Draconia
- January 13, 2022
- Draconia Dev Team
- 7h median play time
"Draconia is a massively multiplayer dragon-based Role Playing Game built in Unreal Engine 4, featuring exceptional graphics, good music, and a grinding system. Play as a dragon, customize your character, and explore Draconia's open world in single or multiplayer mode. Complete quests, gather resources, and level up your character."
Reviews
- The game features a huge, beautiful map with stunning graphics and detailed environments.
- Players can customize their dragons extensively, allowing for unique designs and personalization.
- The community is friendly and supportive, with active engagement from developers and players.
- The game currently lacks substantial content, with limited gameplay options and few quests.
- There is no tutorial or guidance for new players, making it difficult to understand mechanics and objectives.
- The price is considered too high for the current state of the game, which feels more like a tech demo than a complete product.
- gameplay105 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is currently in a pre-alpha state, characterized by a lack of substantial content and engaging mechanics, primarily revolving around flying and basic quests. While the flight mechanics are praised for their enjoyment and the graphics are visually appealing, many players find the overall experience shallow, with limited objectives and clunky systems that detract from immersion. Despite the potential for future development, the current gameplay loop feels empty and unpolished, leading to mixed reviews regarding its value for the price.
“Now with quests, NPCs, and more waypoints, the map has become more worth exploring, and the flight mechanics make it enjoyable.”
“It's something much better because not only are you surviving as a dragon, but there are NPCs to befriend, prey to hunt, quests, and little bits of building mechanics here and there!”
“The gameplay is interesting and enjoyable, being a dragon in an MMO-style setting, where you collect resources, craft places to hide your loot, complete quests, and overall, fly around as a dragon and explore the world from the skies.”
“After years of development, there's no real goal to improve on the game's core mechanics or gameplay, and the lead dev's behavior towards criticism is shockingly unprofessional.”
“The game is still in an alpha stage, offering a few basic gameplay mechanics typical of online RPGs and survival genres.”
“Gameplay feels a bit empty; however, the game is in a pre-alpha state, so bear that in mind!”
- story91 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 91 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story and quest system are currently minimal and underdeveloped, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of engaging narratives and clear objectives. While there are some basic quests and NPC interactions, they often feel tedious and poorly integrated, leading to a sense of emptiness in gameplay. As the game is still in early access, there is hope for future improvements, but as of now, it primarily serves as a platform for exploration and social interaction rather than a rich storytelling experience.
“It's something much better because not only are you surviving as a dragon but there are NPCs to befriend, prey to hunt, quests, and little bits of building mechanics here and there!”
“A visually appealing MMORPG surrounding dragons, griffins, golems, and drakes. Despite being in early development, it feels like the beginning of a full story game which would be pretty exciting.”
“We are already seeing the promising beginnings of in-depth customization, crafting, and quest systems, all of which are actively being improved upon.”
“I obviously can't be too sure of anything yet, but this has very grim implications about how the story will be done later.”
“The love got only stuffed in the models and part of it in the map but there is not really a story behind it.”
“If you are looking for a story, in-depth lore, tons of questing, etc.; I'd say hold off on purchasing.”
- graphics90 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, beautiful landscapes, and impressive character models, often described as breathtaking and polished. However, some players have noted inconsistencies, such as texture glitches and a lack of depth in gameplay, suggesting that while the aesthetics are strong, the overall game experience may feel empty or underdeveloped. Overall, the graphics are a highlight, but they are accompanied by concerns about the game's content and mechanics.
“In contrast to the rest of the game so far, the graphics are undeniably stunning.”
“The graphics are astounding, the weather as vibrant as the landscape.”
“The first true dragon game I've seen with interesting concepts for creatures, amazing graphics, and a loving and active community all at the same time.”
“Overall, the graphics lack a lot of work (lighting, the weather, trees, everything).”
“Improve sky graphics and dump the ugly night sky photo from the ceiling (the bad resolution...) sure you've got beautiful wyvern or gryphon models!”
“Currently not at all worth the price; this is more of a demo of a graphics engine than a game as the world is very empty with nothing to do.”
- music26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its soothing and upbeat qualities that enhance the overall experience, particularly in the menu and during character creation. However, some players noted issues with sound mixing, long periods of silence, and repetitive tracks that detract from immersion. Overall, while the music is generally appreciated, it is seen as needing further refinement to match the game's potential.
“Great music that fits the vibe of the game.”
“The transitions and animations are seamless and smooth, the audio is flawless, and while the soundtrack is soothing, it adds an upbeat and cheerful vibe to the overall experience.”
“The music is nice; it captures the feel of the game the developers seem to be trying to create.”
“There are long periods of silence whenever music isn’t playing, where all you can hear is your own footsteps.”
“The sound mixing is also off; ambience is really quiet whereas music, attack sounds, and coastal waves are way too loud.”
“4/10 sound design: I did not like how intrusive and repetitive the main music became.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, often describing it as a mindless cycle of farming items with vague quests and a lack of direction. While some appreciate the community and the potential for roleplay, many feel that the extensive grinding required for leveling up detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay element. The large maps and slow movement further contribute to the sense of tedium, with players frequently struggling to gather resources and maintain their character's needs.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The quests, again bare bones, the three I've done are just farming stuff.”
“Current gameplay is mindless grinding of gathering items for teeny tiny bits of growth, no endgame.”
“The map is big, sure, but you move slow as sloth and it feels almost tedious to fly because not only do you run out of stamina very fast, but the flying itself just doesn't feel good.”
- stability15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is currently experiencing a range of bugs and glitches, including issues with animations, audio, and quest functionality, which are common in early access titles. While players acknowledge these stability problems, many still appreciate the game's overall design and potential, suggesting that the bugs are manageable but should be addressed by the developers.
“The food and water 'sense' mechanism glitches too much and I would just die before I could find food or water away from the camp.”
“It is quite buggy and some of the bugs have been around for a very long time and never been fixed.”
“Quest are/were buggy and broken, and consist of 'gather this resource that seems to not exist, and get either 50 or 100 of it.'”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising its lack of microtransactions and perceived integrity compared to competitors, while others express skepticism about its pricing and quality, fearing it may be a cash grab similar to previous projects by the developers. Concerns about the game's unfinished state and misleading advertising further contribute to doubts about its value at the current price point.
“This game is legit and has no microtransactions! I totally approve of devs being straightforward about paywalls.”
“The developers have a 'holier than thou' attitude about their game, constantly making it known that they are better than the competition because they won't include microtransactions or exclusive content.”
“I worry that this is a bit of a cash grab - $35.99 for an unfinished game?”
“The price as it is is far too steep for a game in early access, and at least one of the devs was involved in the Archotek project which was a cash grab and allegedly an asset flip.”
“Waiting to see if this is just another cash grab like Levias' last game she abandoned.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs surprisingly smoothly for an early alpha with a large map and impressive visuals, performance issues persist, particularly for players without high-end hardware. Some users report a lack of guidance and tutorial support, which contributes to a feeling of disorientation, despite the well-optimized elements that are present. The absence of features like DLSS or FSR further impacts performance, leaving room for improvement as the game develops.
“The game runs smoothly for being in that state and has the potential to get better as time goes on.”
“The map is huge and runs smoothly, which is amazing for early alpha; most games cannot keep up with this level of detail.”
“What is there is very well optimized, looks really good, and was done on quite the budget.”
“The game really is beautiful if you have the hardware to run it at max settings; performance is not great right now, and there is no DLSS or FSR support.”
“The game doesn't feel optimized at all; I feel completely lost, and there's really no guide or tutorial to learn the basics of how to grow and quest, etc.”
“Terrible performance.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game shows promising replayability potential with ongoing updates that include map expansions, customizable building systems, and new playable species. While current gameplay may feel slow and lacks significant replay value, the extensive customization options and beautiful design contribute to a casual and enjoyable experience. Players are excited about future updates, indicating a strong interest in returning to the game as it evolves.
“The models are all in the process of getting remodeled to be better than they already are. They're working on expanding the map and further developing a building system for players to create their own caves and other structures. More playable species are on the way, along with clan systems and an overhauled character creation system for swapping out different wings, heads, tails, and many other features.”
“Despite being pre-alpha, it's more playable than other pre-alphas, alphas, and betas.”
“Perfect dragon game! Even in pre-alpha, there is a vast map to explore, amazing design work for the two dragons in the game, plus two creatures that are playable and AI found later in the game. There's already so much content, and I can't wait for new updates and future dragons to be added.”
“Gameplay is slow and in its current state doesn't hold much replay value.”
“Despite being pre-alpha it's more playable than other pre-alphas/alphas/betas.”
“When I see 'pre-alpha' I almost can't believe it because of how good and well made this game is. Nothing is too hard or stupid like other games so far; the flying mechanic is way better, and customization is so good there is very little left to request addition on.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a wholesome and friendly community that fosters positivity and support among players. Coupled with beautiful environments and engaging dragon gameplay mechanics, it offers a welcoming space for in-depth customization and enjoyable challenges.
“The community is so wholesome and good, everyone is willing to help, everyone is friendly, and we cultivate an atmosphere of positivity and friendship.”
“The world, environments, and atmosphere are beautiful, and I like the current mechanics of dragon gameplay.”
“With many dragon games failing or having an uncomfortable atmosphere, I am desperately seeking to fill that void.”
“This is the game to play if you're looking for in-depth customization, a friendly atmosphere, and a hint of a challenge without being completely overwhelmed by obstacles.”
- humor3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its lightheartedness, particularly through amusing interactions like draconia's playful tweets about "Day of Dragons." While some bugs add a comedic element to the experience, others can be frustrating, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's balance and the feeling of powerlessness as a dragon. Overall, the humor is appreciated but can sometimes detract from the intended gameplay experience.
“I find it funny that Draconia trash talks about Day of Dragons on Twitter.”
“It's early in development, so bugs are expected. Honestly, a lot of them are pretty funny and add to the experience, but there are also those that can be annoying for sure.”
“For now, the game feels off. I leveled up the dragon with the command console to level 50 to see if I become a godlike dragon as I wished, but now at level 50, a simple mudcrab can beat me hard. It's not funny; as a dragon, I want to feel powerful, not weak like that. It's a disrespectful joke for dragons.”
“The humor in this game falls flat. Instead of clever jokes, it feels like the developers just threw in random gags that don't land at all.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but the humor is so forced and cringeworthy that it takes away from the overall experience.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong emotional impact, noting its supportive and friendly community that fosters positivity and friendship. Personal stories, such as one user finding solace during a difficult time, illustrate how the game can serve as a meaningful escape and emotional outlet. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as wholesome, contributing to its emotional resonance with players.
“At the time of purchase, I lost my mother, and I had an audiobook while mindlessly collecting sand on the beach. This game will hold a special place in my heart since I worked through some emotional stuff.”
“The community is so wholesome and good; everyone is willing to help, everyone is friendly, and we cultivate an atmosphere of positivity and friendship.”
“The community is friendly, wholesome, and helpful, and I have hopes that this game will turn out to be great, unlike some other dragon-oriented titles out there.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game's character development for its impressive design and beautiful graphics, highlighting the creative freedom it offers in character customization and coloration.
“The capacity for character design is one that I rarely come across and am greatly impressed by.”
“Beautiful graphics and character design.”
“Creative freedom in coloration and character design.”