Arcane Quest (2013)

Arcane Quest (2013)

Genre: RPG | Players: 1 | Developer: Nex Game Studios

Arcane Quest is a FREE mobile phone game (subsequently also on PC, with HD graphics, but I'll be referring specifically to the Windows Phone version). The game isn't actually HeroQuest on your phone, because that would be plagiarism, or trademark infringement, or something equally as nefarious and icky, but, put simply, Arcane Quest is HeroQuest on your phone. Rejoice!

If you don't know what HeroQuest is, then there's no better introduction to its magnificence than that given by The Bard of Bardic Broadcasts (YT Channel): Why HeroQuest is so Great.

Seriously, even if you do know what HeroQuest is, still watch the video. - it'll make your day. I've watched it at least half a dozen times on as many days and it's done the trick every time. I've not asked permission to provide that link, but I get the feeling that The Bard won't mind.

Now that you know all you need to know, the game as it exists on phone is a simple top-down perspective with circular counters representing each of your chosen characters.

Before you begin your adventure you're allowed to choose up to four of them from a selection of eight: Warrior (Barbarian); Wizard; Dwarf; High Elf; Cleric; Ranger; Assassin; Evoker.

Each character class has its own strengths and weaknesses (e.g. some are magic-users, some can wear heavy armour while others can only wear light armour, etc), so there's scope for some tactical pairings, should you choose to go that route.

Once the quest is underway each of your heroes can perform two to three actions per turn, in whatever order you prefer.

Rolling dice to determine how many squares you move is always one of the options. In addition, once every turn you can use an item from your bag, which in most cases will aid you in combat or defence or be some kind of healing potion, but once used they're gone for good. Finally, you're allowed to perform one of the following actions each turn:

• search for traps/hidden doors;
• search for treasure;
• use a character's unique spell/ability;
• attack an enemy.

If you complete the given task and make it to the exit with at least one of your team still alive, then you've cleared that level and can move onto the next. But before you move on, there's shopping to be done! Use the gold you found in the treasure chests to buy new equipment and give your heroes more attack power, better defence, or new abilities.

I noticed that during combat enemies typically got more successful rolls of the dice than I did - you don't get to roll them yourself, it's automatic, unfortunately. Regardless of how many die I had to attack with, I got hits on target less times than the pissy goblins with their lesser number.

Likewise, when defending, I was less successful than the creatures, even though on occasion I had twice as many die as they did. It may just be a remarkable coincidence, but I'm inclined to think it's an actual programmed imbalance. Either way, it's the thing that frustrated me the most about the game. But for a free mobile phone game, it's pretty damn good.

Note: the free version has non-intrusive adverts. I really do mean non-intrusive; if it was the reverse I'd choose not to sing its praises, because adverts in games bring me out in a rash. I did the maths, the advert takes up just one-tenth of the screen and sits respectfully at the bottom edge. Because most of the action is above that, it's possible to forget that it's even there.

A free Level Editor is available, which will allow you to make your own adventures on a PC, but at time of writing I've not tried it.