Halx

Drakengard is the new PS2 action game from Square-Enix. It's about a dude and a dragon fighting an endless mob of bad guys.

Gameplay: On the ground, you basicly mash the attack button until everyone is dead. No dodging required because when you swing your sword/axe/spear around, your body moves with the swing anyways, so getting hit is for losers. Your weapons gain levels, which make them more powerful as you progress. Each weapon has it's own magic spell that recharges with every hit on an enemy. You can switch between 8 different weapons on the fly, but there are about 90 or so weapons in the whole game. In the air, you fly around, line up your crosshairs and fire. Your dragon gains levels as you progress too.

You play like 3 missions in each setting. Each setting is a large, undetailed map with enemy units sprayed all about in groups. The game is basicly all about killing all the 'target' units and using everything else as experience and weapon skill points.

It's got a storyline, but no background, so while you fight battles in relation to how the story goes, you really have no idea what's going on.

The graphics are great. Though the cut scenes make no sense and the storyline/play sequences have inexplicably bad/locked camera angles, the actual fighting on the ground has a satisfaction attached to it's simplicity.

In all, so far, after 3 chapters, it's a fairly fun game. I find myself rotating between it and XIII. The swords are for quick slashing and gutting. The axes are for incapacitating enemies by juggling them with whacks into the air. The spears are for drilling holes in mobs. The hammers are for playing baseball with your opponents.. too fun. The downside is it's repetition and it's sheer lack of challenge. The game is way too easy.

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Infernal

I was thinking about getting it because it reminded me of Dynasty Warrior, but I didn't get it cuz its only a single player game. Hack and slash type game is better with multiplayer mode in it or else it gets old very fast.

Halx

true.. the game mechanics have a lot of depth to them, but they only allow you to quickly accomplish what you'll only acheive sooner or later. If this were a multiplayer game with more difficulty, these mechanics would definately be more appreciated

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NeverBorn

Interseting review Halx, thanks for the info.

greyeyes

Thanks for the review Halx. I was looking to buy this game but it sounds like a better rental, what would you reccomend? Is it worth buying or is it such a quick game that one could rent it?

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Halx

it's a big game.. some missions will take a good 45 minutes to complete... while I jumped the gun and bought it before I read any reviews, I must admit I am getting my money's worth as far as playing time. Despite it's near exhausting missions and lack of detail, I find myself coming back to it whenever I have a spare moment. Maybe it's 'cause I'm easily amused... maybe it's because I cant wait to find a new weapon to make things even easier... or maybe I am subconsciously justifying the expense of $40.

It lacks the fun intensity for a 2 day rental... there's no way you can beat it in less than 20 hours, and it lacks the strategic depth for a longterm buy...

i'm not saying don't get it, though.. if you like a more simple version of dynasty warriors,, go for the rental

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