Dungeon Explorer (1989 video game)

File:TG-16 Dungeon Explorer.png

Dungeon Explorer is an action role-playing game with dungeon crawl and hack and slash elements that is played in a top-down perspective reminiscent of Gauntlet where players assume the role of one of the eight main characters tasked with recovering the Ora stone to ultimately kill the alien king Natas and restore peace to the land of Oddesia.Dungeon Explorer manual (TurboGrafx-16, US){{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ATurboForce_US_01.pdf&page=16|title=Dungeon Explorer|magazine=TurboForce|issue=1|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=June 1992|pages=16–17}}{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer/|title=Dungeon Explorer|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=December 13, 2009|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330225710/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer/|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}} Each character belongs to a class (fighter, thief, warlock, witch, bishop, elf, bard, or gnome) and their abilities vary primarily in their black and white magic as well as statistics. For example, the bishop's white potion heals nearby allies, whereas the bard's black potion has the ability to change the music. Special classes, like the princess and hermit, can also be unlocked via password as the game progresses.

The players explore towns or fields to find a dungeon, which hosts a boss that must be defeated to advance and each boss leaves a crystal after their defeat, which cycles through four colors and corresponds with the character's stats (attack, strength, agility and intelligence). Players can also increase their stats by defeating enemies or finding accessories through the map. The game supports up to five players simultaneously but lives are shared between players and the game is over once they are lost. The password system is also used to keep progress for each player.

Dungeon Explorer centers 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 to kill the alien king Natas. The heroes progress through several different dungeons, fight fearsome beasts, and finally recover the Ora stone. Upon giving it to the king, the latter reveals himself as Natas and steals the stone. 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, ushering in a time of peace.

Dungeon Explorer was created by most of the same team that would work on several projects such as later entries in the Megami Tensei series, with Kazutoshi "Boo" Ueda and Yōsuke "HotRice" Niino acting as directors.{{cite video game|title=Dungeon Explorer|developer=Atlus|publisher=NEC|date=1989|platform=TurboGrafx-16|level=Staff}} Takashi "Hieimon" Hasegawa and Uni "oooo" Arato served as programmers, while artists Hideyuki "Tonny" Yokoyama, Hiroshi "BLADOE" Tsuji and Yoshiaki "Sting" Kitamura were responsible for the pixel art. The soundtrack was composed by Tsukasa "Dosanko Macco" Masuko. Other people also collaborated in its development, with Star Parodier designer Tadayuki Kawada being also involved with the project as his first work in the video game industry, supervising the graphics and game balancing.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/famitsu0151#page/96/mode/1up|title=ゲームデザ イナー大全集|magazine=Famitsu|issue=151|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=November 8, 1991|pages=85–100|lang=ja}} ([https://shmuplations.com/imadethat/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520011507/https://shmuplations.com/imadethat/|date=2020-05-20}}).

Dungeon Explorer was first released for the PC Engine in Japan by Hudson Soft on March 4, 1989, and later in North America by NEC on November 15 of the same year. The game was later re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on December 8, 2006, and in North America on January 8, 2007.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=51634|title=Dungeon Explorer [Virtual Console] - Overview|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=January 8, 2007|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114214550/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=51634|archive-date=2014-11-14|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} The Wii version could be played with 5 players, with at least one person using a GameCube controller. The title was also re-released on the Japanese and North American PlayStation Network.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=81104|title=Dungeon Explorer [PlayStation Network] - Overview|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=June 3, 2011|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114183156/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=81104|archive-date=2014-11-14|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

{{Video game reviews

|title = Contemporary reception

|ACE = 890/1000{{cite magazine|last=Rignall|first=Julian|author-link=Julian Rignall|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-22/ACE_Issue_22_1989_Jul#page/n55/mode/1up|title=Screen Test - Dungeon Explorer: PC Engine out-Gauntlets Gauntlet|magazine=ACE|issue=22|publisher=EMAP|date=July 1989|page=56|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326072617/http://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-22/ACE_Issue_22_1989_Jul#page/n55/mode/1up|archive-date=2016-03-26|url-status=live}}

|ASM = 9/12{{cite magazine|last1=Braun|first1=Peter|last2=Kleimann|first2=Manfred|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=3258|title=Konsolen - "Rollenadvencade"|magazine=Aktueller Software Markt|issue=34|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=August–September 1989|page=70|lang=de}}
11/12

|CVG = 94%{{cite magazine|last=Rignall|first=Julian|author-link=Julian Rignall|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-092/CVG_092_Jun_1989#page/n89/mode/2up|title=PC Engine - Mean Machines: Dungeon Explorer|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=92|publisher=Future Publishing|date=June 1989|pages=90–91|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403101315/https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-092/CVG_092_Jun_1989#page/n89/mode/2up|archive-date=2016-04-03|url-status=live}}

|Dragon = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine|last1=Lesser|first1=Hartley|last2=Lesser|first2=Patricia|last3=Lesser|first3=Kirk|url=https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg163.pdf|title=The Role of Computers - Reviews - Dungeon Explorer|magazine=Dragon|issue=163|publisher=TSR, Inc.|date=November 1990|page=49|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322000908/http://annarchive.com/files/Drmg163.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-22|url-status=live}}

|EGM = 28/40{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Nauert|first3=Donn|last4=Stockhausen|first4=Jim|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_04#page/n11/mode/1up|title=Review Crew - Dungeon Explorer|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=4|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=November 1989|page=12}}

|Fam = 29/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/bi-weekly-famitsu-no.-69-march-3rd-1989/Bi-Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%2069%20March%203rd%2C%201989%20%28Compressed%29#page/n13/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ダンジョンエクスプローラー (PCエンジン)|magazine=Famitsu|issue=69|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=March 3, 1989|page=14|lang=ja}}

|HC = 84/100{{cite magazine|last=Herranz|first=Sonia|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AHobbyConsolas_ES_022.pdf&page=112|title=Lo Más Nuevo - Turbo Grafx: Dungeon Explorer – La Piedra Mágica|magazine=Hobby Consolas|issue=22|publisher=Hobby Press|date=July 1993|pages=120–121|lang=es}}

|TILT = 15/20{{cite magazine|last=Huyghues-Lacour|first=Alain|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero071/TILT%20-%20n071%20-%20novembre%201989%20-%20page086%20et%20087.jpg|title=Rolling Softs - Dungeon Explorer (Console NEC, carte Hudson soft)|magazine=Tilt|issue=71|publisher=Editions Mondiales S.A.|date=November 1989|page=87|lang=fr}}

|rev1 = Power Play

|rev1Score = 75/100{{cite magazine|last=Hengst|first=Michael|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2558|title=Videospiele-Tests: Dungeon Explorer|magazine=Power Play|issue=17|publisher=Future Verlag|date=August 1989|page=60|lang=de}}

}}

The original PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 releases of Dungeon Explorer were met with a positive reception from reviewers upon release.{{cite magazine|last=Nauert|first=Donn|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ATurboPlay_US_05.pdf&page=26|title=TurboPlay Rates the Games - Dungeon Explorer|magazine=TurboPlay|issue=5|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=February–March 1991|page=26}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ATurboPlay_US_11.pdf&page=27|title=TurboPlay Rates the Games - Volume 2: Dungeon Explorer|magazine=TurboPlay|issue=11|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=February–March 1992|page=27}} Public reception was also positive; readers of PC Engine Fan voted to give the game a 23.66 out of 30 score, ranking at the number 60 spot in a poll, indicating a popular following.{{cite magazine|title=PC Engine All Catalog '93 10月号特別付録 - ニュートピアII|magazine=PC Engine Fan|volume=6|issue=10|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=October 1, 1993|page=47|lang=ja}} ACE and Computer and Video Games{{'}} Julian Rignall praised the visual presentation for its small but detailed animated sprites, atmospheric imaginative backdrops, stereo soundtrack, challenging but addictive gameplay, as well as the multiplayer mode. Both Peter Braun and Manfred Kleimann of Aktueller Software Markt commended its audiovisual presentation, gameplay and length but criticized certain shortcomings of the game. Dragon{{'}}s three reviewers gave the title a perfect rating in 1990, referring it as a greatly expanded version of Gauntlet. They noted its combination of arcade-style action with role-playing game elements due to character-specific abilities and magic, as well as the freedom to search regions without requiring previous dungeon victories.

Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s four reviewers referred Dungeon Explorer as a "better-than-average action/adventure title" similar to Gauntlet and felt that its mixture of text and adventure elements were fitting. They also commended its audiovisual presentation and gameplay. Hobby Consolas{{'}} Sonia Herranz praised its small but sharp visuals, music, sound effects, addictive gameplay, ability to play with five players and choose between eight characters with their own attributes. However, Herranz criticized the game's password system for starting players back at the beginning area and lack of care with the scenery. Tilt{{'}}s Alain Huyghues-Lacour felt that the title was inspired by Gauntlet but gave positive remarks to the graphics, sprite animations and sound. Power Play{{'}}s Michael Hengst stated that the visuals were better than Gauntlet II and noted its infusion of role-playing elements into the Gauntlet formula. Hengst gave positive commentary in regards to the stereo sound and multiplayer, but remarked that playing solo makes the game more difficult.

Retrospective reviews for Dungeon Explorer have been more mixed.{{cite news|last=Bohn-Elias|first=Alexander|url=https://www.eurogamer.de/articles/artikel_vc_teil_2_23012007|title=Retro auf Raten - Wii Virtual Console – Teil 2: Mit Siebenmeilenstiefeln in Richtung 16Bit - TurboGrafx-16|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=February 1, 2007|access-date=2020-02-13|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307033137/http://www.eurogamer.de/articles/artikel_vc_teil_2_23012007|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=PCエンジンソフト完全カタログ 1989年 - ダンジョンエクスプローラー|work=PC Engine Complete Guide 1987-1999|series=Nostalgic Game Console Encyclopedia|volume=1|publisher=Standards|date=June 15, 2018|page=39|language=ja|isbn=9784866362670}} Eurogamer{{'}}s Kristan Reed felt more like Zelda with Gauntlet elements and noted the ability to support five players simultaneously. However, Reed stated that the game was "nothing special these days, but one to pick up if you've got nostalgic associations as it's perfectly playable in a mindless way."{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-turbografx-16-review|title=Virtual Console: TurboGrafx-16 - PC-Ingenuity?|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=January 24, 2007|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714192452/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-turbografx-16-review|archive-date=July 14, 2019|url-status=live}} GameSpot{{'}}s Greg Mueller commended its large and diverse dungeons, colorful graphics and catchy music but criticized the gameplay for being shallow, punishing difficulty and clunky password system.{{cite web|last=Mueller|first=Greg|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dungeon-explorer-review/1900-6168850/|title=Dungeon Explorer Review - Dungeon Explorer's rudimentary design and unforgiving difficulty make it a tedious and often frustrating game|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=April 10, 2007|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213192559/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dungeon-explorer-review/1900-6168850/|archive-date=2020-02-13|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} IGN{{'}}s Mark Birnbaum gave positive remarks to the dungeon layouts, soundtrack and multiplayer but criticized its visuals, average sound effects and repetitive gameplay.{{cite web|last=Birnbaum|first=Mark|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/22/dungeon-explorer-review|title=Dungeon Explorer Review - Some short-lived, shoot 'em up fun|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=February 22, 2007|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414155838/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/22/dungeon-explorer-review|archive-date=April 14, 2019|url-status=live}} Nintendo Life{{'}}s Damien McFerran remarked that the title built on the concept of Gauntlet by introducing role-playing game elements and locations to explore, which added more depth and felt it was a much better game than Gauntlet.{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/12/dungeon_explorer_virtual_console|title=Dungeon Explorer Review (TG-16) - Dungeon Explorer is a multiplayer action/role-playing game where up to five players can play at the same time|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=December 8, 2006|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422191703/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/12/dungeon_explorer_virtual_console|archive-date=April 22, 2019|url-status=live}} Richard Aihoshi of RPG Vault considered it a pioneer title in the action role-playing game genre due to its co-operative multiplayer gameplay for up to five players.{{cite web|last=Aihoshi|first=Richard|url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/844/844006p1.html|title=Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts Interview - Hudson tells us about bringing back a classic property with two different versions for the PSP and DS platforms|work=RPG Vault|publisher=IGN|date=January 8, 2008|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206021708/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/844/844006p1.html|archive-date=December 6, 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

A sequel to the game, Dungeon Explorer II, was later released for the TurboGrafx-CD console in 1993.{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/1512/|title=ダンジョンエクスプローラーII (PCエンジン) - ファミ通.com|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Kadokawa Game Linkage|year=2020|access-date=2020-08-08|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708102147/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/1512/|archive-date=2019-07-08|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Lagan|first=Jack|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ADuoWorld_US_02.pdf&page=14|title=Reviews (Duo/TG-16) - Dungeon Explorer II|magazine=DuoWorld|issue=2|publisher=Larry Flynt Publications|date=September–October 1993|pages=14–15}} 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.{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/crystal-beans-from-dungeon-explorer/|title=Crystal Beans From Dungeon Explorer|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=December 17, 2008|access-date=2020-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018231619/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/crystal-beans-from-dungeon-explorer/|archive-date=18 October 2019|url-status=live}} There was also a Sega CD game which goes by the name of Dungeon Explorer.{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joypad/joypad_numero045/Joypad%2045%20Septembre%201995%20page076.jpg|title=News • Previews Internationales: Dungeon Explorer (Megadrive - Hudson)|magazine=Joypad|issue=39|publisher=Yellow Media|date=February 1995|page=39|lang=fr}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/NEXT_Generation_05#page/n96/mode/1up|title=Finals - Sega CD - Dungeon Explorer|magazine=Next Generation|issue=5|publisher=Imagine Media|date=May 1995|page=95|access-date=2020-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105002513/https://archive.org/stream/NEXT_Generation_05#page/n96/mode/1up|archive-date=2019-01-05|url-status=live}} It is related to the series, but not a port of any previous game, and very different from the others. Developed by Westone, Dungeon Explorer for the Sega CD is far closer to Gauntlet than other games in the series. 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's Virtual Console. Both Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira and Dungeon Explorer: Jashin no Ryouiki were released for the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS respectively on November 15, 2007. Both games were localized but released as Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts.{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer-ds/|title=Dungeon Explorer (DS)|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=17 December 2008|access-date=2020-08-09|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020094115/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer-ds/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer-psp/|title=Dungeon Explorer (PSP)|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=18 December 2008|access-date=2020-08-09|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219071726/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dungeon-explorer-psp/|url-status=live}}

{{Clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/tg16/588955-dungeon-explorer Dungeon Explorer] at GameFAQs
• [https://www.giantbomb.com/dungeon-explorer/3030-7849/ Dungeon Explorer] at Giant Bomb
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/dungeon-explorer_ Dungeon Explorer] at MobyGames

{{Dungeon Explorer}}

{{Atlus}}

{{Konami franchises}}

{{Portal bar|1980s|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dungeon Explorer}}

Category:1989 video games

Category:Action role-playing video games

Category:Atlus games

Category:Hudson Soft games

Category:Konami franchises

Category:PlayStation Network games

Category:Role-playing video games

Category:TurboGrafx-16 games

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1989

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists

Category:Video games scored by Tsukasa Masuko

Category:Virtual Console games

Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games