Dungeons & Dragons Heroes

"Hack 'n Slash Heaven"

I first saw and played a demo of Dungeons & Dragons Heroes for the XBOX in the lobby at GenCon 2003 in Indianapolis, IN. 4-player cooperative on the same screen, and the graphics had us eagerly awaiting this late October release. Imagine my surprise to see it on the shelf at the local GameStop in late September.

Graphics 7/10

The graphics in this game are nice and serviceable, but nothing spectacular for what the Xbox can do, nor what some other games manage to do with them. It works well for this title though, which is really about the license and the gameplay. Cut scenes are fluid, and while multiples of many of the 'baddies' are identical, all the bosses, and named characters are unique with good voice acting.

Sound 8/10

Again, good and atmospheric, neither annoying nor terribly awe-inspiring. Although you can indeed tell you are coming up to something 'bad' by the change in the music, which is all one can ask of this sort of title.

Gameplay 9/10

The play here is much like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. If you like that sort of game, then the gameplay is pretty much perfect. I especially liked the easy use of the right trigger to change what feat or spell was tied to which button. You'll use the A button to hack and slash, and the other three to launch spells or special powers which you can re-assign in flight, for which the system will slow the game down a bit for you if you want, allowing you not to miss anything.

Story 7/10

The one reviewer from one of the printed publications is right, if any self-respecting Dungeon Master had this sort of module for Table-Top use, his players would run screaming. Need for mindless slaughter, and the need for you to become the ultimate heroes and possibly give up your lives for your Kingdom... again.

Replay 8/10

A lot of the game is in finding, or buying new weapons and items for your character; and there is a variation of 4 character classes to start with, changed by upgrading them with different abilities.

However, once you've been through the game one time, there are no variations in the story. Only in how you approach it. There are several difficulty levels, but Easy is just far far too simple. You'll finish the whole thing in a 10-15 hours and still have dozens of raise dead amulets, so really are in no danger of game over.

Overall Score 8/10

If you like D&D and button mashing hack and slash with your buddies, this is a game to have and keep around. If that isn't your favorite type of game, you'll be able to finish it on the easy setting in a typical weekend rental.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/30/03