Drakengard

Drakengard (2003)

by Cavia, Square Enix Product Development Division 10, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive
Genres:Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Themes:Action, Fantasy, Horror
Game modes:Single player
Story:Drakengard follows the story of a kingdomless prince named Caim who fights for the Union against the Empire. Under the Union's protection are the Hierarchs and the Goddess, currently Caim's sister Furiae, who is a human manifestation of one of the four seals that protect the world from being broken. As the game begins, Cain is fatally wounded in a battle with the Empire. Encountering a captured Red Dragon who is also near death, Caim makes a fateful choice. In exchange for both their lives, the Red Dragon and Caim will enter a pact. This pact will forever chain their lives to one another and link their souls, at the cost of something irreplaceable. Recharged with the fires of a Dragon, Caim's vengeance burns over the enemy... The player controls Caim on his quest. The game is separated into three distinct modes: Aerial combat, Ground combat and Event Combat. In Aerial Combat, Caim rides dragonback against a variety of airborne foes breathing fireballs (strong single shots and weaker multiple lock-on shots). The Dragon is agile and is able to evade incoming threats, turning around completely in a moment. In Ground combat, the game is shown in 3rd person though usually large, open areas. Controlling Caim, his primary ability is the use of a variety of weapons found on the battlefield, each with their own magic powers. These are leveled up through continued usage, and specifically through the killing of individual enemies. In ground combat, Caim may also call forth his Dragon to ride and strafe enemies from the air. Event combat is similar to Ground combat, but shown isometrically, restricted to a single weapon and without the aid of a dragon. It is used mainly to tell story sequences.Show more
user avatarAdded by @wismo
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
4 134
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (54)
What’s your memory of Drakengard?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
I remembered playing this game since i was a kid. Lore behind of this game was extremely good in the way of a dark fantasy game. I only got the US copy and it is censored. I hope if it did came up. it will be uncensored dialgoue. This is the series that made Nier series too
user avatar@DuoKidduser avatar@DuoKidd
January 30, 2025
If nier:automata is a masterpiece and Nier (both original and replicant) are fun times, Drakengard is the building block. It is the most Yoko taro game out there, and it surprised me to learn about it. I would love to see this ported so ppl can experience it.
user avatar@Clovoouser avatar@Clovoo
January 31, 2025
An important game to the Nier series, the game that started it in fact. The fact this game is unavailable to play on any modern system or PC right now is honestly a real shame. With Nier Automata having millions of fans, having access to this game can get so many people to have a better appreciation for that game and the series overall. Not to mention Drakengard on it's own, while the gameplay may not be the best, it has some of the best storytelling in video games period.
There is nothing else that encompasses the different feeling this game has. The cast, the world, the messed up story, even the junky music...it's a special, f'ed up journey. Everyone has to try it.
user avatar@terrachonouser avatar@terrachono
January 31, 2025
Playing the game blind and exploring the branching story paths without any context was, truly, a one-of-a-kind experience, and the hopes of a remaster or revival non-existent if it can't be made available to the new generation
While I know DOD may not be the best hack 'n Slash or Dynasty Warriors type game mechanically speaking, it is literally Taro's Directorial dabute. It allows people to experience the dark and hopless world of Midgard before the events of NieR Replicant. It would be wonderful if all DOD games were preserved of course. But if I was given a choice, I'd love to be able to experience the first DOD game. Without it, we wouldn't have NieR.
This game is truly unique. There's nothing else quite like it. The story is amazing, with how it offers differing perspectives on the standard things a protagonist would do. Instead of being viewed as a hero, the game shows you that murdering thousands of people takes someone insane. The gameplay is subpar, but I feel like it further enhances the story. War is brutal, unforgiving, and makes you cry. Just like playing this ! If you were to play this game, you would probably despise it at first. But... If you stick with it, then it may become something you cherish deeply. This game should be on GOG so that people can experience this game in a good format without resorting to emulation (which has issues).
user avatar@animalpet23user avatar@animalpet23
January 31, 2025
I just love Drakengard as a franchise. The lore was what got me into Dark Fantasy in the first place, and Yoko Taro's own writing is what helped it set itself apart from other edgy works. So I would love to have access to it on modern consoles.
This series has always had a special place in my heart, I discovered this series much later than when it was released, but when I played this after Automata, I loved it in many ways (and disliked it for many other)
One of the most fascinating games that is very unlikely to get preserved otherwise. With the unexpected success of Nier automata, it is a game that many people would be interested in
Those games also need your vote!
Starfield
StarfieldIn this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
Open world
Action
Science fiction
Sandbox
Open world
Action
Science fiction
Sandbox
2 612
6
Hades
HadesA rogue-lite hack and slash dungeon crawler in which Zagreus, son of Hades the Greek god of the dead, attempts to escape his home and his oppressive father by fighting the souls of the dead through the various layers of the ever-shifting underworld, while getting to know and forging relationships with its inhabitants.
Action
Fantasy
Drama
Action
Fantasy
Drama
13 516
8
Final Fantasy: Record Keeper
Final Fantasy: Record KeeperRelive some of the Final Fantasy series' most memorable battles with 16-bit(-ish) sprites and mix-and-match party gameplay.
403
11
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Legendary Edition
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Legendary EditionLive Another Life, In Another World: Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls comes to life in one legendary experience from all three official add-ons. Dawnguard: The Vampire Lord Harkon has returned to power. By using the Elder Scrolls, he seeks to do the unthinkable - to end the sun itself. Will you join the ancient order of the Dawnguard and stop him? Or will you become a Vampire Lord? Hearthfire: Purchase land and build your own home from the ground up - from a simple one-room cottage to a sprawling compound complete with an armory, alchemy laboratory, and more. Dragonborn: Journey off the coast of Morrowind, to the vast island of Solstheim. Traverse the ash wastes and glacial valleys of this new land as you become more powerful with shouts that bend the will of your enemies and even tame dragons.
Open world
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Sandbox
Open world
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Sandbox
406
4
Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya
Shining Force: The Sword of HajyaThe peaceful kingdom of Cypress has suddenly been disrupted by the corrupt ambition of the evil King Iom. Terror rampages across the land. The Castle of Cypress is invaded and the magical Sword of Hajya is taken! It will take strength, courage, agility and your keen sense of strategy to defy this ominous power.
406
Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend
Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy LegendCelebrate the 30th Anniversary of SaGa with one epic collection including the three original Game Boy titles, now updated with new features for Nintendo Switch. Experience the origins of the SaGa series with the COLLECTION OF SaGa FINAL FANTASY LEGEND, the first complete port of these hugely popular titles. The collection includes new enhancements like high-speed mode as well as features unique to the Nintendo Switch, such as adjustable screen magnification and game screen background customization. Featuring compatibility with, of course, handheld mode, but also with TV mode and tabletop mode. Furthermore, this game also revives the nostalgia of playing the original by enabling vertical usage of the console after removing the Joy-Cons. Take your collection on the go with handheld mode, share your journey with your Nintendo Switch in TV mode, or remove the Joy-Cons and turn your Nintendo Switch vertically for a retro Game Boy experience.
Fantasy
Fantasy
407
WildStar
WildStarCritically acclaimed and now Free to Play, WildStar is a fantastical sci-fi MMO where you can join your friends or undertake your own epic adventures on the fabled planet Nexus! Servers for WildStar officially shut down on November 28th 2018.
Science fiction
Science fiction
2 156
127
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XFinal Fantasy X is the tenth main installment in the FF series and the first title released on sixth-generation consoles. It was also the first game to feature fully three-dimensional areas rather than including pre-rendered backdrops, and the first to include voice acting. Final Fantasy X tells the story of a star blitzball player, Tidus, who journeys with a young and beautiful summoner named Yuna on her quest to save the world of Spira from an endless cycle of destruction wrought by the colossal menace Sin.
Fantasy
Science fiction
Drama
Romance
Fantasy
Science fiction
Drama
Romance
8 696
8
Alice: Madness Returns
Alice: Madness ReturnsReturn to Wonderland and experience an all new nightmare as Alice fights to regain her sanity as she fights for the truth behind her past. Can Alice save Wonderland - and herself - from the madness that consumes them both?
Action
Horror
Action
Horror
23 158
20
Micegard
MicegardMiceGard is an adventure game where you will play as mouse-vikings. Immerse yourself in a unique world inspired by Scandinavian mythology.
Action
Fantasy
Action
Fantasy
6