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Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime Preview
Written by Cody Musser on Wednesday, September 6, 2006
It seems Slimes never stop smiling, and now we know why. They have finally been given a game to call their own...
Lo and behold, the mighty Slime. As famous a Square character as the chocobo, the Slimes of Dragon Quest have been making their appearance in games for over twenty years. While they rarely became more than early level fodder for the adventuring heroes of Dragon Quest; many seem to have become unusually attached to this gelatinous fiend. It is for this reason that the Slimes have done well for themselves in the world outside the traditional Dragon Quest games.
Players were first able to battle alongside the Slime in the Dragon Quest Monsters series, and even later they found themselves gripping the Slime itself as one of the most unique console controllers ever invented. However, throughout all of the Slime's many journeys, they had never found themselves in a starring role. That ends now, with the upcoming release of Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime.
One particular Slime has finally been given the chance to shine, and his name is Rocket. Finding his peaceful home Boingburg attacked, and his fellow Slimes kidnapped by the nefarious Plobs; Rocket sets out on adventure that will find the player engaging in seemingly never-ending cuteness. The entire world of Slimenia is a pastel-shaded beauty, and the coloring scheme, while simple, is truly a treat for players. Rocket's adventure finds him traveling from foreboding forests, to arid deserts, and beyond; each region looking as vibrant as the one before.
The cute-factor, however, doesn't remain constant. It grows. Exponentially. Until every player is either professing their never-ending love for Rocket and his gang of merry Slimes, or they absolutely explode gushing cute all over the floors. Case in point, their home was ransacked, their families kidnapped, and yet they never stop smiling.
As happy as the Slimes may be, they are still kidnapped, and it is Rocket's job to find them. Considering that Rocket is in fact a pile of goop with no hands, he does the best he can to discover and return his missing friends. By stretching Rocket he can spring like a rubber band and throw his friends, who are hidden throughout the games levels, back to their homes. Attacking the Plobs is done in the same way, or by throwing items at them that Rocket has collected. While this portion of adventure gameplay makes for an interesting quest in itself, Rocket could have some trouble dealing with the stronger enemies he has to face. Naturally, Rocket's elasticity can only do so much damage.
Enter the giant Slime tank. When Rocket finds himself in over his head, which I imagine doesn't take much considering he is little more than a head; he calls upon the mighty Slime battle tank. Using a magical flute Rocket is able to summon a mechanical tank in the shape of his Slime brethren, and do battle with the games many bosses. Enemies bring their own tanks to the battlefield, and the two opposing factions park literally within walking distance of each other. At point blank range the tanks loose ammunition through chutes, and Rocket scurries around tossing the ammunition into the tanks multiple cannons for firing. Ammunition is rarely of the traditional type, and players will find themselves firing swords, chests, and even the enemies they're currently facing. The tanks can even be manned by the many Slimes that Rocket saves throughout the adventure portion of gameplay.
These tank battles are shaping up to be the true payoff to Dragon Quest Heroes, and realizing this SquareEnix has included them as a multiplayer mode as well. Players can battle friends in either 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 configurations, and are able to select fortresses from the many seen in the games single player mode. The battles are a double-edged blade however; as they are so large in scale that sharing gameplay using a single cart is impossible. Each player participating in the fray needs to bring their own copy of the game.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime has an expected release date of September 19, 2006, and in preparation many players should probably try building up their tolerance for cuteness. Play some Kirby, pet your kitten, and then get ready for the most endearing point blank range warfare the world has ever seen.
posted September 6, 2006