Drakan: Order of the Flame

When I first got this game, I was 6 and my parents bought me my first computer. The game came installed right in it, and by that time I never knew Drakan existed as a game at all. It was that fortunate day when I was scrolling through the folders to find games - like any child with a new computer would -, and found a folder that said: Drakan: Order of the Flame. I had little knowledge of speaking/reading English, but I understood the words, so I opened it and clicked the brown "D" icon immidietly. The opening began with Psygonsis's owl and Surreal's twisting words, and then the 3D owl itself. When I saw Arokh fly by and crush through the title of the game, I immidietly thought: "This is a game for me!". And it surely was. But sadly that day I realised the game was bugged, because there was no sound - no soundtrack nor voices when the characters spoke. So my first thought was that Arokh was probably called Draco or something like that... But then I searched in YouTube and realised the girl I played was Rynn and the dragon was Arokh.
 
Getting to the point... This game has all the elements a GOOD adventure game should. It has a lot of weapons to choose from, HUGE areas to explore, and the most breath-taking part was riding Arokh - it was amazing! Not like today's games - limited time on the dragon and on foot (take Eragon's game for an example), and limited areas to explore. I hate that in adventure games. Like, hello, where's the ADVENTURE in that? The game consists of the player controlling Rynn from a third-person view using the keyboard and mouse. On open-air locations, Arokh follows Rynn either by flying or by walking if he can land nearby. In the latter case, he also allows Rynn to mount him at any time whereupon the control switches to him. When navigating Arokh the player cannot use any of Rynn's items but has a variety of ranged weapons the dragon acquires throughout the game, starting with his innate fire breathing. When in the air, Rynn and Arokh are superior to any non-aerial enemy but to defeat flying monsters, the player must maneuver and aim precisely. Dismounting is only possible when landed.
 
he large open-air locations contain entrances to smaller dungeons, which Arokh usually cannot enter because of his size, so Rynn has to explore them alone. When controlling Rynn, the player can equip her with swords, daggers, maces, battle axes, bows and armor that she picks up throughout the game. The inventory is limited in size and most weapons wear down when used and cannot be repaired. In addition to normal weapons, there are magical ones as well as, and quest-related items. There are no shields or dual-wielding in the game. No special in-game skills are required for Rynn to equip any weapon or armor she picks up and the player can use acrobatics to gain tactical advantage in combat. The game was rated "Mature" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for "animated violence, blood, and gore" because of its realistic depiction of dismembering, decapitation and gibbing of the enemies. This can be disabled, though, from the Options. When the menu pops up after starting the game, click on the small crystal that says "Options" below it [or was it above?...] and go to the Graphics section. There should be something that says something like "Gore", or of that sort, and beside it it says "Excessive". Click it and a box should appear, wanting a password. Type down your own password to deactivate the Gore level to NONE if any young children are playing the game.
 
I personally love this game, and am glad I found it that day. I don't care about the blood and gore, I love it. It has some good graphics for its time and the stunning freedom while riding Arokh is amazing - you get to stay floating in mid-air forever if you want to, or stay landed as well without moving. I've tried out Eragon, but Saphira kept moving and hitting her big lizard butt in the trees and walls, and whenever I wanted to get up and leave the game running, I couldn't do so, because she automatically kept flying forward, so I had to use the pause menu. Sucks.
  

Characters

• Rynn is an attractive young woman capable of wielding all kinds of melee and ranged weaponry. She is athletic, obstinate and impetuous. At the beginning of the game, Rynn lives with her younger brother Delon in a small village near Arokh's resting place. Tracking her brother's kidnappers, Rynn finds Arokh and performs the Bond ritual with him. Rynn's appearance is based on a real model from San Francisco whose name has never been officially disclosed. However, at least one source claims that it was Myrna Blankenstein, who also appeared on promotional posters of Drakan. Rynn is voiced by Lani Minella.
  
  
  • Arokh is a living legend, a dragon who defeated Navaros centuries ago and retired to eternal sleep after his human companion, Heron, died. When Rynn first meets him, he is impressed by her courage and agrees to help her on her journey. Throughout the game, he becomes Rynn's most powerful weapon and a true friend. He may appear intimidating and cynical at first but is noble and good-hearted inside. Arokh is voiced by Jeff McNeal.
    
    
    
    So as in all, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this game. Take a break from that Counter Strike, those Black Ops and all other games and try Drakan: Order of the Flame out. You will NOT be disappointed! .... Ouch, my fingers hurt.... :)