The Legend of Dragoon
Binding : Video Game
ProductGroup : Video Games
Manufacturer : Sony Computer Entertainment
Brand : Sony Computer Entertainment
Label : Sony Computer Entertainment
Publisher : Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform : PlayStation
Studio : Sony Computer Entertainment
Lowest New Price: USD $19.99
- 3 years in the making with a development team of over 100 members
- Transform into Dragoons and unleash extraordinary powers
- Incredibly diverse characters wield unique weapons and Dragoon attacks powered by the elements
- Totally unique and innovative tactical combat "Additionals" System
- Discover the truth about the Black Monster
A four-disc RPG epic, The Legend of Dragoon is set in a time of swords, magic, and dragons. Ten thousand years prior, the Dragon War pitted Dragoons--humans with the power to control dragons--against Enslavers, magicians who sought to enslave the humans. Now Dart, a young warrior, is on a quest to find the demon that killed his parents. The Legend of Dragoon features prerendered, 3-D backgrounds and detailed, polygonal figures. Several nonplaying characters and many full-motion video scenes take you through the complex story. The game's turn-based battle engine allows you to increase the strength of an attack through repeated button taps and shows the percentage increase you've created. A timing feature in the battle modes allows you to add devastating combinations to your attacks. The Spirit Points you accumulate during your quest can be used to unlock a special power, known as the Dragon attack.
Editorial Review
Talk about going out with a bang! Sony Computer Entertainment released its four-disc The Legend of Dragoon for the PlayStation only months before the release of that console's successor, the PlayStation2. This very absorbing role-playing game, with hours upon hours of story and inventive gameplay, might just be the last great title for the glorious PSX.
The copious story begins with Dart, a vengeful young man with spiky hair and red armor who embarks on a desperate rescue mission to break his childhood sweetheart out of a castle prison. The two join forces with a knight who is trying to end a war that's destroying the region. Dart soon learns that he is a Dragoon--a human who's privy to the spiritual power of dragons. Like all RPG heroes, Dart is up against impossible odds, but his newfound Dragoon magic and battle skills go a long way toward making the bet even money.
And that's just the beginning. Grab a spare memory card and a comfy chair and be prepared to spend at least 20 hours getting through the first disk (there are three others just like it in the double-wide case). It's hard to sustain a player through this kind of time span, but The Legend of Dragoon takes chances and wins. For example, its battle system is turn based, so you can actually use some strategy, but it also features special "additions," or fighting combos that unfold if you match the X button to that addition's timing. When handling three players' additions, each with unique sequences, it can be quite challenging. You can increase the potency of the elemental magic up to 160 percent by quickly tapping X during your cast. Also, the perspectives often change between battles--players will direct the action from behind the heroes, behind the villains, looking down from above, and off to the side.
There are a couple downsides to the game. First, the stylized transitions into and out of battle mode, while initially cool, quickly become exhausting--especially when running the gauntlet through lesser foes in the wilderness or lower ramparts of a castle. The game's story is built such that you're watching the sometimes goofy dialog as a spectator rather than participating in it. There are a few occasions when the game will prompt you to choose from two different responses, but often either response will bring about the same conclusion. That tightly controlled narrative, however, often works in the player's favor by keeping the game flowing instead of the wandering common in other RPGs, where players waste time looking to each townsperson for direction.
Overall, the game's wonderfully illustrated sets, light exploration and problem solving, and a handful of jaw-dropping full-motion video scenes make The Legend of Dragoon fun to play and hard to put down. --Porter Hall
Pros:
- Hours upon hours of story and gameplay
- Turn-based battle made more exciting by combo-attack-style "additions"
- Many different monsters, spells, weapons, and items
- Very linear gameplay offers no chance to affect outcome
- Stylish pre- and postbattle sequences quickly grow tiresome
Let's Be Honest: You Have to Enjoy 'This Kinda Thing' (2009-01-16)
The problem with this game is that it doesn't work as the 'Final Fantasy Killer' (I like this game, and have enjoyed it more than any of the three Final Fantasy games I have played, those being the original for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Final Fantasy IX, and Final Fantasy X) unless you enjoy the additions and dragoon transformations.
The game is all about style. I absolutely LOVE gaining and performing each character's addition, building their dragoon levels, transforming, watching the mini scenes where they use their magic, and trying to get a 'perfect' on the Dragoon additions.
Combine that with characters I like, a story that keeps me wanting to see what happens next, and a focus on the absolute POWER of the dragoons and winglies, and I have a game that I consider the greatest Role-playing game in existence. . . to me.
Tales of Symphonia is probably 'technically' better. It has more replay value, more things to unlock, and more magic attacks. There is more to explore in general, and it is translated much better.
But if it were three years since I had played both games, and I was given the option, I would choose the Legend of Dragoon, because every part of this game is just plain FUN.
So, in short:
If you enjoy timing your button presses to make combos, transforming into impressive-looking dragoons, seeing a few truly astonishing cut-scenes, and seeing a story that IS interesting, (people say that it isn't original, but I have NEVER seen a story like this, ever, anywhere) then you will like this game.
If you just wanna press 'attack' and let it go, if you want TONS of magic abilities to unlock, or if you just take things too seriously and wouldn't be able to tolerate the poorly translated text, then you won't like the game.
Awesome beyond reason (2009-01-01)
This game, this legend of games is by far and i mean by far the best game for the playstation. If you do not have this game in your possession then you should get it. Of course it has its flaws but what game doesn't. I use to have two playstations, but somethings happened to them and i was forced to get a different game system, i was sorry for that. I got the regular xbox and was disappointed, yes the graphics are good, and the games are good, but when it comes down to it the new games are just not as fun, it would take less than a week to beat a game. Unlike the new systems playstation actually is the best i would say. Games like Final Fantasy and Legend of Dragoon take a very long time to beat and actually pull you into the game, they have story lines and great characters, out of all the games on playstation i would recommend this game over every one of them.
game as described (2008-12-16)
I purchased this game for my oldest son. He was worried that it would be all scratched up (as his original Legend game is). We were very pleased to find the game in the shape as described and the boys have been playing it for hours.
The Best RPG I Have Ever Played! (2008-11-24)
I first purchased this game in 2001 when it came out on the greatest hits. I often compare it to Final Fantasy, but there is really no comparison. LOD beats it hands down!
The seller shipped it to me factory sealed! Brand spankin new.
I am highly satisfied and relieved that I found this game again despite the fact that stores don't even sale PS1 games anymore.
I will continue to do my bargain hunting on Amazon.com.
not too shabby (2008-11-04)
Though touted as the final fantasy killer (why must all new hyped products be the (blank) killer?) this game falls well short of that. However don't let that stop you from playing it if you are a fan of japanese rpgs. The many flaws this game has can be overlooked since the battle system is generally engaging, fresh compared to other rpgs, overall good graphics, and a good way to pass the time in between more hyped games.
Some of the flaws include kinda weak graphics regarding the characters themselves, though background and cutscenes are really well done, odd monster designs, and linear nature of the game. The last point being a con for some people and a pro for others who want a straightforward adventure.
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