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Razmos

Unshakeable One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 28, 2017
15,890
220px-Drakan_-_The_Ancients%27_Gates_Coverart.png

This game was an absolute hidden gem on the PS2, I can't even remember how I came across the game, but it has stuck in my memories ever since playing it as a kid.
Check out this fanmade trailer:


It's a true hack and slash adventure game, with all sorts of weapons, armour, magic, dragons and all manner of beasts to fight.
18.Magic.jpg


If I had to describe what the game reminds me of, its Tomb Raider meets Skyrim.

The story was nothing to write home about, but the world itself was super interesting (and dark!)

The gameplay was pretty damn good for the time. There were melee weapons, which had a fairly basic attack string, but you could crouch, roll, and even do special attacks depending on your directional input.
There were also ranged weapons and magic.

drakan_the_ancients_gates_image18.jpg

But what I really like about this game is that it did aerial combat really well when you are riding your dragon, and as you progressed through the game you would beat bosses and unlock different elemental breath weapons for your dragon that all worked differently, and you could fly wherever you wanted (though I probably imagine the world being far bigger than it actually was)

The dungeons were great and there were tons of secret areas you can find, secret weapons and armour and magic.

Does anyone else remember this game?
Do you have fond memories of it?
 

saenima

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
11,892
I always wanted to get it but never did. Looked really interesting. It's one of those games that always lost to something else when i had to choose, because the money was short.
 

Deleted member 17210

User-requested account closure
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
11,569
I have fond memories of the original on PC. The PS2 sequel seemed alright from the demo but it didn't click the same for some reason.
 

Doc Kelso

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,165
NYC
Oh my god. I think of this game every few months and can never remember what it was called. I adored the demo for this game but I never got to play the full version. Thank you for reminding me of the title!
 

KainXVIII

Member
Oct 26, 2017
5,283
How this game differs from PC version? Which i also skipped for some reason (GoG release when?)
 

Persagen

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,586
Wow, I'd forgotten about this game. Completely agree with you, OP. It was so uniquely appealing. Exploring this massive world both on foot and in the air was exhilarating; there was nothing like it at the time.
 
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Razmos

Razmos

Unshakeable One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 28, 2017
15,890
Oh my god. I think of this game every few months and can never remember what it was called. I adored the demo for this game but I never got to play the full version. Thank you for reminding me of the title!
You are welcome! It's well worth a play. I didn't even know there was a demo! Was that on one of the disks from a magazine?
 

Venture

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,585
I probably would've really liked that, sorry I missed it. Drakan released at the end of January 2002, but the latter half of 2001 was absolutely stacked for me:

Final Fantasy X
Devil May Cry
Ico
GTA 3
MGS 2

I have no idea how and when I found time to play all those so it's no wonder this went under my radar.
 

Piotrek

Member
Oct 28, 2017
128
Warsaw, PL
I remember reading somewhere that the first Drakan was one of the first games (or even the first, I don't remember now) to introduce seamless in-engine cut-scenes, meaning – i.e. your character had the same weapon equipped in the cutscene as she did in gameplay, you could see enemy corpses lying where you killed them etc. It was really novel in 1999.
 
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Razmos

Razmos

Unshakeable One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 28, 2017
15,890
I remember reading somewhere that the first Drakan was one of the first games (or even the first, I don't remember now) to introduce seamless in-engine cut-scenes, meaning – i.e. your character had the same weapon equipped in the cutscene as she did in gameplay, you could see enemy corpses lying where you killed them etc. It was really novel in 1999.
Oh really? It's a shame most games that came after it don't do that
 

Crayon

Member
Oct 26, 2017
15,580
I was really enjoying this yame and well after release. It was quite good. Then my dragon dissapeared or something. :/ Glitch, i figured.
 

Deleted member 10428

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
1,083
I was impressed by the seamless gameplay going from hacking through enemies on the ground to getting on your dragon and raining fiery hell from above on those same enemies. That seemed way ahead of its time. On pc.
 

Doodlebug

Member
Oct 25, 2017
381
I loved this game but I got stuck down in some snowy mountain abyss, could not find a way to get out, and my dragon would not come get me. I must have been pretty far because at the time I had refused to start over.
 

flyinj

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,967
Yeah the first game on PC was incredible.

I wish there was a way to get it these days
 
Jul 5, 2018
298
Oh yes! I still think about this game from time to time. Rented it and later bought it. I still remember the beginning when you cross a bridge and a dragon flies by in the distance. It was an amazing image for the early PS2 era.
 

Deleted member 11976

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
7,585
I remember this game, yeah. Was blown away by the early-ish open world aspect, especially the freedom to fly wherever you wanted. Like the OP states, the aerial and ground combat were both equally competent. A game that really didn't get its deserved shine, if you ask me.
 

Phantom88

Banned
Jan 7, 2018
726
Weird how these games exist. Drakan: Order of the Flame, PC only game. Then a sequel, 3 years later, a ps2 game.
 

Cudpug

Member
Nov 9, 2017
3,558
I played it at the time and thought it was janky and unpleasant. But I also recall not getting particularly far into it due to finding it challenging. I did not know you got to free roam ride a dragon - that's neat.
 

cowbanana

Member
Feb 2, 2018
13,721
a Socialist Utopia
I loved Drakan: Order of the Flame on PC, it was an amazing game at the time. It had adventure, dragon riding and cool combat with dismemberment.

Never played the PS2 thing.
 

Genetrik

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,733
My god you brought back amazing memories. Was it so that the first game was quite violent and the sequel toned it down a bit?

Man can you imagine how amazing this game could look and feel like with today's technology?
 

Gabbo

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,567
I never owned a playstation 2, but I played the hell out of the original on PC and have always wanted to try this. I've seen copies in retro/used game stores for cheap[ish], so perhaps buy and then emulate it? Tomb Raider with dragons was an apt description then and it's pretty apt now I think.

There hasn't been a game that got dragon riding/fighting right since (although from this thread, the sequel managed to maintain the high quality), and I hope one day someone takes up the task, because Factor5 went a different direction with Lair.
 

Enforcer

The Fallen
Oct 27, 2017
2,961
Loved this game to death.

Game is really buggy tho but that's understandable considering the scope.
 

Bundy

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
20,931
Another one of those forgotten Sony IPs. I really liked this game on the PS2. Nothing like it. Would be cool if Sony could revive this IP.
 

Fafalada

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,067
Both games did stuff with open-world that was way ahead of their time in ambition/scope, and while not without flaws, they offered a unique experience. When Lair was first announced I was hoping we'd get something closer to this, but alas...-_-
It's too bad the IP is such a niche, unlikely we'd ever see a modern remake, even though I'd far prefer that to the likes of Crash.
 

Tuorom

Member
Oct 30, 2017
10,917
I love this game. I still have it and I've actually been considering booting up the ps2. It still feels so unique! The sense of adventure is so good, and it feels big without the needless bloat of open world games today. Each area was so unique. You go from Surdana the typical yet not, fantasy area. Then to the Adrenal(?) Isles, which is in perpetual storm for story reasons and requires you to fly to each isle to different caves and camps. Then to Ravenholm which is a pretty big arctic area. Then back to Surdana for more sidequests, then a desert area. The final area up in Stratos(?) was pretty weak though it had some crazy ideas.
The sidequests were all well done and memorable. Most people who didn't get the full release probably remember the demo which featured one of the sidequests. It had it's own area you had to load into, it was a good quest.
The ground combat doesn't hold up today and honestly was pretty janky at the time. The dragon combat is still great fun, and they seamlessly transition between each other. You can swoop down and roast people alive, jump off and hack em to bits, then jump back on and fly away. Arokh (dragon) also learns new breaths when you defeat enemies. My favourite was a sonic breath that would obliterate enemies on last hit, and you could shoot a big slow moving bomb that would explode like a nuke. The others were lightning, frost, and lifesteal thing(idk shadow attack?).

It is a great experience. There are secrets as well hidden, and just exploring was fun. There are some pretty good places you can stumble on like the Church with it's creepy catacombs, or going into the inquisitors lair and getting wrecked because you're still low level. Maybe you found the giant chicken and stole her golden egg haha.

And lest I forget the fantastic portrayal of a female protagonist. Confident, well-versed, hardy, a warrior. She's not over sexualized. Today would be a perfect time to bring this game back honestly.

The OST is also really good!



You are welcome! It's well worth a play. I didn't even know there was a demo! Was that on one of the disks from a magazine?

I remember it being in a jampack. 2001 which had a lot of games I would go on to play. Tony Hawks 3, FFX, Dynasty Warriors, SSX tricky, Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance. Wow it was stacked.
61BZv5uZRuL.jpg
 

Remo Williams

Self-requested ban
Banned
Jan 13, 2018
4,769
I thought that it was a very disappointing sequel to one of my favourite games of that era. Due to it being a PS2 game, it was downgraded in several important areas compared to the PC original (the worst probably being small level segments with astounding loading times between them), while the additions and "improvements", like a greater emphasis on RPG elements, only robbed the game of its focus, adding very little of value.

If you think that The Ancients' Gates was great, Order of the Flame would've likely blown your mind. I know it blew mine.
 

tuxfool

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,858
I actually didn't know it was a sequel at first when I played it. What is better about the original?
This:
I thought that it was a very disappointing sequel to one of my favourite games of that era. Due to it being a PS2 game, it was downgraded in several important areas compared to the PC original (the worst probably being small level segments with astounding loading times between them), while the additions and "improvements", like a greater emphasis on RPG elements, only robbed the game of its focus, adding very little of value.

If you think that The Ancients' Gates was great, Order of the Flame would've likely blown your mind. I know it blew mine.

Yeah. It was basically like going backwards in time. The first game was also very janky, but of its time, the second game not improving that much on that aspect despite the time between them was also disappointing.
 
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Razmos

Razmos

Unshakeable One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 28, 2017
15,890
I love this game. I still have it and I've actually been considering booting up the ps2. It still feels so unique! The sense of adventure is so good, and it feels big without the needless bloat of open world games today. Each area was so unique. You go from Surdana the typical yet not, fantasy area. Then to the Adrenal(?) Isles, which is in perpetual storm for story reasons and requires you to fly to each isle to different caves and camps. Then to Ravenholm which is a pretty big arctic area. Then back to Surdana for more sidequests, then a desert area. The final area up in Stratos(?) was pretty weak though it had some crazy ideas.
The sidequests were all well done and memorable. Most people who didn't get the full release probably remember the demo which featured one of the sidequests. It had it's own area you had to load into, it was a good quest.
The ground combat doesn't hold up today and honestly was pretty janky at the time. The dragon combat is still great fun, and they seamlessly transition between each other. You can swoop down and roast people alive, jump off and hack em to bits, then jump back on and fly away. Arokh (dragon) also learns new breaths when you defeat enemies. My favourite was a sonic breath that would obliterate enemies on last hit, and you could shoot a big slow moving bomb that would explode like a nuke. The others were lightning, frost, and lifesteal thing(idk shadow attack?).

It is a great experience. There are secrets as well hidden, and just exploring was fun. There are some pretty good places you can stumble on like the Church with it's creepy catacombs, or going into the inquisitors lair and getting wrecked because you're still low level. Maybe you found the giant chicken and stole her golden egg haha.

And lest I forget the fantastic portrayal of a female protagonist. Confident, well-versed, hardy, a warrior. She's not over sexualized. Today would be a perfect time to bring this game back honestly.

The OST is also really good!





I remember it being in a jampack. 2001 which had a lot of games I would go on to play. Tony Hawks 3, FFX, Dynasty Warriors, SSX tricky, Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance. Wow it was stacked.
61BZv5uZRuL.jpg

Great writeup (better than mine actually haha)

The female protagonist being so strong is something I forgot to mention, we need more characters like her
 

Tuorom

Member
Oct 30, 2017
10,917
I thought that it was a very disappointing sequel to one of my favourite games of that era. Due to it being a PS2 game, it was downgraded in several important areas compared to the PC original (the worst probably being small level segments with astounding loading times between them), while the additions and "improvements", like a greater emphasis on RPG elements, only robbed the game of its focus, adding very little of value.

If you think that The Ancients' Gates was great, Order of the Flame would've likely blown your mind. I know it blew mine.
I never played the Order of the Flame. It's been on my mind though because I have never found anything similar to Drakan to this day.
Maybe I'll look for it. I played the shit out of Ancients Gates and I could use some more Rynn&Arohk action.
That you say it is even better is exciting.

Great writeup (better than mine actually haha)

The female protagonist being so strong is something I forgot to mention, we need more characters like her
This game has stuck in my memory like no other. It is so unique and offers such a fun adventure unlike any other game I've played.
 

Gabbo

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,567
Great writeup (better than mine actually haha)

The female protagonist being so strong is something I forgot to mention, we need more characters like her
Rynn's design is unnecessarily sexualized for male gaze though, which is something I found kind of off-putting about the original. By modern standard's it's not so bad, but you do spend the entire game staring at her butt and her armour/shirt is a little more revealing than need be
 

Tuorom

Member
Oct 30, 2017
10,917
Rynn's design is unnecessarily sexualized for male gaze though, which is something I found kind of off-putting about the original. By modern standard's it's not so bad, but you do spend the entire game staring at her butt and her armour/shirt is a little more revealing than need be

drakan_2202.jpg
145675_scr3_a.png


It's pretty decent compared to most games I think. It doesn't draw attention to itself for the most part, and she isn't unnecessarily busty. I'd say she's probably too skinny considering her martial prowess but that's a nitpick.

Playing the game, it isn't really a focus at all. Her character is also portrayed as very strong and capable.

I don't know how she is in Order of the Flame though.
 

oracledragon

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,285
I really enjoyed this game! I was a fan of the first one on PC, and the PS2 sequel was actually one of the primary reasons I bought a PS2... and this ended up being one of my favorite games on the system. The way you could just get on and off the Dragon to go and check things out on the ground, or use him to toast enemies that were maybe giving you a hard time... really cool and very unique for the time. It's a shame it is PS2 only and it never got another game in the series. Underrated gem IMO.
 

Manipular

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
579
Detroit, MI
Oh God, I used to love this game! Borrowed it from a friend a few times, but I sadly never finished it. The concept of an open world video game confused the hell out of me, since I was only 9 or 10 at the time. I was used to games railroading you everywhere along a specific path.

I strongly remember getting my ass beat by some lizard creatures in this swamp area that was hard to see in. That's the last I ever played of the game, sadly.
 

Tuorom

Member
Oct 30, 2017
10,917
Oh God, I used to love this game! Borrowed it from a friend a few times, but I sadly never finished it. The concept of an open world video game confused the hell out of me, since I was only 9 or 10 at the time. I was used to games railroading you everywhere along a specific path.

I strongly remember getting my ass beat by some lizard creatures in this swamp area that was hard to see in. That's the last I ever played of the game, sadly.
The Shadowmire. It's the first area you go to. Yea those toads can do a lot of damage if you're not careful. That area had a good atmosphere though it is wayyyyyy too long. I want to ride my dragon right now damnit.



The OST is on my mind:


 

Manipular

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
579
Detroit, MI
The Shadowmire. It's the first area you go to. Yea those toads can do a lot of damage if you're not careful. That area had a good atmosphere though it is wayyyyyy too long. I want to ride my dragon right now damnit.



The OST is on my mind:




Yeaaahhh, that's the place. Damn, I didn't get very far lol. Is the game available on PC or anything now? Really thinking about trying it out again.
 

Noogy

Soloist
Verified
Oct 25, 2017
162
Colorado
I never played the PS2 game but I absolutely loved the original PC game. I still remember that experience fondly, and still boot up the excellent OST on occasion.
 

Ocean Bones

Avenger
Oct 29, 2017
4,725
Looks really great for its day. But it also looks like the type of game where you get bodied by normal mobs. Was it challenging?
 
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Razmos

Razmos

Unshakeable One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 28, 2017
15,890
Looks really great for its day. But it also looks like the type of game where you get bodied by normal mobs. Was it challenging?
It could be, depending on what enemies you were fighting, smaller enemies would often swarm you like spiders or skeletons and the bigger enemies were tough from what I remember, but after the initial section you could get always get on your dragon to blast them to bits unless you were in a cave or dungeon
 

Gabbo

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,567
drakan_2202.jpg
145675_scr3_a.png


It's pretty decent compared to most games I think. It doesn't draw attention to itself for the most part, and she isn't unnecessarily busty. I'd say she's probably too skinny considering her martial prowess but that's a nitpick.

Playing the game, it isn't really a focus at all. Her character is also portrayed as very strong and capable.

I don't know how she is in Order of the Flame though.
I don't think the original ever had full body armour like that shown in your second pic, so Psygnosis does seem to have made strides there. I beleive Rynn only ever had shields and upper body armour that rarely covered her arms, though it has been close to a decade since I played it for any length of time and I could be wrong.
The rather active modding community for the game might improved or made this worse, as they often do.

Arokh shows full frontal several times, so i mean, there is that