Cladun: This is an RPG, originally titled Classic Dungeon in Japan, was one of the few games whose release was announced at NIS America press event. However, contrary to the expectation, the game was not actually great, but rather quite disappointing. At least, that is the impression I had from playing it for about half an hour.
The biggest disappointment for me was the game’s poor plot and premise. It is not that I do not like the game because of its retro graphics, because I do enjoy playing old RPGs such as Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes (1989). Cladun’s story is just so childish and dull that I just could not bring myself to play further after clearing the first dungeon level. Unless the game takes a drastic turn later, which I have not confirmed due to my short playtime, the basic story is this: the main characters somehow end up in a magical world where treasures are hidden, and they are aspiring to collect them. That is it. There is no awe, no mystery, no heartbreaking romance; the player just looks for treasures in dungeons, and each dungeon has 99 levels the player can waste his time on.
Also, because the game employs a system called “Magic Circle,” in which the party members are turned into damage-absorbing meat shields and item holders, battles quickly degenerate into mindless button mashing. If players are looking for well-thought out tactics and utilization of party member’s unique attributes to defeat difficult enemies with satisfaction, they are not here.
Thankfully, the game offers redemption to the tormented gamers’ souls. Shortly after meeting the sorceress at the beginning of the game, she tells the player that there is an exit to the real world at the southeast corner of the map. If the player exits the cave at that part of the map, one of the characters decides to return to the world of sanity, followed by an ending credit. Unless you enjoy collecting random things in a game, save your soul by choosing this route.
On the other hand, if the player is not particularly mindful of the game’s story, it may be enjoyable as a casual game. Players can draw their own sprites for the characters, opening endless possibilities to bringing the gamer’s favorite characters to life. Do you want a wet and glistening loli to take beatings from monsters while you cut their limbs off and make them watch helplessly sprawled on the cold floor, while you drink the blood of their babies? No problem, whatever floats your boat. You can draw whatever you want, and they will serve your bidding as your party member. It may also be exciting to collect items and make your characters stronger with them, which explains why people still play RPGs like Diablo II. Also, Cladun has some humorous elements so you do not always have to turn living things into pulp. Some of the cut scenes are pretty amusing.
By the way, I do not think you can drink blood or precisely cut certain parts off of creatures. You do have a choice, however, to bash their heads in with a blunt weapon, slice them up with a sword, or put holes in them with ranged attacks from a staff. Pick your weapon of choice and spread pain and misery on the poor denizens of the magical land of treasures.