Advanced Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes of the Lance
Encyclopedia
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance is a video game released in 1988 for various home computer
systems and consoles. The game is based on the first Dragonlance
campaign module for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, Dragons of Despair
, and the first Dragonlance novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight
. It focuses on the journey of eight heroes through the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth, where they must face the ancient dragon Khisanth and retrieve the relic, Disks of Mishakal.
novels series must be assembled for the quest, and only one is visible on the screen at a time; when one on-screen hero dies, the next in line appears.
While Heroes of the Lance is a faithful representation of the books it is based on, it was a departure from the usual RPG style of most Dungeons & Dragons
games, and many players lamented its difficult gameplay interface which consists of using one character at a time in horizontally-scrolling fighting. Each character has different types of attacks and spells making them more suited to fighting different enemies but they merely act as "lives" for the player as in more traditional fighting game
s, removing one of the main strategies of role-playing games from the game.
series; the nickname for these other D&D titles were "Silver Box" games.
Two video games continued the storyline after this game, Dragons of Flame
and Shadow Sorcerer
.
said that "it would undoubtedly go straight to the top of the computer games charts and stay there for several months. Its THAT good." They specifically praised its graphics and audio, calling the latter "excellent". Computer Gaming World
gave the game a similarly positive review.
While the DOS version was the one reviewed in the magazines mentioned above, the NES version is often cited as one of the poorer titles available for the console. Specifically, past Electronic Gaming Monthly
columnist, Seanbaby
, listed it as the 2nd worst NES game, and as the 11th worst video game.
Levi Buchanan, in a classic Dungeons & Dragons videogame retrospective for IGN
, wrote that "If you don't plan well, you can lose a lot of heroes in a very short period of time. This offered a slight strategy angle, but D&D fans largely preferred the Pool of Radiance straight RPG approach."
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
systems and consoles. The game is based on the first Dragonlance
Dragonlance
Dragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of popular fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job application...
campaign module for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Dragons of Despair
Dragons of Despair
Dragons of Despair is the first in a series of 16 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR, Inc. between 1984 and 1988. It is the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance series of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game modules, a series of ready-to-play adventures for use by Dungeon...
, and the first Dragonlance novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a fantasy novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, based on a series of Dungeons & Dragons game modules...
. It focuses on the journey of eight heroes through the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth, where they must face the ancient dragon Khisanth and retrieve the relic, Disks of Mishakal.
Characters
The eight heroes that make up the party are:- GoldmoonGoldmoonGoldmoon is a fictional character from the Dragonlance fantasy series of novels and role playing games, originally published by TSR, Inc...
, a princess who brandishes the Blue Crystal Staff, an artifact whose powers she seeks to fully understand. - Sturm Brightblade, a powerful and solemn knightKnightA knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
. - Caramon MajereCaramon MajereCaramon Majere is a fictional character from the Dragonlance books. He is depicted as a fighter and is one of the main characters in Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's first Dragonlance trilogy, The Chronicles...
, a not-so-bright warriorWarriorA warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
. - Raistlin MajereRaistlin MajereRaistlin Majere is a fictional character from the Dragonlance series of books created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Raistlin played an extensive role in the two main series of books, particularly in Dragonlance: Legends in which he was both primary protagonist and antagonist...
, Caramon's brother; a sly and brilliant, but frail, mageWizard (Dungeons & Dragons)The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
. - Tanis Half-Elven, the 'natural leader' of the heroes, and good with a bow.
- Tasslehoff BurrfootTasslehoff BurrfootTasslehoff Burrfoot is a fictional character of the kender race from the Dragonlance series of novels, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. He was born in Kendermore. His parents are unknown and he has few known relatives. He has a sister, and also claims to have an Uncle Trapspringer...
, a kenderKenderKender are a type of fantasy race first developed for the Dragonlance campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game published by TSR Inc. in 1984. The first kender character was created by Harold Johnson as a playable character in a series of role-playing adventures...
pickpocketPickpocketingPickpocketing is a form of larceny that involves the stealing of money or other valuables from the person of a victim without their noticing the theft at the time. It requires considerable dexterity and a knack for misdirection...
. He fights with a slingSling (weapon)A sling is a projectile weapon typically used to throw a blunt projectile such as a stone or lead "sling-bullet". It is also known as the shepherd's sling....
weapon known as a hoopak. - Riverwind, Goldmoon's betrothed. He is a noble and wise warrior.
- Flint Fireforge, a grizzled dwarvenDwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
warrior.
Gameplay
Heroes of the Lance is a side-scrolling action game. Eight heroes from the DragonlanceDragonlance
Dragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of popular fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job application...
novels series must be assembled for the quest, and only one is visible on the screen at a time; when one on-screen hero dies, the next in line appears.
While Heroes of the Lance is a faithful representation of the books it is based on, it was a departure from the usual RPG style of most Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
games, and many players lamented its difficult gameplay interface which consists of using one character at a time in horizontally-scrolling fighting. Each character has different types of attacks and spells making them more suited to fighting different enemies but they merely act as "lives" for the player as in more traditional fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
s, removing one of the main strategies of role-playing games from the game.
Development
Heroes of the Lance was not part of the Gold BoxGold Box
Gold Box is the name for a series of computer role-playing games produced by SSI. The company won a license to produce games based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game from TSR, Inc...
series; the nickname for these other D&D titles were "Silver Box" games.
Two video games continued the storyline after this game, Dragons of Flame
Dragons of Flame (video game)
Dragons of Flame is a video game released in 1989 for various home computer systems and consoles. It is a sequel to Heroes of the Lance. It is based on the second Dragonlance campaign module, Dragons of Flame, and the second half of the first Dragonlance novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight...
and Shadow Sorcerer
Shadow Sorcerer
Shadow Sorcerer is a 1991 role-playing video game. The game was the sequel to Heroes of the Lance and Dragons of Flame. It is based on the third and fourth Dragonlance campaign modules, Dragons of Hope and Dragons of Desolation.-Reception:...
.
Reception
After reviewing a pre-production copy of Heroes of the Lance, G.M.G.M. The Independent Fantasy Roleplaying Magazine
G.M. The Independent Fantasy Roleplaying Magazine was first published in September 1988 by Croftward Ltd. The editorial team of Tim Metcalfe, Paul Boughton and Wayne worked together previously on Computer and Video Games magazine.-History:...
said that "it would undoubtedly go straight to the top of the computer games charts and stay there for several months. Its THAT good." They specifically praised its graphics and audio, calling the latter "excellent". Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
gave the game a similarly positive review.
While the DOS version was the one reviewed in the magazines mentioned above, the NES version is often cited as one of the poorer titles available for the console. Specifically, past Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
columnist, Seanbaby
Seanbaby
Sean Patrick Reiley , better known as Seanbaby, is an American writer best known for his comedy website and frequent contributions to video game media outlets Electronic Gaming Monthly and 1UP.com. He is also a regular contributor to the humor website Cracked.com...
, listed it as the 2nd worst NES game, and as the 11th worst video game.
Levi Buchanan, in a classic Dungeons & Dragons videogame retrospective for IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, wrote that "If you don't plan well, you can lose a lot of heroes in a very short period of time. This offered a slight strategy angle, but D&D fans largely preferred the Pool of Radiance straight RPG approach."
External links
- Heroes of the Lance at GameFAQsGameFAQsGameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...
- Images of Heroes of the Lance package, manual and screen