Review of DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of The Nine Realms by LifeisXbox | The landscape of licensed games has undergone a transformation, departing from the lackluster titles of the past. The decline was fueled partly by THQ’s financial troubles, especially the fallout from the uDraw issues, and the generally poor quality of these games. However, a revival in licensed games is underway, spearheaded by Outright Games, a self-proclaimed family-friendly publisher responsible for hits like PAW Patrol, Gigantosaurus, and the subject of this review, DreamWorks Dragons. This franchise, based on the wildly successful How to Train Your Dragon trilogy with an average box office revenue of $500 million per film, represents a significant market potential. Unlike some of their other titles, Outright Games seems to take DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms more seriously, sparing it from the fate of mere cash-grab shovelware, like Super Pets.
Gameplay:
The gameplay in DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms follows the familiar travel-to-point A and B platformer structure, coupled with engaging and accessible combat mechanics. Notably, defeated enemies don’t perish but rather 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, akin to the mechanics found in Pokémon. The platforming challenge lies in navigating through seemingly straightforward levels, where similar-looking environments can make orientation a bit tricky.
Language Support:
One commendable aspect is the extensive language 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, this comprehensive language support is likely to be appreciated by a diverse player base.
Story:
The narrative unfolds in a world where humans have yet to discover dragons, focusing solely on these mythical creatures. Curiously, the main protagonist from the Dragons series, Thomas Kullersen, narrates the story despite humans being absent. The storyline is straightforward, serving as a means to connect different levels, involving earthquakes disrupting dragon orders familiar to fans of the source material. While serviceable, the story lacks the fiery allure of the dragons’ breath.
The Orange Crystal Conundrum:
A puzzling game design choice centers around an orange crystal, a secret item that, when found, results in an abrupt forced exit from the level, necessitating a restart. This peculiar mechanic leaves players scratching their heads and serves as a point of frustration.
Decent Sound and Graphics:
Considering it’s a children’s game, DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms boasts commendable visuals. While the dragon designs may not rival the Targaryen dragons from Game of Thrones, they possess a charming and colorful appeal. The game features diverse locations, including typical fire and ice landscapes, showcasing a satisfactory effort from developer AHEARTFULOFGAMES. The sound and music, while occasionally repetitive in combat, contribute positively to the overall experience. Thunder and his dragon companions soaring over the landscapes add a cool visual element to the game.
