Monk4 Nov 2022
Another example of 'better on paper' not being the same as 'actually better'. The C64-version has more colors, more realistic perspective, maybe even more animation, but it lacks the charm and beauty, the inspirational quality of the Atari version.
This game exemplifies my understanding of the slightly odd statement that C64 has no soul - some of the C64-versions are indeed soulless and bland compared to the very soulful and exciting Atari versions, this game being the perfect example.
I played both on real machines, and I fell in love with the Atari version, while my brain wanted to vomit at the C64 version.
Now, I don't know the books or understand the intricacies of the gameplay here, but I enjoyed playing the Dragon vs. Streamers (that's what they should be called) game. Not an epic battle or quite on par with Street Fighter II, but quite enjoyable nevertheless.
The dragon in the Atari version looks solid, and feels good to guide around the screen. The C64-version looks like a mishmash of colors that do not belong, and the result is a very flat, very lifeless, cartoony 2D-look.
The Atari's dragon feels almost alive, like a proper creature that has dimensions even beyond what we see, as it also provokes your imagination to create the detail it might be visually missing - it's all created anyway by your imagination.
This game really captures your imagination and inspires you a lot, as long as you play the Atari version. I want to be in that world, reading a book leaning on one of those trees while watching dragons fly about.. who wouldn't?
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