Dragon Ruins II was a pleasant trip down memory lane. Although it was relatively simple, it offers enough action to keep you entertained. Moreover, it is aimed towards people who don’t want a complex experience. Instead, automatic combat, simple party management, and basic upgrades are the glue that hold this together.
This dungeon crawler was developed by Graverobber Foundation and published by KEMCO. It is a single-player, first-person title that has a grainy and grim aesthetic. Furthermore, the quests are refined, the characters are underwhelming, and navigating each dank dungeon was a straightforward affair.
Dragon Ruins II asks you to deal with that pesky dragon.
Dragons are a pain in the arse! They are huge, scaly, and pretty bloody angry. Consequently, when you have one on your doorstep, you’re going to want to have it dealt with asap. Thankfully, the heroes in Dragon Ruins II are up to the task. Whether it is a tank, mage, ranger, or thief, the 4-person party will work their way through every random monster they encounter.
Unlike other dungeon crawlers, this one uses automatic combat. I admit that this took some getting used to, but once I understood what was happening, I adored the simplicity. Without worrying about turn-based combat or tactics, I could focus on weapons, armour, and gathering as much gold as possible.
There are 15 dungeons to explore and 21 characters to choose from. Additionally, there is a blacksmith to upgrade your gear and a guild to improve your level. Each of these elements is self-explanatory, and the only thing that holds you back is greed and death.
Know when to quit.
As you explore each dungeon, the map will self-fill. This was great as you never wasted time traversing across explored corridors. However, danger still lurks around the corner. Whether it is a trap or a group of monsters, you must know when to run and when to fight.
If you lose a party member, they can be recovered with an array of items. However, if everyone falls, there is a penalty. This is such a waste of resources that you must know when to quit. If your party dies, you’ll lose valuable gold, and you will not be able to upgrade your gear. It is this balancing act that makes Dragon Ruins II particularly enjoyable.
Dragon Ruins II is dated.
If you hate retro gaming and a dated pixelated style, then Dragon Ruins II won’t be for you. I’m old enough to remember Atari and Commodore gaming, and this tugs at my heartstrings. The grey walls, the poor lighting, and the simple character portraits are basic, but perfect.
The audio is just as simple. There is a refined soundtrack that adds drama to the mix. Furthermore, the sound effects are brilliantly dated, even if they are somewhat confusing at times. Although the audio could have been more accurate, it works well with the material on offer.
You’ll master it immediately.
Once you understand the auto combat mechanics, you’ll master Dragon Ruins II immediately. The balancing act between running and fighting will push you, but I enjoyed the challenge and the change of pace. Other than this, the control system is basic, and it can be enjoyed by newcomers and veterans.
This was surprisingly addictive, and it kept me coming back for more. The core concept is rudimentary, but picking your party, exploring each unique dungeon, and upgrading your gear is pleasurable. Therefore, it offers plenty of replay value and longevity.
Dragon Ruins II is a great retro experience.
I was impressed by Dragon Ruins II. It has a dated brilliance that’ll appeal to anyone who is 40 years plus. Moreover, it is easy to understand, simple to master, and pretty addictive. On top of this, the lack of complexity makes it fun to play after a busy day. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you sort out the dragon problem? Choose your party, pick your quest, and try to survive.
