NOTE: The images used in this article are promotional pieces from the developer.
Drakengard series is best known for its strange and often repulsive cast of characters, ranging from pedophiles to cannibals, to child killers and psychopaths. The games have never shied away from taboo subjects either, openly embracing themes of incest, mass murder, child abuse and rape. Drakengard 3 is no exception. But as dark and immature as it can be at times, there is an underlying elegance and charm to its shameless and brazen portrayal of such unwholesome subject matter.
Story
The story surrounds six sisters known as the "Intoners", who descended from the heavens to soothe the chaotic world with their songs. The eldest sister wishes to destroy the others in order to steal their power (and boyfriends). During a failed assassination attempt, Zero and her dragon companion Mikhail, perish in battle at the hands of the other five Intoners. The duo is reborn - Mikhail is reduced to a hatchling, and Zero is forced into an unwanted maternal role. Additionally, a mysterious parasitic flower has bloomed out of Zero's right eye. This mysterious flower has regenerative capabilities and acts as an unsettling foreshadow of what is to come.
The story is broken up into five chapters with segments called "Verses", that can be replayed for more gold, resources, and a better score. In-between "verses" you are taken to a hub area where you can switch weapons, buy new gear, and upgrade the ones you have. Each chapter features the assassination of one of Zero's sisters, and the assimilation of their disciple (or boyfriend) into Zero's harem. The narrative and world of Drakengard is so twisted, sick and colorful, that with her insatiable bloodlust, and fiendish mannerisms, Zero may just be one of the most sane characters by the game's end. And while never explicitly stated, each human character is an analogy for human excess or emotional extremes:
- Zero - Intolerance
- One - Obstinate
- Two - Innocence
- Three - Indifference
- Four - Chaste
- Five - Lust
- Cent - Vanity
- Octa - Pride
- Decadus - Repression
- Dito - Sadism
Gameplay
The gameplay is where Drakengard 3's major flaws start to show. Too many of the same enemy types are reused ad nauseam, and they have a nasty habit of spamming attacks while Zero is down. Combat is hack-n-slash with simple strings of combinations that can be performed with different weapon types. Small enemies are cut down in droves, while bosses require some dodging and skill, but that is the extent of the simplistic combat. A blood meter fills up as Zero visibly gets drench in the blood of her foes. This literal bloodbath unlocks an "Intoner Mode" that allows for faster movement, increased damage output, and health regeneration. Overall, the combat is not polished enough to enable aggressive play, or deliberate enough for a slower pace.
In some areas you are given the option to call Mikhail for aid, or the option to ride him into boss fights. Wielding the power of such a fearsome creature should be one of the coolest, most notable aspects of a game called "Dragon Dragoon" (Japanese title). Instead Mikhail is fragile, with a control scheme that has you awkwardly pressing buttons to flap each wing individually, while also having to attack and dodge at the same time. It is a frustrating mess! Fortunately, the dragon segments are short and there arn't that many of them. While fighting on foot, Zero can bring any two members of her harem into battle. They are better battle buddies than Mikhail, and spending time with them in combat will gradually increase Zero's synergy. This in turn gives you access to special weapons that you would not have access to otherwise.
Conclusion
Drakengard 3's graphics are dated looking for a PlayStation 3/4 game, and the gameplay is arguably worse than that of its predecessors on the PlayStation 2. The intricacies of the plot are hard to grasp without already being familiar with the events of Drakengard one and two, and the supplemental novellas. The repugnant world of Drakengard is certainly not to everyone's tastes either. Unless you are a fan of the Drakengard series or looking to torture yourself with some wonky gameplay, I would suggest staying away from this one. Try the first Drakengard instead, or its spin-off NieR.
First posted to videogamegeek.com.
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