Marco & The Galaxy Dragon
- February 28, 2020
- TOKYOTOON
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"Marco & The Galaxy Dragon" is a lighthearted action-adventure game where you play as Marco, a young boy who befriends a dragon from another galaxy. Together, they embark on a journey to save Marco's village from a looming threat. Along the way, you'll solve puzzles, battle enemies, and uncover the true power of friendship. With its charming art style and engaging gameplay, this is a game that will appeal to players of all ages.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals with over 1000 CGs and high-quality animations that make it feel more like an animated series than a traditional visual novel.
- The voice acting and soundtrack are top-notch, enhancing the overall experience and emotional impact of the story.
- The humor is well-executed, providing a mix of absurdity and heartfelt moments that keep players engaged throughout the game.
- The story can feel disjointed and rushed at times, with some plot points lacking depth and clarity.
- There is very little player choice, with only one minor decision affecting the outcome, which may disappoint those looking for a more interactive experience.
- Some comedic moments may undermine the more serious themes, leading to tonal whiplash that can detract from the emotional weight of the narrative.
- story330 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Marco & the Galaxy Dragon" is a unique blend of comedic and emotional elements, featuring a fast-paced, linear narrative that combines absurd humor with heartfelt moments. While the production quality, including animation and voice acting, is highly praised, some reviewers noted inconsistencies and plot holes that detract from the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, many players found the story engaging and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of lighthearted visual novels.
“The premise of Marco & the Galaxy Dragon is bold, taking players to a universe where the absurd and the fantastic are interwoven with a heartwarming story filled with unexpected twists and hilarious dialogues.”
“As the story unfolds, it’s not just a narrative that develops, but an experience that the player lives through.”
“Marco & the Galaxy Dragon weaves a chaotic and beautiful story about finding love and being true to oneself that I loved from start to finish.”
“My only complaint is that there are seemingly contradictions within the story and there are gaps in the plot that either don’t make sense or feel like strange oversights.”
“The story is all over the place, the characters are all pretty two-dimensional and none of them get any real depth or development.”
“The plot genuinely feels like it’s unsure of where it’s going at every five minutes, so much that happens serves absolutely no purpose, most of the characters barely do anything of significance.”
- music125 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its high quality, emotional depth, and diverse styles ranging from classical to jazzy and rock. The soundtrack is described as catchy and memorable, enhancing the overall experience with its ability to complement the game's narrative and emotional moments. Additionally, the integration of music with beautifully animated cutscenes and top-notch voice acting contributes to a visually and audibly captivating experience.
“The music is top notch and there's plenty of it, the illustrations are amazing, and the voice over is flawless.”
“The soundtrack is amazing as well, with a very catchy opening song and a huge variety of tracks, from piano to rock to chiptunes.”
“The music is just spot on in every single section.”
“Though if I had to say something bad, there are times the music does get in the way of the voice acting. It was only a few times near the end, and I honestly didn't know a certain sequence; it was fun but really unnecessary. Other than that, I fully enjoyed my experience.”
“7/10 - lots of beautiful piano, some mediocre songs, mixing could be better, some songs were way too loud.”
“It's hard to explain in words, but the music fits the game very well.”
- humor80 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -2 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in "Marco & the Galaxy Dragon" is widely praised for its unique blend of absurdity and emotional depth, often eliciting both laughter and tears from players. Many reviews highlight the game's witty dialogue, charming characters, and engaging animations, which contribute to a fun and entertaining experience. However, some players note that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with occasional tonal shifts that may not resonate with everyone.
“Marco & the Galaxy Dragon is a visual novel that captures the player from the very first moment with its unique blend of humor, emotion, and galactic adventure.”
“The premise of Marco & the Galaxy Dragon is bold, taking players to a universe where the absurd and the fantastic are interwoven with a heartwarming story filled with unexpected twists and hilarious dialogues.”
“There are tons of absurd and hilarious moments that will leave you saying 'what the heck just happened??' It has a nice satisfying ending too.”
“The humor falls flat with unfunny skits that have terrible comedic timing, stretched to the point of frustration, and pointless cuts to different times or locations.”
“The attempts at humor are overshadowed by undeserved emotional moments that feel out of place and disrupt the flow of the game.”
“Overall, the humor is a mix of poorly executed jokes and awkward transitions that leave players cringing rather than laughing.”
- graphics67 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics in this visual novel are widely praised for their exceptional quality, featuring a unique blend of anime and cartoon styles that enhance the storytelling experience. Reviewers highlight the stunning artwork, dynamic character designs, and high production values, including impressive animated cutscenes and a catchy soundtrack. Overall, the visuals are described as vibrant and engaging, making the game a visual treat that captivates players throughout its duration.
“The artwork is gorgeous and plentiful, with so many artworks that it has roughly the same number that an 80-hour visual novel would have, but it’s all crammed into an eight-hour long visual novel.”
“The game impresses with its exceptional graphic arts, music, and dubbing, making it a strong contender in its genre.”
“The art style and the cartoon visuals when they occur are a joy to watch, and the soundtrack is really enjoyable.”
“The animated cutscenes were easily the novel's best highlights - wouldn't be surprised if they were animated by Studio Trigger, considering that they would animate for anyone these days.”
“Not only boosting a 1080p resolution paired with the usual comfort of the well-utilized Kirikiri engine, Marco strikes with also having not one, not two, but three features either seen rarely or never before on a linear VN of this size before: minigames, several animations - albeit in a completely different cartoonish art style that needs some serious getting used to - of up to 5 minutes in length, and more different CGs than character sprites.”
“The two-point art style was a bit fresh, but sometimes it was confusing.”
- emotional50 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Marco & the Galaxy Dragon" is characterized by its unique blend of humor and heartfelt moments, creating an emotional rollercoaster that evokes laughter and tears in quick succession. While some reviewers noted inconsistencies in storytelling and emotional depth, many praised its ability to deliver touching scenes amidst absurdity, making it a memorable and heartwarming experience. Overall, the game is celebrated for its charm and emotional impact, despite some critiques regarding its narrative coherence.
“It’s witty, charming, unique, absurd, and heartfelt, all at the same time.”
“What truly stands out in Marco & the Galaxy Dragon is its ability to combine comedic dialogue with moments of great emotional depth.”
“The whole game is sort of an emotional roller coaster that will have you laughing and then crying within scenes of each other.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this visual novel is largely linear and minimal, with many players noting a lack of meaningful interaction and choices, often comparing it to reading a book or watching a movie. While some appreciate the storytelling and occasional mini-games, others feel that the gameplay is an afterthought, resulting in mixed reviews ranging from 4/10 to 10/10 depending on individual expectations. Overall, the experience is heavily narrative-driven, appealing primarily to those who prioritize story over gameplay mechanics.
“Gameplay: 9/10 undoubtedly one of the best visual novel games I've ever played.”
“10/10 gameplay; the course of how the novel is told is very well done with its different modalities giving it a unique touch.”
“The best visual novel I ever played, 8 hours of gameplay in automode and some mini games.”
“Gameplay: not much, it's a visual novel with a linear storyline, so you click to progress, surprise, I know.”
“This is a visual novel without a plot, which is like a game without gameplay.”
“The game is just like ノラとと; there is barely any gameplay but endless clicking, but that is the only thing you need to make a great story.”
- character development11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character design and animation are praised for their uniqueness and ability to create immediate connections, some players feel that the depth of relationships, particularly between the main duo, is lacking. The writing is noted as top-tier, enhancing the overall experience, but there are calls for more substantial development for supporting characters and a more satisfying conclusion. Overall, the game excels in character design and interaction, but leaves some players wanting more in terms of narrative depth and progression.
“While it may initially seem like a typical entry in the genre, the game sets itself apart through its incredible character design, with each character meticulously drawn and animated in a way that not only brings them to life but also imbues them with unique personalities that establish an immediate connection with the player.”
“It's writing is top tier in regards to setting, plot, story, and character development and interaction.”
“The plot made me laugh, made me hold a grudge against certain characters, and then as the character development proceeded, that grudge settled down, ultimately making me drop tears.”
“The story details and character development are barely enough; I wish I could see the friendship between our main duo develop and blossom much, much more. I wish we could see more development from the rest of the cast too because I know there's room for improvement.”
“For me, character development between the protagonist and her buddy is not enough; I might add that the background explanation for a lot of characters is still lacking too.”
“The character development isn't all that great; the ending felt rushed, and the premise really wasn't all that interesting in comparison to the game's comedy bits.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a blend of emotional depth and light-heartedness, primarily driven by the protagonist's relationship with the dragon and the poignant storytelling. The powerful soundtrack enhances this atmosphere, shifting from gentle lullabies that evoke empathy to energetic rock tracks that immerse players in action, effectively shaping their emotional experience throughout the game.
“The game strongly relies on the development of its protagonist and his relationship with the dragon, achieving moments of warmth and emotion despite the overall light-hearted and fun atmosphere.”
“I really like them reiterating the whole 'have you heard of the galaxy dragon' tale because it really deepens the emotion and sets the mood and atmosphere; it's beautifully told and one of my favorite tales.”
“The music is so powerful; it sets the mood and atmosphere for the player and gently forges their state of mind. It can range from soft, slow, and gentle songs, almost like a lullaby, to fast-paced rock that quickens the action, making you feel energetic as the battles are filled with chaos.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
“Despite the beautiful visuals, the overall atmosphere is overshadowed by a lack of engaging storytelling.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, making it hard to connect with the world or its characters.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the visual novel is praised for its superb art and stellar voice acting, contributing to an engaging experience. However, some users express confusion regarding the narrative, indicating that while the characters are enjoyable, the story may be challenging to follow.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have reported issues with stability, particularly noting that the random minigames introduced towards the end of the game are poorly designed and buggy, raising concerns about their overall purpose and execution.
“The random minigames that only appear near the end are so lazy and buggy that I have to wonder why they even exist.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
