
"...an awesome rendition of the arcade original..."	Platform PC Genre Action Publisher Digital Leisure Developer Digital Leisure ESRB E (Everyone) Released October 2007

- A perfect translation of the arcade original (in three different image qualities - Pieces of the environment that flash to indicate which direction you should tap

- No extras! - Not much of a game compared to what's available these days

Review: Dragon's Lair HD (PC) Review: David Foster, Dragon's Lair (Interview) Review: Psychonauts (XB)
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Space Ace HD

Score: 7.0 / 10

This review of Space Ace is completely, utterly and totally clouded by nostalgia. There’s no real getting away from the memories I have of playing the game that don’t involve some kind of severe head trauma.

What we have here is a pitch perfect translation of the arcade classic (with better audio and cleaned-up visuals), which was Digital Leisure’s follow-up to 1983’s Dragon’s Lair. For those that might have missed it, the basic gameplay mechanic has you hitting the right directions at the right time or pressing the “fire” button when necessary to get Dexter to a final showdown with Borf, who’s threatening

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earth with the Infant-o Ray. At key points in the game, the spindly Dexter can transform into dashing Ace, who tends to shoot first and never ask any questions. That’s about the only “grab” that changes up the game to any extent and most times, it’s completely optional.

As an arcade game, Space Ace sucked

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quarters down thanks to instant death hidden around every corner. One misstep and you die instantly. It’s a little better than Dragon’s Lair in this regard because there are often on-screen cues that help you along. A flashing piece of scenery is usually a signal that you should move toward it. It helps here that there are an unlimited number of continues, plus there’s the option to just watch the game from beginning to end – with and without death animations – which allows you to know what’s coming when you’re actually playing it.

Like the recent HD versions of Dragon’s Lair, the biggest flaw with Space Ace isn’t the game itself – it’s the missed opportunity to pack any extras onto the disc. The game can be played in multiple quality settings, but that still leaves a lot of room on the DVD for commentary or behind the scenes looks at what went into making the game. Dragon’s Lair, Space Ace; these are games that are big parts of video game history. Why not pack it full of insight from original desinger Don Bluth? Or even the guys and gals that worked on making the high-definition transfer? I’m craving this stuff! The cynical side of my brain screams that Space Ace HD is a simple cash grab – something churned out quickly to cha-ching on pure nostalgia; it costs $50US.

As long as you go into Space Ace with a clear understanding of what you’re getting – an awesome rendition of the arcade original – you shouldn’t be disappointed with what you get.

- Omni

(November 23, 2007)