3D Dot pays homage to Zelda magic

Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved series in the history of video games, but few competitors have tried to duplicate its winning formula. Blending epic drama, fast-paced action, devious puzzles and basic role-playing, the Zelda franchise is really a genre of its own, with each new episode deftly mixing familiar and fresh features.

If you've never owned a Nintendo console, you've missed out on an essential gaming experience. This year, however, other publishers have tried to capture some of the Zelda magic. The trend started in January with THQ's Darksiders, which excelled by blending the devious dungeons and demanding boss battles of Zelda with the splashy gore of God of War.

3D Dot Game Heroes (for PlayStation 3) is a far more blatant imitation of Zelda, particularly the 1987 classic that launched the series. It takes place in a land called Dotnia, modelled on Nintendo's Hyrule. The king has grown weary of a mere two dimensions, however, so Dotnia's flat landscape and architecture have been translated into a heavily pixilated 3D, so everything looks like it was made out of Lego blocks.

Of course, an evil genius is on the loose. So the hero has to fight monsters, explore temples and unearth artifacts that will help restore peace. You begin with a simple sword, and along the way you collect weapons and devices straight out of the Zelda arsenal: bombs, arrows, a boomerang and the ever reliable grappling hook.

The developer, Japan's From Software, has made only the slightest effort to disguise its inspirations. Your health, for example, is represented by apples rather than the hearts found in Zelda. But the wit on display, with frequent references to games dating back to the 1970s, turns 3D Dot from a slavish rip-off to a knowing homage.

It does venture further afield than the games of the 8-bit era, with side quests and minigames to distract from the main mission. On the other hand, that looseness makes it easy to miss vital areas or get lost entirely. 3D Dot is not as satisfying as the best Zelda adventures, but it is as close as you will get on the PS3.

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