Dragon Force

Review by: Garrett Dunnewold

I was really surprised by this game. Strategy games aren't usually my sort of thing, but after reading so many positive reviews, I had to try it. Result: the game has addicted me to the point where I'm playing conquests over in my head... umm.... never mind. Anyway, here's my review:

Graphics: 7.5 Nothing special here. The menus, text, and displays are all clear and easy to read. The graphics aren't awe-inspiring, but they are functional. However, it is quite impressive that the system can handle up to 200 soldiers on screen at once and still not slow down. Makes for some pretty exciting fights. Anyway, the graphics aren't flashy, but they work well, and they don't get in the way.

Sound/Music: 7 I just have to start this section by saying that I love the battle cries when you send your troops forth... it's especially funny if you're sending 100 soldiers against one enemy general... anyway, as for the music, it's well done, but gets repetitive in a hurry. Sounds are functional- unfortunately, no voice-overs here (save for the annoying voice-over in the intro) and those stupid cheering and booing crowd sounds get REALLY annoying.

Gameplay: 9.5 This is where the game really shines. The menu system is easy to use and clear. The action is in real-time -- while you are attacking enemies, other kings are attacking them, and so forth. The goal is to basically take over every castle on the map, and with the swift pace of the game, it makes for some pretty harried action. The battles are particularly exciting, with fights, magic, and other stuff occuring. Once you get into the game, you won't want to stop. A few gameplay problems-- sometimes you will take over a castle, sending away the enemy generals, upon which they will turn around and try to take back the castle with no troops, over and over and over and over... I eventually just abandoned the castle and let them have it, and I went and did other stuff... Also those damn random attacks by Paine and Agnonni can really get on your nerves.

Overall: I can't ever remember being hooked into a game like this since Final Fantasy 3. If you're an RPG fan or a strategy gamer, you'll love this.

Rating: 9

Email comments to gdunnwld@memphis.edu.