Dragon's Crown

There's just one reason to avoid Dragon's Crown: you hate old-school side scrolling beat'em ups. If you don't, you just can't miss Vanillaware masterpiece, a game built on a solid and deep combat system and George Kamitani's beautiful graphics.

Dragon’s Crown is a masterpiece. The gameplay is simple enough for casual play but offers deep components to compliment it for those who want more from their games on both single and multiplayer levels.

Dragon's Crown is quite literally a crowning achievement in the beat 'em up genre. Utilizing some of the best design concepts of the past 20 years, Vanillaware succeeds in creating a captivating world that you just can't help but experience over and over.

A good example to show there are not too-old formulas, just wrong approaches to reignite them. Taking the base of D&D Arcade and introducing plenty of RPG and Hack'n Slash elements, Vanillaware has made its finest game.

Dragon's Crown has a lot to offer, from building one of the finest co-op games this generation, to leaving one nagging issue for us critics to nitpick in the lack of cross-play support. It's one of the prettiest games around, the addictive structure of the game compliments how many hours can be sunk in (with friends or on your own), and there's even some PvP stuff for anyone who really wants to put their money where their mouth is. Even the music is charming.

One of the best looking 2D titles of this year and a game that you can spend 50 or 100 hours with and still not have enough. And if you have three friends to enjoy the co-op mode with, Dragon’s Crown is amazing. [13/2013, p.64]

Dragon’s Crown is a fantastic addition to the RPG genre, bringing an original personality that’s hard to ignore. With an amazing amount of content, this is one game that’s worth the grinding it demands.

Dragon's Crown is without any doubt the best heir of Golden Axe we have ever seen in the last years.

Dragon's Crown is an intense celebration of the good old-school arcade games. Vanillaware did a great job creating such an interesting and fun experience for both PS3 and PSVita. The lack of the Cross Buy and Cross Play options is a problem, because the game is so damn good on both the consoles.

This is simply the best work Vanillaware so far. We absolutely recommend it for those looking for 2D action games, RPG adventures or multiplayer-focused experiences. This time there's more than beautiful graphics. It is a solid and fun experience you should try.

Dragon's Crown is equipped with an irresistible charge and a visual style that stands out the current landscape of the video game market. The game is above the already enviable previous productions from Vanillaware.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a mindless beat ‘em up obsessed with treasure chests (and pleasure ones): it’s so much more than that. Dragon’s Crown is the renaissance of the genre and it’s well worth your gold, soon-to-behardened adventurer. [October 2013, p77]

Dragon's Crown is a perfect mixture between addictive gameplay and a friendly combat system that can be a real challenge for those seeking to submerge themselves in this beautiful world. In this time filled with mediocre beat'em ups, Dragon's Crown really sticks out.

Dragon’s Crown is an extremely well-constructed blend of old-school action elements and role-playing depth. It looks great, the gameplay is rewarding for the hardcore and accessible to newcomers, the control is rock solid, and the amount of content is worthy of the $50 price tag in my eyes.

Dragon’s Crown is Vanillaware’s best title to date. Not only that, but the company should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished. As the industry shows, it’s not easy to create a beat ‘em up that is mechanically solid, plays well and has depth to keep you coming back, but the studio has done just that.

Fans of the arcade beat ‘em ups of past would regret passing this one by. It is a simple, yet deceptively in-depth brawler that keeps you coming back for more; and thankfully it just keeps on giving.

Atlus and Vanillaware make a strong case for the greatest tag team in modern gaming. Dragon's Crown is a brilliant reimagining of a classic genre that wields the depth of an RPG while keeping core elements intact.

Dragon’s Crown is, hands down, one of the most beautiful and fun pieces of art that I have ever interacted with. The visuals alone would be enough to justify a high score, but the gameplay cements it in place, minus some confusion when the screen gets really busy and some minor annoyances with the menu system and story progression in couch co-op.

While it scales back the complexity that defined Princess Crown and Odin Sphere, its focus on deep, varied fighting mechanics make it one of the best beat-em-ups released for any platform in recent years.

Smashing baddies, exploring dungeons, and scrounging for as much money and items as you can find is a satisfying departure from many strategy-heavy games coming out these days. Dragon’s Crown is a nostalgic return to classic side-scrolling brawlers found in arcades in the early ’90s, complete with flashing “go” arrows and food that falls out of villains and chests.

Artistically stunning )provided the sexualised style doesn't outrage you) and mechanically excellent. [Issue#235, p.78]

A gorgeous, impulsive and satisfying loot addiction just waiting to take over your life. [Dec 2013, p.66]

Dragon's Crown is a clear tribute to games such as Dungeons & Dragons or Golden Axe. Its technical aspects are superb, the RPG elements are well implemented, and you'll also find the co-op mode very satisfying.

This game is imminently replayable and pushes the boundaries of what is still possible in the 2D realm. This game could have easily been a disaster, counting on art style and bra size to sell copies. But Vanillaware pretty much nailed it in all categories.

If you like breasts, Japanese rpg games and beat'em'ups, Dragon's Crown is for you. It's Diabloish hack'n'slash spiced with nice game mechanics and a nice multiplayer co-op. And did I mention it has breasts? Well, it has. In all shapes and sizes. [Dec 2013]

A gorgeous hack´n slash game with neat ideas, superb gameplay and crisp 2D graphics. An instant classic.

Dragon's Crown is definitely worth checking out. It's one of the most impressive beat-'em-ups I've ever played, and I feel confident you'll say the same once you purchase it.

Dragon’s Crown is going to be the next great multiplayer action RPG. It has all the ingredients to be a fantastic game: in-depth gameplay, tons of customization, superb multiplayer integration, and countless hours of replayability. That’s not even mentioning the game’s stunning one of a kind art style.

Dragon’s Crown is an outstanding brawler/action RPG hybrid.

The ways in which the game extends its life aren't exactly elegant, but they transform what would be a relatively short experience into something repeatable and fun. When you finally complete the game, you'll be able to start a new game with your powered up character on a new difficulty level or try a new adventurer. As long as you possess the will to quest, Dragon's Crown will provide you with ample adventure.

Dragon's Crown is an amazing co-op experienced slightly hampered by a rather nasty UI and baffling obfuscation of its best feature.

The experience is virtually identical on PS3 and Vita, but if you absolutely, positively only want to buy one, I’d go for the PlayStation 3 version, as its chaotic action is more readable and better appreciated on the big screen.

VanillaWare did it again. Their signature visual style is more beautiful than ever and the mixture of side-scrolling brawler, item hunt and character development is as motivating as anything . If you compare this to Odin Sphere or Muramasa though, the story telling falls rather short, while the number of dungeons is very limited.

Dragon’s Crown is a fun game, and the charm evident in previous Vanillaware games translates well into HD. The action is fast and furious, and it’s a game that can be played in multiple sessions or short bursts.

Overall, Dragon's Crown is a very enjoyable game. If you make the mistake of thinking that it's an RPG you may be disappointed, but if you've ever enjoyed arcade side-scrolling brawlers it's very easy to recommend.

Dragon's Crown mixes surprises with a homage to the genre, becoming a nice game that's as familiar as fresh at the same time.

Dragon's Crown's narrative may get burned alive by a winged terror before it manages to even draw its sword, but the title's simple yet incredibly refined gameplay and well-crafted co-op component manage to save the day. The adventure glistens thanks to an astounding art direction that's laced with a magical musical score – but we just wished that there was a little more content to gaze lovingly in disbelief at.

Dragon’s Crown is big and brash and silly, and owes as much to the fantasy RPGs of the world as it does to the side-scrolling brawlers.

You can let out a disappointed sigh out at the bawdiness of Dragon’s Crown, but you should remain allies for the heroic fighting, hidden depths and looks that will make the even sternest knees knock. A lute-played love song to everything fantasy, Dragon’s Crown brings crisp combat with all the RPG trimmings.

Dragon's Crown is a throw-back game that borrows heavily from side scrolling beat-'em-ups. The end result is a modernized interpretation of a classic genre.

A fantastical journey that's equal parts Dungeons & Dragons and Streets Of Rage. Play it.

It's just a notch below the Vita version for playability but Dragon's Crown on the PS3 still shines as the fullest-featured arcade-style brawler with unique visuals. The steep price tag is scary but there is more than meets the eye here.

Dragon's Crown may start slow, but opens into a truly rewarding experience with each additional hour you put in. Despite some initial barriers to entry, it's still one of Vanillaware's most accessible games, catering to the hardcore while inviting in newcomers with its familiar gameplay and beautiful art.

Dragon's Crown responds to the routinely shallow beat 'em up genre by raising its ceiling so high it's hard to tell when or where it may end. The relationship between play style and potential is cyclical, ensuring any lingering curiosity over a different class or build feeds into a completely new experience. There are some more abrasive aspects that might render Dragon's Crown inaccessible, which is unfortunate, but it’s currently near the top of its genre otherwise.

A throwback to the golden age of side-scrolling beat 'em ups that devoured the spare change of many an arcade-infatuated youngster in the late '80s and early '90s.

With so many goals to pursue, Dragon's Crown is much larger than most beat-'em-ups, and more action-packed than most role-playing games. It's both beautiful and captivating in its style and execution, and overall, it's a great hybrid of two very different genres.

The gameplay feels caught in a weird void between optimizing the experience for single-player and multiplayer, but this is as close to a trip to the old-school arcades of the late ’80s as you’re going to get on home consoles.

As a side-scrolling brawler, Dragon’s Crown is deep and loaded with replay. As an example of 2D art in gaming, it’s unequalled.

Dragon’s Crown doesn’t offer any much needed enrichment of its various genres, but it makes up for this by committing to its visual identity and the frenetic, empowering possibilities of its game design.

Dragon's Crown is completely worth your attention, and if you have friends to play it with, it'll be worth the crazy ride.

Its finely-tuned balance between character classes, collectable loot and level progression are unmatched in the genre, earning the crown in its name.

Dragon’s Crown needn’t be a niche title; its accessible combat and rewarding upgrades are great fun for any action fan. In particular, if you have fond memories of days spent gathered in dim arcades with friends, wasting enemies and quarters in equal measure, then this is a surefire hit. Dragon’s Crown is proof that the cooperative brawler isn’t dead.

Overall, I would recommend Dragon’s Crown, but would warn people that the game still does suffer from that age-old problem that faces all 2D beat-em-ups: repetition.

Dragon’s Crown is a beautiful side scrolling 2D beat ’em up that mixes in loot chasing elements of action RPG’s like Diablo and the grinding aspects of a Japanese RPG. At times a frustrating game, but in the end a rewarding experience that should be enjoyed in small chunks at a time.

A Heavy Metal comic strip come to life, this is a worthy successor to Golden Axe and a great co-op game – but it stops short of fully revitalising the genre.

Challenging and dynamic. [Issue#139, p.107]

When it's not busy pandering, titillating, and falling back on fantasy clichés, Dragon's Crown is a sound, nostalgia-tinged experience.

I found its over-exaggerated art style alienating and gross in its depiction of women even as it shines in building a world of fantastic monsters and environments, and the forced grind through the same stages dulled my excitement. Dragon's Crown is a wild place to visit, but it doesn't quite hold up in the light of day.

Instead of a full-blooded reminder of a genre of games sadly departed, it's more often a reminder of why they died away in the first place.

Dragon's Crown is gorgeous, and though at times its flavor may be of questionable taste, ultimately it does still manage to strike a lot of the right nostalgia chords.