Drakengard 3 review

[MrKirov]

Okay...

...**** this game.

There I was enjoying the game, it's different take on a revenge story, it's basic but fun combat and enjoyable speech, but then something happened. Something that has made me give up on a game at its final boss- something I have NEVER done.

Minor spoilers ahead- mainly around the structure of the game rather than story.

I happily finished the initial main game, then went on through branches B and C, then finished the lost verses. I should have known something was up then- to play the final chapter "branch D" a message appeared stating I must unlock all weapons in the game in order to access the true ending.

Pain in the arse- but I trudged on through getting them all as I wanted to see how it ended- finally got I to it around the 35-40 hour mark.

I start the final level hacking and slashing away- great fun. Then the pain began. The final boss isn't just difficult, ITS A DIFFERENT ****ING GENRE.

The game turns into a rhythm game- the most difficult thing I have attempted in my life- no hyperbole. I spent 3 hours trying to no avail.

Imagine this;

- un-skippable 50 second intro to the level
- 30 second load time for restarts
- 8 minute long level
- no checkpoints
- one hit kill- fail or mistime a SINGLE button press? Start the level again
- camera angle that purposefully swings around, up and down- doesn't even show your character, or zooms so far out you can't even see them.
- everything is the same colour so you can't differentiate anything.You can barely see yourself or the things you're meant to time to dodge.
- there are button presses you need to press without any sound cues....WTF? You think you've finished it and there is a black screen- with two button presses you need to do even though the section is over- fail? START A ****ING-GAIN

The venom online I'm reading about this indicates it's not just me. I've had to give up on a game for the first time, and I'm deflated. What a waste of time.

Who green lights this ****? You're a small studio with a low budget and small fan base, with a release that isn't even physical in a large part if the world- why do this? It's apparently on purpose as some sort of throwback to a well known hard boss in the first game. But if it's not fun, why alienate the fans you have?

I loved Nier, and bought this based on that. I was going to buy the DLC, and up to this point, thought I'd found a love of a new developer- now? I won't buy another game on principle, am selling the game and they aren't getting any more of my money for DLC.

Well played. *slow claps*

If anyone is interested, look the boss up online! It's ridiculous!

[speedlolita]

Out of interest, did you play the first two?

I plan to beat those before I move on to this.

[MrKirov]

No, never did.

Apparently, the first games boss was one of the most well known and infuriating boss battles already- and looking at that one online, the style and colour is all the same as in this one. But it was only 3 minutes long.

You can tell this one is purposefully a complete twat- you really can tell its completely on purpose. Its such a shame though, I was really enjoying the game up to that point. Its basic, but you can see what it could have been with bigger budget, and the story is great- but this is such a travesty of a boss battle that it completely ruins everything that was good about it.

['Press Start']

Now that is a terrible boss idea.

[speedlolita]

I think that looks kinda cool. Hahah.

[MrKirov]

I wouldnt mind so much except for the fact its so difficult. And long.

If you can see from the video, the rings you use to work out when to press a button, you cant even see most of the time. They expect you to use the music only, but its so difficult.

Bare in mind you havent done that a single time up until this point in the game- and it dumps you into this section without any training or tutorial- you end up dying four or five times before you even realise that ts not a normal battle on a dragon, but suddenly a ****ing rhythm game!!!

Awful, awful stuff.

[MrKirov]

I think that looks kinda cool. Hahah.

It does LOOK awesome, but sadly its terribly implemented

I'm still annoyed that ive had to quit a game at the final hurdle. **** you Cavia.

[speedlolita]

Ah. Well, back when I was playing Bayonetta I felt that the Space Harrier section almost ruined it for me. So I can understand where you're coming from.

I'll just have to keep in mind that at one point in the game it turns into a rhythm game, which I love.

[MrKirov]

I love rhythm games. Ive done Gitaroo Man on master and Ouendan 1 and 2 on hardest modes. I just cant do it.

At least the Space Harrier section in Bayonetta was doable,and passable even if you were **** at it!

Also, whats irritating is that it ruins the game soundtrack for me! It's not as good as Nier, but it was damn good. Now I never want to hear the ****ing main theme ever a ****ing-gain!!!!

[chopemon]

I think I've just given up on the game as well. I played through Branch A, did all the DLC, did Branch B and now I'm just fed up of replaying the same old levels with the same old enemies with some fairly unfair fights. I looked into Branch D last night and the unlock requirements and that's when I found out about the rhythm sequence with stories of people trying it for 12 hours and giving up.

Must have spent at least 30 hours with the game but I think I'm done with it.