Dungeons & Dragons: Krynn Series
- March 29, 2022
- Strategic Simulations
Get on Steam"Dungeons & Dragons: Krynn Series" is a role-playing game set in the fantasy world of Krynn. The first game, "Champions of Krynn," follows a group of heroes defending the land from evil forces seeking to establish the Dark Queen's tyranny after their defeat in the War of the Lance. The sequel, "Death Knights of Krynn," challenges players to face the Lord of the Death Knights, Soth, who plans to unleash a wave of evil upon the world. These games offer strategic combat, character development, and intricate storylines for an immersive experience.
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Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of old-school D&D, bringing back memories of classic gameplay from the 80s and 90s.
- The inclusion of the Gold Box Companion enhances the experience with quality-of-life improvements, such as automapping and access to manuals.
- The trilogy allows for character transfer between games, creating a cohesive campaign experience that fans of the genre will appreciate.
- The combat can become tedious and bogged down, especially with overwhelming enemy encounters and frustrating mechanics.
- Graphics and sound are outdated compared to modern games, which may deter new players unfamiliar with the retro style.
- The game can feel cumbersome and unbalanced, with some players finding the mechanics and interface difficult to navigate.
- story23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story continues the Dragonlance narrative from the first six books, receiving mixed reviews for its average execution and vague timeline. While some players appreciate the straightforward and engaging plot, others find it disjointed or lacking depth, particularly in the later titles of the series. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a secondary element to gameplay, with some players enjoying the nostalgic charm despite the dated graphics and combat-heavy focus.
“This game continues the Dragonlance story after the first six books.”
“The storytelling is great.”
“As I got older, I started to focus on the storylines of games and I found myself taking notes, which I have never done at my TTRPGs before. But I am proud of myself for following the story by using the journal entries and being genuinely intrigued.”
“The game's story is average.”
“Overall while everything looks nice in Death Knights of Krynn and functions better (and has nice features like not having to pay for temple healing), the story falls behind Champions of Krynn.”
“Tdqok suffers though in what a lot of high-end AD&D adventures do; you have to keep scaling everything up, and it is incredibly combat-heavy and story-light, which makes it the weakest game in the Krynn series in terms of story.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, with many users noting their inferiority compared to modern titles. However, this retro aesthetic evokes nostalgia for fans of classic games, and some appreciate the focus on gameplay and story over visual fidelity. While there is a desire for graphical enhancements and quality-of-life improvements, the overall experience remains enjoyable for those who value the game's historical context.
“I would love to see an updated version (graphics and engine-wise, not version-wise).”
“8-bit graphics never looked so good.”
“Sure, the graphics suck compared to modern games, but the strategy and gameplay are still relevant.”
“This game will not compete graphically against any other current games, but will inject a huge dose of nostalgia if you loved these old AD&D games!”
“Just so you're aware, the graphics are horrible.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some enjoying the challenge while others feel it becomes tedious, particularly due to excessive random encounters and overwhelming enemy numbers. The need to grind for levels can lead to frustration, especially when facing powerful foes that outpace the player's abilities, making certain segments feel like a slog rather than an engaging challenge. Overall, while grinding can lead to powerful character builds, it often detracts from the enjoyment of the gameplay.
“Dark Queen was a slog; however, as I said, the Auraks made some segments tedious.”
“It would be amazing to have far less random encounters in dungeons that become far more tedious than fun, especially when they can be a waste of time (far beneath your character level) or way too many (10-20 dragons or several arch-mages and high clerics with an army in tow, casting delay blast fireball sometimes several times before you can even react).”
“This is a min-max game, a grinding machine.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as compelling and nostalgic, effectively blending turn-based strategy and RPG elements, though it suffers from balance issues and outdated mechanics that may challenge younger players. While the core gameplay remains engaging, some aspects, like old-school copy protection and instant-death enemy effects, can detract from the experience. Overall, it appeals to fans of classic gaming, despite its flaws.
“So even if the story is average, they managed to make the gameplay compelling enough to keep me playing.”
“While that is both a good and bad thing, the stories and core gameplay are quite good, even to this day.”
“If you love turn-based strategy and tactical gameplay with some story and RPG elements included, I do recommend.”
“Younger gamers born after 1995 may have issues with the mechanics of these games.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a significant shift in the music style of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, particularly with the transition from TSR to newer iterations. Many users feel that the current music, exemplified by Baldur's Gate 3, has adopted a lighter, more upbeat tone compared to the darker, gothic themes of earlier titles like Eye of the Beholder. This change has led to mixed feelings, with some expressing confusion over the new musical direction and its fit within the D&D universe.
“Since TSR left the world of D&D, it seems like the music and the art style changed a lot. The old style had a much darker, grim, gothic music vibe, while the new stuff feels more happy-go-lucky.”
“The music in Baldur's Gate 3 has a very different tone, with some tracks feeling out of place for a D&D theme, like 'come hang out down by the river, take a dip in my water.'”
“Since TSR left the world of D&D, it seems like the music and the art style changed a lot. The old style had a much darker, grim, gothic music, while the new stuff feels more happy-go-lucky.”
“For example, Baldur's Gate 3 music compared to Eye of the Beholder 1, which both sit in Baldur's Gate in the same world. Eye of the Beholder 1 has a much darker and more grim gothic art style than the brand new Baldur's Gate 3 game.”
“What is with the music in Baldur's Gate 3? 'Come hang out down by the river, take a dip in my water'—what is that about, especially for a D&D theme song?”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report issues with stability, particularly noting frustrating interruptions that freeze movement when passing certain areas, such as inns, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.
“It's such a relief when he's gone, but in new Aurium, when you pass by areas, it interrupts to tell you it's an inn, freezes your movement, and you have to hit return.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without constant restarts.”
“I often experience lag spikes that disrupt gameplay, especially during critical moments.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the games is generally praised, characterized by engaging puzzles and challenging combat, despite some drawbacks. Overall, players find the immersive environment enhances their gaming experience.
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and haunting sound design.”
“Every corner of the game is filled with detail, creating a rich and captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“The combination of eerie music and beautifully crafted environments makes for an unforgettable atmospheric experience.”
