Summary
- Release Year: 1992
- Genres: Adventure, Arcade
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Mac
- Developers: ReadySoft
- Publishers: ReadySoft
Dragon’s Lair III: The Curse of Mordread (1992)
Overview
Dragon’s Lair III: The Curse of Mordread is a 1992 interactive movie video game developed and published by Digital Pictures. It is the third installment in the Dragon’s Lair series, and the first to be released on home computers. The game features full-screen computer animation, digitized sound, and new animations not included in the original laserdisc arcade game.
Gameplay
Dragon’s Lair III is an interactive movie game, meaning that the player controls the actions of the protagonist, Dirk the Daring, through a series of quick time events. The game is played by watching the on-screen action and pressing the correct button or joystick direction at the appropriate time to guide Dirk through various challenges and obstacles.
The game is divided into a series of levels, each of which presents Dirk with a different challenge. These challenges include fighting off enemies, avoiding traps, and solving puzzles. If the player fails to complete a challenge, Dirk will die and the game will end.
Story
The story of Dragon’s Lair III takes place shortly after the events of the first game. Dirk the Daring has defeated the evil dragon Singe and rescued the princess Daphne. However, the evil wizard Mordread has placed a curse on Daphne, turning her into a hideous monster.
Dirk must travel to the realm of Mordread to break the curse and save Daphne. Along the way, he will face many challenges, including treacherous traps, deadly enemies, and the wizard Mordread himself.
Development
Dragon’s Lair III was developed by Digital Pictures, the same company that developed the first two Dragon’s Lair games. The game was directed by Don Bluth, who is known for his work on animated films such as The Secret of NIMH and An American Tail.
The game was developed using a new animation system that allowed for more fluid and realistic character movement than in the previous games. The game also features a full orchestral score and digitized sound effects.
Release
Dragon’s Lair III was released on home computers in 1992. The game was ported to a variety of platforms, including the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS.
Reception
Dragon’s Lair III was met with mixed reviews upon its release. Some critics praised the game’s stunning visuals and innovative gameplay, while others criticized its difficulty and repetitive nature.
Despite the mixed reviews, Dragon’s Lair III was a commercial success. The game sold over one million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games of 1992.
Legacy
Dragon’s Lair III is considered to be a classic interactive movie game. The game’s stunning visuals, innovative gameplay, and memorable characters have made it a fan favorite for over 30 years.
The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it is still available for purchase on digital distribution platforms such as Steam and GOG.com.
Conclusion
Dragon’s Lair III: The Curse of Mordread is a groundbreaking interactive movie game that set new standards for visual quality and gameplay innovation. The game’s stunning visuals, memorable characters, and challenging gameplay have made it a classic that is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Review Score
8/10
