Dragon Star Varnir

About

Dragon Star Varnir is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Idea Factory, Compile Heart and was released on October 8, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In "Dragon Star Varnir," players enter a fantasy world where witches ride dragons. Zephy, a knight afflicted by dragon blood, must uncover a mystery while battling enemies in a unique three-tiered battle system. Decisions made throughout the game may lead to different endings, adding a layer of replayability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+13

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79%

Audience ScoreBased on 214 reviews

story80 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

Engaging and emotionally charged story that explores dark themes and character development.
Unique and strategic combat system that incorporates aerial mechanics and a devour mechanic for skill acquisition.
Visually appealing character designs and environments, complemented by a strong soundtrack.

Repetitive dungeon design and enemy types, leading to a lack of variety in exploration.
The 'little sister' mechanic can feel restrictive and punishing, forcing players to rush through content.
Inconsistent voice acting quality and limited English dub coverage, leaving many scenes without voice support.

story
259 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The story of *Dragon Star Varnir* is a dark fantasy narrative that follows Zephy, a knight turned half-dragon, as he navigates themes of persecution, sacrifice, and redemption while interacting with witches. While the plot features engaging character dynamics and emotional depth, it suffers from pacing issues and a tendency to rush important developments, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall execution. Despite these flaws, many players appreciate the mature storytelling and character-driven focus, making it a notable entry in the genre.
- “The story follows Zephy, a knight turned into a half-dragon after a fateful encounter.”
- “The story explores themes of persecution, sacrifice, and redemption, with a surprisingly mature tone compared to other Compile Heart titles.”
- “Dragon Star Varnir is a refreshing departure from Compile Heart’s usual lighthearted fare, offering a mature story, deep combat, and a hauntingly beautiful world.”
- “The story is bland, the game is worthless.”
- “The story fell apart, the general execution of the game didn’t work, and the whole thing felt cheap and underdeveloped.”
- “Plot twists are shot out all over the place, important character moments are rushed, and the story just ends up feeling contrived.”
gameplay
147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The gameplay features a unique "devour" mechanic that allows players to absorb enemy powers, creating a risk-reward dynamic that enhances combat strategy. However, many players find the gameplay repetitive and marred by poorly implemented mechanics, such as the "little sister" system, which can frustrate those aiming for specific endings. While the game offers interesting ideas and character customization, it struggles with pacing due to excessive dialogue and a lack of engaging combat variety.
- “The 'devour' mechanic, used to absorb enemy powers, adds risk-reward tension—failing it can backfire, but success offers major benefits.”
- “The gameplay and character skill customization is super fun.”
- “The combat system makes it very clear that it is encouraging you to actively keep devouring enemies, the signature mechanic of the game. It’s a very cool mechanic and adds a sense of risk/reward to each battle.”
- “The gameplay is dull in the extreme - normal floor fights are inconsequential and the bosses are giant blocks of HP that you whittle down without strategy or finesse.”
- “Sadly that's about it, gameplay is repetitive, and even if you do like it somewhat, gameplay is cut short because you will be interrupted constantly by dialogue, which drags on and on and makes you want to quit playing the game because it's just uninteresting when they aren't talking about the main storyline.”
- “The little sisters mechanic ruins, or will ruin, the game for many.”
music
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
43%
7%
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and orchestral quality, effectively complementing the dark fantasy setting, though some reviewers noted issues with repetition and volume balance during dialogue. While many found the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, a few criticized it as unremarkable or typical for the genre. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the experience despite some inconsistencies in voice acting.
- “The soundtrack complements the setting with atmospheric, orchestral tracks and haunting melodies.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s mix of dark fantasy and whimsical charm.”
- “The soundtrack in this game is absolutely perfect from beginning to end; I love it so much, the overworld theme, dungeons, battles, etc. After completing the game, I searched for the OST many times!”
- “The soundtrack, while atmospheric, suffers from repetition, and the English voice acting is inconsistent—though the Japanese dub is a solid alternative.”
- “There's an option to make background sounds quieter when characters talk that does absolutely nothing, and during any cutscenes or battle animations, they are completely drowned out by the background music even if the voices are turned all the way up and music all the way down.”
- “Unfortunately, music is the least powerful point of the game.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
53%
9%
The graphics of Dragon Star Varnir showcase detailed character art and stylized environments that align with Compile Heart's anime aesthetic, though they fall short of AAA standards. While some players appreciate the vibrant artwork and dark fantasy visuals, others note the lack of variety and occasional visual glitches, leading to mixed feelings about the overall graphical experience. Despite these shortcomings, many find the graphics decent enough to complement the engaging gameplay and narrative.
- “Visually, Dragon Star Varnir presents detailed character art and stylized environments typical of Compile Heart’s anime aesthetic.”
- “The artwork is fantastic and the voice overs do a really good job.”
- “That all melted away once I saw that the graphics were lush and beautiful, with particular note to how detailed and luxurious the shadowing is.”
- “You can't really do much with anime style graphics, and it is the same style as a lot of Compile Heart's games.”
- “While the static graphics did little justice to the game’s premise or its characters, the designs were interesting and their personalities were pretty solid and likeable.”
- “As usual though, it’s very light on actual graphics settings, only including toggles for post-processing effects, shadows, and display distance.”
grinding
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it necessary for progression and enjoy the challenge, others feel it becomes tedious and limits exploration. The game encourages a faster pace, often discouraging traditional grinding and farming, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Additionally, the mechanics surrounding the little sisters add urgency but also complicate the grinding process, making it feel restrictive at times.
- “The game itself is okay overall, but it's kind of grindy and you need to memorize which dragon you have not devoured with each character.”
- “The little sister system is a bit tedious to maintain and limits your ability to farm and grind, which directly impacts one of the core systems of the game.”
- “Unlocking all those cores turns into a tedious and ultimately pointless chore.”
character development
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
21%
16%
Character development in the game is highlighted by striking character designs and well-illustrated cutscenes, which contribute to a vibrant visual experience. While many reviewers praise the character designs as some of the best in the genre, opinions on the depth of character development and storyline are mixed, with some finding them engaging and others feeling they lack substance. Overall, the game excels in visual appeal but may fall short in delivering a compelling narrative and character growth.
- “The character development and storyline were great.”
- “The character designs are cutesy, but instead of trash waifus, I got well-developed motivated characters.”
- “If there’s one thing that Compile Heart can consistently do really well, it would have to be their character designs.”
- “Things get worse on the story/character development side.”
- “I expected their every non-Neptunia JRPG to be meh, but everything about this game --- the battle system, the music, the story, the dungeon designs, the character designs -- made me double-take and make sure this was indeed made by Compile Heart / Idea Factory and not a better developer.”
- “The character designs are cutesy, but instead of trash waifus I got well-developed motivated characters.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by strong voice acting in both Japanese and English, which enhances key scenes and contributes to an engaging, emotionally charged narrative. Players appreciate the depth of character relationships and the balance of drama and wholesomeness, though some feel the emotional impact could be stronger. Overall, the game is recognized for its inventive storytelling and the ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking emotional engagement.
- “Overall, Dragon Star Varnir stands out for its inventive combat and emotionally charged story.”
- “The emotional weight of their curse adds depth, and the relationships between Zephy and his newfound allies are well-developed.”
- “Amazing and emotional story!”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report stable performance at 1080p and 60fps, some experience significant stuttering and resolution issues. The engine used is capable, but there are unresolved bugs that affect gameplay for certain users, leading to a call for better optimization.
- “The game is running on the same engine as DerQ, also known as the Orochi 4 / Mizuchi engine that Compile Heart has been using in their more recent games, but the performance is completely fine here (playing at 1080p@60fps on a 1070 Ti).”
- “The story is good, characters are good, the performance is a little unstable and the resolution support is a little off at times, but overall it runs fine for me.”
- “One detail I liked a lot is that you battle flying in the air, and it has 3 height levels affecting the battle performance and the tactics you use.”
- “The game is running on the same engine as Derq, aka the Orochi 4 / Mizuchi engine that Compile Heart has been using in their more recent games, but the performance is completely fine here (playing at 1080p@60fps on a 1070 ti).”
- “Note: there is an unresolved bug that causes massive stuttering.”
- “I played through the entire game without ever running into frame drops, stuttering, or crashes.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features a "madness" mechanic that adds depth to its darker themes and contributes to its strong replay value, with multiple endings available. However, some players feel that while it offers decent replayability, it may not be extensive enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, it has been rated around 7/10 for replay value.
- “Strong replay value with multiple endings.”
- “Replay value: 7/10.”
- “I'd be lying if I said it had extensive replay value despite playing it a second time.”
- “The inclusion of a 'madness' mechanic—where poor choices or neglect can lead to tragic consequences—reinforces the game’s darker themes and enhances replayability.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of charming and quirky characters, such as the timid minessa and the overly enthusiastic karikaro, which elicits both laughter and emotional investment. While the game is packed with humor and plot twists, it sometimes struggles to maintain a consistent tone, oscillating between seriousness, comedy, and cuteness. Overall, players find it to be genuinely hilarious and engaging.
- “From the timid and mysterious Minessa to the bubbly and overly enthusiastic Karikaro, you’ll find yourself laughing at their antics one moment and deeply invested in their struggles the next.”
- “It’s packed with charm, humor, and enough plot twists to keep you hooked for hours.”
- “It's actually hilarious.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a compelling orchestral soundtrack and effective use of shadows, creating a moody environment. However, the soundtrack suffers from repetition, and while the English voice acting is inconsistent, the Japanese dub is a strong alternative.
- “The soundtrack complements the setting with atmospheric, orchestral tracks and haunting melodies.”
- “Shadows are an oft-overlooked area for JRPG creators, but these are spot-on in creating moodiness and atmosphere.”
- “The game fails to immerse players in its world, leaving the atmosphere feeling flat and uninspired.”
- “Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is mixed; while players can explore freely in the final chapter, it suffers from typical issues associated with PC ports from the developer, including visual glitches, inadequate 4K scaling, and limited graphics options.
- “The game suffers from the usual symptoms of being an IFI PC port - visual glitches, poor 4K scaling on the 2D artwork (including the CGs), resolution options that don't affect full screen, and barely any graphics options (with the few available being just on/off toggles).”
- “Once you reach the final chapter and your ending is locked in, the little sister system freezes, leaving you unable to progress while you can only explore and grind in every dungeon.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is not explicitly detailed in the review, but it suggests that the game's promotional materials may emphasize its tactical combat, potentially indicating a focus on attracting players through marketing rather than in-game monetization strategies.

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68%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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19h Median play time

19h Average play time

17-20h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Dragon Star Varnir is a role playing game with fantasy theme.

Dragon Star Varnir is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 19 hours playing Dragon Star Varnir.

Dragon Star Varnir was released on October 8, 2019.

Dragon Star Varnir was developed by Idea Factory, Compile Heart.

Dragon Star Varnir has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Dragon Star Varnir is a single player game.

Similar games include Death end re;Quest, Fairy Fencer F, BLUE REFLECTION, Tales of Arise, Super Neptunia RPG and others.

Dragon Star Varnir

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