Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance
Side-scrolling action game based on the Dragonlance campaign module.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance is a video game released in 1988 for various home computer systems and consoles. It is based on the first Dragonlance campaign module, Dragons of Despair, and the first Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight. The game was very successful for SSI, selling 88,808 copies for computers in North America.
- Release year
- 1988
- Platforms
- Various home computer systems and consoles
- Developer (nes version)
- Natsume
- Series
- Silver Box games
- Based on
- Dragonlance novels by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
- Sales (north america, computers)
- 88,808 copies
Lore & Background
Heroes of the Lance is a side-scrolling action game featuring eight heroes from the Dragonlance series. Only one hero is visible on the screen at a time; when the on-screen hero dies, the next in line appears. The game uses Dungeons & Dragons game statistics, with character statistics taken exactly from the rule books. Three characters have special abilities (healing magic, wizard magic, and trap removal), while the other five act as 'lives' for the player as in traditional action-platforming games.
Reader's Guide
The plot focuses on the journey of eight heroes through the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth, where they must face the ancient dragon Khisanth and retrieve the Disks of Mishakal. Although a faithful representation of a portion of the novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight, it was a departure from the role-playing game module Dragons of Despair. The game was not part of the Gold Box series; these other D&D titles were nicknamed 'Silver Box' games. Reception was mixed: while praised for its graphics and audio by magazines like G.M. and Computer Gaming World, and rated 4 out of 5 by White Wolf, the NES version was later ranked as the 2nd worst NES game by Electronic Gaming Monthly columnist Seanbaby. Critics noted its frustrating difficulty and inability to save the game. The storyline continued in two subsequent video games, Dragons of Flame and Shadow Sorcerer.
Did You Know?
- The NES version of Heroes of the Lance was developed by Natsume.
- The storyline continued in the subsequent video game Dragons of Flame, while Shadow Sorcerer is not a direct sequel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance?
It is a 1988 side-scrolling action-adventure video game published by SSI that lets players explore the Dragonlance setting. The title adapts both the original Dragons of Despair campaign module and the first Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
What platforms was Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance available on?
The game shipped for a range of home computer systems as well as consoles. The Nintendo Entertainment System port was specifically developed by Natsume, while the computer versions were handled by SSI.
What source material does Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance draw from?
The game is built on the first Dragonlance campaign module, Dragons of Despair, alongside the debut novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Both source works were created by authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
How commercially successful was Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance?
It moved 88,808 copies on computer platforms in North America alone, which SSI regarded as a strong seller for the title. That figure helped cement the game as one of the studio's better-performing releases of the era.
How does Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance fit into the Silver Box series?
It is catalogued as part of SSI's Silver Box line of role-playing and action titles. The game brought the Dragonlance storyline into that lineup as a side-scrolling action experience rather than a turn-based RPG.
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