As we reported, Namco’s 1990 vertically-scrolling shoot ‘em up Dragon Saber was recently re-released in the Arcade Archives series.
My expectations were perhaps unfairly raised by learning of the accolades bestowed upon it at the time, including readers of Gamest voting it second-best of 1991 (behind Street Fighter II). It hasn’t aged as well as SFII, but has elements that remain commendable. However, it’s not going to blow you away in 2022 and isn’t the lost retro classic I hoped for.
The sword-and-sorcery setting is unusual for the genre, which tends to feature space combat, and the graphics are nice, although the sprites feel on the tiny side Being able to shoot aerial and ground bullets adds an extra level of strategy.
By 2022 standards Dragon Saber is a mostly average shmup elevated by its fantasy setting.
An addition to this new version is “caravan mode”, which, despite its name, doesn’t emulate a holiday park. It gives you five minutes to score as much as possible, with an online leaderboard, extending the game’s lifespan.
Recommended only for die-hard shmup fans and those with an interest in the genre’s history.
