Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

 Xbox One
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. IGN
    Apr 17, 2017
    71
    While its antiquated roots cause some minor frustration with unreliable hitboxes and unnecessary grinding, the foundational combat and exploration is still engaging and fun after 30 years. From long-time Wonder Boy fans to platformer enthusiasts who’ve never heard of it until now, you’ll likely be able to find whimsical fun and a neat bit of genre history in this charming adventure.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Xbox One Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. mrchance
    Jun 8, 2017
    9
    When every other kid on the block was getting their NES my dad, bless his heart tried his hardest to bring one home, but every store was outWhen every other kid on the block was getting their NES my dad, bless his heart tried his hardest to bring one home, but every store was out of stock. What came home was the Sega Master System and I was disappointed, to say the least.
    Then came games like Phantasy Star, Govellius, Zillion, Space Harrier, and I fell in love. 1990 brought my household Wonder Boy 3: The Dragons Trap. After Wonder Boy 2 (1 was of a different world) I had high hopes for 3. It became my favorite game on the Master System.
    Is the story short? I guess. I got lost in the exploration, finding every last nook and cranny, re-visiting every place I needed a new ability to reach. Then it turned into a "speed" challenge, then a "how few hearts can I get through with challenge".
    I got this the moment I was able....calling this an Upgrade is an injustice. It is an upgrade-no doubt, but this isn't your typical graphical window dressing. Every single item is hand drawn animation and reimagined from start to finish. The music is different but just...the heart is still there. Even the pig will make a joke about your save code if you ask him :) If more older games would get this treatment, this world would be a better place.
    The people who made this truly have passion...right down to the credits...check them out :) The credits are awesome. This is worth the time and the money if you've never played it. If you liked it when it first came out...just do it..do it now!    … Full Review »
  2. SuperkenGaming
    Apr 19, 2017
    7
    Wonder Boy: The Dragons Trap
    A Modern look with a dated feel
    The Dragons Trap is a remake of the master system game Wonder Boy 3 You can    Wonder Boy: The Dragons Trap
    A Modern look with a dated feel
    The Dragons Trap is a remake of the master system game Wonder Boy 3
    You can even swap between the 2 versions of both sounds and visuals with the touch of a button
    This is an action platformer where you play as wonder boy or wonder girl trying to undo a curse that turns you into a lizard man
    There are definitely some metroidvania style feels here…
    You basically explore a sort of open map until you can’t anymore... you’ll eventually find the right path to the next boss and pick up coins and other items dropped from enemies along the way…
    The coins can be used to heal your character as well as buy new armor shields and swords from shops scattered throughout the game…
    Unfortunately you can’t use the coins to buy any of the consumable weapons which sucks... I’d much rather grind for coins than random drops…
    These consumable weapons are so rare that you’re better off ignoring them, because relying on them you’ll quickly find is a mistake because of this rarity…
    Once you make it to a boss, you take part in a battle of dodging and attacking the head..
    These battles are where the games problems really start to show…
    The biggest issue is that you have to hit the enemies head, meaning you have to get close...
    problem is if you get too close you take damage and you can’t attack for a few seconds after damage is taken…
    This makes every single boss battle feel luck based and cheap…
    There was really only one boss I felt like I beat using timing and skill…
    The others I had to rely on my potions that refilled my health after I lost all of my hearts while I try to get lucky with being just the right distance while at the same time not having taken damage from their spammy attacks…
    These encounters are just not fun…
    and if you die you restart from the little village and have to make your way back through all of the obstacles and enemies again…
    If you do defeat the boss you unlock a new form...
    You then use this form to reach areas you couldn’t reach before and it’s the same cycle of go until you cant or until you find a boss for the next form…
    Each form feels unique and has its own abilities…
    The mouse though clearly the worst and most frustrating to use thanks to its forced extra close ranged attacks...
    Wonder Boy The Dragons Trap is fun to play through... its gorgeous.. It’s my favorite kind of metroidvania where you feel the urge to explorer rather than feeling like you’re forced to do so and it’s a fairly quick game that can be beat in a little less than 3 hours…
    But still this is a remake of an old game and it shows...
    The platforming is stiff... bosses are cheap thanks to this no doing damage after you’ve taken damage window…and the grind for pickups is no fun
    But what is fun is unlocking all of the abilities and finding all of the secrets this game has to offer.
    I give Wonder boy: The Dragons trap
    a 7/10    … Full Review »
  3. TheProGamer-
    Apr 26, 2018
    8
    I never played the classic however that doesn't matter with this version. You can actually flick between both live as you're playing! The gameI never played the classic however that doesn't matter with this version. You can actually flick between both live as you're playing! The game felt great and you can see how much effort went into it. The attention to detail is great and the way everything is hand drawn gives it that modern yet retro feel. The way previous side-scrolling classics had gone through. The story is quite simple and doesn't really hold up to many modern day games but other than that this game has everything a side-scrolling classic remake should have with genius ideas including. Definitely sets the bar high and other re-maker's of classic platformer's should take note!… Full Review »
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