Genre[edit]
It is written on the majority of the box artwork: this is "A Dragonlance action game".
In fact:
- Despite the "Dungeons & Dragons" label...
- Despite being officially based on the first Dragonlance role-playing module...
- Despite featuring experience points...
Heroes of the Lance' is absolutely NOT a role-playing game.
In particular, a Role-Playing Game should feature at lest two of the following criteria, but Heroes of the Lance features none:
- Text rich: in Heroes of the Lance there is almost no text, and absolutely no peaceful characters to interact with. The game can be completed the same way if it is in a language unknown to the player.
- Freedom of exploration: Heroes of the Lance is divided in three stages, and it is impossbile to backtrack to any of the previous (although it would be useful in order to collect some items).
- Permanent upgrades: the attributes of the Companions are constant through the game. The "experience" points are actually just the score, the same way the first Megaman or Super Mario Bros. earn points by killing enemies or collecting items. Even the equipment is constant: same weapons and armors from the beginning to the end, only the projectiles can be used up (there is also the classical "exception that confirms the rule").
Similar games[edit]
The several possible actions that can be performed with different button combinations is reminescent if Flashback, an adventure game made in France.
The two-dimensional labyrinths that constitute each of the three stages are reminiscent of the first 4 games in the Metroid series, that were action-platformers.
Raistlin's floating-jump and the ability to switch between different characters are reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 2.
Note that none of the aforementioned games is a role-playing game.