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 exceptional production values, including stunning graphics, a fantastic soundtrack, and high-quality voice acting.
- The story is a unique blend of humor and emotion, providing a rollercoaster of feelings that keeps players engaged throughout the experience.
- The animated cutscenes and numerous CGs enhance the storytelling, making it feel more like watching an anime than a traditional visual novel.
- The plot can feel disjointed at times, with abrupt shifts in tone that may confuse players.
- There is a lack of meaningful choices, as the game is mostly linear with only one significant decision to make.
- Some players may find the pacing too fast, leading to a feeling that certain character developments and story arcs are underexplored.
- story284 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its comedic and absurd elements, while others find it disjointed and lacking depth. It features a blend of humor and emotional moments, but suffers from pacing issues and a linear structure that limits player choice. Overall, while the production quality is high, the narrative often feels rushed or underdeveloped, leaving some players wanting more substance and coherence.
“The story is engaging and fun to read.”
“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.”
“Despite its amazing story and heartbreaking secrets, it still tries to make you laugh.”
“The super high production value rewards you with a story that's tropey and uninspired.”
“Unfortunately, you have to slog through hours of filler dialogue and 'seen-it-before' story beats.”
“The story is all over the place; the characters are all pretty two-dimensional and none of them get any real depth or development.”
- music121 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and variety, ranging from beautiful piano pieces to energetic rock and chiptune tracks. The soundtrack is described as memorable and fitting for various emotional and comedic moments, enhancing the overall experience of the visual novel. Additionally, the voice acting and animated cutscenes complement the music, creating a captivating and immersive atmosphere.
“The game impresses with its exceptional graphic arts, music, and dubbing, making it a strong contender in its genre.”
“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 so powerful, it sets the mood and atmosphere for the player, ranging from soft lullabies to energetic rock, enhancing the emotional experience.”
“The production value is truly commendable though, a ridiculous amount of cgs, multiple cartoonishly animated segments and some pretty alright music.”
“Though if I had to say something bad, there are times the music does get in the way of the voice acting, though it was only a few times near the end.”
“7/10 - lots of beautiful piano, some mediocre songs, mixing could be better, some songs were way too loud.”
- humor65 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both funny and emotionally impactful, often oscillating between absurdity and serious moments. While some appreciate the clever jokes and engaging characters, others feel the comedic timing can be hit or miss, leading to moments that feel rushed or poorly executed. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with emotional depth, making it a unique experience for those who enjoy a balance of laughter and heartfelt storytelling.
“The story starts with a funny and absurd atmosphere but then things get serious and reality hits you in the face at some point.”
“If you enjoy humor poked at anime tropes while presenting a fun and meaningful adventure romp, you will love this visual novel.”
“Most of the game is comedy, and it's a great mix of absurdist humor and dry sarcasm; it's excellent and will never fail to make you laugh.”
“The humor falls flat with unfunny skits that have terrible comedic timing, stretched to unbearable lengths.”
“Endless cuts to different times or locations serve no purpose and detract from the overall experience.”
“The emotional moments feel completely undeserved and undermine any potential for genuine humor.”
- graphics56 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their exceptional quality, blending anime and cartoon styles that create a unique and visually engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the stunning artwork, polished animations, and high production values, including impressive voice acting and a captivating soundtrack. The dynamic visuals and varied character designs contribute to a compelling narrative, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
“The game impresses with its exceptional graphic arts, music, and dubbing, making it a strong contender in its genre.”
“The artwork, voice acting, animation, and music were all near the best I've experienced in a visual novel; I'd recommend this game for any of these reasons.”
“The art style and the cartoon visuals when they occur are a joy to watch, and the soundtrack is really enjoyable.”
“It's more of a visual eye candy, and if you like the art style and animations, then it's probably worth it.”
“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 visual novel of this size: 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 combination of cartoon and conventional visual novel art style is also well suited.”
- emotional40 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of this visual novel is described as a dynamic roller coaster, blending humor with poignant moments that can evoke laughter and tears in quick succession. While some reviewers appreciate the heartwarming and touching scenes, others criticize the story's coherence and emotional depth, suggesting that the emotional impact is sometimes undermined by uneven writing and pacing. Overall, it offers a unique experience filled with both comedic and heartfelt elements, making it a memorable, if imperfect, journey.
“This essentially kinetic visual novel is an absolute emotional roller coaster, and if you enjoy feelings such as joy, laughter, emotional connections, sadness, and resolve, then you will love this visual novel.”
“It's an emotional ride, from being hilarious to quickly becoming emotional.”
“The whole game is sort of an emotional roller coaster that will have you laughing and then crying within scenes of each other.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this visual novel is largely linear and minimal, with most interactions consisting of clicking to progress through the story, which some players feel detracts from the gaming experience. While there are a few mini-games and limited choices, many reviewers note that the focus is more on narrative and dialogue than on traditional gameplay mechanics. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some praising the storytelling and presentation, while others criticize the lack of meaningful gameplay.
“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 and choices are an afterthought, unfortunately.”
“The game is just like ノラとと; there is barely any gameplay but endless clicking, which is the only thing you need to make a great story.”
“The first thing I want to say is that this is more of a movie/book than it is an actual game due to the lack of interaction with the player.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its high-quality writing and engaging interactions, but some players feel it lacks depth, particularly in the relationships between the main characters and the supporting cast. While the emotional journey of certain characters is well-executed, there is a desire for more exploration of friendships and backstories to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the character design and artistic elements are highly regarded, contributing positively to the game's appeal.
“Its 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, making me drop tears.”
“I wish I could see the friendship between our main duo develop and blossom much more; I wish we could see more development from the rest of the cast too because I know there's room for improvement.”
“The story details and character development are barely enough; I wish I could see the friendship between our main duo develop and blossom much more. I also wish we could see more development from the rest of the cast 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 plot made me laugh, made me hold a grudge against certain characters, and then as the character development proceeded, that grudge settled down, which made me drop tears.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game transitions from a humorous and absurd tone to a more serious and emotional experience, enhanced by the poignant storytelling of the 'galaxy dragon' tale. The powerful soundtrack plays a crucial role in shaping the mood, using a range of musical styles to evoke empathy during reflective moments and energize players during intense action sequences. Overall, the combination of narrative depth and dynamic music creates a compelling and immersive atmosphere.
“The story starts with a funny and absurd atmosphere, but then things get serious and reality hits you in the face at some point.”
“I really like them reiterating the whole 'have you heard of the galaxy dragon' tale because it deepens the emotion and really 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 hype and fast rock songs that quicken the pace and make you feel part of the action, filling battles 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.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users praising the performance of the characters and their voice acting, indicating a smooth and enjoyable experience.
“Overall, the characters are enjoyable so far; their voice acting is amazing performance-wise.”
“The optimization in this game allows for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the mechanics to enhance performance and reduce lag.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have noted that the stability of the game is compromised by the presence of lazy and buggy random minigames, particularly those that appear towards the end, leading to frustration and questioning their purpose.
“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.”
