I hope this is okay to post this here.
Not really Daphne Related, but it is Dragon's Lair releated..
If it doesnt belong here, let me know.
Dragon’s Lair PC CD-ROM (Digital Leisure - Released Oct. 2001)
Review
Part 1 of 4 (Broken down to: Graphics, Gameplay, Options, Sound & Overall)
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GRAPHICS –
The new Dragon’s Lair CD-ROM now plays the video using the MPEG1 format. The previous CD-ROM version used AVI video. When the AVI was stretched any larger than the default window, major “pixelization” occurred in the animation. While DVD-ROM video used more of a MPEG2 compression, MPEG1 is probably as close as you can get w/out a DVD-ROM.
BUT... (And there is ALWAYS a ‘but’..) It seems as Digital Leisure may have recorded in a ‘Lesser Quality’ MPEG1 format. In fullscreen mode, there is still much pixelization going on when things are moving on the screen. Don’t get me wrong, it is MUCH better than the AVI format, but still doesn’t compare with what a DVD can output. The video does run smooth, though. I havn’t noticed any choppiness, even when running the video off of my 24x Mitsumi CD-ROM.
An interesting bit of information is that the game can install all the video to your HardDrive in under 200MB. I know when I record higher-quality MPEG videos, I can easily pass the 200MB drive without problems. (For that length of video)
A depressing fact about the quality of the MPEG video that was used is the fact that over half the CD contains interviews and demo videos for other games. Why couldn’t Digital Leisure record the video in a higher format and actually fill up the CD with better video images?
Now, your video card may play a slight factor in how well the full-screen images look.
On my old(er) PC, (AMD 400 w/128mb Ram & 16 MB 3dfx video card) the video looked a little pixelated (as stated above) in full screen. On my newer PC, (AMD 800 w/256mb Ram & 32 Pine TNT video) the video card kind of ‘blurrs’ the screen for some videogames. When in full screen here, the picture looks a little fuzzy, but the ‘pixelization’ doesn’t seem as bad, since the picture is kind of blurred or blended together. I was pleased when I saw this on my fast PC. (Which is mounted in my arcade cabinet, by the way) It looks pretty impressive in full-screen mode on my Arcade Machine.
Missing Scenes- Digital Leisure is getting closer with every release to include all the scenes from the original LaserDisc game. All the video is here in this version, including the drawbridge scene which can be played while in PC Mode instead of Arcade Mode. The only thing I have noticed that they are missing are the still frames saying to “Insert Coins”. The game doesn’t emulate or even simulate coins being put into the machine. You end up getting the generic: “Press any key to continue” screen after dying, and simply by pressing the Sword button, you can start the game. So, we are still missing some images from the arcade version. Still not 100%. But atleast we don’t have to go through the dreaded drawbridge screen when starting the game.
I will talk about the “Scoreboard” feature in a later posting about the OPTIONS for the game.
Also, I’ll try grabbing a screen shot and will post it on my website. (It may not be a full-screen shot, but I’ll grab the largest a full-screen ‘window’)
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I still would LOVE to see the graphics quality of a LaserDisc which has been converted...
(So I could compare the two)
Can anyone post a small 5 second ‘cropped’ clip from thier MPEG converted video?
Maybe like the opening castle scene with dirk running through the gate?
(Or would this be highly illegal??? – Dont answer this, I have a feeling I know what you will say!
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