Customer Reviews

Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, let's start by mentioning that there are TWO versions of this DVD. There is a DVD-ROM version which requires Windows 95/98 to run, and there is THIS version (called DVD-VIDEO) which does NOT require a computer to run. Both versions are manufactured by Digital Leisure.

Here is the scoop on both versions...

DVD-ROM version:
-Requires Windows 95/98 to run. (I don't know if it will work with Windows 2000 or Windows Me)
-Has smoother game play. From what I have heard from other people, the game play on this version is practically flawless.
-I don't think that this version has the "watch" feature, which lets you view the entire animation without actually playing the game.

DVD-VIDEO Version:
-Does NOT require a computer to run.
-When I use this on my Sony DVD player that is hooked to my TV, the game play is painful. There are 2-3 second gaps between moves that makes the game almost unbearable. However, when I play this on my computer's DVD drive, the game play is quite good. There are still gaps between moves, but only about 1/4 of a second or so.
-Has a "watch" feature that lets you view the entire animation without playing it. This is very cool!
-Works on MOST DVD players, except some Toshiba models.

WHY I BOUGHT THIS VERSION:
Even though the game play is better on the DVD-ROM version, I decided to buy the DVD-VIDEO version for a couple of reasons...
-The "watch" feature was important to me. I wanted the ability to just sit back and take in the whole beautiful animation without having to do sword, left, left, sword, etc.
-I wanted this purchase to last. In other words, I didn't want to be forced to buy a new version of this product when I switch my computer system over to Windows 2000 (or whatever Bill Gates comes up with next).

ABOUT THE ACTUAL GAME:
Think of it as Dragon's Lair meets Alice in Wonderland meets Time Machine. It is VERY bizzare, but VERY cool. If you were a fan of the original Dragon's Lair, then you will probably love this. The animation looks exactly like it did in the arcade. I am hooked on it.

In this game, you play Dirk the Daring, on a mission to save the lovely Princess Daphne from an evil sorcerer. Using the directional buttons on your DVD remote, you control Dirk on his journey. It is a fair resemblance of the arcade game. The video lacks excitement and it looked like I was watching it on an old used tape. The sound department is awful and doesn't make good use of surrounding effects and the subwoofer. What it does have is an option where you can watch the whole thing without actually playing the game. Its good if you are really stressed out and if you are just lazy, but if you are purchasing it, I suggest you play it first so that you don't spoil the fun. It also has an option where you can see the working progress of the game. In conclusion, if you are a fan, go purchase it. If you want to buy it as a party game, buy it. But if you hate repetitive gameplay and spending that much on a not that great arcade port, I suggest you just rent it and not buy it.

This is a nice change of pace for a Dragon's Lair sequel. The game play is pretty good if you play this on a Playstation.

Using the TV remote is less fun.

It also has an option where you can just "watch" the game.

I purchased the three games (DL, DLII, Space Ace) at Electronics Boutique for [price] each new. They say "X-Box Compatible" and "Playstsation 2 Compatible" but there is no difference between these discs and the DVD versions, only the packaging is different. Can't wait for DL 3-D to come out, and I hear rumors of an animated film in the works?

I've played literally every version of Dragon's Lair in existence (even the old coleco versions). And by far the DVD versions are the best. It still might not be as perfect as the original laser disc version, as far as timing of the moves go, its real close and I found myself just watching the full length movie anyway. I never realized how much of an improvement in animation and detail there was for Lair 2. Each level also has a barrage of moves, sometimes one every second. Excellent job.

I don't believe this was ever made for the arcade. It is the sequel to Dragon's Lair which WAS made for the arcade way back in 1983. The animation is outstanding and while the game is mostly luck, it's fun none the less. It even has some nice special features just like movie DVD's. Enjoy!