The Dark Spire DS
The Dark Spire Image
Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Dark Spire is an RPG of exploration and character development in the purest sense. Parties will be assembled, stats will be rolled, items, weapons and armor shall be equipped, and monsters will be slain. [Atlus USA]

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Play Magazine
    90
    Spire is simply too niche for most. But if you can squeeze yourself into that niche, prepare for addiction to take root.
  2. GameShark
    83
    As archaic and sadistic as The Dark Spire will surely seem to gamers raised on the post-FFVII world of Square Enix, it is proof that luscious graphics and orchestral scores will never oust the foundations of solid, old-fashioned gameplay.
  3. RPG Fan
    73
    Definitely not for everyone. But regardless, at the end of the journey, after the countless deaths and billions of bruisings, the stat rolling and puzzle solving, you will undoubtedly feel accomplished.
  4. Nintendo Gamer
    40
    Visually it's 15 years old. No thanks. [July 2009, p.77]
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See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Daverwob
    10
    If you've played games for 20 years and are pretty much sick of the hand-holding, cut-scene ridden, dodgy narrative-driven masses of games we are spoonfed these days, and just want an old-school, polished and incredibly addictive dungeon crawler in the style of yesteryear, this is for you. Why not challenge your brain to a style of game you've never played before? Brilliant, perfect (for what it is), so don't judge this by what you are expecting from the games of today, judge it for what it is, with an appreciation for the past. This guy sums it up perfectly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioRpxc4yXvU

    These types of games are what I live for.    … Expand
  2. JPoppaWUSC
    10
    This is the handheld game of choice for those of us raised on Zork and Wizardry, and it's a perfect addition to the hardcore RPG library that has more recently included games like Demon's Souls and The Witcher. The game has already become a rarity in the United States, but considering the fact that it has received Game of the Year awards from classic RPG circles, it's well worth time spent seeking it out. Other recommended classics in the same vein may include 3D Dot Game Heroes on PS3, Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade on PSP, Etrian Odyssey on DS, Warriors of the Lost Empire on PSP, or Fighting Fantasy on DS.… Expand
  3. efake
    9
    Exactly what it presents itself as. A very well done wizardry clone. If that sounds fun, get it and enjoy it. If you're not sure what that is, skip it. Good music and writing. interesting puzzles, and the harsh sort of gameplay you should be expecting from a game that pays such obvious homage to the old school dungeon crawlers. Niche as hell, but accomplishes exactly what it wanted to, and you've got to respect that.… Expand
  4. JJCoolio
    0
    dont play this pece ov shit its da worst ds game eva.
    tha gfx r blak nd white and its way to hard u cant even get past the tutoril withot dyi    ng. and wen u die you lose all yor charecters and it costs loads of monie to make them alive agen. trust me play chinatown wars instead of this pece of shit.… Expand

See all 5 User Reviews

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