Drakengard

 PlayStation 2
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
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  1. Caestus
    Mar 13, 2013
    6
    The more you progress in the game, the crazier the story gets. It is not a bad one, just unusual. The graphics, despite the FMVs, are bad and also the fighting animations are stiffly. At least you can fly with a dragon.
  2. AnonymousMC
    Mar 8, 2004
    7
    Dynasty Warriors does a better job of on the ground fighting, and the air missions are aggrivating. Even more aggrivating is how the dragon and Veredelt will pop up to yell nonsense at you during missions and obscure the friggin' minimap.
    For all that, though, I like this game. It's not very deep, but if you just want to slice up some suckers, it's fun. The worst part is    Dynasty Warriors does a better job of on the ground fighting, and the air missions are aggrivating. Even more aggrivating is how the dragon and Veredelt will pop up to yell nonsense at you during missions and obscure the friggin' minimap.
    For all that, though, I like this game. It's not very deep, but if you just want to slice up some suckers, it's fun. The worst part is DEFINITLY the story, which is totally nonsensical. Anyone who says it's deep or even understandable is a liar. I brought, but you should rent.    … Expand
  3. Javike7
    Oct 31, 2012
    5
    Tedious entertainment. I like the story and the concept of the dragon. I like the weapon and how as they level up you can get some kind of story about their origin. I can put up with the repetitive attack pattern one,two,three special... But two things that really brought my enjoyment down were the camera, it sucks not being able to slowly adjust the camera, instead you are force to useTedious entertainment. I like the story and the concept of the dragon. I like the weapon and how as they level up you can get some kind of story about their origin. I can put up with the repetitive attack pattern one,two,three special... But two things that really brought my enjoyment down were the camera, it sucks not being able to slowly adjust the camera, instead you are force to use the block button to look ahead or the right analog stick which sends the camera in a crazy whirl, that and the fact that you can't save in the middle of a stage suck. After playing for nearly an hour it really annoys me when I get killed because I had little life and made a stupid mistake. I understand not wanting players to save every so often so that they can become pretty much immortal, but you could have limited the saves during gameplay to two, hell even one would have been enough. Just so that you don't loose 40+min of gameplay.… Expand
  4. marcelus
    Mar 17, 2017
    7
    Let's say I will say this game is a 7 technically even tho is a 4 gameplay wise in half of the scenarios. What I mean? I mean the parts where you control Caim are tedious but the combat over Angel (Angelus) like a Ace Combat or Panzer Dragoon are good. The game is too lenghty so if you're seeking of completing it, go find a partner to divide efforts or watch the story via YouTube. MaybeLet's say I will say this game is a 7 technically even tho is a 4 gameplay wise in half of the scenarios. What I mean? I mean the parts where you control Caim are tedious but the combat over Angel (Angelus) like a Ace Combat or Panzer Dragoon are good. The game is too lenghty so if you're seeking of completing it, go find a partner to divide efforts or watch the story via YouTube. Maybe Yoko Taro makes a Remastered some day. This is the start of the great Drag-On Dragoon (Drakengard) Series which created a universe from the 800's to the years 11k on NieR Automata. Prepare to read a few mangas, novellas, and watch all kind of contents about the universe because it was made with a lot of joy by Taro San.… Expand
  5. Linkman
    Dec 2, 2018
    7
    Drakengard is a truly love and hate game. For all of the amazing story moments, there's the insanely repetitive and frustrating gameplay you have to slog through to get to the story. What's here in narrative is amazing, just not backed up by strong gameplay.

    The story revolves around two kingdoms known as the Union and the Empire during the medieval era, with the Empire gaining the    Drakengard is a truly love and hate game. For all of the amazing story moments, there's the insanely repetitive and frustrating gameplay you have to slog through to get to the story. What's here in narrative is amazing, just not backed up by strong gameplay.

    The story revolves around two kingdoms known as the Union and the Empire during the medieval era, with the Empire gaining the upper hand in the fight. You play as Caim, the prince of the Union who is severely injured during battle against Empire troops during their assault on the castle of the Union goddess, Furiae, who is also Caim's sister. Caim then runs into a dragon severely injured as well during the fight, with his first instinct being to kill it, due to his parents also being killed by a dragon. However, they both decide to make a pact in order to heal their wounds at the cost of Caim losing his voice as part of their pact. From then on, they seek to fight against the Empire and win the battle once and for all.

    Although the story does start off as typical fantasy and the same old one man chosen to save the day, it slowly descends into a dark tale of hate, killing, war, and death. There even some story sequences that will totally catch you off guard the first time you play through it and will leave you thinking over what you just saw. It's also a game in which there is not one character to root for and every character has some sort of awful quality that hinders their overall personality. This is also a game that you will feel compelled to get all five endings to, since they all end in dark and bizarre points and will give you a full sense of the big picture of the narrative.

    While it's clear Yoko Taro (The director of Drakengard) has put a lot of time and effort into creating an original albeit dark and morbid world and narrative, his focus on the gameplay is a major downgrade in comparison. the bulk of the game mostly requires the player during ground missions to walk around on the battlefield, taking out targets to get to the next part of the mission and riding your dragon to move around faster and take out enemies from the sky. You'll also take control of your dragon during aerial missions, but aside from two different attacks and unable to leave your dragon, there's not much difference. The one thing that does save the combat from being completely repetitive are the weapons in the game, which each can be leveled up 3 times, becoming more powerful and deadly the more they're used (which you also should collect as many as you can the first time, since the final ending requires the player to find all weapons). Some, like Caim's beginning sword, can simply allow him to fire fireballs and hit the floor causing AOE damage, but then others, such as maces or hammers, can launch rocks from the ground or cause a storm of lighting around Caim. Even so, you're still going to be killing the same enemies over and over, and it only gets worse as the game goes on, with the enemies eventually appearing in full abundance and able to take cheap hits at you. The later sections will drive you insane and sometimes will make you want to break your controller.

    When it comes to the presentation, Drakengard hasn't aged well, but still has some bright spots. Graphically, it does show it's age clearly, with unclear textures and very bland environments, which do though add to the overall dark war feel of the game's world. Character designs do have a distinct look to them, giving off the whole medieval era while also being very original in design and visuals. The music, though, is definitely the highpoint of the presentation. It primarily focuses on using 10 to 15 second loops from actual orchestrated symphonies and replays them on repeat during the missions. Although it sounds annoying, they do an excellent job in giving off the sickening and dark tone of the game and will definitely have players feeling uncomfortable and genuinely creeped out. Growing Wings, the song that plays during the final credits of ending B, is a perfect example.

    Overall, I would have no issues recommending Drakengard to someone, but only if you're willing to put up with the mediocre and at times, horrible gameplay. It's a shame in the end too, since the story and world Yoko Taro creates in the game is so original and intriguing that you will constantly be compelled to keep pushing through the gameplay just to see where it ends up next. If you can deal with the gameplay that, as I said, will frustrate you and make you want to break your controller, you will be rewarded with one of the most original, brutal, and probably darkest narratives ever created in a video game. Otherwise, look to other things.

    P.S. Warning: Be prepared to die a lot on the final boss of the final ending, ending e. It will drive you crazy. Good Luck!    … Expand
  6. SelfPlayer123
    Feb 13, 2023
    7
    For anyone who likes Yoko Taro this is an absolute must-play. However the critique is more than justified. The Gameplay is insanely repetitive but not as bad as some like to claim. 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 beenFor anyone who likes Yoko Taro this is an absolute must-play. However the critique is more than justified. The Gameplay is insanely repetitive but not as bad as some like to claim. 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. Overall this game remains a stable 7/10, but is hardly any innovation.… Expand
  7. Boring_Schultz
    Dec 16, 2021
    6
    Drakengard has a great idea at the base, but a disgusting implementation, both in gameplay and in technical terms.
  8. MadIsAdopted
    Dec 5, 2022
    5
    Original Drakengard is an absolutely beautiful and gritty tale, followed by above average music. However its gameplay is literally a crime against humanity. You indeed have to be a masochist in order to enjoy playing it even for an hour. Technical condition is acceptable while looking back at how much money was invested into game's development. Definitely wouldn't recommend playing itOriginal Drakengard is an absolutely beautiful and gritty tale, followed by above average music. However its gameplay is literally a crime against humanity. You indeed have to be a masochist in order to enjoy playing it even for an hour. Technical condition is acceptable while looking back at how much money was invested into game's development. Definitely wouldn't recommend playing it unless you want to discover the Yoko Taro lore first hands… Expand
  9. Nikkisann
    Aug 20, 2022
    5
    Worst game I ever played, guys who made it hate you, they probably didn't expect anyone to play it. I mean, the gameplay sucks, flying on dragon kind of fun, but the rest part of the game so annoying, boring and dump. The last boss fight at E(truth) ending most difficult and stupid fight I've ever seen, it took me 5 hours to beat that...
    The characters and story is interesting, but you    Worst game I ever played, guys who made it hate you, they probably didn't expect anyone to play it. I mean, the gameplay sucks, flying on dragon kind of fun, but the rest part of the game so annoying, boring and dump. The last boss fight at E(truth) ending most difficult and stupid fight I've ever seen, it took me 5 hours to beat that...
    The characters and story is interesting, but you better watch let's play than play it yourself.    … Expand
  10. 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 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-likeDrakengard 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.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. RealGamer
    72
    It seems ironic that in Square Enix’s attempts to make a game appealing to fans of two genres they have actually created a game that features pretty standard gameplay and may not attract its intended audience.
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  2. Just RPG
    65
    Just isn't fun enough to keep you playing. With repetitive missions, no multiplayer and mediocre gameplay, it often devolves into a chore.
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  3. Armchair Empire
    59
    Two genres thrown together that don’t really try to be better than the games that they’re based on, descending into a mundane exercise in repetition.
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