Below are user reviews of Drakan: Ancients Gates and on the right are links to professionally written reviews.
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User Reviews (1 - 11 of 59)
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THIS GAME IS A MUST-HAVE!
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 16 / 16
Date: January 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User
I played this game a lot at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in LA, and let me tell you, the final game is SOO much fun to play! I loved the controls, they take a minute to get used to, but once you get the hang of it you can do cool flying maneuvers with the dragon. You can swoop down over enemies and torch them with your fire breath attack. The dragon also has other very cool breath attacks! Controlling Rynn (the girl) is very fun too, and is very consistent with how the dragon is controlled. It is obvious that the developers put a lot of thought into how the controls were laid out, and although they might not be the same as other games, they are a perfect fit for the mixed air and ground style game-play.
This game has a lot of RPG elements, you can build Rynn's skills in 3 areas: magic, weapon combat, or archery. I loved this aspect because you gain experience much like Diablo and can collect gold and treasure that you can spend in stores throughout the game. I loved the way this played as the game progressed, and talking with the friendly characters is very fun because the dialog is extremely witty and funny.
The story and dialog is extremely well written, much better than the first Drakan game on the PC. You get quests and sub-quests from the friendly NPCs, and all the information you need to know is kept in Rynn's Journal, which also has a map to help you along if you get lost.
Rynn's magic is really fun to use as well, you cast spells by moving Rynn's hand in the air in various patterns to summon offensive and defensive spells. You can learn or purchase new spells with gold. The enemies are really fun to fight, no matter which skill you specialize in. Each one will have a different strategy. Magic is good for groups of enemies. Sometimes you get 10 enemies surrounding you at once! Other times hand-to-hand combat is the way to go. Some hand weapons even have magical abilities, and there are shields for defense. Sword combat is so much fun, there are many moves to choose from, much like a fighting game. Archery is more tuned to strategy, you can walk slowly and sneak up on enemies without them hearing you, or you can pick them off from a distance.
I played the demo on the recent PS2 Jampack, which was nice, but it looks like they cut some of the graphics down to reduce the size of the demo. There was also no dialog with other characters or merchants (stores), so it wasn't much like the actually game other than some sword combat and basic dragon flying.
The graphics are the best I've seen on a PS2 yet...the draw distance is amazing, you can see EVERYTHING when flying on the dragon, then swoop down and jump off the dragon and walk inside of a cave. On the ground, you can see individual blades of grass and flowers, and hundreds of trees in dense forests and valleys. This game really does look incredible, much smoother than other PS2 games I saw at E3.
That's most of what I know so far...I'll post more when I get my copy of the real thing, which I have no doubt will me even better than it was during the summer!
Great Game
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 13 / 16
Date: January 08, 2002
Author: Amazon User
Drakan Ancient Gates is an incredible game. The graphics are absolutely stunning. Rynn is possibly the coolest player character of all time. She is both sexy and tough. The coolest part of the game is the dragon. The power flying on Arokhs back is incredible. You get in these epic battle where fireballs are fly past you it is truley stunning.
Ground combat is fun also. The ability to level up in different skills adds a lot of depth to the game.
The environments are some of the most amazing scene on the ps2. You can see for ever and fly to anyplace that you can see.
Overall, this game is one of the best I have played for the PS2. Surreal did an incredible job.
GOT TO BUY THIS GAME
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 12 / 14
Date: January 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User
I had never heard of Drakan before E3 but I think it is one of the most underated games on the console. Playing the demo, which was similar to what I played at E3 reconfirmed how good this game really is. This is the best fantasy game for the PS2!
This first thing that really impressed me were the controls. They are very tight. I really liked the fact that you could use pretty much the same controls on both Rynn and Arokh.
The second is the skill system. You can tweak the skills which allow Rynn to access new powers. This is really cool as it adds an RPG element.
The third thing that impressed me was the incredible environments. It was breath taking to be able to run around the ground then get on the dragon and see it from the sky. After exploring the outdoors for about an hour you can then go into a cave with out any loading...COOL.
The fourth and best part is Arokh. Being able to fly a fire breathing dragon is just SO cool.
I really hope this game gets the credit it deserves it is hand down one of the best games on the PS 2.
GO OUT AND BUY IT!!!!
DRAKAN is FUN and BEAUTIFUL
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 12 / 14
Date: July 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User
I'm so glad I bought this game. I just bought my play station 2 and this was the second game I bought. MADDEN 2002 and then DRAKAN!
Drakan's animation is comparable to MADDEN 2002. The artwork and animation are fantastic. The story is entertaining and fun. The humor is sharp.
Yet, the best part about DRAKAN is the equipment, spells and variations. The side adventures you can embark on and collect more money to afford better equipment. There is a set parameter to the game, but I'm sure everybody will go about it differently.
I've read other reviews that have said that fighting is uncreative and basically you just wail on the button. That isn't true. In fact, dodging and blocking are crucial. You have to pary, thrust, dodge, roll, move... etc. Fighting is very sharp and when metal meets metal... sparks fly.
Finally, there is one downfall, and only one. There is a cave in the NORTHLANDS that if you go into without AROK, you lose him forever. The proper way to proceed is to ride him into the cave.
Recommend buy. Fantastic game. I hope there's a sequel.
Try then get it
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User
At first when i played this game the quests seems like a so ez just open 4 gateways (not including the one in Surdana) and killin a couple bosses was so ez. Well some parts i got lost and half of it was becuz there was like a key on a table or something. Well anyways i beat this game in 2 days. It is really simple but how it lacks in simple battles and bosses it makes up for Role Playing i got to admit i played many RPG's(Role Playing Games) and I dont usually get stumped but it is kinda hard. Well anyways u can get armor, weapons, shields and special items u can sidequests and get money for rescuein people and killin' monsters. There r 8 or 12 different spells they r Fire, Ice, Lightning, Combust (Burns enemy and is best combat spell), Time Slow, Soul Steal, Fear and many more also ur dragon can get 4 different types of Breathe Weapons u start with Fire, then u get Lightning in the Anderillan Islands, Ice in the Half-man's Stadium where u kill Maulgaw, and Poison in the Valley of the Forgotten or somethin like that. I suggest to buy this game and when u get lvls up i highly suggest u put 8 points into melee and 5 into magic becuz u'll need them. Archery u dont really need cuz u can get Swords, Clubs, Axes, and other weapons that do like 30 AP (Armor Piercin the best 30 AP is better than 32 Dmg.) while the best bow (Bow of the Order) does 29 AP and this game is best suited for 13+ becuz when u get the armor of the order she wears a thong! =) and they cuss sometimes 2 and the blood and gore well BUY IT and u'll be happy!
This is a fun game and challenging
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User
I just finshed this game and I must say it was really enjoyable.Great graphics and game play. It's like playing a role playing, fighting and aerial combat game all in one package.The backgrounds and scenery are wonderful and you can find yourself getting lost in this vast world. Trying to figure out where to go and what quest to finish next can be very challenging. Flying the Dragon Aroch is incredible and the warrior Rynn is fun to play. Highly reccomended.
great game
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 31, 2002
Author: Amazon User
This game is sweet. I loved it. It has all the action you want but still has the rpg element to it. It has humor. The graphics are awesome, The story line is also good with lots of turns and twists it had side quests up the ying yang. And it is fairly challenging game I would spent the money and get this great game.
GGGGGREAT GAME!!!!!
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User
This is one of the top ten games for PS2. Basicly because this is no follow the derections and win, no no much harder than that! Fighting with Arok is really fun too, the flying aslo, and the hand to hand combat with Rynn. And all the bosses and, well I'll just say, there is to much to tell here.
What a great game
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 1 / 1
Date: February 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User
This is an amazing game. It has a good plot with "challenging" side qests wich are axctually rewarding and worthwhile. You get to be Rynn. Who is a female warrior who just had her family killed and is now fighting back against the evil forces of the world. And she has Arohk the dragon who she is bonded by spirit. And he is verry cool. You can either walk on foot or ride on him. You can call him when you are in need of aid unless its underground or a "no fly zone "-water. This game is amaziling rewarding with 3 diffrent types of fighting. Mele with swords. Bow-ranged. or magic. you can specalize in just 1 or go with a blend of all three. This is a great game with lots of replay value and I sugest that if you like rpgs BUY this game.
Fantastic PS Game
5
Rating: 5,
Useful: 1 / 6
Date: July 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User
Kids love it I have a nephew 7 yrs old. And my own 11, 13 & 18yr old love it too, and they play it all the time.
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