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer Warriors of Ancient Arts Now Available on PSP and DS". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/12/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts-now-available-on-psp-and-ds. 
  2. ↑ "2007年 ニュースリリース" (in ja). http://www.hudson.co.jp/corp/news/bn_2007.html. 
  3. ↑ Kozanecki, James (30 March 2008). "AU Shippin' Out March 31-April 4: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/au-shippin-out-march-31-april-4-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-plus/1100-6188544/. 
  4. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (17 December 2008). "Dungeon Explorer (DS)". http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer-ds/. 
  5. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (18 December 2008). "Dungeon Explorer (PSP)". http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer-psp/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tidwell, Mikel (19 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts DS - Staff Review". CraveOnline. https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/dexplorer/dexplorerds/reviews/dexplorerdsstrev1.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts critic reviews (DS)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts critic reviews (PSP)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  9. ↑ Kollar, Philip (12 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (NintendoDS)". Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/reviews/dungeon-explorer_2. 
  10. ↑ Kollar, Philip (26 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PSP)". Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/reviews/dungeon-explorer. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "ダンジョンエクスプローラー 邪神の領域 (DS)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1492. Retrieved 10 October 2024. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "ダンジョンエクスプローラー 盟約の扉 (PSP)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1491. Retrieved 10 October 2024. 
  13. ↑ Juba, Joe (April 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PSP)". Game Informer (GameStop) (180). http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/426CD088-A19A-4342-A0B1-DC017E7AA6E5.htm. Retrieved 10 October 2024. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Clements, Ryan (15 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts Review (NDS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/15/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts-review. 
  15. ↑ pixelpirate (2 April 2008). "Test: Dungeon Explorer (DS)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00008861-dungeon-explorer-test.htm. 
  16. ↑ pixelpirate (3 April 2008). "Test: Dungeon Explorer (PSP)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00008865-dungeon-explorer-test.htm. 
  17. ↑ "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". Nintendo Power (Future US) 226: 85. March 2008. 
  18. ↑ Jones, James (2 March 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/15450/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts-nintendo-ds. 
  19. ↑ "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (4): 88. March 2008. 
  20. ↑ Gann, Patrick (8 March 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (DS)". Emerald Shield Media LLC. https://www.rpgfan.com/review/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts-2/. 
  21. ↑ Tucker, John (2 September 2009). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PSP)". Emerald Shield Media LLC. https://www.rpgfan.com/review/dungeon-explorer-warriors-of-ancient-arts/. 
  22. ↑ Balistrieri, Emily (May 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". GamePro (IDG) (236). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/166208.shtml. Retrieved 10 October 2024. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



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