Drakengard 3 review

[MrKirov]

I'd love to be telling you about this new action RPG from Cavia, the makers of the much heralded Nier.

I'd love to tell you that the art style is similar, with what looks like similar combat and the same mixed reviews as Nier.

However, I simply can't. I cheerfully logged onto the EU PSN to pick this up knowing it was a D/L only title in the UK, only to find it is ?39.99.

I now can't talk about this as I refuse to pay that for a digital game. Anyone else playing this?

[chopemon]

For only a couple of quid more, several humans are being paid to bring a physical copy across an ocean and deliver it into my hands. I will be playing it once it turns up. Can't wait!

[Jei]

Mines in the post....hurry up!

[MrKirov]

*goes to playasia*

**** YOU SEN/SQUEENIX UK!!

[Neon Ignition]

I paid it
My PS3 has chugged at 31%, it doesn't like doing that download fast at all

[shaffy_oppa]

Played the prologue.

Can't really say much just yet, combat wasn't great and the frame rates terrible (I don't know why they used Unreal Engine) but the story seems interesting from the first few chapters of the novel I've read, hasn't really kicked in in the game yet for me. I will play some more now and hopefully it'll click. It's definitely more Drakengard and very little Nier. I don't think anyone should jump in expecting Nier.

[MrKirov]

Tell us what the games like further in folks!

[shaffy_oppa]

Okay, I've now played the entire first chapter which consists of 4 verses or stages. They were all run straight and kill enemies with verse 4 being a boss battle only.

At the end of each stage it calculates your experience points and you level up and earn money for all the materials you find. There's also three chests in each stage to collect, some hidden and some in plain sight. I only realised theres three per stage when I missed one and in the results screen it pretty much told me and I didn't get a complete stamp on that stage.

You also get requests which tend to be collect so many of so and so item from dead enemies before the timer runs out. These have so far rewarded me with the ability to carry more recovery items and components to to upgrade my weapons.

After the first boss I've gained access to spear type weapons, seems there's 4 types, and a party member. You can equip one of each weapon type before the stage begins. I'm not sure what the other are, so far I have swords and spears. Weapons can be bought from a shop before the start of a stage, found in chests during a stage and I guess story.


There's less enemies compared to the original 2, the environments are much smaller and you can't call your dragon at will. That's just the first chapter so far, maybe it'll open up a bit more and give me access to the dragon as and when I want.

The dialogue is what's making the game for me and it's not really that bad just the frame rate and judder is a little annoying at times.

[MrKirov]

Hovering over buy at VGP... Can't do it! Wii U coming!!!

[shaffy_oppa]

I really do think you should either wait for a price drop especially seeing as you've a wii u coming.

[chopemon]

If you want one for the weekend there are copies on Amazon and ebay that dispatch first class today. I have contacted the sellers (it doesn't look like my Tronix order will arrive on time and I have a four day weekend) and they confirmed that if you order today, it will go out today and be with you tomorrow/Saturday.

So hyped for this.

[MrKirov]

Amazon sellers are gone now. And the ones of eBay are silly prices. Only ?31 delivered on VGP. I've PM'ed you about your potential second copy coming though Chopemon!

[MrKirov]

Ordered on VGP. Wouldnt of had the hassle if they just released a bloody UK copy!

Silly bastards!

[VR46]

Most reviews for this aren't too flattering eg http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps3/drakengard_3 (5/10) and a score of 59 on Metacritic at the moment http://www.metacritic.com/game/plays...3/drakengard-3

Does that fit about right guys that have played it?

[MrKirov]

There's been quite a mixture from the looks of it, alot of it based around how average the graphics are. It looks graphically the same as NIER to me, in tone as well, so i'm fine with that.

NIER also got such mixed/low reviews and was a real gem for alot of people so hopefully this is the same. I am aware this is a different genre to NIER, but shares similar combat and tone so i'm looking forward to it.

Opinions ive read from people who also enjoyed NIER are saying theyre really enjoying it so im more inclined to believe them.

Im sure some websites gave NIER 3/10 upon release too