
	Platform PlayStation Genre RPG Publisher Konami Developer Konami ETA 1998
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Azure Dreams

Growing up, I was one of those people who got most of their exposure to dungeon hacks via console games. Back in the 16-bit era, it was all about Fatal Labyrinth. By the time the PlayStation came around a new selection of interesting titles started to enter the fray. One such game was Konami's Azure Dreams. Like any good dungeon hack, players ventured further and further into a huge tower in search of greater treasure as they tried to make their way to the top.

The game takes place in the town of Monsbaiya, a tiny little berg set in the middle of a desert, where the only thing it can do to get by is send adventures to see what they can take out of a massive tower on the outskirts of town. A few years earlier, the town's most talented adventurer, Guy, disappeared in the tower, and since then his family has had a rough go of things. Now, though, his son, Koh, is about to come of age, at which time he will be permitted to enter the tower himself. Lucky for him, he even meets a familiar named Kewne, who has offered to help him in his adventures. So, players will spend their time helping Koh explore the tower, collect loot, and hopefully find out just what happened to Guy all those years earlier.

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Gameplay was standard fair as far as dungeon hacks go. Players would explore each level of the tower, exchanging blows with the hordes of monsters that lived within it. What made Azure Dreams unique was that players could collect monster eggs while exploring the dungeon. Taking these back to the village, players had the option of hatching and growing new familiars that they could take with them to help on their adventures in the tower. It was even possible to crossbreed these creatures for more unique results.

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Combat had players facing off against hordes of enemies on each level of the tower. The monsters would move at a 1:1 ratio to Koh while navigating the floor, so, it was almost like a dance to position Koh and his familiar accordingly relatively to enemies, being careful to watch out for being surrounded, and whatnot. Fights took place in a turn-based environment as players sliced up these creatures, and there was also the matter of deciding what to have Koh's familiar do during this time, be it having it positioned specifically relative to him, attacking outright, enhancing Koh's attacks, and so forth. It was a surprisingly fleshed out combat system for a dungeon hack.

There was even a bit of city building to be had, as Koh's exploits helped Monsbaiya to prosper, resulting in the town getting better and better facilities. From bowling allies, to casinos, to a movie theatre, and most anything in between, Koh can really help the town improve its lot in life thanks to his exploits in the tower.

While a lot of RPGs to hit the PlayStation were more traditional outings, like Final Fantasy, Wild Arms, Suikoden, and so forth, it was nice that the system got these dungeon hacks from time to time, and in North America no less. Azure Dreams slipped between the cracks thanks to the aforementioned blockbusters, but it was actually a pretty good game deserving of more attention.

Mr. Nash
July 4, 2011