Tag Archives: 2D graphics

Flat, two-dimensional graphics, usually constructed of pixels. Not three-dimensional.

Dirty Larry: Renegade Cop, Atari Lynx

This handheld run-and-gun/beat ’em up hybrid was obviously made to parody the character of Dirty Harry, as portrayed by Clint Eastwood in the films. It was developed by Knight Technologies and published for the Atari Lynx in North America and PAL regions in 1992.

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Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax, ZX Spectrum

The ZX Spectrum version of Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax was developed by M.C. Lothlorian and first published by Palace Software in 1988.

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Barbarian, ZX Spectrum

The Spectrum version of Barbarian is an okay fighting game, but it doesn’t quite have the satisfying decapitation animation of the original C64 version…

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Azure Dreams, Game Boy Color

The PlayStation version of Konami‘s Azure Dreams is an excellent level-grinder, and this Game Boy Color version is also very good, but differs somewhat from the original.

It still takes place in the provincial city of Monsbaiya, and you are still a Monster Hunter. Whereas the PlayStation version uses a 3D isometric viewpoint, this one instead goes for an overhead, 2D view. With titchy characters and intricately-detailed locations rendered as flat pixel art.

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Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, PC [Part 4 – Post Game]

Beginning of Post Game:
Visiting Havens Above on Cetacea.

Dragon Quest XI does have substantial Post Game content, for those who want the full experience of the excellent story. Challenges such as The Past Masters in Tickington , The Wheel of Hama at Mount Pang Li, Drustan’s Labyrinth, The Luminary’s Trials, and The Timewyrm are all battles for the DQ11 experts. They’re all very challenging to beat, and they’re a serious visual treat. But they’re worth grinding for to get to! 🙂

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Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, PC [Part 3 – Third Act]

Beginning of the Third Act:
Remembrance service in Arboria, and The Tower of Lost Time.

A gigantic number of people worked on Dragon Quest XI, and if you play it enough you’ll see where all the effort went – into creating arguably the best JRPG of all-time. Square Enix not only managed to keep the feel of the Dragon Quest universe true to itself, but also managed to innovate in many areas, to enhance the play experience.

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Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, PC [Part 2 – Second Act]

Beginning of the second act:
The quest “A Dark New World“, and then some individual companion quests before the party reunites.

The game changes after the dramatic first act ending. Monsters become “Malicious“, become tougher, and now have glowing green eyes. The world turns on its head with some seriously bold story-telling…

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Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, PC [Part 1 – First Act]

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is the eleventh – and reportedly final – game in the long-running Dragon Quest series, from Square Enix. With the passing of character designer Akira Toriyama in March 2024, and composer Koichi Sugiyama in September 2021, this will now likely to be the case. But what a stunning game to end on, because Dragon Quest XI is one of the best, most vibrant, and most rich JRPGs I’ve ever played…

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