This is a role-playing game in which players traverse through a dungeon to look for a stolen treasure. Players encounter monsters throughout the dungeon and can choose from a list of actions such as 'attack,' 'defend,' and 'run.' Some story elements have graphic descriptions of violence (e.g., '.cut his own wrists and sprayed his blood' and 'the sword impaled her through the chest'). Character accessories can include 'bikini armor' and a 'frilled codpiece,' while one scene mentions an 'erotic panda.'
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Expletives (e.g., 'bastard' and 'hell') can be seen in the dialogue, as well as references to alcohol products (e.g., 'breath that reeks of rum').
Product Information. Dark Spire is a classically styled computer role-playing game for Nintendo DS, featuring first-person graphics, stats-driven action, and detailed character development.
Put forth as homage to RPGs of earlier times, the game offers two distinct presentation styles. In the 'Classic' mode, monochrome graphics with wireframe representations revive the look and feel of the computer role-playing games of the 1980s. In the game's 'Modern' mode, sharp, colorful graphics update the look to more contemporary DS standards. In either mode, players face an original adventure with merciless challenge, extensive character customization, over 80 enemy types, and three possible endings.
Crawling through the DungeonI have played many RPGs and this was my first dungeon crawler. I think I'm addicted to dungeon crawlers now. The graphics and sound are what drew me in. This game is worth playing on the strengths of these two features alone! The visuals look like a highly stylized comic book and the music is very intense and atmospheric. The gameplay is in a league of its own.
It is very challenging, especially the first few hours, so be ready to put some time into the game before it starts to make sense. I recommend looking at some guides to see how to properly organize your approach to the game so that you know how to manage your party, build your character stats, and level correctly. If you're looking for a game with unique visuals, great sound, and challenging gameplay then you just found the perfect storm.Verified purchase: Yes Condition: Pre-owned. Old School with a Twist; nostalgic of dungeon crawlers and dialogue RPGsIf you enjoy Dungeons and Dragons with old school DS play, this game is for you. It takes time to figure out the controls and options panels, but once you get started it's all pretty easy.I mention 'old school' because this is essentially a rudimentary dungeon crawler with dialogue and grid map that becomes more detailed as you move along. The illustrations of beasts or humanoids you encounter look like woodblock prints.You are able to 'roll' your characters out and choose several classes including Warrior, Thief, Mage, and Priest.
You are also able to choose Human, Elf, Dwarf, or Halfling. You are then able to choose one or two abilities/spells.One of the first things you do is 'train' which essentially is the game's instructional on combat and movement. You are given basic weapons and armor prior and are instructed to equip these items before continuing any further in the sample dungeon.
It's all very basic.I've been collecting DS RPGs (role playing games) as of late and this was one to pick up and experiment with. If you recall Commodore 64/128 and their dialogue RPGs, Dark Spire is semi-nostalgic of this. The Dark Spire - Is it for me?The Dark Spire is a classic old school type RPG which I would highly recommend to folk wanting to relive the excitement of classics such as the original Bard's Tale. It has many similarities to the original Bard's Tale:1) You create your own party of adventurers by choosing a race, class and rolling the dice for the stats.2) You characters start off with very little equipment and not much gold so a visit to the equipment shop is essential.3) The quest revolves around exploring a tower filled with numerous beasties, traps and treasures.4) Random encounters are back and can appear at the most inappropriate times.
Hire a band of mercenaries and set out to recover a lost relic. There are a few bugs, this was the most complex game I had ever coded and I fear it shows. 
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Like the original Bard's Tale a picture will appear of the creatures that are attacking you.5) Combat is descriptive and displays the actions of your characters at each turn i.e casting spells, hiding in the shadows, attacking with your weapon. You can also choose to attack in different ways depending on the weapon you are wielding.
Spells can also be cast quickly with a chance of fizzling.6) Thieves can disarm traps, unlock chests and doors YAYUnlike the original Bard's Tale, you don't have much variety of classes or races to choose from. Basically Human, Elf, Halfing and Dwarf for the races and Warrior, Thief, Priest and Wizard for the classes. Not sure if more classes are revealed at a later stage as I have only been playing for a few hours.Graphics: The graphics are nothing special to be honest however, they serve their purpose and add character to the game. They certainly don't detract from the gameplay and the dungeon levels are all varied which adds to the appeal to explore.Gameplay: No use of the stylus and the auto map has to be accessed by clicking the Y button. To discover your location on the map you have to cast a spell or use some special equipment. At least you do have a map unlike the original Bard's Tale where you had to scrawl a rough map on some graph paper. The game works fine without the stylus and before long you will be accessing character equipment and using healing potions without any issues.
To move around the dungeon you use the ds arrow buttons and it is a fairly simplistic and comfortable approach.Sound: I actually enjoyed the music on this game. Plenty of different tunes which set the mood nicely. Sound effects are average but they do their job nicely.Overall:If you like dungeon romps, enjoy a challenge and appreciate old school RPG's then this game may well be for you. Due to the nature of random encounters combat may become a little tedious and repetitive for some however, the different encounters are varied and interesting and the descriptive nature of the combat and the surroundings you explore more than makes up for this.Thankfully you have more than one save slot so if you are doing well, don't forget to hit that save button (you can also save inside the dungeon and not just at the town).Enjoy. For thefans of old school RPJ(don' be afraid by my english: I'm french)when you are too young to have discover computer RPJ in the 80's, like ultima and wizardry, and you very fond of this type of game, it's great to be able to play at ths kind of old-school RPJ.
So, you can test it: it's not easy, and I have to, say that I often need elp from another gamers, very easy to find on the net. Good luck and take care, because the dark spire is like a ancient party of dungeon dragon, with the fear of meet monsters at each movement.