All in all a decent setup. Had a few glitches here and there (like having one of the npc's going behind a sealed wall...) Other then to spend additional time getting bugs out? I found the game to play decent..I also could'ent stand DK's voice at all. Just a few minor details for suggestions:

-Reverting backwards a bit with the monster information/damage/resistance.
It was a bit annoying to have all the "new" styles of attacks and resistances. For the one's I've played in the past? It's always been the normal: lightning/fire/freeze(cold)/poison. When I found myself also juggleing earth/wind/shadow...etc.. It was a bit of a turn off and made things seem a bit "over drawn". Between that and the lovely weapon information? Kinda need to get back to some basics. This time around it was like re-inventing the wheel.

-The new spell selector setup. Very overdone. Might want to consider using a more "simple" interface, and stream-line the spell/skill bit. The first one in DD was very well laid out, simple..and did'nt require a master's degree to understand.

-The whole bit with the "nice non-threat" NPC's (snails...rats...nats...nicknacks..etc..) It was EXTREAMLY annoying to accidently click on the wrong "foe" while in close combat, only to get repeated attacks from Frogs?!?!

I'm not typing this out to slam the designers, they did a good job at putting out a great game. However it's needed to remind people at times? You've got one heck of a good game engine. Sleak...fast..smooth.. But with to many bells and whistles? It comes off as being to "complex" Plus it's a pain to have to kill one creature at great expense...look up the stats..see if the weapon is available.. I'm a huge fan of another RPG which I won't name here..But one of it's best features is highlighting not only the 'hit points' above the foe's status bar, but also lists if the foe is immune to certian attacks. Made life a lot easier not having to go back..look up the data...change weapons...change "crystals" for protection... It just became to "complex".

At any rate...my .02cents worth of mindless blathering. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. For the most part I would think a player of RPG's is looking for "fun" value..But this time around parts of the games layout was a bit to heavy on the "work" part. I'd still give this one a 8 out of 10 though.

All Best-
T.Bear