bit-tech Shopping: Atari Dungeons & Dragons Tactics (PSP)

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: Adheres to 3.5 rules and replicates the tabletop version well.

Weaknesses: Takes away from the mental picture drawn in the paperback RPG.

Summary: This is a great game for if you are bored and dont have others to play with using dice and paper. It isn't quite as fun as the DM experience, but that is to be expected. You can only do so much when you make a paperback game graphical, and the effort put into this game shows.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Solid adaptation of D&D rules and atmosphere, decent graphics, multiplayer support

Weaknesses: Tedious interface, camera issues, awkward combat controls, stilted animation, repetitive music

Summary: If you were looking for a solid turn-based Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game based on the 3.5 rule set, D&D Tactics may have precisely what you're looking for. Unfortunately, a few design flaws hold back what is otherwise an excellent adaptation of the tabletop game. D&D genre fans will obviously want to see what this title has to offer. The game play rules, characters classes, combat options, etc. are straight out of the 3.5 play book. However, the awkward interface frequently slows the action to a near halt, and the stilted animation and dark graphics often make it difficult to see what going on. Fans of the tabletop series may be able to put up with the slow pace and graphical issues, but other RPG players may have trouble with this. For $10 or less, most role-playing fans will find something to like here, but the awkward controls will frustrate most beginners. D&D Tactics should remain a purchasing exclusive for D&D fanatics.