Tower of Druaga

[MrBroadway]

Guys, I just can't get into this game. I know it's a huge phenomenon in Japan, and I really wanted to love me a new Namcot game, but I don't know, am I just too American for this title? It's not clicking with me. It's a tad...on the boring side, maybe? And this is coming from someone who loves 2600 games.

What can I do to maximize my love for this game?

[Arkhan]

You could start by spelling it right.

its dungeon crawling pacman.  You either like it, or you dont.

[MrBroadway]

You could start by spelling it right.

its dungeon crawling pacman.  You either like it, or you dont.

D'oh. Tired, drinking typo, but fixed. Though for someone who regularly ignores spelling conventions...

If it were only a dungeon-themed Pac-Man, I think I would like it better, but it's not really that. There's definitely more to it.

I keep reading that there are these strategies and whatnot that help you love the game more than just playing it blind. What am I missing?

[Arkhan]

What are you doing while playing it? 

[MrBroadway]

What are you doing while playing it?

Drinking. Is there anything else to do while gaming?

Edit: I thought I'd post here before doing so, but I think I will look at some guides or whatnot before long, if that's recommended.

[Arkhan]

I mean  like, while playing.   lol.

Are you trying to play it like it's Zelda or something?   

It gets more fun as you get to higher floors. 

[Digi.k]

I love it.  Wished it gotten an official English translation and release.  Maybe slow burn dungeon crawling isn't for you.

[blueraven]

My thoughts from 2009, and 2010.

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=6688.msg129662#msg129662

Please read. It's important.

[SuperDeadite]

The real point of this game are the secrets.
There is a secret to find on every single floor.
This is why the Japanese love it.
Back when it was new in the arcades, it was a big community type of thing
as players compared notes to figure out how all the secrets worked.
Or competed to see who could find them all first.
Playing by yourself at home just isn't the same.

[esteban]

The real point of this game are the secrets.
There is a secret to find on every single floor.
This is why the Japanese love it.
Back when it was new in the arcades, it was a big community type of thing
as players compared notes to figure out how all the secrets worked.
Or competed to see who could find them all first.
Playing by yourself at home just isn't the same.

This context explains so much—I am intrigued by how a "solo" vs. "partnered" (it need not be a group) experience changes how a game is experienced.  My brothers/friends and I used to share so much info on some games—but, for other games, we figured out stuff on or own.

Metroid - Completely on my own. Very enjoyable.

Section Z - I don't know why I could never figure a path through this game on my own. I relied on my friend to guide me after my own futile attempts at trial-n-error and mapping. This game frustrated my sad little brain. At least I figured out a path through the maze at the end of Legenday Axe.

DRUAGA: I was perplexed by Tower of Druaga years ago—I just got stuck on some level and couldn't figure out how to proceed. I always wondered if it was me (probably) or some glitch. Anyway, it felt like Super Pitfall (NES) all over again...a massive game that I could only taste a bit of. Just the tip, as it were.

[MrBroadway]

My thoughts from 2009, and 2010.

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=6688.msg129662#msg129662

Please read. It's important.

 

The real point of this game are the secrets.
There is a secret to find on every single floor.
This is why the Japanese love it.
Back when it was new in the arcades, it was a big community type of thing
as players compared notes to figure out how all the secrets worked.
Or competed to see who could find them all first.
Playing by yourself at home just isn't the same.

This context explains so much—I am intrigued by how a "solo" vs. "partnered" (it need not be a group) experience changes how a game is experienced.  My brothers/friends and I used to share so much info on some games—but, for other games, we figured out stuff on or own.

...

DRUAGA: I was perplexed by Tower of Druaga years ago—I just got stuck on some level and couldn't figure out how to proceed. I always wondered if it was me (probably) or some glitch. Anyway, it felt like Super Pitfall (NES) all over again...a massive game that I could only taste a bit of. Just the tip, as it were.

This has to be it, too. I love my single-player experience, but even back in the day, single-player games were still shared and discussed among friends. With internet guides, I fear those days are gone for good.

[soop]

This game is so, so good.  give it a decent chance before you give up on it.  I might play through it again.  It's unlike anything I've played before, it's almost like a roguelike, but structured, with secrets that would put Bubble Bobble to shame.  I needed  a guide to get past a lot of the later levels, but once I started to figure out patterns, it became more and more enjoyable.

[MrBroadway]

This game is so, so good.  give it a decent chance before you give up on it.  I might play through it again.  It's unlike anything I've played before, it's almost like a roguelike, but structured, with secrets that would put Bubble Bobble to shame.  I needed  a guide to get past a lot of the later levels, but once I started to figure out patterns, it became more and more enjoyable.

Was it merely trial and error? I've been holding off on guides. I generally don't like using them, but without a bunch of friends all playing it at once, I might have to!

[esteban]

TANGENT: I have a 3" mini-CD Tower of Druaga soundtrack somewhere...

BACK ON TOPIC: The folks who have suggested to "give Druaga another chance" have convinced me to add it back on the "next batch of games to play" list.

[Arkhan]

This game is so, so good.  give it a decent chance before you give up on it.  I might play through it again.  It's unlike anything I've played before, it's almost like a roguelike, but structured, with secrets that would put Bubble Bobble to shame.  I needed  a guide to get past a lot of the later levels, but once I started to figure out patterns, it became more and more enjoyable.

Was it merely trial and error? I've been holding off on guides. I generally don't like using them, but without a bunch of friends all playing it at once, I might have to!

Yes, it's basically trial and error.   

A more structured roguelike is a good way to describe the game.   I think that is what puts people off immediately, is that the game is kind of slow/strange.   You're a guy with a sword, but you move kind of slow and methodically  since you are stuck in a maze, and you cant just hamfist the button and spam attacking like a hillbilly.

did you at least discover you can break through walls?   

that might be your first step towards liking the game more.