Mr. Driller Drill Land Discussion / Review Lobbying Topic

[Papercut]

woo, yay, just beat level 2 druaga

[Garibaldi Biscuit]

Seeing as this game isn't recieving a Western release in the near future AFAIK, how import friendly is the Japanese one?

I'm talking specifically about people who have no experience with Mr Driller whatsoever ( sounds like a quirky, addictive game similar to the age-old classic Boulderdash tho, which is what interests me ), would they find it difficult to pick up all the various features etc?

Thanks.

[Burai]

It's great.

The only part you could have trouble with is Hole of Druaga, but even then you have a decent guide on GameFAQs for that. You'll be picking up what each Drystal does in no time.

[Papercut]

Seeing as this game isn't recieving a Western release in the near future AFAIK, how import friendly is the Japanese one?

Fairly import friendly. You need to remember the right 'load save-game' dialog boxes each time you start, or else you end up writing over your old one each time you play

Apart from that its pretty easy to get on with.

I'm talking specifically about people who have no experience with Mr Driller whatsoever ( sounds like a quirky, addictive game similar to the age-old classic Boulderdash tho, which is what interests me ), would they find it difficult to pick up all the various features etc?

The Tower of Druaga levels are a bit tricky, where you need to collect crystals to procede. The crystals have different affects, and the descriptions are in katakana. There is a decent guide to it on gamefaqs though, so not really a problem. Figuring it out through trial and error doesn't take too long either.

The rest of the game styles are very easy to understand.

There are really nice animations between levels that are all in Japanese.

There are is also a collection system which is easy enough to understand, but the descriptions are all in Japanese.

You can link up to the GBA games too, but I'm not sure what that allows you to do.

Its definately worth importing regardless. I've been playing Dill Land on off for a couple on months now, and I'm still hooked

[Heidi]

Can someone tells me what to do with Hole Of Druaga extra levels?

Catched 105 goldpieces. Took me about five hours. No stamp. I'm becoming mad.

Many, many thanks.

[Papercut]

look on gamefaqs as mentioned above!

defeat the dragon, grab the key, beat the boss

[Zeelich]

Huh? What's the deal with Mr. Driller? Why's everyone so excited about it?

[Heidi]

look on gamefaqs as mentioned above!

defeat the dragon, grab the key, beat the boss

Hmmm, but there is no dragon on the extra level...

[Papercut]

look on gamefaqs as mentioned above!

defeat the dragon, grab the key, beat the boss

Hmmm, but there is no dragon on the extra level...

oops, sorry about that. I thought you meant the normal levels.

Do you mean the special level that is unlocked after defeating level 3?

[Heidi]

look on gamefaqs as mentioned above!

defeat the dragon, grab the key, beat the boss

Hmmm, but there is no dragon on the extra level...

oops, sorry about that. I thought you meant the normal levels.

Do you mean the special level that is unlocked after defeating level 3?

Yes, exactly. To be honest, it's my girlfriend that is mad about this game.

She played (and I watched, disgusting) until getting 105 coins. No dragons. No mention on Gamefaqs. No stamp. We need help.

[Papercut]

She played (and I watched, disgusting) until getting 105 coins. No dragons. No mention on Gamefaqs. No stamp. We need help.

The gamefaqs guide does have this:

The World Drill Tour contains 3 standard modes which have you drill to 500m, 1000m, and 2000m.
There is a 4th special infinite drill mode which tests your ability to drill until your die.

Also from one of the gamefaq reviews:

Like the previous games, there are also a few additions to keep you coming back for more. The levels all come in 500m, 1000m and 2000m variations, with an Endless mode after them.

It sounds like the special stages can't be completed. It could be that the coins are converted to money to spend in the shop, or it might just be a high score challenge.

[Matt Beesley]

Could anyone let me know how playable this game is without saving? There are memory card problems using Freeloader on PAL, but I am still thinking that it might be worth it...

What would I miss out on?

[Heidi]

It sounds like the special stages can't be completed. It could be that the coins are converted to money to spend in the shop, or it might just be a high score challenge.

You'll soon discover that every special stage has a goal, she did complete others and got stamps. When the game's over with Hole of Druaga, it tells you that you didn't win the stamp... so I reckon there is a goal for this one too. But I just can't believe that it takes more than five hours to get it. So I presume we're missing something, like a way to find dragons.

The guide on gamefaqs (sorry, didn't mention that I was aware of this) seems half-complete.

The game's great, that said. More than great. And, apart from this particular point, perfectly payable for non japanese. But without saves, a bit useless. Plenty to unlock.

[Papercut]

I agree, unless the odd bash at 500m mode is enough (which is pretty tough in itself), then really you need to be able to save your progress through the levels and buy items.

A friend has a pal cube and uses the Freeloader, there are definately problems with saving, it asks to format your memory card every time you run it.

Heidi - I'm still chipping away at level 3, if I ever make the special stages I'll see if I can figure anything out

[Papercut]

Huh? What's the deal with Mr. Driller? Why's everyone so excited about it?

because its a superlative version of a cracking psone/dc/arcade puzzler with genuinely innovative enhancements, fantastic character designs, a stick-in-your-head soundtrack, and wonderful animated sequences.

'everyone' is only about 5 people so far, though