That’s right, another side-scrolling hack-and-slasher. But there’s always room for these, right? Especially when they’re as well done as Dragon Is Dead, a gem of a title from the folks at TeamSuneat and the publishers at PM Studios.
The game tells the story of the downfall of the black dragon Guernian, and the darkness that falls upon the land with his passing. As a result, Corruption rules the land, and it’s up to your somewhat hero, the Successor, to clean house.
Of course, that’s easier said than done, as some of the possessive creatures coming out of the woodwork are, um, toughies. So you’ll need your skills and techniques to survive their attacks. Luckily, you can power yourself up with amazing abilities – fire, ice and lightning alike – to mop them up.
With engaging gameplay, a riveting visual style and lots of cool upgrades, Dragon Is Dead has plenty to offer. It’s a bit on the tough side, and the writing definitely has some rough edges. But stick with it and you’ll find this game to be anything but a drag.
Rogueliking Your Way Through Dragon Is Dead
As the Successor, you find yourself thrown into the mix right off the bat. The game doesn’t hold off in feeding you to the wolves. Fortunately, you can learn to adapt with your awesome skills and eventually become an unstoppable force. It’s just a matter of holding the course.
The core gameplay is excellent, like some of the other 2D roguelike Metroidvanias before it. The combat skills are good at first, but really grow over time, particularly with your adapted Skills. You can unlock these in different areas, including different elements.
It’s a bit overwhelming at first. But as you grow and adapt (and, yes, die quite a bit), you’ll really grow into it. That opens up the core gameplay unbelievably, and allows you to unleash true devastation. It’ll be necessary, though, especially as you face tougher bosses later within the game.
It really suits Dragon Is Dead well. The existential dread stays with you throughout, but you really feel like that light at the end of the tunnel. (In a freight train sort of way, mind you.) The more abilities you earn, the cooler you become. Just remember, this is anything but a cakewalk. Rookies may be thrown off a bit.
Also…the writing is odd. Not to say it’s terrible, as it does keep things moving. But some points of exposition are a bit weird, particularly with some characters. Maybe a patch would clean things up a bit.
That said, there’s always something new. A 1.0 update just dropped with some new goodies, and something tells me the devs aren’t done yet. Not bad for a fairly priced side-scrolling roguelike.
If you’re a fan of the genre, Dragon Is Dead is a must-play. Remember, though, you’re getting in for quite the feast here. Bring your cutlery.
How Does Dragon Is Dead Fare Visually?
I gotta say, TeamSuneat really dug its claws into the Gothic visual style of Dragon Is Dead.
From the backdrops to the character animations, everything about this 2D affair looks remarkable. It is a bit on the dark side, so a fully festive, colorful presentation this ain’t. However, it makes fine use of its artistic details, and some of these bosses look absolutely awesome.
The skills screens can take a little getting used to with their clunky navigation. However, it won’t be long before the upgrades really start making a difference. Just take your time with it and find the stuff that really boosts your Strength and other skills. You’ll be fine.
I really enjoy the music as well. It has some good, haunting melodies that keep you drawing your sword each time. I do wish there were more selections, though, as some tend to repeat a little too often. But what’s here is really something. Hopefully we’ll hear more tracks in a future update. The sound effects are top notch, too.
So, yeah, this makes the most out of your PC – or Steam Deck, since it works just fine on that platform. Now we just need console releases.
Dragon Is Dead, But Thrills Come Alive
If you can withstand the tough difficulty and the occasionally cringe-worthy dialogue, Dragon Is Dead has a lot to offer. The upgrade system is not only worthwhile, but actually effective. The visual style is robust and focused. And, man oh man, does that combat really make a difference.
Maybe dread isn’t the thing you were expecting to see this summer. But Dragon Is Dead is so good you might just want to take it in. Put on your best sunglasses for this one.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to PM Studios for providing us a review code! Dragon Is Dead is available now on Steam!
Want more dark action? Check out our review of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree!
