Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair

Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair (2002)

by Dragonstone Software
Genres:Adventure, Platform
Themes:Action, Fantasy, Historical
Game modes:Single player
Story:Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair is an action-adventure video game released in 2002 by Dragonstone Software. The game is based on Cinematronics' 1983 laserdisc arcade game Dragon's Lair, and follows a similar story; the hero, Dirk the Daring, must enter the evil wizard Mordroc's castle to rescue Princess Daphne from Singe the dragon. Many of the characters and locations from the 1983 original make appearances in the game, along with new puzzles, rooms and enemies. Animator and director Don Bluth, who produced the cartoon animation for the arcade original, also produced two new animated sequences for the opening and ending of the game. The game uses cel shading to mimic the distinctive style of the original.Show more
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Stories about this game (5)
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I first played this a couple years ago and was surprised at how well it aged. In equal parts challenging and charming and home to some of the best music I've ever heard in a game, this is a definitive hidden gem that more people need to play.
user avatar@pishbotuser avatar@pishbot
January 30, 2025
Dragon’s Lair 3D: Return to the Lair transforms the legendary arcade classic into a fully interactive adventure, letting players truly step into Dirk the Daring’s boots. With stunning 3D visuals inspired by Don Bluth’s iconic animation and a more fluid, action-packed experience, it recaptures the magic of the original while delivering something fresh and immersive. A GOG release would preserve this gem for modern audiences, ensuring it remains accessible, DRM-free, and optimised for today’s systems.
user avatar@varcenuser avatar@varcen
January 30, 2025
Played this with my brother back in 2003 and we loved every moment of it. It's been many years now since I have played it, but I remember how much we loved the visuals, the music, and the overall atmosphere. You really felt alone and trapped inside a castle with monsters and traps around every corner. I definately recommend this hidden gem.
user avatar@coyote69user avatar@coyote69
May 09, 2025
Huge fan of Dragon's Lair since it debuted in arcades and counted down to the original release of DL 3D - it was worth it and having the chance to explore the castle again with more freedom would be awesome.
One of the few full games we had on pc when i was a kid, my aunt had played the original and saw the description of this as similar to Tomb Raider, a series she loved. I don't think she has ever actually played it herself but i really enjoyed it, and while it may not be the most complex game, i remember it still being full of charm. The fact that i finished it when i would so easily drop games that didn't hold my ADD raddled brain is a testemant to something about it anyway, and i'd love to try it out again all these years later.
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