NES CHALLENGE! - AD&D Heroes of the Lance in 26:39 [147/714]
1I forgot to change the game number before playing, this is 147, not 146 (which was Castelian), I was just excited to play it and didn't want to stay up too late as busing in the morning with family over. So in a rush and also was distracted trying to get the title in so just settled for AD&D.
Game reviewers typically don't care for this game, however I find it fun even with the flaws. I have read the source material several times though and enjoy the characters, their trials, and their growth, so to no surprise I like how they tried to keep the game relevant to the story and the characters traits reflected in the action.
The music is good, controls are at the worst OK but I find them good for what you do. Menuing is quick, there are more than enough spell charges to get through the game. The graphics have some good representation of the story with "Easter Eggs" of the Statue of Mishakal, the Pot used as an elevator (that would have been great if they could have incorporated it), the waterfall where Goldmoon is scared to decend just to name a few.
There is quite a bit of replay value as you can take multiple paths - this is just the quickest one I learned from watching speed runs years ago. The only complaint I really have is what determines a hit vs miss. Like the board game, sometimes the dice are your friend and sometimes you roll like trash. As you saw at one point I was in a fight with a human and he just stomped me with multiple hits in a row for good damage and I couldn't do anything - that's why I use the spear so often is to soften them up. Web really does the trick to help you out.
The Save feature can really help you brute force your way through the game with multiple Loads. I did use it once as I had done something I never did before and that was hold A which kept Raistlin jumping and using the Fly spell. You should just hold it and release once over the pit.
Rose glasses aside, I have to recognize I am a fanboy for the AD&D brand and the Dragonlance campaign setting. So while I personally love this in my collection and would give it a 7, on the whole, players who are not familiar with the setting will stumble with the characters and have no vested interest in the characters so for that, I would say this game is a 4 or 5 to them.