Mechanics
The SWITCH version of Draqon Fang Z: The Rose & Dungeon of Time is a roguelike game. The players are traveling through dungeons filled with treasures and traps and inhabited by 200 different types of monsters. The levels are random generated when the game starts and the map is at first hidden behind a fog. Because of that, players never know what to expect during a session with the game. They must be very careful as the game is saved frequently and the death of the protagonist means losing all obtained equipment and having to start the game from start. Each map is divided into squares. The protagonist can freely travel through them in eight directions. During the exploration she can encounter non-playable characters that can be sent to the first location. There it is possible to use services provided by them.
If there are enemies in a new room, the game goes into combat mode. In that mode each move and action counts as a single turn and is answered by a move of the nearby monsters. The game informs the players about the damage dealt and received by Rose and about the effects of other actions of the protagonist or the enemies. During the battles Rose can attack in all eight directions by using melee weapons or magic. She can also retreat to corridors in order to limit the numbers of enemies. However, the game features a Brave System that discourages taking advantage of the surroundings. This mechanic is inherited from the original Dragon Fang and it strengthens Rose if all fields around her are lacking obstacles.
The character is developing in a few ways during the game. Experience points are obtained by defeating enemies and they are used for gaining new levels and increasing stats of the female protagonist. During the exploration it is also possible to find items with various specs. It is best to identify them before using, as some of them can cause some side effects. It is also possible to strengthen Rose with fangs dropped by enemies – wearing them provide special bonuses. Fangs can be also sacrificed – this permanently increases statistics.
Game modes
In addition to basic adventure, the game features an advanced version of dungeons (that is much more challenging) and mini riddles. Additionally, the gallery of monsters and items is enriched with additional entries as the players progress in the game. The title also features a ranking where players can share their achievements.
Technical aspects
The graphics of Dragon Fang Z: The Rose & Dungeon of Time is based on Japanese animated movies. The two-dimensional graphics are similar to ones used in classic Japanese video games and the sounds are taken directly from anime. The majority of dialogues are presented only with subtitles. They are rarely accompanied with Japanese dubbing.
