Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a 2D side-scrolling action-adventure game for PS4, XBONE, Switch and PC, which was developed by Lizardcube and published by Dotemu.
It is a full remake of 1989's original title for SEGA Master System, which was originally developed by Westone Bit Entertainment and published by SEGA.
Wonder Boy series was started out as 2D arcade-platformer in mid-80s before it's being shifted into the different genres for sub-series known as the Monster World which is more of the fantasy Metroidvania approach with RPG elements.
At the time as a kid back then where I didn't had a SEGA MS and Genesis/MD which is the reason why I never actually played Wonder Boy series until later I finally had Genesis/MD as a grown adult, so I was originally planned to get a copy of Wonder Boy games for Genesis/MD such as Wonder Boy in Monster World, but not until I've found out the Remake of the Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap was confirmed for 2017 release which I am more interested in this remake over the previous past Wonder Boy games.
It took me 3 years to get a hands on with the Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Traps for my PS4 because the physical copy didn't get a release until the year Spring 2018, so I am much preferred more on the physical games for my video game collection thanks to extra goodies like artbook, keychains, and sample CD soundtrack which is the reason I bought it from Amazon just for £12.
It is my first time playing Wonder Boy game on my PS4 to see if the remake is anything good like the original version, so after beating the game in 3 days I got to say that it is a faithful rendition of 1989's classic game with beautifully made hand-drawn animation, parallax background layouts, simple gameplay design, arranged soundtrack to the originals, and sharing with cool content such as ability to play as two characters, giving you option to choose visuals and music between remake and retro mode, and uses passwords based on Master System version, and unlockable gallery which is a great addition to 2D side scrolling action-adventure, but I also wanted to point out some mistakes that was present in this game which I will explain it more on the review.
So without go further do, let's start the review.
Presentation
The game starting off after the events of Wonder Boy in Monster Land, so you are a Wonder Boy going out for adventure has been cursed by the Mecha Dragon which causing you to change form into monsters, so your aim is to explore and defeat other many Dragon as well as Vampire Dragon to obtain the Salamander Cross to remove the curse.
The story in the game is quite simple, so remember guys it is based on SEGA Master System's originals which does not need much emphasis on the storyplot that made the game totally sense.
It's just a young warrior who wanted to slay a big ass Dragon and finding way to withdraw his curse is just the way it should be which is totally fine with me.
I got to say Wonder Boy as a main protagonist is much looking cool on the remake than the original because I really much preferred a cartoony characters with cool personality in my opinion.
I also liked his monster form such as Lizard Man, Mouse Man, Piranha Man, Lion Man, and Hawk Man which I find his concept looked awesome in the whole game.
I almost forgot to mention Wonder Girl which is a female equivalent to Wonder Boy are also playable character in the game which is kinda wicked too, but the game doesn't exactly tell Wonder Girl's character bios to know who she really is and what is relation to Wonder Boy (could it be siblings?), so maybe I don't know that just me.
Most of the minions creatures in the game are actually pretty damn smart looking such as pythons, cave monsters, crabs, fish, ghosts, squids, clouds, skeletons, jellys, ninjas, samurais and so many creatures were featured in-game, so I also liked the part where they make their funny facial expression when they get hit by the player's projectile.
The setting on the level presentation are looking fantastic on fewer locations, so you have peaceful towns with windmills and houses, sunny hot dessert with pyramids and pinetrees, the erupting volcanoes with red lavas, the quiet beach with underground oceans and small huts, the east asian temple with full of blossoms, the hidden undergrounds with miner layers, the forrest with mountain hills, and spooky looking swamp things that is so well detailed on the remake than the originals with many more layouts and objects been added to every locations.
You have the options to change your personal preference on visuals settings such as retro mode are based on original MS game or you may want to stick with the remake version depending on your personal taste in visuals.
Overall, it has simple story, cool characters, and well designed presentations.
Gameplay
You take control of Wonder Boy or Girl in 2D perspective, so your goal is to locate and defeat several of dragons which you may need a decent weapon and armour in order to kill them easily as well as upgrading your heart capacity for your overall health in the game.
You will have basic sword which attacks enemy, while your shields will act as a defence item which prevents enemy's projectiles from damaging you, while standing still.
After damaging enemy will drop down the items such as standard coins, bagcoins, weapon items, hearts, and sometimes keys are also can be found on treasure chests as well which can be found on some areas.
You will need these coins to spend on stuff like new sword weapon increases your attack points, new armour and shield increases defence points, the blue potion will regenerates you when your health is ran empty, and sometime keys to unlock a door that leads you access to the new area.
These hearts will increase your health meter, while you can also obtain upgrade health item with heart symbol on card can add capacity on your overall health likely a less chance for you to die too quickly.
Each of the monster form has different unique ability that worked effectively on some parts such as Lizard Man spits out fire, Mouse Man can cling onto patterned blocks, Piranha Man has ability to swim freely in ocean water, Lion Man can perform vertical sword attack, and Hawk Man who can fly high in the air, but there are one of the room that lets you change form of each monster by jumping on the gold statue.
You can also obtain one of the item that gives you ability to destroy the breakable blocks that gains you access to the unvisited locations.
I got to say the gameplay in general feels very easy to learn once you get used with simple combat system and unique ability of each monster form are actually played just like what you're expected from the original game.
I liked the overall platforming segments and exploring the areas filled with hidden secrets which feels quite just right for those who does not like very complicated gameplay design from any of other game, so this really keeps the game intact that does not require additional enhancements to make it better, but it makes very faithful to the original form of the 1989's classic game.
I do find the controls are kinda bit slippery for platforming segments which sometime you didn't want to risk falling off the stage especially being hit by the numerous of the enemy's projectiles causing your playable player to jump backward which made the game quite aggravating when trying to get past to the next area.
It's kinda annoying that they didn't include the map screen for remake which is kinda strange that it is one of the metroidvania game that did not have a map inventory makes it difficult to navigate the level doesn't mean it played bad for most part once you're getting used with the game itself requires a player with clever common sense.
Most of the enemies in the game are actually pretty decent, so you have cave monster that throws you a piece of rock, the ghost goblins can float around you, the skeletons can launch leap attack on you, the cool clouds can zap you with lighting bolt, the ninjas can throw shurikens, and samurais uses the blade for close combat which is very good to memorise their attacking patterns in every locations.
I got to say the boss battles are surprisingly fun for its amount of insane attacking patterns and requiring tactics that made the game quite challenging.
It's really cool to have a hidden bonus levels where you had to collect the charm stones which you will eventually find out what it does in the game.
Overall, it has easy to learn core gameplay, unique monster ability, exploration and platforming, and boss battles.
Graphics
I got to say this is definitely a remarkable looking game. The characters in most part has fantastic sprite animation which is very impressive for hand-drawn technology can pull off a fully animated effects nicely in the game.
I also liked the use of the parallax scrolling effects in some stages like the sea water, tropical trees, clouds, and huge pirate boat in the beach map, the lighting and gloomy effects as well as the background layouts are looking quite amazing inside the undergrounds, and the falling particle of bloomy flowers from the temple is looked absolutely amazing.
This made the graphics design looks very appealing with animated characters, parallax scrolling effects for background layouts, lighting effects, and colourful environments that what I considered as being one of the most breathtaking for smaller video game title that ran absolutely well on most PCs and consoles can able to handle the power of the hand-drawn techniques.
The best part of the game is that you have an option to switch with retro mode which is based on original SEGA MS version which is also great, but I kinda much prefer it to remake for its many details and more layouts in every stages in my opinion.
Overall, it has fantastic animated characters, impressive parallax scrolling effects, great use of background layouts and lighting effects, and colourful environments.
Music and Sounds
The music in the game has the great rendition to 1989's original soundtrack with fully arranged style for every levels which I kinda liked the rich orchestrated music that fits well in the game.
It was composed by Michael Geyre did a full arrangements to 1989's original music which is originally composed by Shinichi Sakamoto.
The sound design is sounds pretty good on every locations with background sounds and atmospheric effects which is more acceptable on the remake, so again the game also give you an option to switch with retro style soundtrack and sound effects based on original SEGA MS version which is a fantastic addition to those who previously played the 1989's originals.
Overall, it has great arranged soundtrack and very good sound design.
Special Features
The game did feature a unlockable gallerys, two playable alternative protagonist, 6 hidden stones, hard mode, and of course the password system based on 1989's original game.
The physical copy comes with extra goodies like artbook, keychain, reversible covers and sampler soundtrack CD which is a nice bonus feature for collectables.
Overall, a cool looking goodies.
Advantages
Well designed presenations
Easy to learn core gameplay
Unique monster ability
Fun exploration and platforming
Fantastic hand-drawn animation
Great arranged soundtrack
Retro mode options
Disadvantages
Lack of map screen
Slippery controls
Final Verdict
Presentation 8.5/10 - simple story, cool characters, and well designed presentations.
Gameplay 7.5/10 - easy to learn core gameplay, unique monster ability, exploration and platforming, and boss battles.
Graphics 9/10 - fantastic animated characters, impressive parallax scrolling effects, great use of background layouts and lighting effects, and colourful environments.
Music and Sounds 8/10 - great arranged soundtrack and very good sound design.
Special Features 8/10 - unlockable gallerys, two playable alternative protagonist, 6 hidden stones, hard mode, and the password system, while physical copy comes with extra goodies like artbook, keychain, reversible covers and sampler soundtrack CD.
Overall 8/10 - It is a faithful rendition of 1989's original game comes with artful presentation, simple 2D core gameplay with focused on simple exploration and combat, appealing animated graphics, arranged music score, and decent in-game content is what made the Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap a remarkable 2D side-scrolling adventures that I highly go pick it up for less than £20 from online store.
I am very happy with the game I've played it on my PS4 had turned out being a solid 2D Side-Scrolling Adventures that the fans of the old-school series will appreciate the existence of the fully done remake and I hopefully will consider looking into with the follow-up title like Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom for future if I had a chance to buy it from online.
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