Dragon Force
Encyclopedia
Dragon Force is a real-time strategy
and tactics
video game from Sega
created for the Sega Saturn
. It was created in Japan and translated for U.S. release by Working Designs
in 1996, a translation that was also used by Sega in Europe under license from Working Designs. The USA release has four different disc art variants. A sequel, never translated, was released for the Saturn in Japan in 1998. The first title was re-released for the PlayStation 2
as part of the Sega Ages
series.
300 years later, the seal imprisoning Madruk has weakened and two of his Dark Apostles, Scythe and Gaul, have begun working towards his release. To ensure none would stop their master, the two of them manipulate the eight nations of Legendra into warring amongst themselves. Eventually, one of the monarchs will successfully end the war, though the events of how it occurs vary depending on the monarch. Regardless, each of the monarchs will discover that they are the eight members of the Dragon Force, and that the only way they can kill Madruk is by obtaining the Dragon Power left by Harsgalt.
Despite attempts to stop them by Scythe and Gaul, whichever monarch the player controls gains the power, and then has to use it to defeat Madruk's final apostle, a robot named Katmondo. Subsequently, Madruk's prison continues to weaken, allowing him to release his army of dragonmen. Despite his army's release, the Dragon Force fight their way to Madruk's prison and find his three Dark Apostles waiting for them there. Whichever monarch that has the Dragon power leaves to face Madruk, while the remaining seven fight the Dark Apostles, and defeat them despite the three becoming even more powerful thanks the seal on Madruk weakening. The monarch with the Dragon Power then faces and kills Madruk, finally ending his threat. Though the monarch's generals initially lose hope of them surviving, they are saved by Astea, who leaves the world to be governed by the mortals, saying it is time for them to stand on their own. Whatever events that follow during the credits vary depending on the monarch the player uses.
Gameplay is generally divided into two categories; the strategic "world map" view, and the tactics-oriented battle. On the world map, the player organizes and moves his forces in real time, although the game pauses when the player enters a menu. Armies may only move along predetermined paths between towns and castles.
At the outset of the battle, each side chooses a general and corresponding company of troops to command. After the selection of generals, each side chooses a formation which determines the arrangement of troops. The battle is then fought in real-time, again pausing the action when the player goes into a menu to select commands or use the generals' special attacks or spells. Battles end when one general runs out of hit points or retreats; if both generals' armies are depleted, both generals have the option of dueling or retreating. Generals who run out of hit points are, depending on the general, captured, injured, or (rarely) killed in action. If the player's ruler is defeated in this manner, the player loses the game and must restart from the last save. Once the battle is finished, the process repeats until one army's generals have all been defeated.
Every in-game "week" (a fixed amount of time on the world map), the player attends to administrative duties. During this time, players may give awards to generals (increasing the number of troops they can command or items that increase their capabilities), persuade captive enemy generals to join the player's army, search for items or recruit generals in the ruler's territory, fortify castles, and save the game. Plot-advancing cut scenes frequently take place at the end of the week.
In addition to these eight troop types there are also Zombies and Dragons, which can be acquired using special items. Troop types function under a rock-paper-scissors
mechanic (i.e. Soldier > Monk > Cavalry > Soldier).
There are also varying types of general
s, often sharing similar attributes, troop types, spells and abilities. The table below details some of these characteristics.
s Game of the Month award, as well as their Saturn Game of the Year award for 1996. EGM later ranked the game as #111 on their 'The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time'.
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
and tactics
Real-time tactics
Real-time tactics or RTT is a subgenre of tactical wargames played in real-time simulating the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics...
video game from Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
created for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
. It was created in Japan and translated for U.S. release by Working Designs
Working Designs
Working Designs was an American video game publisher that specialized in the localization of Japanese console role-playing games, strategy video games and top-down shooters for various video game platforms. Though the company had published many 'cult hits', it was known best to fans as the...
in 1996, a translation that was also used by Sega in Europe under license from Working Designs. The USA release has four different disc art variants. A sequel, never translated, was released for the Saturn in Japan in 1998. The first title was re-released for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
as part of the Sega Ages
Sega Ages
Sega Ages refers to a number of compilations or re-releases of classic video games from developer and publisher Sega.-Saturn version:Sega-AM2 released several Sega Ages games for the Sega Saturn in Japan:...
series.
Plot
Dragon Force is set in the world Legendra, which lived in an era of prosperity under the watch of the benevolent goddess Astea, until it came under siege by the evil god Madruk and his armies. To stop him, a defender came in the form of the Star dragon Harsgalt, and his chosen warriors known as the Dragon Force. Unfortunately, personal disputes amongst the Dragon Force led to their downfall and left Harsgalt to face Madruk. The two faced in a fight to death, and Harsgalt, unable to kill Madruk, sealed him away until eight new chosen warriors could internationally rise to permanently defeat him.300 years later, the seal imprisoning Madruk has weakened and two of his Dark Apostles, Scythe and Gaul, have begun working towards his release. To ensure none would stop their master, the two of them manipulate the eight nations of Legendra into warring amongst themselves. Eventually, one of the monarchs will successfully end the war, though the events of how it occurs vary depending on the monarch. Regardless, each of the monarchs will discover that they are the eight members of the Dragon Force, and that the only way they can kill Madruk is by obtaining the Dragon Power left by Harsgalt.
Despite attempts to stop them by Scythe and Gaul, whichever monarch the player controls gains the power, and then has to use it to defeat Madruk's final apostle, a robot named Katmondo. Subsequently, Madruk's prison continues to weaken, allowing him to release his army of dragonmen. Despite his army's release, the Dragon Force fight their way to Madruk's prison and find his three Dark Apostles waiting for them there. Whichever monarch that has the Dragon power leaves to face Madruk, while the remaining seven fight the Dark Apostles, and defeat them despite the three becoming even more powerful thanks the seal on Madruk weakening. The monarch with the Dragon Power then faces and kills Madruk, finally ending his threat. Though the monarch's generals initially lose hope of them surviving, they are saved by Astea, who leaves the world to be governed by the mortals, saying it is time for them to stand on their own. Whatever events that follow during the credits vary depending on the monarch the player uses.
Gameplay
The player assumes the role of one of the continent's eight rulers and sets out to, depending on the ruler, unite the continent, bring peace to the land, and put a stop to the great evil that wants to destroy the land. Each of the eight rulers move along predetermined paths between towns and castles, with castles being the primary objective of the game. When two armies meet, or an army approaches an enemy castle, the focus then switches to that battle.Gameplay is generally divided into two categories; the strategic "world map" view, and the tactics-oriented battle. On the world map, the player organizes and moves his forces in real time, although the game pauses when the player enters a menu. Armies may only move along predetermined paths between towns and castles.
At the outset of the battle, each side chooses a general and corresponding company of troops to command. After the selection of generals, each side chooses a formation which determines the arrangement of troops. The battle is then fought in real-time, again pausing the action when the player goes into a menu to select commands or use the generals' special attacks or spells. Battles end when one general runs out of hit points or retreats; if both generals' armies are depleted, both generals have the option of dueling or retreating. Generals who run out of hit points are, depending on the general, captured, injured, or (rarely) killed in action. If the player's ruler is defeated in this manner, the player loses the game and must restart from the last save. Once the battle is finished, the process repeats until one army's generals have all been defeated.
Every in-game "week" (a fixed amount of time on the world map), the player attends to administrative duties. During this time, players may give awards to generals (increasing the number of troops they can command or items that increase their capabilities), persuade captive enemy generals to join the player's army, search for items or recruit generals in the ruler's territory, fortify castles, and save the game. Plot-advancing cut scenes frequently take place at the end of the week.
Kingdoms, Troop Types, and Generals
Within the game, eight different storylines exist - one for each monarch. The campaigns for Goldark and Reinhart can only be accessed after the game has been completed, as they contain spoilers from the outset. The table below shows the names of the eight kingdoms and their monarchs, in addition to the troop types associated with them.| Kingdom | Monarch | Predominant Troop Type |
|---|---|---|
| Highland | Wein | Soldier |
| Palemoon | Teiris | Archer |
| Tristan | Junon | Harpy |
| Topaz | Leon | Monk |
| Tradnor | Reinhart | Mage |
| Bozack | Gongos | Beastmen |
| Izumo | Mikhal | Samurai |
| Fandaria | Goldark | Cavalry |
In addition to these eight troop types there are also Zombies and Dragons, which can be acquired using special items. Troop types function under a rock-paper-scissors
Rock-paper-scissors
Rock-paper-scissors is a hand game played by two people. The game is also known as roshambo, or another ordering of the three items ....
mechanic (i.e. Soldier > Monk > Cavalry > Soldier).
There are also varying types of general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
s, often sharing similar attributes, troop types, spells and abilities. The table below details some of these characteristics.
| General | Predominant Troop Type | Common Spells | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fighter | Soldier | Sonic Boom, Sonic Wave | Fighters have relatively average attributes, and can handle themselves fairly well when fighting enemy troops, and during duels. Their loyalty is questionable, and they may abandon your monarch if their needs are not tended to. |
| Knight | Calvary | Sonic Boom, Hyper Storm | Knights are better than fighters in most regards. The often have a high command stat, and remain loyal to their monarch. Some Knights have a preference for magic, and may have Flame Cannon and/or Thunder Fall as spells. |
| Magician | Mage | Flame Cannon, Meteor Storm | Magicians have varying levels of attributes, but are physically weak. Unable to protect themselves in hand-to-hand combat or in a dueling situation, they rely on their devastating spellpower to relinquish their foes. |
| Spirit User | Mage | Dante's Inferno, Summon Wyvern | Spirit Users are similar to Magicians, but are generally even weaker in ability. Their spells are costly, but can create significant destruction if timed correctly. |
| Priest | Mage | Resurrect, Holy Protection | Priests rely on their magic abilities for protection and troop replenishment. They are statistically similar to Magicians, and often have high intelligence so they may search or fortify castles. |
| Monk | Monk | Aura Assault, Cross Rush | Monks are strength reliant fighters who focus on pummeling enemy generals with their abilities. They are mostly loyal, and fare well in hand-to-hand combat as well as in duels. |
| Beastman | Beastmen | Cross Flash, Sky Driver | Beastmen are very similar to monks, however they often boast more strength and weaker command. They are amongst the best physical combatants and duelists, but suffer from low intelligence. |
| Samurai | Samurai | Sonic Boom, Sonic Blast | Samurai are nearly identical to fighters, but appear to perform better in combat and dueling situations. They also tend to be more loyal to their monarchs. |
| Ninja | Samurai | Assassin's Star, Mirage Star | Ninjas have average attributes, are good hand-to-hand combatants, and really shine when opposing magic users. Their ability to drain magic power leaves most mage users helpless. |
| Thief | Soldier | Shiva's Dagger, Cross Flash | Thieves are nearly identical to Ninjas, but are worse in every way. They may be decent against magic users, but do not expect them to stick around - they have the worst loyalty amongst any general type. |
| Dragonman | Dragon | Flame Cannon, Stone Pedastal | Dragonmen have immense physical strength, but lack intelligence and command. They are excellent duelers, and have the best troop type in the game. However, there are few of them that will ally with monarchs. |
| Immortal Tribesmen | Zombie | Resurrect, Ensnare | Immortal Tribesmen are also uncommon allies, but generally boast the greatest stats, spells, and troop types. They are amongst the best allies, and are mostly loyal. |
Reception
Dragon Force won Electronic Gaming MonthlyElectronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
s Game of the Month award, as well as their Saturn Game of the Year award for 1996. EGM later ranked the game as #111 on their 'The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time'.
Voice acting for the Sega Ages release
- Wein: Eiji TakemotoEiji Takemotois a Japanese voice actor. His name is sometimes mistranslated as and also sometimes credited as being Hidefumi Takemoto . Takemoto's nickname is Takepon...
- Mikhal: Kentaro ItoKentaro Itois a seiyū who was born in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. He has been affiliated with Mediarte since May 2009.- Notable anime roles :* Ai No Kusabi - Riki* Ao no Exorcist - Shiratori/Astaroth* Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! WGP - Brett Astaire...
- Reinhart: Yuriko FuchizakiYuriko Fuchizakiis a veteran Japanese voice actress and stage actress from Tokyo. She is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts at Nihon University a member of the talent agency Re-max. From 1987 to the beginning of 1989 her roles were credited under her real name - the reading is unchanged.Fuchizaki's roles...
- Leon: Hiroki TakahashiHiroki Takahashiis a Japanese voice actor best known for the role of Eiji Kikumaru in The Prince of Tennis, Kenji Harima in School Rumble and Katsuya Jonouchi in Yu-Gi-Oh. He works at Big Shot/Interchannel. He also has voice acted in some yaoi Drama CD's such as Love Neco, and Koi cha no Osahou...