Разработчик: Digital Leisure Inc.
Описание
Control the actions of the daring adventurer, finding your way through the castle of a dark wizard, who has enchanted it with treacherous monsters and obstacles. In the mysterious caverns below the castle, your odyssey continues against the awesome forces that oppose your efforts to reach the dragon’s lair.
Dragon’s Lair is a fully animated classic arcade game from legendary animator Don Bluth. You’ll make your way through the castle and caverns below and wield your sword against some strange creatures. Beware of your foes, as they are numerous!
Lead On Adventurer. Your Quest Awaits!
Features
- 720p HD Remastered Video
- Original Arcade Release
- Remastered Game Footage
- Bonus Extras -- Interviews With Creators, Watch Game and more!
Поддерживаемые языки: english, german, french, italian, spanish - spain
Системные требования
Windows
- OS *:Windows 8
- Processor:1.8 GHz dual core CPU
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:256 MB GeForce 8800, Radeon 3850, or Intel HD 2000 Graphics
- DirectX®:9.0
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
- Sound:DirectX Compatible Sound Card
- OS:Windows 10
- Processor:Intel Core i Series Processor
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:512 MB GeForce 220, Radeon 4550, Intel HD 3000 Graphics
- DirectX®:9.0
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
- Sound:DirectX Compatible Sound Card
Mac
- OS:Snow Leopard 10.6.8, or later
- Processor:Intel Core Duo Processor
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:Intel HD3000 or better card with at least 256 MB VRAM
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
- OS:Snow Leopard 10.6.8, or later
- Processor:Intel Core i Series Processor
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:Intel HD3000 or better card with at least 256 MB VRAM
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
Linux
- OS:SteamOS 2.0
- Processor:Intel Core i Series Processor
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:Basic video playback required
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
- OS:SteamOS 2.0
- Processor:Intel Core i Series Processor
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:Basic video playback required
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
Отзывы пользователей
Dragon's Lair is one of the best Arcade Games of all time! It's simple QTE gameplay, beautiful Animation done by non other than ex-Disney Animator Don Bluth (In A Land Before Time, Titan A.E., Anastasia) and insane difficulty make it a real good and fun challenge! (Daphne is also a definite highlight)
The Port is not the best: Some animation cuts too fast like at the end of an stage, where not even the Music can finish and it is not optimized that well. Still, it works and has some fancy features like Extras, a Move Guide and Move Beep (which makes a sound when pressing a button to know that it was the right or wrong button) and also the choice to play the Arcade Version or the Laserdisc Version (I recommend the Laserdisc Version as it has more Animation and is more fleshed out).
Overall, Dragon's Lair is an great Arcade Game worth playing for it's challenge and animation. So go and save Daphne from the Dragon's Lair!
Recommend
mindnumbing
Dragon’s Lair – A Masterpiece of Animation, Frustration, and Nostalgia
When you sit down to play Dragon’s Lair, you’re not just playing a game—you’re stepping into a time capsule from 1983, when gaming and animation collided in a way that was revolutionary. It's a title that left a significant mark on arcade history, and its availability on Steam now offers modern players a chance to revisit (or discover) its charm.
Here’s my perspective on this legendary game: it’s fascinating, frustrating, and absolutely worth your time—if you know what you’re getting into.
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A Quick History Lesson
Dragon’s Lair was originally an arcade game created by Don Bluth, a former Disney animator known for his work on films like The Secret of NIMH and An American Tail. At the time, arcades were dominated by pixel-based games, and Dragon’s Lair stood out with its fully hand-drawn animated sequences. It was powered by laserdisc technology, which allowed for higher-quality visuals but came with technical challenges like slow loading and limited player interaction.
The game was a smash hit because of its stunning animation and cinematic presentation. It was ported to numerous platforms over the years, often with mixed results due to the limitations of home consoles. The Steam version, thankfully, offers a faithful recreation of the arcade original, complete with remastered visuals and audio.
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The Story
The plot is straightforward but oozing with classic fantasy tropes and humor. You play Dirk the Daring, a bumbling yet lovable knight on a quest to rescue Princess Daphne from the clutches of the evil dragon, Singe, in a cursed castle. It’s very much a parody of the classic knight-in-shining-armor tale, with Dirk’s awkward movements and Daphne’s exaggerated damsel-in-distress persona adding a layer of comedy to the high-stakes adventure.
The story unfolds through beautifully animated scenes that feel like watching a Saturday morning cartoon. There’s little depth to the narrative, but the charm lies in its simplicity and how it leans into its over-the-top, fantastical vibe.
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Gameplay
This is where things get divisive. Dragon’s Lair is essentially an interactive movie, relying on quick-time events (QTEs) long before that term even existed. Your job is to press the right button or direction at the right time to guide Dirk through a series of deadly scenarios. Miss a cue, and you’re treated to a beautifully animated death sequence.
What to Expect:
- Trial-and-Error Gameplay: You will die—a lot. Learning the correct inputs for each scene is a process of memorization and timing.
- Precision: Timing is unforgiving. Even if you know the inputs, executing them at the right moment can be nerve-wracking.
- Linear Experience: There’s no exploration or freedom in how you tackle the game. It’s a sequence of set pieces, each with only one correct path to success.
Hints for Success:
- Pay Attention to Visual Cues: The animation often gives subtle hints about what to do next.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Repetition is part of the experience. Don’t expect to breeze through without trial and error.
- Use the Steam Features: The Steam version has a watch mode that lets you see the entire game play out, which can help you understand tricky sections.
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Visuals and Audio
Even today, the visuals hold up remarkably well. Don Bluth’s animation is vibrant, expressive, and dripping with personality. Every frame is a testament to the artistry of traditional hand-drawn animation. The environments are varied and imaginative, from spooky castles to bubbling lava pits.
The audio complements the visuals beautifully. The orchestral score builds tension and excitement, while the sound effects—Dirk’s goofy grunts and Daphne’s over-the-top screams—add humor to the chaos. Voice acting is minimal but fits the cartoonish tone perfectly.
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Technical Achievements
For its time, Dragon’s Lair was a technical marvel. The use of laserdisc allowed for full-motion animation that was light-years ahead of the pixel art games it shared arcade floors with. On Steam, the game has been remastered in HD, allowing modern audiences to appreciate the detail in Don Bluth’s work. Load times are virtually nonexistent now, a far cry from the sometimes sluggish arcade experience.
The port also includes options for adjusting difficulty, watching the game as a non-interactive movie, and toggling between original and remastered visuals, giving players a customizable experience.
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What Works
- Timeless Animation: The game is a visual treat and a must-see for fans of classic animation.
- Nostalgia Factor: For those who remember playing (or watching others play) this in arcades, it’s like revisiting a piece of gaming history.
- Accessibility: The Steam version makes the game more approachable with difficulty settings and watch mode.
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What Doesn’t
- Frustrating Gameplay: The QTE mechanics can feel more punishing than fun, especially for new players.
- Limited Replayability: Once you’ve memorized the sequences, there’s little incentive to play again unless you just want to admire the visuals.
[*]Shallow Interaction: Compared to modern games, the level of player control feels incredibly limited.
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Final Thoughts
Dragon’s Lair is a piece of gaming history that’s as much a work of art as it is a game. It’s not for everyone—its trial-and-error gameplay and lack of depth can be off-putting—but for those who appreciate animation or want to experience the evolution of gaming, it’s an essential title.
Playing it on Steam is the best way to experience this classic in its full glory, without the technical hiccups of the arcade original. Just remember, it’s less about “beating the game” and more about enjoying the ride, even if that ride involves watching Dirk die in increasingly hilarious ways. If you’ve got the patience, Dragon’s Lair is still a gem worth exploring.
I remember standing in the arcade back in 1983, mesmerized by the vibrant animations of Dragon’s Lair. It was unlike anything else at the time, a true cinematic experience in a sea of pixelated games. Back then, I could barely make it past the first few scenes, let alone dream of seeing the ending. Fast forward to today, and Dragon’s Lair on Steam finally gave me the chance to do just that!
This version retains all the charm of the original – the gorgeous Don Bluth animations look stunning, even decades later. But what makes this release special is how accessible it is. With modern gameplay options like adjustable difficulty and a more forgiving system, I was finally able to navigate Dirk the Daring through the treacherous castle and rescue Princess Daphne. And wow, what a satisfying moment to see the ending after all these years!
The controls are responsive, and the added features (like scene selection and unlimited continues) make it perfect for both nostalgic fans and newcomers. While it’s still a challenging game, this version strikes the perfect balance between preserving the original’s essence and catering to modern audiences.
Playing Dragon’s Lair again was like revisiting a piece of my childhood, and finally conquering it felt like closing a decades-long chapter. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia or to experience a true piece of gaming history for the first time, this is the definitive way to play. Highly recommended!
The animation's great and all, but the player is not watching it, they're watching the indicator at the bottom of the screen to know what to press next. It's like a frustrating game of Simon says. You'd probably would've been better off watching a playthrough on YouTube or something.
Retro Laser Disc .. From the Arcade
very disappointed to be giving a thumbs down. I LOVE Dragon's Lair. I was not alive when DL was in arcades and I have never had "the true experience" on a dedicated machine. However, I had this game on my DSi back in 2012. And I played the heck out of it! Truly a fantastic arcade title, and it has some of the best art & animations in gaming history.
This port is stinky. Bare minimum effort. It's sad.
To be quite honest, I think this game ran much better on my DSi, with its 0.133 GHz CPU and 16MB of RAM. Performance is a huge issue, which I never thought I'd say about an FMV game from 1983. The animation is choppy, and the game has a really tough time transitioning between two scenes. For example, animation will freeze or sometimes be cut out altogether to keep the pace up. That makes the whole experience feel cheapened and frustrating. This can also happen while the game is waiting for input, which means there are going to be many cases where you miss and it's not your fault. That defeats the whole purpose of Dragon's Lair.
Digital Leisure hasn't done much to improve this product since release. Gamepad support is not completely intact, which is absurd for a game like this. You can do everything with a gamepad except anything relating to high scores. So that means, once you reach the end of your play session, you have to bust out the KB+M to enter your name, or even proceed back to the title screen. They added an overlay which is a nice novelty, I guess, but not very useful since it reduces the screen area by almost half. Cheap animations on the title screen, lack of options, and unskippable credits make this feel very lazy.
Selling old games that can be emulated is a tricky business. But like GabeN says, "piracy is a service failure". I would have gladly paid much more for a modern Dragon's Lair port that doesn't have these unforgivable frustrations, but that's not what this piece of software is.
A classic and the gold standard of Don Bluth's imagination and artistic skills on display!
This game is more enjoyable than the original simply because when i die im not out .75 cents like back in the day.
Absolutely 100% recommend this game
Pros:
- Really charming art style.
- A lot of personality.
- Gameplay is honestly kind of frustrating, but not too hard at least.
Cons:
[*]Very short.
it drives me to drink
A memorable classic arcade game from my childhood. I threw a lot of coins into the machine at the corner store lol.
The classic you know and love. Great game. Great collection.
It's visually stunning, it's a pain to complete. but it's still a fun game.
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Дополнительная информация
| Разработчик | Digital Leisure Inc. |
| Платформы | Windows, Linux |
| Ограничение возраста | Нет |
| Дата релиза | 16.01.2025 |
| Отзывы пользователей | 76% положительных (411) |