Software:Dungeon Explorer

Dungeon Explorer
File:Dungeon Explorer cover.jpg
Developer(s)	Atlus
Publisher(s)	Hudson Soft
Composer(s)	Tsukasa Masuko
Platform(s)	PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, Virtual Console, PlayStation Network
Release	JP: March 4, 1989 EU: July 1989 NA: November 15, 1989
Genre(s)	Action role-playing, hack and slash
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer (with multitap)

Dungeon Explorer (ダンジョンエクスプローラー, Danjon Ekusupurōrā) is an action role-playing game released for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 in 1989. It is centered on the quest of several heroes to find the Ora Stone for the king of Oddesia. When the alien race that now rules the land invaded, the stone was hidden deep in the dungeons of the land by the King to keep it safe. Now, however, the king wants the players to recover the stone, which can bring life, light, and happiness, and to kill the alien king, Natas: King Satan. The heroes progress through several different dungeons and fight fearsome bosses such as Bullbeast and Grimrose, and finally recover the Ora stone. Upon giving it to the king, however, the king reveals himself as Natas and steals the stone. Additionally, a guard named Judas also betrays the heroes, but is defeated by them. The adventurers then chase and confront Natas, killing him and taking back the Ora stone and ushering in a time of peace.

Overview

Players can play as a fighter, thief, warlock, witch, bishop, elf, bard, or gnome. Special classes, like the princess and hermit, can also be unlocked as the game progresses. The classes vary primarily in their black and white potion abilities. For example, the bishop's white potion heals nearby allies, whereas the bard's black potion has the ability to change the music. The game supports up to five players simultaneously. All extra lives are shared between players. The game also features a password system that tracks the player's level, class, and four base stats (attack, strength, agility, and intelligence).

Dungeon Explorer is also considered a pioneer title in the action role-playing game genre with its co-operative multiplayer gameplay, which allowed up to five players to play simultaneously.

Dungeon Explorer was released for the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on December 8, 2006 and in North America on January 8, 2007. The game is rated E by the ESRB and 3+ by the PEGI. The Wii version can be played with 5 players, with at least one person using a GameCube controller. The game has also been released on the Japanese and North American PlayStation Store.

Sequels and related games

A sequel to the game, Dungeon Explorer II, was later released for the TurboGrafx-CD console in 1993. A heavily modified port of Dungeon Explorer II was made for the Super Famicom, titled Crystal Beans: From Dungeon Explorer, and was released in Japan in 1995.

There was also a Mega-CD game which goes by the name of Dungeon Explorer. It is related to the series, but not a port of any previous game, and very different from the others. Developed by Westone Co, Dungeon Explorer for the Mega-CD is far closer to Gauntlet than the other games. Weapons and armor may be bought with the gold found in dungeons.

In 2007, two related games, again different from the original titles, were released to coincide with the release of the original Dungeon Explorer on the Wii Virtual Console. The first game, Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira, was released for the PlayStation Portable in November 2007. The second game, Dungeon Explorer: Jashin no Ryouiki, was released for the Nintendo DS in December 2007. Both games were localized, but were both released as Dungeon Explorer.

Reception

Dragon reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.

Next Generation reviewed the Sega CD version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "The title isn't groundbreaking, but most of the puzzles are clever, and the variety and challenge will keep your interest high."