You won?t hear us complain about a new hack and slash RPG designed specifically for the Nintendo DS. With a focus on exploring dungeons and defeating every enemy in sight, Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts has the potential of becoming monotonous, but somehow it managed to keep us hooked until the end. As a bonus, up to three players can even connect over the Internet for some competitive multiplayer play.

Though no ?spells? are found or used in the game, magic still plays a big rule in Dungeon Explorer. The main story focuses on a demon god confined in a pyramid and many evil necromancers must be defeated on the way to stopping this god for good. The game uses the name ?Arts? to describe magical abilities usable by each character, which come in the form of attack, defense, and healing. Along with the magical arts, potions used for healing health and Art points, scrolls used to teleport back to town and to appraise items can also be found and used in Dungeon Explorer. Other than the Arts and magical undertones of the game?s story, the only other item that may be objectionable to some is the outfits worn by the female race of Taratta, displaying cleavage and stylized bathing-suit type outfits.

While not an amazing, ?must have? game, Dungeon Explorer does what it sets out to do and that is to have players hack and slash their way through various dungeons. The game becomes progressively more difficult in each level and is addictive enough to keep players coming back for more until the ending credits roll. For players who enjoy hack and slash RPGs and are looking for a new game to play on their Nintendo DS, Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts should hold your attention for a while.

» By Stephan Mack, Plain Games. Published 3/12/2008 3:44:33 PM.