Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dungeon Explorer II picks up the fast-paced, cooperative action of its predecessor and refines it into a more fluid, engaging experience. Players can choose from eight distinct classes—Fighter, Thief, Wizard, Cleric, Bard, Hunter, Dwarf, and Elf—each bringing unique abilities and strategies to the table. Movement isn’t restricted to a grid; diagonal locomotion and smooth animations give every dungeon crawl a sense of weight and momentum.

Combat unfolds in real time from a top-down perspective, reminiscent of classics like The Legend of Zelda and Gauntlet. Enemies continuously spawn from generators, forcing players to prioritize target threats while juggling health and mana resources. Defeating foes yields experience points, gear drops, and consumable power-ups, encouraging an aggressive playstyle that rewards risk-taking and cooperation.

The five-player multiplayer functionality remains one of Dungeon Explorer II’s standout features. Team synergy is essential: a Cleric’s healing spells can turn the tide of battle, while a Bard’s buffs augment overall party performance. Leveling up unlocks new abilities and increases health pools, making every dungeon delve feel progressively more rewarding. Randomized enemy spawns and occasional environmental puzzles also add variety, ensuring that no two sessions play out identically.

Graphics

Dungeon Explorer II takes full advantage of the TurboGrafx-CD hardware, offering richly detailed sprites and vibrant environments. Character animations are smooth and expressive, from the swing of a Warrior’s broadsword to the flourish of a Bard’s lute. Dungeon tilesets range from torchlit corridors to lava-filled caverns, each with unique color palettes that help distinguish one area from the next.

The game shines brightest during its fully hand-drawn cutscenes, presented in classic TurboGrafx-CD fashion. These animated interludes break up the exploration and provide context for major plot developments, such as the fall of King Earl II or the rescue of Princess Miriam. While brief, the cutscenes are gorgeously inked and colored, reinforcing the epic scope of the adventure.

Complementing the visuals are a host of special effects—spell animations crackle with energy, healing auras glow warmly, and enemy generators pulsate ominously. Occasional slowdown in crowded rooms is a minor gripe, but it rarely detracts from the overall sense of visual polish. On the whole, Dungeon Explorer II’s graphics represent a high point for CD-based action RPGs of its era.

Story

The narrative of Dungeon Explorer II picks up a century after the defeat of the Darklord Natas. Peace held in Oddesia thanks to the Orb of Oras—until a mysterious figure known as Fades usurps power, slays King Earl II, and seizes the Orb. With the kingdom under threat, the to-be Immortals must rise to the challenge and restore balance to the realm.

Princess Miriam’s kidnapping by the fearsome Mynos the Man-Bull adds urgency to the quest, framing each dungeon dive as a race against time. Dialogue is fully voice-acted, replacing the subtitle-only approach of many contemporaries. While the performances can occasionally veer into melodrama, they succeed in drawing players deeper into the plot and breathing life into recurring NPCs.

Although the story adheres to familiar fantasy tropes, it provides plenty of motivation to push forward. The interplay between character classes—for instance, a Wizard’s disdain for a Dwarf’s brute strength or a Bard’s playful banter with a Thief—injects small moments of humor and personality. Side quests and hidden treasure chambers also expand the lore, revealing snippets of Oddesia’s wider history.

Overall Experience

Dungeon Explorer II delivers a compelling blend of action-RPG depth and arcade-style immediacy. The cooperative multiplayer elevates every dungeon crawl, turning what could be a repetitive grind into a shared adventure. Between the robust class system, real-time combat, and randomized loot drops, the game offers substantial replay value.

The CD-based enhancements—voice acting, redbook audio tracks, and animated cutscenes—set Dungeon Explorer II apart from cartridge-only competitors. The soundtrack shifts seamlessly from ominous dungeon motifs to triumphant battle themes, while the voice work, though occasionally over-the-top, helps ground the story in a more cinematic presentation.

Minor drawbacks, such as occasional frame rate dips in crowded rooms or repetitive generator fights, are easily overshadowed by the game’s charms. For fans of cooperative action-RPGs and retro TurboGrafx-CD titles, Dungeon Explorer II represents a high-water mark in the genre—an adventure that invites you and up to four friends to save a kingdom and forge heroic legends of your own.

Retro Replay Score

null/10