Nintendo DS

Lock's Quest

Even the surprisingly dark plot of Lock's Quest is more unpredictable than the "boy from a small village becomes the world's savior" synopsis would lead you to expect. Unfortunately, that plot just happens to be conveyed through frequent, slightly long-winded, unskippable cut-scenes that you often have to rewatch depending on where you save and restart. Despite that frustration -- and the occasionally inaccurate stylus controls -- the game engaged and satisfied me above and beyond any of my previous tower-defense obsessions. Lock's Quest succeeds as both a love letter to, and an evolution of, the tower-defense genre.

Lock's Quest solves my tower defense problem, creating something that is playable by even non-crazy people. In the process, developer 5th Cell has added something that seems rather difficult to add to this kind of game: a story, and a good one at that.

All in all, Lock’s quest is one of the most unique games on the DS yet and it also makes some of the best use of the touch screen we’ve seen in any game so far. Though it’s still not a true traditional RTS, it’s the closest thing you’ll find on the DS and it pulls it off masterfully. If you’re a fan of action, RTSs, or you just want to try out one of the coolest gameplay ideas on the DS yet, you will not be disappointed with a purchase of Lock’s Quest.

Lock's Quest is everything a portable strategy game should be. Its battles are exciting little bursts of bite-sized panic attacks, lasting only minutes at a time, but feeling much longer. Despite a few niggles, the stylus controls work pretty damn well, helped by the clean and simple methods of control used. It's just a really, really, really good portable game. I would love for you to buy this. Not download it, but actually buy it. It's worth the money, and given how little advertising this game has had, it definitely needs it. This is the type of DS game that we, as gamers, should be rewarding with our cash. I want a sequel to Lock's Quest. I want anybody who will enjoy this game to help contribute to that happening.

I can go on and on about the game, but the bottom line is this: Lock's Quest is the best game in the tower defense genre by far, and a shining example of how even a small developer can put out an instant classic.

Locks' Quest is the sort of game for which the DS was made. It's quick and easy to pick up and play, makes great use of the touch-screen, and is just an overall delightful game. It isn't perfect, and there are plenty of places for a sequel to improve on, but it's charming, fun and one of the best titles to hit the DS this year. Even more surprising, it is an original IP from a fairly unknown developer. Cell has proven that they've got a strong grasp over what makes the DS such a good system, and I can't wait to see more games from this developer. For now, though, Lock's Quest offers plenty of excellent gameplay to keep you busy. It isn't going to reinvent any genres and may not be as lengthy or popular as one of Square Enix or Nintendo's offerings, but what it does offer is a whole lot of charming fun, and if you're a DS owner, you owe it to yourself to give this title a shot before it vanishes off shelves forever.

Lock’s Quest is a unique game that’s perfectly suited to the DS. With any number of ways to approach its lengthy quest, this is a game that will keep you playing for quite a while. In a sea of bland licensed titles and pet simulators, Lock’s Quest stands out on the DS as a fresh, engaging, immersive experience that’s well worth your time and money.

Lock´s Quest es otra bella apuesta por la originalidad de un grupo programador lleno de creatividad. Estamos ante un juego que combina RPG, estrategia e incluso acción, de una manera sencilla y muy adictiva. Su propuesta de construcción para prepararnos las batallas es un gran acierto, con multitud de opciones de configuración, que junto al frenetismo de las batallas dejan un buen sabor en todo su conjunto. Sin duda uno de los juegos de estrategia más originales disponibles para Nintendo DS y uno de los títulos más importantes para este año en el catálogo de la consola.

We could think of 100 things we'd love to see added to a future version (four player multiplayer, online play, and co-op modes at the very least), but this original IP has delivered an extremely impressive package in its first offering, and is hopefully only going to get better with future versions that we can only assume (and hope) are on the way. Any game that can be thrown in with the likes of Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, Final Fantasy IV, Heroes of Mana, Rocket Slime, and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin and still feel unique and fresh among some of the top DS strategy/RPG games deserves its time in the spotlight, and Lock's Quest is exactly that. Buy it, and love it.

Lock’s Quest is an admirable entry into the DS's RPG/RTS repertoire. It can take roughly 20 hours to fully complete, though it is a bit difficult at times, so it can actually take a lot longer than that. It's a fantastic RPG effort from 5th Cell, and if you only previously knew them for Drawn to Life, Lock's Quest is the title that signifies you should be paying close attention to future releases - this is the stuff that sequels are made of.

Lock's Quest takes a different and refreshing approach by suggesting that the best offense is a good defense. Lock's Quest also does something great for the DS, which is introduce a strong new property that will fit nicely on any other console. Watching Drawn to Life spawn variant games, we can only hope that Lock's Quest finds its audience and a similar trajectory.

Lock’s Quest puede parecer un juego como todos los demás, sin ningún interés real, lo cual es una impresión totalmente equivocada. Bajo una capa de sprites se esconde un sistema de juego único, que mezcla sabiamente construcción, estrategia y rol, formando un todo sólido y complejo. Divertidísimo, además sabe cómo enganchar y tiene una historia no muy original pero si más que interesante. 5TH Cell ha vuelto a lograr un título sólido que se une a la notable lista de RPGs que ha estado recibiendo la consola últimamente, como Final Fantasy IV o Sonic RPG: La hermandad oscura. Más que recomendado

Lock's Quest for the Nintendo DS combines the right amount of story and battle driven gameplay to satisfy most gamers. The game may look a bit bland and dry at first, but after some time with it most should find it highly addictive and very tough to put down. The 2D art is simply fun and suits the games theme perfectly. Fans of this style of game will really enjoy Lock’s Quest, and I don't blame them as it is an impressive package and another title to add to one's DS collection.

Lock’s Quest is by no means perfect. The touch controls have their drawbacks, especially when tapping specific turrets within the isometric view. The tower-defense genre is, by definition, a "rinse and repeat" cycle that may grow old with gamers. And the lack of online play is a bit of a letdown. At the same time, 5th Cell has done a great deal right with an original property. The story is surprisingly deep and gripping. New abilities or turrets help mix up the gameplay and provide gamers with refreshing approaches to each invasion. The visuals feel alive, with great animation and style. And if not enough, the epic soundtrack heightens the plot’s sense of scale. All of this is wrapped up as a great package for any DS owner.

Once again, the DS leads the way in innovation as Lock's Quest represents another odd, yet successful mergence of two, perhaps three different genres. Slightly better graphics and a multiplayer mode might've been nice, but all in all, it's an enjoyable, addictive game that'll keep you occupied for at least a good 20 hours. Simple enough for newbies to get into, yet containing enough variety to keep hardcore strategy enthusiasts interested.

Lock's Quest is certainly one of the better DS games to hit the platform this year. If you're a fan of past DS strategy titles - LostMagic or Revenant Wings, for example - picking up Lock's Quest is a no-brainer. Even if you've not yet gotten into RTS games, Lock's Quest is a good place to start. It's got an even learning curve and provides ultimately satisfying gameplay regardless of your experience with the genre.

LOCK'S QUEST is a sheer joy to play. Made by the same thoughtful developers who brought you Drawn to Life last year, this deep and satisfying game features young Lock, an "archineer" who's part architect and part engineer. Lock's placid seaside village has been safe for years from marauding Clockworks, soldier enemies of varying strength. But no longer. Lock must save his kingdom from wave after wave of Clockworks by building towers, walls, and weapons.

There’s a great deal about Lock’s Quest that could be improved, including the camera, character control, AI behavior and the player interface. But even with all of this against it, I could barely put it down. Every time I thought I was going to give up and move on, something happened that brought me back into it again. If you can put the game’s obvious problems out of your mind, you’ll end up with a fulfilling gaming experience that you’ll want to share with your friends.

Overall, Lock's Quest is immensely entertaining. Yeah, online functionality and more multiplayer goodness would've taken it into five-star land, but being a very solid four is nothing to be ashamed of. The original design is exquisite and the gameplay never grows dull, unless you feel it's beneath you for some reason. Un-Lock this treasure for yourself and dig in.

If you like the sound of how a typical battle plays out in Lock's Quest, then we can't recommend it enough. The art design is unique, the story akin to one of Square Enix's RPG DS titles and it's a great game to play for short bursts of time, perhaps on a regular commute, because the battles themselves don't take too much time to complete. And, if you do get through the campaign, the multi-card play option will keep you going as long as you know someone who also has the game. But, ultimately, if the tower defence genre isn't your thing, then Lock's Quest isn't going to float your boat.

Lock's Quest provides a familiar experience that at the same time feels so distinct and unique that you'd be hard pressed to find something similar to it on the DS. Combining so much in such a little package is a daunting task, but the folks at 5th Cell have succeeded with flying colors, making a game that's a real joy to play. Lock's Quest is easily one of the best strategy titles for the DS and if you're a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

But Lock’s Quest is just too damn fast-paced for the fussy controls to get annoying enough to really kill the fun. Lock’s Quest never gets stale or repetitive, with constantly changing mission objectives and the addictive back-and-forth between defense planning in Build mode and the fast-paced fisticuffs of Battle Mode. You’re constantly thrown new goals and new gameplay styles in small, meaty, minute-sized chunks. So even if it’s a little rough around the edges, Lock’s Quest always stays interesting and unique enough to make it a relentlessly addictive experience.

With a lengthy single-player campaign, exciting multiplayer, and addictive gameplay, Lock's Quest has elevated the defense genre high above mere Internet distraction. Those who have spent lazy afternoons clicking through flash-based defense games, as well as those who haven't, would do well to give Lock's Quest a try.

Lock's Quest is, simply put, an excellent game. There are still some kinks to work out, and there is ample room for expansion, but 5th Cell nailed the gameplay mechanics, the pace of progression and the ability to tie in a story worth caring about. Just as THQ expanded Drawn to Life, we hope Lock has more room for adventure in his future.

When tallied up, this is a really fun strategy adventure. Some practical design choices, along with a host of inspired gameplay ideas, make this a title well worth checking out. There are a ton of missions and a local multiplayer option for when the single-player journey comes to an end. The game, of course, is not without flaws, but in spite of its shortcomings, Lock’s Quest is mostly a joy to play.

Pour peu que l'on accroche au concept stratégique des Tower Defense, Lock's Quest s'avère suffisamment original et bien réalisé pour que l'on ait envie de dégainer son stylet. Entre ses phases de constructions efficaces, ses phases d'action trépidantes, et le développement de son sympathique scénario, ce soft addictif est l'une des bonnes surprises de la rentrée.

Concepteur du très passé inaperçu et pourtant fort original Drawn To Life, 5th Cell s'apparente de plus en plus comme un studio de créatifs soucieux de remuer un tant soit peu le monde du jeu vidéo en général et sur DS en particulier. Ils prennent un vrai envol avec ce Lock's Quest que l'on sent réalisé avec peu de moyens mais avec une ingéniosité impressionnante. Attachant, relativement joli, scénarisé assez classiquement mais bien rythmé, il pêche uniquement par des soucis d'ordre technique qui pourront, on l'espère, être réglés dans une possible suite. A l'image d'un mur de vieilles pierre rénové, Lock's Quest est aussi charmeur, qu'à la fois solide et friable.

However, I definitely applaud Lock's Quest for being a fairly unique action/strategy hybrid, and I can honestly say I haven't played anything like it, and even comparing it to a tower defense title like Pixeljunk Monsters isn't entirely fair, since they do play out in entirely different ways. It's a fun little title, and while it might not hold your attention thru the entire main story, it's definitely worth checking out regardless.

Après Drawn to Life, le studio 5th Cell présente son second titre, très différent mais tout aussi original. Lock's Quest est un jeu d'action et de stratégie greffé à un scénario de RPG old school, dont il emprunte également la plastique et l'ambiance sonore. Et ce mélange inattendu fonctionne bien, malgré le léger manque de ces menus détails qui créent un véritable univers. Qu'importe, le système de combat, qui peut sembler un peu léger de prime abord, s'étoffe au fur et à mesure que l'on progresse dans le titre, permettant ainsi au joueur de monter des stratégies de plus en plus retorses, toujours en un minimum de temps. Les quelques imprécisions au niveau de la jouabilité au stylet mises de côté, casser de l'automate est un véritable petit plaisir, surtout lorsque l'on peut le partager à deux.

Lock's Quest may be repetitive in extended play sessions, but, it's fun and engaging, and successfully aims at the upper-end of PlayTHQ's 6-12 year old age range. In fact, it's easy to see general casual gamers get into Lock's Quest, with its accessible learning curve and 'brain training' wall-building strategy.

But it's a tribute to the appeal of Lock's Quest that it still manages to entertain despite these issues. In part this is due to the sheer volume of content on offer, with a long (perhaps too long) single-player campaign and an excellent two-player combative mode. It seems likely that most of the control problems are largely due to the limitations of the DS itself, rather than 5th Cell, but either way it's going to be very interesting seeing what the developer comes up with next. (And let's hope the name does the content justice, at least.)

The truly sad part is that Lock's Quest is just a few design tweaks away from being a fantastic game. All the ingredients are here, but the overzealous chefs at 5th Cell screwed up the recipe. Yields: about five hours of play before all but the most patient gamers will get bored. (Reviewer's note: I played for much longer than that, against my better judgment.) There's a cool story to be revealed if you can force yourself to keep going. Lock's Quest is certainly not a bad game, but it’s definitely disappointing in light of all its great assets and originality.

This rescues the whole game. There are problems all over, and it doesn't take a genius to spot them, or carve a chunk out of the score to reflect them, but all the same it's hard not to enjoy what 5th Cell has put together, with its excellent graphics and repetitive but gripping gameplay. It probably won't finish on many best-of-the-year lists, but if our experience is anything to go by then Lock's Quest will live long in any DS cartridge slot.

Much like Drawn to Life, Lock’s Quest is a game that looks great on paper. In practice, however, many of these ideas prove to have numerous problems. If the game sells well enough, perhaps we will see a sequel addressing the game’s numerous problems. Lock’s Quest’s awesome gameplay ideas are balanced out by poor execution, and the final product is a mere shadow of the game’s full potential.