Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts
PAL region Nintendo DS version cover art
Developer(s)	Amble
Publisher(s)	JP/NA: Hudson Soft PAL: Rising Star Games
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable
Release	JP: 15 November 2007[2] NA: 12 February 2008[1] EU: 28 March 2008 (PSP) PAL: 4 April 2008 (DS)[3]
Genre(s)	Action role-playing
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira (ダンジョンエクスプローラー 盟約の扉, Danjon Ekusupurōrā Meiyaku no Tobira) and Dungeon Explorer: Jashin no Ryōiki (ダンジョンエクスプローラー 邪神の領域, Danjon Ekusupurōrā Jashin no Ryōiki) are a pair of action role-playing video game for the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, respectively. Both games were localized and released as Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts in the United States and as Dungeon Explorer in Europe. The games are related to the PC Engine game Dungeon Explorer. Both are action role-playing games. They feature wireless connectivity to allow multiple players to connect to each other, and Jashin no Ryouiki also allows for online play using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on the Nintendo DS.

Gameplay

The bulk of the storyline for Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts takes place in various dungeons.^[4][5] Each dungeon is unlocked after various quests are completed by acquiring "plates" and can be leveled up by inserting jewels in said plates. Each level is more challenging than the previous one and can be selected at any given time. At one point Dungeon level progression is stopped until an item called a Sirius Jewel is acquired, a reusable item that unlocks further dungeon empowerment. Specific levels have specific challenges in them, such as Level 6 of a dungeon are considered blind; without the usage of a specific item, the mini-map is blanked out with only the character icons visible.

The title features 3 races and 6 classes that the player can choose from the beginning. From a certain point on, the character has the option to change classes when he is not in the dungeons, each one keeping its own ranks (from "E" to "S"). There are also 6 advanced classes that require the combination of two basic classes: one with rank B and the other with rank A. These advanced classes include the skills of the previous two classes plus new own abilities and unique weapons. All of these skills are acquired as characters level up their range of weapons as well as their range of work, and two of them can be equipped and changed on the fly.

The jewels have multiple purposes in addition to powering up dungeons, they can be consolidated, used in alchemy or installed onto weapons are armor. These jewels are elemental in nature and match each element of the dungeons, which follow a planetary theme (Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, etc.). In addition, each element has a status ailment associated with it.

Synopsis

The game begins as the "player", an unnamed, but customized character tries to make his or her way as an adventurer by attempting to save a town from certain doom. The hero is told about the great evil trying to escape from a large structure right in the middle of town. Someone or something is weakening the barrier holding the evil inside, and it is up to the new adventurer to find out what it is.^[6]

Development

Release

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	DS	PSP
Metacritic	60/100[7]	56/100[8]

Review scores

Publication	Score
	DS	PSP
1Up.com	C[9]	B+[10]
Famitsu	26/40[11]	27/40[12]
Game Informer	N/A	6/10[13]
IGN	6/10[14]	6/10[14]
Jeuxvideo.com	11/20[15]	8/20[16]
Nintendo Power	6.5/10[17]	N/A
Nintendo World Report	6.5/10[18]	N/A
PlayStation: The Official Magazine	N/A	[19]
RPGamer	2/5[6]	N/A
RPGFan	70%[20]	72%[21]

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[7][8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40 for the PSP version,^[12] and 26 out of 40 for the DS version.^[11] GamePro said of the former handheld version, "Graphics are decent, but the sound is obnoxious. You're going to be sick to death of the sonic snails you fight over and over (since missions constantly send you back to do practically the same thing every time) with their ear-drum piercing screeches. No significant voice acting, either, which could've livened things up a bit. Co-op games are great, but Dungeon Explorer failed to excite us."^[22][a]

Notes

1. GamePro gave the PSP version 3/5 for graphics, 2/5 for sound, 2.25/5 for control, and 2.5/5 for fun factor.

References

1. IGN staff (12 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer Warriors of Ancient Arts Now Available on PSP and DS". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
2. "2007年 ニュースリリース". Hudson Soft (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
3. Kozanecki, James (30 March 2008). "AU Shippin' Out March 31-April 4: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
4. Kalata, Kurt (17 December 2008). "Dungeon Explorer (DS)". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
5. Kalata, Kurt (18 December 2008). "Dungeon Explorer (PSP)". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
6. Tidwell, Mikel (19 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts DS - Staff Review". RPGamer. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
7. "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts critic reviews (DS)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
8. "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts critic reviews (PSP)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
9. Kollar, Philip (12 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (NintendoDS)". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
10. Kollar, Philip (26 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PSP)". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
11. "ダンジョンエクスプローラー 邪神の領域 (DS)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
12. "ダンジョンエクスプローラー 盟約の扉 (PSP)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on 3 September 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
13. Juba, Joe (April 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PSP)". Game Informer. No. 180. GameStop. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
14. Clements, Ryan (15 February 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts Review (NDS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
15. pixelpirate (2 April 2008). "Test: Dungeon Explorer (DS)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
16. pixelpirate (3 April 2008). "Test: Dungeon Explorer (PSP)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
17. "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". Nintendo Power. Vol. 226. Future US. March 2008. p. 85.
18. Jones, James (2 March 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
19. "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". PlayStation: The Official Magazine. No. 4. Future plc. March 2008. p. 88.
20. Gann, Patrick (8 March 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (DS)". RPGFan. Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
21. Tucker, John (2 September 2009). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PSP)". RPGFan. Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
22. Balistrieri, Emily (May 2008). "Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts". GamePro. No. 236. IDG. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

External links

• Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (Nintendo DS) at MobyGames
• Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts (PlayStation Portable) at MobyGames