image image image image image image image image image image image image image image
Dual Orb II
Game Code: AD2 Genre: RPG/Turn Based
US Title: Not released in the US US Publisher: -
Japan Title: Dual Orb II Japan Publisher: I'Max
Title in Kanji: Title in Kana:
European Title: Europe Publisher: -
Developer: I'Max Players: 1
Accessories: none Special Chips: none
Save: Battery

Dual Orb II is one of the many RPGs that came out in Japan for the Super Famicom. Produced by I'Max, this game never saw a release in North America. Through the efforts of TransCorp, Dual Orb II is now playable in English via a translation patch.

I gave this game a quick hour and a half long play, just to see what it is like. At the beginning, there is a cut-scene where a dragon appears out of this orb of light, and starts to wreck havoc on the world, summoned by an evil emperor. Two unknown people use an orb to defeat the dragon, but do so at the cost of all the world's technology. The story starts back up 1000 years later, with a cleric finding a baby of destiny, given to him by strange men dressed in white. While growing up, the baby, known as Aleth, is best friends with the King's son Langus. However, the Emperor that wrecked havoc 1000 years ago has arisen, and seeks to find the ruins from the past. This causes the start of the two young men on a quest to seek these ruins before the Emperor does.

This game came out in 1994, and its presentation reflects this time. The graphics and sounds are superior to earlier RPGs like Final Fantasy IV and Dragon Quest V, though they pale somewhat to games like Chrono Trigger. The overworld uses a mode 7 style map, much like Final Fantasy VI, though castles and caves are done using a more traditional tile method. One thing that probably would please many RPG fans is the fact that the characters run fast, without pressing any additional buttons or having to equip a speed item. The battle screen is probably the most impressive thing, graphically. The characters and enemies are animated, and have huge sprites. The music is very entertaining and epic, though the sound effects are somewhat mediocre or non-existent (there is no sound when you go through a door)

In terms of the gameplay, the battle menu is set up pretty much the same as Lufia, which I think is pretty clumsy (you have to hold the arrow keys down to go to selection, it does not stay on the option). There is an auto-attack option, which is a godsend, because your characters start off being incredibly weak. I don't really care for grinding, and it seems that this game pretty much requires it. Even the weak enemies near the first castle take about 10 hits before being defeated with the default weapons. The flaw is also that you do not start with nearly enough money to upgrade them, so you require the use of the third character to grind. The enemies also tend to take large chunks of your HP at the start. To say things are unbalanced would be an understatement.

That being said, Dual Orb II looks like an intriguing RPG. Though it doesn't have the flash or recognition of the big name RPGs, I have little doubt that the patient RPG fan will like this. The story seems very compelling, and the music and graphics are pretty good.


Reviews

Dark Dragoon - 79%

Screenshots

Screenshots (19)


© Evan G. This site made by a Canadian, and fueled by beer. Do not use material on this site without permission.