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Drakkhen. Drakkhen, himself, is a 5th dragon god, one who the other four stole eight of the nine, magic, blue artifacts (the Nine Tears) from, to do their cruel bidding upon the
Drakkonian people. Four warriors stepped up to the challenge of proving their worth as a people to Drakkhen. Their agreement is that if they can recover his eight Tears, their people will be spared, and the four Gods, their offspring, and their offspring's lizard-people armies will all perish instead. Like in the other version of the story, some sons and daughters of the Gods agree to help the player even if it means they suffer extinction for doing so, demonstrating a deep selflessness.
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beneath the floor to shoot bolts from its eyes. These encounters are quickly fatal to new players who don't know any better. They offer no experience points, suggesting that kicking an urn is frowned upon. Another difficult enemy is the "Shadow Man", a tall figure that can unexpectedly lift itself out of the ground, accompanied by an ominous tune. Each enemy has movement and attack differences, some being less subtle than others, such as enemies that zigzag sporadically at a much greater speed than the player's party can keep up with. The game contains over one hundred different enemy variants.
382:
the island. Four survivors made it ashore and vowed to stick together. They soon discovered that to take back the island in the name of humanity and to end the curse, they will need to pillage the nine gem tears and use them to summon the dragon god. To their surprise, certain princes and princess of the
Drakkhen clan offer their support—even their life—for the party, believing that their kind was never meant for Earth. As such, the four heroes get caught up in an ongoing war between those acting for the survival of their own kind, and those who see themselves as abominations.
308:, who had a hand in designing the gameplay and story of the original, as well as many enemies. This exclusion was likely because the game story was entirely rewritten, which nevertheless rendered the SNES version without the context necessary to experience the game the way the developers intended. With one or more party members dead at any point in the game, the player is at a crippling disadvantage and is incentivized to go on a pilgrimage to the nearest Anak holy temple to revive their dead. In general, the SNES version has fewer NPCs that can be approached.
606:(Issue #160), Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser admired the Amiga versions's "amazing graphics, enthralling music, and incredible game environment", but admitted that it was "one of the toughest fantasy adventure games for a novice to survive that we've yet encountered." They gave the game an excellent rating of 4½ out of 5, saying, "If you are easily put off by frustration, avoid this adventure. But if a challenge is your desire, and if superb animation and plot are what you want,
234:
are assigned by the player at the start of the game using a cap-and-trade system. Each party member fills one of the four roles: scout, wizard, fighter, and priest, each with different strengths and abilities. Items can be purchased from traveling merchants who ambush the party, or at the tavern. Items are categorized as armor, weapons, healing items, rings, and misc. (such as torches).
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originally covering the left half of the screen was condensed into the bottom. In the original two versions, crossing the borders between continental divisions would require a wait while the game loaded. In the SNES version, crossings are instantaneous; however, if the player attempts to cross between areas before the first few
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and strange supernatural entities, who may yield loot if they are defeated. Serious setbacks can easily occur through the death of one or more party members in combat, and bringing them back to life will often involve difficult and arduous travel in order to reach an Anak, where healing and resurrection are performed
340:
Much of the game is spent traveling between castles, carrying out various political missions at the behest of the ruling
Drakkhen elite. A player may also wander around without having a particular goal or destination, perhaps in the spirit of adventure, or exploration, or to fight wildlife, monsters,
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games. This log functions like a dungeon master, frequently telling the player how much damage an attack did, explaining the outcome of intended actions, acting as the player's five senses, et cetera. This feature was de-emphasized and presented more elegantly for the SNES. The computer versions made
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ship of foreign countrymen shipwrecked on the island where the final dragon died, only to be attacked and sunk by a foe unknown and unseen from their perspective. These foes revealed themselves to be lizard-people, thought to be the evolved survivors of the ancient dragons and the dominant people of
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Fleeing any battle in the SNES version is as simple as tapping the L and R bumpers, which makes all battles outside castles entirely optional, as this doesn't give enemies the opportunity to attack. The interface was changed to utilize visual means to more quickly communicate ideas, and the clutter
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buttons within castles to solve deeper and more plentiful obstacles. The originals were criticized for lacking a compass, which the SNES developers took to heart when they made changes to the new version. The SNES doesn't use a visual compass but instead tells the player which of the 360-degrees he
233:
that go towards leveling up and improving character stats. Each of the characters in the player's party have health points, magic points for spellcasting, power, defense, physique, fortune, intelligence, knowledge, and agility; each stat has a direct effect on how a character plays. Character stats
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gave the SNES version a mixed, aggregate score of 3.1 out of 5 stars. Super Gamer reviewed the SNES Version and gave an overall score of 84% writing: "The perspective is unusual for an RPG; a fast-scrolling 3-D landscape heavily populated with well-drawn monsters. Imaginative and unusual this is a
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Drakkhen's gameplay is colored by its early-game brutality and surreal enemy encounters, the former especially in the SNES version. One special enemy is relegated solely to appearing when the player kicks one of the many urns in the ground. Upon doing so, a black, stationary canine head rises from
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is a large rectangular island, divided laterally into four smaller regions. Each region has its own terrain and climate and is ruled by two members of the
Drakkhen caste, with each of them living in their own castle. The continent is bounded on all sides by a vast ocean; walking into this, or any
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design, where players could wander in any direction, seeking adventure. However, Siggins was peeved by "the regular use of problems and puzzles to impede progress." He liked the "well-done" documentation, and admired the graphics. He concluded by giving the game an average score of 7 out of 10,
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The short story collection that came with the game, aside from expanding the story of the game itself, also incorporated clues as to what the player needed to do, what enemies would be difficult, and other such context that the player was expected to know before playing. The SNES re-release of
491:
The SNES version of the game censors the screams of the "Love
Monster." In the original, a shadow shaped like a frantic, giant woman repeatedly shouts "I love you" in a chorus of demonic voices, but in the SNES version, she instead moans not unlike how other enemies do. This may be related to
425:
According to the SNES game, a subset of humans known as the
Drakkonian people are presently doomed, for the dragon gods of the four elements judged them as unworthy and are soon to put an end to their survival. Each god has a son and daughter dragon prince and princess who rule the island of
421:
was then translated further into
Japanese for the Super Famicom version, and then translated again back into English from Japanese. The version of the Dickinson poem that survived into the SNES version of the game is almost unrecognizable and difficult to comprehend.
507:. By the time review copies of the original were given to the press, Infogrames claimed to have no "immediate" intention of porting the game. The many subsequent computer ports were unannounced until the DOS port was about to be released in late 1989. In 1991,
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of each enemy encounter, such as activating defense magic, moving around, or switching weapons on the fly. The player's party may also be accosted at night when viewing constellations in the sky, or any time after bumping into a half-buried urn.
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are regular, but in contrast to other RPGs, the player may be attacked while stationary. All battles are automated by default but allow the player to micromanage their four combatants. The player is given time to focus on the
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gave the original versions 83 out of 100, praising the music and graphics, but finding the value of the game to be lukewarm. He was also impressed by the imaginative creatures and the sense of terror some enemies caused him.
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The storyline for the SNES game is the result of a broken translation and rewrite of the original, as well as lack of supplemental stories. Drakkhen was developed by a French team, which was then translated into
292:
or she faces anytime the game is paused. The computer versions allow for greater nuance when traveling the 3D island, playing to the strength of utilizing a mouse cursor, while the SNES version uses the
488:
make noises that resemble belching, chittering, or inarticulate rumbling. Early releases made only limited use of music during gameplay, but the game's soundtrack was expanded for the SNES version.
165:. It was a very early game in the North American SNES library, and as such, received almost universal coverage in previews of the then-upcoming SNES in gaming magazines of 1990 and early 1991.
614:
offers a high dollar-to-entertainment ratio and provides gamers with a chance to experience gaming originality, new programming techniques, and superb sound and music enhancements."
458:
Domain of the Prince and
Princess of Earth, who live in identical-looking castles. This is where the adventure begins. In the centre is a glowing boundary that is heavily guarded.
452:
Domain of the Prince and
Princess of Water, the former living in a large castle and the latter in what resembles a pagoda. This area has the greatest number of rivers and lakes.
503:
was originally released in 1989 by
Infogrames two years after being presented at gaming expos. It was translated for North American release in 1990 by Draconian, a label from
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although he gave the graphics an excellent rating of 9 out of 10, saying, "These games are really fantasy wargames rather than true role-playing exercises but
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features an animated day-night cycle, and the ability to wander freely about the game world, both rarities for a game of its era. The game spawned a sequel,
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at least pushes the standard out a little further and makes for a tough game with plenty of scope, graced with those remarkable Infogrames graphics."
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and further rewritten with help from the original French developers. To exemplify the telephone effect of all this, the original game contained a
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games. Castles are self-contained levels with obstacles, loot, enemies, and maze-like architecture; and they each must be visited at least once.
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was notable for being among the first role-playing games to feature a three-dimensional playing field and for being an early example of the
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and bloggers calling it confusing and "unplayable" by modern standards, while others find it appealing for its experimental nature;
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was among the first action RPGs to utilize a permanent, real-time, text-adventure log window, demonstrating large influence from
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The SNES version of Drakkhen is drastically different to its PC predecessor, especially in visual layout and color scheme.
212:'s game world not long after beginning a new game, although this can be unwise in practice. Chance encounters with hostile
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Domain of the Prince and Princess of Fire, the former living in what resembles an Aztec pyramid and the latter in a large
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Nintendo wanting to keep their reputation as a family-friendly operation without any traces of sensuality.
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decent introduction to RPGs." Retrospective reception of the SNES version has been very mixed, with many
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The player decides the gender of each character. The Fighter, when female, becomes an Amazon Warrior.
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Domain of the Prince and Princess of Air, both of whom live in large glacier-shaped castles.
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345:. If all four characters succumb to injury or drowning, the player will be informed of the
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Past castles can be revisited at any time, which themselves act like Temples found in
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from attackers or retaliate against foes who, when defeated, grants all party members
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by a selfish paladin all the while a plague is decimating humanity. Long after, a
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other body of water, will result in the speedy drowning of all party members.
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Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (August 1990). "The Role of Computers".
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as quoted by a mysterious wizard, and that French translation of an English
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Long ago, the magic of "the world" faded away with the slaying of the final
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is known for its unusual sound effects; in lieu of speech, monsters and
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515:-Seika, who made several revisions to the game, mostly by necessity.
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179:, instead implementing a hybrid approach using vectors and bitmapped
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In February 2018, the DOS version of the game was made available on
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Tilden, Gail (November 1991). "Your Guide to the Latest Releases".
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was a commercial success, with sales of more than 350,000 units.
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for the game world, before being returned to the title screen.
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The story differs depending on which version is being played.
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didn't come with this supplemental book that was written by
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Often inaccurately referred to as "dungeons" in the game.
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The Shadowman just before engaging the player's party
530:'s Classics Digital brand. It was also released for
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An included short story book expands the backstory.
296:. As such, maneuvering around scenery is clunkier.
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747:Rand, Paul (February 1990). "Review: Drakkhen".
472:-like building (incorrectly called a "minaret").
8:
981:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
208:A player may freely travel the entirety of
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259:Differences between computer and SNES game
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1149:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
588:, Mike Siggins noted the new-at-the-time
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145:, initially developed and published by
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950:Siggins, Mike (May 1990). "Drakkhen".
639:, unintentionally-cryptic story; and
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511:was ported to the Super Nintendo by
175:genre. It did not employ a fully 3D
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163:Super Nintendo Entertainment System
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619:Computer and Video Game Magazine
1159:Video games developed in France
811:"Hardcore Gaming 101: Drakkhen"
402:, which was then translated to
1164:Video games developed in Japan
956:. No. 14. pp. 44–45.
600:In the August 1990 edition of
1:
536:Piko Interactive Collection 1
905:"Drakkhen SNES Review Score"
316:, they are sharply rebuked.
1046:"Jeux & stratégie NF 4"
1000:. Vol. 30. p. 87.
863:Release: Drakkhen - GOG.com
582:In the May 1990 edition of
328:The original French release
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721:. United States: Nintendo.
637:openness-to-interpretation
225:The player may attempt to
1154:Video games about dragons
1144:Single-player video games
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555:
526:. It was published under
361:Inside one of the castles
29:
1139:Role-playing video games
749:Computer and Video Games
389:SNES alternate storyline
929:. Pocket. p. 176.
455:Grassland (light green)
438:The Drakkhen map (SNES)
143:role-playing video game
1134:Piko Interactive games
1012:"Drakkhen SNES Review"
927:La saga des jeux vidéo
844:store.steampowered.com
449:Swampland (dark green)
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362:
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717:Seika, Kemco (1991).
657:#24 (Dec./Jan., 1990)
496:Development and ports
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430:Continental divisions
369:The original versions
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327:
249:
719:Drakkhen Game Manual
662:Jeux & Stratégie
617:Editor Paul Rand of
522:and in June 2018 on
953:Games International
840:"Drakkhen on Steam"
815:Hardcore Gaming 101
772:"Drakkhen Oddities"
665:nouvelle formule #4
641:intense absurdities
585:Games International
552:
287:heavier use of the
275:Eye of the Beholder
1024:Paragon Publishing
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440:
410:translation of an
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330:
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1129:NEC PC-9801 games
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347:dire consequences
269:Ultima Underworld
231:experience points
219:real-time tactics
181:character-scaling
173:real-time tactics
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1109:Infogrames games
1084:1989 video games
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1048:. February 1990.
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907:. Archived from
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443:Arctic Wasteland
105:1989, 1990, 1991
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1026:: 122. May 1994
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797:"Drakkhen Info"
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412:Emily Dickinson
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332:The setting of
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294:directional pad
266:Predating both
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138:is an early-
134:
133:
132:
116:Role-playing
96:Sharp X68000
57:Publisher(s)
40:Developer(s)
1124:MacOS games
1119:Linux games
1114:Kemco games
1089:Amiga games
1016:Super Gamer
889:5 September
538:cartridge.
314:story beats
272:(1992) and
193:Dragon View
177:game engine
67:Platform(s)
49:Kemco-Seika
1078:Categories
875:"Drakkhen"
849:2018-05-18
825:2010-02-02
699:References
654:White Wolf
569:65% (SNES)
556:Aggregator
320:Background
306:Gary Gygax
196:, for the
184:algorithms
147:Infogrames
61:Infogrames
45:Infogrames
1099:DOS games
1069:MobyGames
633:YouTubers
547:Reception
542:Reception
505:Data East
466:Taj Mahal
353:Storyline
1064:Drakkhen
1030:April 4,
925:(1997).
755:: 54–55.
612:Drakkhen
608:Drakkhen
595:Drakkhen
577:Drakkhen
532:Evercade
509:Drakkhen
501:Drakkhen
482:Drakkhen
398:for the
396:Japanese
343:pro bono
334:Drakkhen
302:Drakkhen
280:Drakkhen
278:(1991),
214:monsters
210:Drakkhen
204:Gameplay
188:Drakkhen
169:Drakkhen
155:Atari ST
149:for the
135:Drakkhen
111:Genre(s)
76:Atari ST
25:Drakkhen
647:Reviews
524:GOG.com
404:English
379:caravel
122:Mode(s)
102:Release
969:Dragon
933:
781:18 May
603:Dragon
470:mosque
461:Desert
408:French
375:dragon
159:MS-DOS
51:(SNES)
1018:(2).
670:Notes
559:Score
520:Steam
513:Kemco
151:Amiga
88:PC-98
72:Amiga
1032:2021
983:link
931:ISBN
891:2022
783:2018
486:NPCs
419:poem
415:poem
227:flee
198:SNES
161:and
153:and
84:SNES
1067:at
468:or
284:MUD
80:DOS
1080::
1022::
1014:.
979:}}
975:{{
877:.
842:.
813:.
774:.
761:^
753:99
751:.
727:^
707:^
643:.
200:.
186:.
140:3D
94:,
90:,
86:,
82:,
78:,
74:,
1034:.
985:)
939:.
893:.
852:.
828:.
799:.
785:.
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