Dragons: Legends of the Nine Kingdoms by LifeisXbox | The licensed gaming landscape has undergone a transformation, moving away from the mediocre titles of the past. The decline was driven in part by THQ's financial problems, especially the fallout from uDraw's problems, and the generally poor quality of these games. However, there is a resurgence of licensed games underway, led by Outright Games, a self-proclaimed family-owned publisher responsible for hits like PAW Patrol, Gigantosaurus, and the subject of this review, DreamWorks Dragons.
This franchise, based on the successful How to Train Your Dragon trilogy with average box office revenues of $500 million per film, represents significant market potential. Unlike some of its other titles, Outright Games appears to be taking DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms more seriously, sparing it from the fate of simple cash-grab shovels like Super Pets.
Creator: Henry Gilroy
Stars: Jeremy Shada, Aimee Garcia, Ashley Liao
How to Play:
The gameplay of DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms follows the familiar platforming structure of traveling to points A and B, along with engaging and accessible combat mechanics. Notably, defeated enemies do not die but flee, adding an element of challenge, particularly in later levels where the player faces a variety of dragons requiring strategic approaches. Each playable dragon possesses a unique elemental ability, similar to mechanics found in Pokémon. The platforming challenge lies in navigating through seemingly simple levels, where similar-looking environments can make orientation a bit difficult.
Language help:
A commendable aspect is the extensive linguistic support. The game offers audio, interface and subtitle options in multiple languages, including Dutch, Arabic, German, Danish, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Swedish. While the reviewer switched to English, a diverse player base is likely to appreciate this comprehensive language support.
History:
The narrative takes place in a world where humans have yet to discover dragons, focusing solely on these mythical creatures. Interestingly, the main protagonist of the Dragons series, Thomas Kullersen, narrates the story despite the absence of humans. The story is simple and serves as a means to connect different levels, involving earthquakes that interrupt the orders of dragons familiar to fans of the source material. While useful, the story lacks the fiery appeal of dragons' breath.
The enigma of the orange crystal:
One puzzling game design choice centers on an orange crystal, a secret item that, when found, results in an abrupt, forced exit from the level, requiring a restart. This peculiar mechanic leaves players scratching their heads and serves as a point of frustration.
Decent sound and graphics:
Considering that it is a game for children, DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms has commendable visuals. While the dragon designs may not rival the Targaryen dragons from Game of Thrones, they have a charming and colorful appeal. The game features various locations, including typical landscapes of fire and ice, demonstrating a satisfying effort by developer AHEARTFULOFGAMES. The sound and music, while occasionally repetitive in combat, contribute positively to the overall experience. Thunder and his dragon companions towering over the landscapes add a cool visual element to the game.
Comments
Post a Comment