Drakengard

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 55
  3. Negative: 8 out of 55
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  1. XGP Gaming
    83
    One of the most important factors of gameplay is the layout of the controller. Square Enix has done an excellent job of making all of your tasks simpler by utilizing the DualShock 2 efficiently and naturally.
  2. netjak
    81
    If you dig "Dynasty Warriors," this is a must buy for you. If you dig "Panzer Dragoon Orta," this is a possible buy for you. (there are less Dragon specific sequences than there are DW style sequences.) [JPN Import "Drag-On Dragoon"]
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  3. Computer and Video Games
    81
    While overall you have a typically slick Square-Enix production, fighting is too simplistic, with only one button to perform most attacks. Also, despite the enemies themselves looking terrific throughout, the backdrops for the aerial battles are no match for "Panzer Dragoon Orta."
  5. PGNx Media
    80
    Neither of its two main gameplay modes are the best in the industry, Drakengard does both well enough to be a pleasant experience.
  6. Edge Magazine
    80
    If there is a criticism, it's the essentially unvarying mission objectives. In the hands of a lesser developer, it might have resulted in a monotony over the game's long life span. That it never does is a testament to Drag-on Dragoon's excellence. [Dec 2003, p.98; JPN Import]
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  7. IGN
    79
    What it isn't, though, is the second coming of the "Dynasty Warriors" series, nor is it the RPG that all the advertisements make it out to be. It's an action game pure and simple, and one that succeeds and fails on multiple levels.
  8. Gamezilla!
    78
    The dragon gameplay makes a good gimmick, and the story is strong, but for gameplay, it only has a Dynasty Warriors hack and slash system backed up by good experience gain.
  9. Next Level Gaming
    76
    While the game has at least a good 30 hours of gameplay, I don't see this as a title that many will come back to beat again once they've gone through it one time.
  10. Computer Games Magazine
    75
    The most glaring error in the game, however, is the pop up. Enemies appear out of nowhere because the engine is unable to draw them close enough. [Apr 2004, p.7]
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  11. GameShark
    75
    In small doses Drakengard is quite fun. The best way to play it might be like the novel you read on the subway on the way to and from work. Read a little bit each day as you ride and you eventually get the whole story while being entertained during the mundane task of getting to work.
  12. Game Informer
    75
    Yes, it's simple and not terribly original, but it does provide plenty of fast-paced action and some solid visuals. As action games go, you could do much worse. [Mar 2004, p.100]
  13. GameSpy
    75
    Got a spare 20 to 30 hours, and a hankering for mindless medieval bloodshed? Not been pressing the Square button enough? Go on -- give this an intense weekend rental.
  14. Game Over Online
    75
    A title that showed promise, but was hampered from soaring primarily because of its static, somewhat limited combat and graphical issues. This is a pity considering the solid storyline, numerous weapons and multiple endings lend themselves to a large amount of replayability.

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
15
#15 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 158 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 118 out of 158
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 158
  3. Negative: 24 out of 158
  1. DrunkenSnake
    Apr 4, 2013
    10
    I voted 10 because it just is my favourite game of all times. I know it has its issues and if I was professional reviewer, I'd probably loseI voted 10 because it just is my favourite game of all times. I know it has its issues and if I was professional reviewer, I'd probably lose my job right away, but I don't really care. There is just something that makes me play this game even after all those years. The most interesting thing about the game is definitely story especially thanks to the unique, mostly completely insane bunch of characters that are far from your everyday heroes. I don't want to spoil much, but let's say our party consists of mass murderer that enjoys killing above all, cannibal that eats children, pedophile, and racist. Oh well... Now about gameplay. Most of you probably know that this game is combination of Panzer Dragon and Dynasty Warriors and it's pretty spot on description. There are 3 types of mission Dungeons, where you have to fight alone, in the air, where you fight airships with your dragon and combination of both, mostly on some plains where you are given choice to either fight on foot or from the back of your dragon. You can get down and call for her anytime. Ground battles are the part of the game I found most fun. During the course of the game you come across many many weapons (around 60), everyone can be leveled to level 4, gain unique combos and more importantly magic, which by the end of the game gets really devastating and quite satisfying to use. Then there is fairly interesting chain system that gets you hooked up during longer battles since you get more experience, buffs, health orbs and other bonuses, the higher is your combo count. Air missions have less variety if you ask me, but it's not really bad. Dragon can shoot homing (weaker) fireballs as well as huge fireball with manual aiming. And just like Caim, she has MP gauge that fills up after certain number of kills, which means you can use overdrive. But like I said it is the story and overall atmosphere (I guarantee you, that music in this game is nothing you have ever heard anywhere else and it's awesome!) that keeps you interested. The game has 5 endings, to which applies simple rule They get more and more crazy. This, along with weapon collectibles and leveling, kinda ensures fairly long playtime and high replayability. Just give the game chance and maybe you will like it. Be prepared though. It's definitely not for everyone, that's for sure.… Full Review »
  2. Caffe
    Sep 4, 2023
    7
    Drakengard has a great idea at the base, but a disgusting implementation, both in gameplay and in technical terms. The gameplay is insanelyDrakengard has a great idea at the base, but a disgusting implementation, both in gameplay and in technical terms. The gameplay is insanely repetitive. The story is amazing, but some parts are just down right very poorly acted. The hacknslash style mixes great with the overall RPG style and it feels great to level your stuff, however the game would have been better of with a souls-like style, as some encounters don't seem to mix well with its style. However, for anyone who likes Yoko Taro and for those who want to discover the ancestor of nier this is an absolute must-play.… Full Review »
  3. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    A hidden gem. I played this as a teen, looking for something similar to Dynasty Warriors, and i absolutely loved it. The combat just works,A hidden gem. I played this as a teen, looking for something similar to Dynasty Warriors, and i absolutely loved it. The combat just works, and the amount of different weapons, each one with their own moves and speacial moves, that you can unlock and level up are INSANE. But, even if mechanically it's kind of similar to DW, the story and aesthetics are pretty much unique, and never found anything similar since then... except for, maybe, Fear and Hunger. Depressing, dark and apocalyptic, every character has a tortured sould and nobody is saved at the end. It's a lesson in hopelessness. Some of the endings are so shocking and deep that, to this day, i really think nobody is still able to make justice to them.… Full Review »
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