Super Nintendo #3: Dragon View

 

Developer: Kotobuki

Publisher: Kemco

Release Date: November 1994

Genre: Action RPG

Okay so maybe it's not the most accurate title, but Beefy White Guy View just doesn't have the same ring to it

Drakkhen isn’t particularly remembered today, but it did well enough on Super Nintendo to merit a console only sequel. I talked earlier about how Super Nintendo became a haven for PC games, and Dragon View is a perfect example of this. PC games came over to SNES and became mini franchises instead of dead ends. It’s also interesting because Dragon View is different enough from Drakkhen that it hardly even needs to be a sequel. Other than the setup of the overworld it doesn’t have much in common with the first game. They made the connection however, making the main character the son of one of Drakkhen’s heroes and having dragon guardians who reference the events of the first game. The ending even hints at another sequel in the works, but sadly the second game didn’t sell well enough to spawn any more games. It’s a bit of a collector’s item today and is one of the more expensive RPGs for Super Nintendo. But if you’re a diehard collector of original hardware and have a hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket you could certainly do a lot worse. I’m sure it’s better than SWAT Kats anyway.

Hey this looks like Drakkhen!

 

Dragon View certainly gets the full console treatment. The confusing menu screen is now gone and the 3D overworld is first person without ability to fall into the water. The combat has switched from the weird RTS style of the first game to an action side-scrolling format reminiscent of Zelda 2. The option to create characters is gone so now you can only play as Alex, a young man on a quest to save his girlfriend and also the world if he gets around to it. This makes for a game that loses a bit of charm but gains a great amount of playabliity. I loved Drakkhen but the mostly empty map made it drag sometimes. In Dragon View, however, there is always something to do and somewhere to go. Each section of the map is full of secrets so just by exploring I gained most of the levels I needed. There was a section near the beginning where I had to save up money and got a little annoyed, but it was only one tiny section where the monsters weren’t dropping much money. Later in the game I had that good RPG situation where I always had something I needed to buy but never felt that strapped for cash. I didn’t like how the same items got more expensive from town to town, but it was less important as monsters started dropping more money. This game is certainly sound in the RPG department.

 

As is often the case with older action RPGs, however, the combat ends up being the weakest part of the game. I had fun with it, and it had good bosses, but it could sure get repetitive. There are many items you can use in battle like arrows, bombs, and magic rings, but I rarely had a reason to use any of them. I only needed to spam my two main weapons with very little strategy. It also got to the point where bosses were just about the only enemies that gave me any trouble. The game had some fun maze-like dungeons which gave me plenty of opportunities to level up without even trying. The enemies also dropped plenty of healing items so combat was basically hit the enemy one or two times and don’t worry about defense. I was shocked when I got to the final boss and found him to be so difficult because for the last third of the game I felt practically invincible. Luckily the dungeons were fun enough that I kept having a good time, but it’s not good when an RPG starts out hard and then becomes super easy halfway through.

This doesn't look like Drakkhen, but it is a lot of fun!

 

Looking back at what I wrote I am a little surprised I had so many critical things to say because honestly I had a great time with this one. It managed to be fast paced while still being exploration heavy. The combat was simple, but the amount of battles was low enough to keep things balanced. I didn’t have my usual burnout halfway through like I usually do so it kept my attention the whole game. It truly is a Super Nintendo hidden gem even if it’s an expensive one. Like with Drakkhen, though, I played it on the Piko Collection Vol. 1 on Evercade which has eighteen other games I will get around to reviewing eventually. It’s nice to be able to find ways to play old games that still support the creators. Anyway, Dragon View is going just below the immortal arcade section of my listings. So far Super Nintendo is getting off to a very good start.

Super Nintendo Quality Percentage: 3/3 or 100%

 

1. Super Mario Odyssey

2. Galaga

3. Donkey Kong

4. Exodus: Ultima III

5. Pac-Mania

6. Wrecking Crew

7. Super Pac-Man

8. Pac-Man

9. Dragon View

10. Excitebike

11. Drakkhen

12. Arc the Lad

13. Clu Clu Land

14. Artifact Adventure Gaiden DX

15. Mickey’s Racing Adventure

16. Metro-Cross

17. Ice Climber

18. Gaplus

19. Dragon Spirit

20. Pinball (NES)

21. Ninja Golf

22. Super Soccer

23. Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour (GBC)

24. Red Sea Crossing

25. Baraduke

26. Tennis

27. Hogan’s Alley

28. Gamma-Attack

29. The Legend of “Valkyrie”

30. Galaxian

31. Evoland

32. Cosmic Commuter

33. Hot Pixel

34. Wild Gunman

35. Defunct

36. Gyruss (2600)

37. Looney Tunes Racing

38. Squidlit

39. Baseball

40. Birthday Mania

41. Bad Street Brawler

42. Burly Men at Sea

43. X-Men (HyperScan)

44. My Name is Mayo

45. Marvel Heroes

46. Ben 10