DLC Quest Review

Now this is why the Xbox Live Indie Games section exists. DLC Quest is such a great gaming experience that it not only is the best game in the XBLIG section but it is also one of the best downloadable games on the Xbox 360. Also, it’s only $1.

DLC Quest in itself is a satire of the videogame industries obsession with DLC. You start the game off by seeing the Bad Guy steal the Princess and you have to go and get revenge on him (the Bad Guy also killed your uncle and peed in the town’s water supply). Unfortunately, you can’t jump or move left. So, you move right, collect a few coins, and then purchase a DLC pack which allows you to move left and jump. This mechanic is so ingenious and something that you will be using throughout the entire game. Not only that, you will also be laughing the entire time.

It’s true. DLC Quest’s sense of humor is something rarely seen in videogames anymore. Whether it is the fact that you can buy overpriced horse armor (WoW) or when an NPC tells you that he has nothing to do with the story… yet or even the DLC pack that gives every NPC a sexy outfit. You will be laughing your butt off all the way through.

One of my favorite moments in the game was (*Spoiler*) when you go up to an old man and he tells you that some kids have been taken by wolves, he lost his enchanted spellbook and his lucky fishing rod is missing. The Player responds by saying, “No, I don’t even know you. Solve your own problems, I’m busy.” (*End of Spoiler*). That moment will easily end up being one of my favorite videogame moments of all time. DLC Quest even houses another one of my favorite moments of all time involving a fun twist on RPG random encounters but I won’t ruin that for you.

As for the game play side of things, It is standard 2D platforming. You run, jump and collect coins which you buy the DLC with. To kill the enemies, you are given a sword which you have to sharpen 10,000 times before you can use it (or just buy a DLC pack to speed up the process). There suddenly appears to be a baddie that a sword won’t kill, buy a gun and shoot it. Basically, it is a fun mix of Mario, Zelda, and a little old school violence from the 8-bit days.

Sadly though, there is a negative point to the game. You will be doing some back tracking which did get slightly annoying but it was easily forgivable because it did fit with the nature of the game. What isn’t forgivable though, is the overall length of the game. I beat it in roughly 30 minutes and it was really disappointing to see the game end so soon and have the credits roll. But it is better to be left wanting more of a game than to have it overstay its welcome.

All in all, DLC Quest is one of the best downloadable games available today. Its humor, fun 8 bit music, graphics, and the way it pokes fun at the gaming industry are all perfectly done. It’s a shame it ends so soon but hey, you can buy the game for a dollar. Yeah, a buck. Seriously, buy this game right now so we can get a sequel… Or at least some DLC.

This review was based on a retail code of DLC Quest provided by Ben Kane of Going Loud Studios. You can (and must) download DLC Quest now in the Xbox Live Indie Games section for 80 MSP ($1).