Items
Like most adventure games in the old days that had an inventory, 3D Dot Game Heroes follows suit and does something similar to that of games past. While a little more updated than say a NES game, you can see the heavy influence of Zelda. Featuring a Potions, Candles, Bombs, and even a Hookshot.
However, like in Link tot he Past, you have the presence of spell items which grant you some unique powers. Most of the spells are only useful in rare situations, with the exception of the magic one or two which are necessary to kill certain enemies. However, the one set back is that a lot of the items are not necessarily useful when fighting enemies, but are required to explore farther into a dungeon or the over world map.
Comparison to Zelda
[Note: Picture above has nothing to do with 3D Dot Game Heroes, Atlus, or From Software]
3D Dot Game Heroes mimics a lot of aspects similar to that of Zelda. Ranging from the items, monsters, dungeons, and the ever prominent and humongous boss fights. A Majority of which are thrilling and exciting, as some of them require a little bit of puzzle solving to beat.
Another, element of Zelda, that the captured in the game is the fairy companion. While not adapted until Ocarina of Time, has always been a strong presence in the Zelda series since the first games. The fairy helps you with various tips and tricks depending on the dungeon or the situation, and generally speaks for your character. Besides all the obvious homages to Zelda, there is also very small dialogue hints, which thankfully, the translation team worked hard to preserve and add to the game.
Conclusion
3D Dot Game Heroes is an extremely satisfying parody of, and tribute to the classic 8-bit Nintendo games. The fact that they turned blocks and reformed sprites as hi-resolution 3D characters is nothing short of genius. While 3D Dot Game Heroes fulfills all those nostalgic desires for games long past, it does have a few kinks here and there. While nothing to really note, the wide scope of character creation, sword smithing, and collecting items will leave a lot of enjoyment and replayability.
The only problem, it’s only on the PS3. I suggest anyone with a PS3 and fond memories of the NES era pick this game up. Overall, Three and a half out of Four Stars.
Publisher: Atlus Average Price: $34.99-39.99
Very interesting review. I really wanna play this game, and I’m really glad Atlus brought it over…I’m just low on cash for now. I’m glad it’s cheaper than the standard PS3 game though.
Also, it seems to have its own unique cheesy story, which is good in an old-school way.
Good review. Sounds fun. Even if I never play it, I’m happy that this game exists. I have much love for Atlus and this just reinforces it.
Great review. With that out of the way, time to complain.
We get one or 2 reviews a month from this site. The majority are wiiware and DS reviews, sometimes by forum members. Nothing wrong with any of that. But when I see an in depth review, well written with obvious time and effort put into it, for a non-Nintendo game, it makes me wonder why. Are there really so few Wii games worth writing about? Was the article written for another site and shoehorned in over here?
Maybe I would feel differently if I also owned a PS3, but I don’t. I trust and respect the writers at Infendo, and would like to hear their opinions about Wii and DS games more often. Hopefully this isnt seen as a complaint, but rather encouragement to write more opinion pieces/reviews for the systems we come here to read about.
Good review and great game, but I don’t think you should have done it, yes it may be a good game and all, but this is a Nintendo website after all. Just cos the game is like a Nintendo one, that doesn’t mean it should be here. I don’t see a review for Perfect Dark or Banjo Kazooie on 360, both of which were at least at one time on a Nintendo console and both have remakes of the original games that were on N64.
Maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, but a Nintendo fanboy doesn’t want to be greeted by reasons to buy a non-Nintendo console. There’s a reason First Play on Playstation didn’t make any comparisons to Zelda last week in its review of the game.
Keep the site what it is, a website for ‘all things Nintendo’ not ‘all things like Nintendo’.
Are you serious? Quit whining. Plenty of Zelda fans are interested in this, so I think it qualifies as Nintendo related material. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. It’s not like anyone’s making you.
Awesome review, Will. I can’t wait to pick it up when I get the cash.
Very nearly picked this title up at the mall today. so tempting since my ps3 has been collecting mad dust lol
why does this game exist?
why use the power of the PS3 to make a game that looks worse than some middle Ps2 games?
that’s not what i bought my PS3 for
The same apples in the dungeons?!? What a rip-off! I need variety in my produce.
Im so jealous that its on ps3
it so needs a multiplatform release! On of my buddies owns a ps3 and when i told him the premise and awsome price point, his brain could not compute 
Yes, why is this game not on Wii?
It’s a good thing that this game is budget priced since that put it’s chances of me getting it sooner ratter than later at good odds. I think I have a gift card lying around that could help to that.
IGN compared the similarities of both 3D Dot Game Heroes and Zelda side by side http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14350003/fromsoftware-project/videos/3ddotheroes_vdr_041910.html
sorry wrong link! (no pun intended!) heres the right video where the compare zelda to 3D dot game heroes
http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14350003/fromsoftware-project/videos/3dDot_v_Zelda_spc_041210.html