Game Reviews

If you caught our recent Zelda vs. 3D Dot Game Heroes video feature, then it should be pretty clear that The Legend of Zelda is the inspiration for 3D Dot's style, structure and appearance. While it's fun to slap a controversial phrase like "Zelda for PlayStation 3" on 3D Dot Game Heroes and call it a day, this isn't really accurate, and it tends to diminish the game's ample charm. Equal parts homage, parody and fan-made sequel, it's obvious that 3D Dot Game Heroes is in debt to, and in love with, gaming's past.

If Zelda comparisons mean nothing to you, then here's 3D Dot Game Heroes in a nutshell: you're a plucky adventurer tasked with stopping an evil bishop from making the world a miserable, monster-filled dystopia. Seven dungeons are spread across a sprawling world map peppered with towns, caves, fairy fountains and other attractions. Not all of the "overworld" is immediately accessible, but the tools you'll find in each of the dungeons will aid in your quest and allow you to reach new places. You'll uncover standard gear of the dungeon-plundering trade such as the item-retrieving boomerang, secret-passage-exposing bombs, a grappling hook to carry you over wide gaps, and dash boots that will carry you quickly to your destination. To a large number of readers, this may sound all-too-familiar, so let's get something out of the way before we proceed: I've seen fellow Zelda fans react in mixed ways to previews of 3D Dot Game Heroes. While reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, cries of "ripoff" and accusations of unoriginality just couldn't be more misguided -- and they also show a shortsighted view of game history. Games that take a great foundation and build on it are invariably respected and championed for doing just that. Dragon Warrior begot Final Fantasy, Super Metroid begot Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and Guitar Hero begot Rock Band. Celebrated games are often blatant iterations on a previous game. The difference here is that 3D Dot Game Heroes isn't an attempt to one-up a competitor. It wears its heart for Zelda, and other retro games, on its sleeve. It's a love letter to Zelda and the games of yesterday, and it doesn't ever make the mistake of taking itself seriously -- and neither should you.