Dragon Force - Sega Saturn Review

Рет қаралды 58,259

3 жыл бұрын

It's my favorite game on the Saturn. Here's why.
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Opening 3D Logo By:
Jan Neves
KZfaq Page - / jan3d
Opening 2D Animation By:
Kevin Bhall
Facebook - / kevin.bhall.14
Episode Notes:
1. All footage from real hardware.
2. Sound capture from real hardware.
3. Dragon Force used software CyberSound for its music. This was a MIDI type software for making music that had a full instrument table. It allowed the Saturn to create non redbook music that wasn't taxing to the hardware.
4. Dragon Force was also released on the Playstation 2 and 3. It has updated graphics and a new art design.
5. In typical Working Designs fashion, multiple discs were released for this game with different art in the US.
6. This game still has numerous audio bugs still present. Every so often you get sound effects caught in loops that will not stop until the game loads again.
7. Starting with King Wein is advisable. His mission is fairly easy to get going and you don't have enemies attacking you at every turn.
8. The last enemy is far too easy. I really wish he was a bit more, let's say, dynamic in his execution.
9. Dragon Force II allows you to mix unit types. For example you can have both Calvary and Soldiers with the same general. An upgrade I quite enjoyed.
10. Despite Dragon Force going for under $100 5 years ago, it has now ballooned up to $200-$300 or more regularly. At the rate of its climb, it will soon be another US Sega Saturn game in excess of $500.

Пікірлер: 518

@Alakazzam09 3 жыл бұрын

I remember back in the day, my Dad and I were going to Toys r' us to get a new game. I was so excited. We get there and this dude was trying to sell or trade in a stack of about 10 used Saturn games. The girl behind the counter offered him $150 bucks, he laughed and said "no way" then walked out. My Dad followed him out and offered to buy them all for $200 and the guy said "sure!". This was one of those games and I was hooked. Still have it, still play it. Thanks Dad, rip.

@dududu5189 3 жыл бұрын

@Alakazzam09 Good story, thanks for sharing.

@streetmagik3105 3 жыл бұрын

Your dad was awesome! 👍

@xcidgaf 3 жыл бұрын

shout out to your dad.

@mattmasso6588 3 жыл бұрын

what a great dad.. cheers to him

@3venFl0w 3 жыл бұрын

Dad was a legend! RIP

@michaeloffgrid 3 жыл бұрын

Dragon Force is the game that gave me my first ever gaming marathon. I played it for 11 hours straight one Saturday when I was 16 years old. I had never played any game for that long, uninterrupted. "I'll just finish this battle and then save, quit, and go meet up with my friends. Ok, I just need to take over one more castle. I'll just handle these domestic affairs, and then I'm done." I just couldn't put it down! For me to stay home on a Saturday night when I was 16 years old, I had to be playing one hell of a video game, and Dragon Force was it! Oh, I bought the game in late '97 at Babbage's, used but in immaculate condition, for $30. I only bought it because it was published by Working Designs, and it seemed RPG-ish. It was one of the best purchases I ever made.

@briantaylorcloe7725 3 жыл бұрын

Similar stories with my crew and I ... Even group sessions! Incredible, right? Three to five friends sitting around one screen for several, even dozens of hours at a time! Not to mention with merely one controller, passed along no quicker than a half hour each time ... Wow ... Nearly impossible, since it seems perhaps only Dragon Force could pull this feat off, eh?!

@maiolaproducciones 3 жыл бұрын

Me too! I spent 10/11 hours on a friday night. Went to bed Saturday at 9 am.

@JAMJR84 3 жыл бұрын

Same here. It was also a Saturday for me. I vividly remember it as being the first time I truly lost track of time while playing a game. Very few games have managed that for me since.

@michaeloffgrid 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing how we all had basically the same experience with this game. There was something really special about Dragon Force.

@JAMJR84 3 жыл бұрын

@@michaeloffgrid It has that classic "just one more turn" quality to it. Except one turn in this game can quickly become a massive time sink once things start intensifying. Then the turn is done and you think "well I guess I have to handle the admin stuff before stopping." And so on. It's also special to me for how it manages to be so chill but then suddenly be epic or intense without losing its chill.

@fthetm 3 жыл бұрын

This is my single favorite Sega developed title ever. I'm glad to see it getting it's recognition

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Almost every general has unique texts, powers, stories etc. There are like 160 different generals. When I say unique , there are like 10 different categories and each category has at least 100 different uniqueness with some characters have like 60,000 lines of text.

@lutfimakarim8258 3 жыл бұрын

I remember back in the day, I was so engrossed with this game, i actually dreamt about coming up with strategies which I immediately tried first thing after waking up.

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

All 8 main characters have a different storyline. There are a ton of easter eggs and the story lines are epic. Each one being different.

@jackrussell3084 Жыл бұрын

But not really though.

@jgs1703 Жыл бұрын

@@jackrussell3084 bow to your sensei

@adfury 3 жыл бұрын

Never understood why it's not an ages title now.

@zanon__ 3 жыл бұрын

It was a Sega Ages title in 2004/2005 for the PS2. WHat surprises me is that Sega never ported it to other platforms afterwards. It would be a terrific Switch or even PC game.

@fthetm 3 жыл бұрын

@@zanon__ There's a ton of text required, and just re-using and reinserting the Working Designs translation would alone be a huge effort. Not impossible but if it happened an English localization might be more effort than it would be worth to Sega

@zanon__ 3 жыл бұрын

@@fthetm Well considering Sega allowed 3rd Parties to work on Streets of Rage for a new game, as well as allowed a 3rd Party studio to remake/remaster Panzer Dragoon Saga, the only effort Sega would've had would be counting the money of all purchases coming it from an IP they haven't touched in over a decade.

@JohnDoe-wq5eu 3 жыл бұрын

@@zanon__ That's the thing Sega doesn't do anything but license out it's properties these days. This would be such an easy win for them if they knew what they were doing.

@zanon__ 3 жыл бұрын

@@JohnDoe-wq5eu Yep. We can hope things change. The game turns 25 this next Monday, so we can (unrealistically) hope they had something planned for us, long time Sega fans. (wishful thinking, I know but one can dream :) )

@yuwish6320 3 жыл бұрын

Dragon Force had so much replay value. EAch kingdom had specialty fighting forces with strengths and weaknesses. All were viable in some way. It was pretty well balanced.

@UltimaN3rd 3 жыл бұрын

Only discovered this game a few years ago and it's easily my favourite games of all time

@adav838 3 жыл бұрын

I don't think I have ever seen a game like this! It feels like you're not just selecting commands but also leading your troops. A true gem of a game!

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Each main general has 4 "main generals" that are all apart of the storyline and extra special.

@jaredwhite200 3 жыл бұрын

Man I love this game. I’m so glad u did a review of this game. Dragonforce is the biggest reason why I have a Sega Saturn today

@sushisunbreak 3 жыл бұрын

Man, just hearing that music again gives me goosebumps!

@TheGemini5 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite Saturn game period! Being able to play Goldark after beating the game was amazingly satisfying! PDS is great as well, but doesn't have nearly as much replay value IMO.

@Sinn0100 3 жыл бұрын

I forgot about that! Dragon Force is one of the best game on the Saturn. I still own my copy from when it was brand new.

@TheGemini5 3 жыл бұрын

@@Sinn0100 Never, EVER make the mistake of getting rid of it like I did years ago!

@Sinn0100 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheGemini5 Oh my friend I feel your pain...I stupidly sold Panzer Dragoon Saga in 2004 for 100 bucks thinking I made out like a bandit. I thought "When will I want to play this again?! I have an Xbox, PlayStation 2, and a Gamecube...that game is so old, sucker." I wound up getting it back when it was going for 400 bucks....now whose the sucker? That was a very painful experience that I learned from. :)

@erix5184 3 жыл бұрын

I remember renting this and having to fight Payne & Agony over 9000 times.

@gildedvulture7965 3 жыл бұрын

Those two were good for grinding exp. I still have this game and don't see myself letting it go anytime soon. I miss Working Designs T-T

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

The art is awesome in this game.

@drunkensailor112 3 жыл бұрын

The castle/domestic affairs music makes me cry from nostalgia. What a game

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Thats how awesome the game is.

@thenostalgiafactor5023 3 жыл бұрын

You rang? :)

@kingdavid9252 3 жыл бұрын

BEHOLD!!! THE VAST LAND OF LEGENDRA! This bountiful land... Damn I feel like crying the nostalgia is so strong with this one.

@MooseheadStudios 3 жыл бұрын

DAMN RIGHT Dragon Force gets its own video!! 10/10 this game made my purchase worth it was a kid.

@loganholmberg2295 3 жыл бұрын

Dear god I miss this game. Its so unique and fun.

@bortzanator3018 3 жыл бұрын

I have been waiting for so long for this. I knew there was a dedicated Dragon Force video coming from you. Excellent. Thank you.

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

The game is just fucking epic all the way around. Its almost impossible to explain how awesome it is. This is a game where you have to find out for yourself. You are 100 % missing out if you dont.

@welovegames1 Жыл бұрын

I never had a Saturn, unfortunately. So I never got to experience this. I wish I knew an easy way to play this....

@jgs1703 Жыл бұрын

@@welovegames1 about $200 total and you can play it. Worth it.

@jgs1703 Жыл бұрын

@@welovegames1 just remember, the man sega lord x himself said it was the best game in the saturn. This guy loves the. saturn. Easily worth the $200 invested.

@Chaosbreak1 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite Saturn game. When Junon removed the mask was a damn surprise :D

@moandaindesigns 3 жыл бұрын

I remember being so excited when I got this game so long ago. I ended up beating the game with every character. I loved Ogre battle on the SNES and this game is very similar. Thanks for the video and bringing attention to such a beloved game.

@marinebiobry 3 жыл бұрын

This is my favorite game of all time. I go back to it frequently!

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite game of all time!

@briantaylorcloe7725 3 жыл бұрын

Same here!!! Others may attempt to come close, but all around and each category individually - nothing had, has, or will have ever make a claim to top this masterpiece!!!

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

@@briantaylorcloe7725 a Ps5 DF3 would be awesome. Lets cross our fingers.

@briantaylorcloe7725 3 жыл бұрын

@@jgs1703 sawrie ... I'd have to go with thee Super Switch version 😼

@briantaylorcloe7725 3 жыл бұрын

@@jgs1703 but, y'know, if they did the SoR, TMNT, WBiML treatment, they could get all platforms like that!!!

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

@@briantaylorcloe7725 The game would be far superior on the PS5 lol

@verizonpayphone 3 жыл бұрын

Love the content SLX, especially the Saturn coverage, I'm in the market for one finally and your buying guides have helped significantly. Thanks man!

@kevinstrauss4258 3 жыл бұрын

I literally just started my first playthrough of this classic this week. Very happy to see this review and the tips you've shared. Loving it all so far!

@kapparomeo 3 жыл бұрын

This is interesting. I've never had a chance to play Dragon Force and I've never been able to work out from videos how the battles actually worked, so the breakdown is interesting.

@chazmaru9583 3 жыл бұрын

Right on time for the 25th anniversary of the game next Monday!

@roscoe75 3 жыл бұрын

I remember playing Dragon Force, it was a great game! Wish Sega would do a remaster of this game and Dragon Force II for next gen consoles.

@thecunninlynguist 3 жыл бұрын

DF looks dope. I love RTS / Strat RPGs. That opening is gorgeous.

@briantaylorcloe7725 3 жыл бұрын

Sooooo .... You haven't played it yet?! 🙈 Find a way, Young Liege, and pronto 🦁

@SenorLRoboto 3 жыл бұрын

Well, guess I gotta hook the saturn up and jump back into this game, cuz this review gave me ALL of the nostalgia

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Music is epic.

@chadgarrett6947 3 жыл бұрын

My brother got his dragon force logo tattoo, I still need to get mine, but this game is a huge part of me and my brothers childhood, the instruction booklet was freaking amazing.

@gildedvulture7965 3 жыл бұрын

Working Designs was a class act, weren't they?

@ReggieVSSolace 3 жыл бұрын

So many Hours spent playing this game. Good times.

@DreamcastQ 3 жыл бұрын

Such an epic game! Wish we had seen more games use the processors to their fullest potential like this...

@keineLust1981 3 жыл бұрын

the music starts -> instand goosebumps

@michiganjack1337 3 жыл бұрын

Revolution Death Squad 🤘 -- Oh Sorry wrong DragonForce 😅 - Another great Working Designs product. I sure do miss that studio.

@jeffm5056 3 жыл бұрын

I got this game on clearance at Toys R Us back in the day for $30. Loved Dragon Force!

@sugarklay9159 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite Saturn game. I got this game when it came out at Toy's R Us and started with Junon with became my favorite character. Awesome review

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Most of the probably 50 castles are unique with battles occuring everywhere across the map in every element out there which adds different elements to the game. There is a beautiful randomness to the game.

@jaimebarba619 3 жыл бұрын

I was soooooo stuck on this game as a kid! Absolutely Loved it. One of my all time favorites from any console. With all these damn remakes releasing, I been waiting for this to get remade, no luck yet. Thank you for showing love to a forgotten classic!

@HielUFF 3 жыл бұрын

El juego perfecto !! Hi from Venezuela !!

@MaidenHell1977 3 жыл бұрын

Everything you mentioned about how this game made you feel and look was exactly what we felt first time playing it all those years ago. Very happy to own this game even if it's just a loose disc. Great episode.

@Gorilla_Jones 3 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful game. I just started playing my original copy this week. Gaming is sadly missing these types of games.

@nimaiiikun 3 жыл бұрын

I probably logged on more hours on Dragon Force and Iron Storm on my Saturn than all the games on PSX combined. So much replay value. I think I enjoyed playing Tradnor, Fandaria, and Highland the most. The only thing I didn't like were those two thieves that always appeared

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Payne and Agonni lol

@SlowSpyder 3 жыл бұрын

Can you also review Dark Wizard for the Sega CD? Need more member berries like this.

@ollieadams4250 3 жыл бұрын

This was the first game I’ve got when I brought the sega saturn.

@Vanessaira-Retro 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you SLX for this great review. This has been one of the top games I've always wanted to play on the Saturn.

@kalle1453 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent review. I commend you for introducing the characters of the game. Great job!

@willroberts2071 3 жыл бұрын

Probably my favorite game of all console generations.

@Planag7 3 жыл бұрын

Love it all! I remember playing this game at a college and people just not knowing how to react to it because they had never seen so many characters animated in a plane like that. I definitely got a few people into this series'lol

@aaronlemoine3707 3 жыл бұрын

One of my personal all time favorite games. Want to replay it again and also try the sequel one day.

@lanegunnell1218 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for adding the self-exploration point at the end of vid. My brother randomly found it at a game store, came home and said, "Now you owe me $60," cuz I owned the Saturn in the family. Best "favor" he ever did! I played DF w/ my best friend and brother over the next year. It was so fun figuring out tactics/secrets/cheats and giddily sharing it w/ each other. Really an amazing game. Now I know the game entirely; hearing your same troop challenge, it's time to dive in again!

@streetmagik3105 3 жыл бұрын

YES!!! I love this game so much!!! I still play it almost once a year. Sad we didn't get the sequel in the US. One of my all time favorite games!

@jesperandersson8561 Жыл бұрын

Had Sega Flash disc vol 5 that had this game on video demo back then i was 9 years old. Now when im over 30 i finaly bought it on ebay and damn, was it an super nostalgic experience. Took me about 2 weeks to finish. Worth every penny.

@planescaped 7 ай бұрын

This is the only Saturn game I still possess the disk for, though I do have the box for Shining Force 3. Loved Dragon Force. And yeah, despite its appearances as a strategy game, it really is more of an rpg. There haven't been many games like this, closest I guess would be Brigindine, but Dragon Force is still to this day kind of unique. And I remember when kid me finally figured out how to recruit Vlad and I got him. This was when gamefaqs was barely a thing and didn't have a tenth of the info it has now.

@bastichforhire9736 3 жыл бұрын

Hell yes!! Haven’t watched yet but already hit the like button. So glad you are going to single this one out finally, love this game! This game has some intense moments, great tactical elements, and amazing visuals.

@wizeguy2100 3 жыл бұрын

Best game on the Saturn!

@GamingBroductions 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video. I've yet to play Dragon Force unfortunately along with many other Saturn RPGs for that matter but I've always been really intrigued by it. The battles seem to play out pretty differently, but aesthetically on the world map and how characters move the game looks really similar to Ogre Battle 64 actually. Probably the closest comparison that comes to mind for me at least. That's one of my favorites which just makes me want to check this one out even more

@theconsolekiller7113 3 жыл бұрын

Always an impressive amount of detail in these vids. This game seems great. I tried it once for a little while, got completely confused as to what I was supposed to be doing. No manual since I played it on emulation. May need to try it again though. Appreciate the breakdown.

@chadgarrett6947 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love this game. One of the only ones I love as much as final fantasy 6 and not many seem to know today. So happy to find this review! I highly recommend checking out the English fan translation of the second game that never got an English release!

@adultmoshifan87 3 жыл бұрын

Closest I got to experiencing this game as a kid was a video preview on one of Sega Saturn Magazine’s few demo discs.

@Asobitech 3 жыл бұрын

Dragon Force is such a wonderful game, and you're completely correct on all fronts on how to play the game. Discovering things is part of the fun. It is for sure in my top 5 Sega Saturn games of all time. Thanks for covering this game, and give it the love and attention it deserves.

@thatryeguy6145 3 жыл бұрын

I got this when it first came out. LOVED IT!! Top notch Working Designs packaging as well.

@l1uchill 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting looking game! I never knew about this. Awesome review and Video SLX! Great Content as always!

@richfan10 3 жыл бұрын

Great game! I remember there was a blooper reel at the end of the game for voice acting

@ClockedIt 3 жыл бұрын

In 2002 I was working in a game shop when this got traded in. It was one of those Saturn games I had not got around to buying, but knew I really wanted, so quickly snapped it up when it was traded in. I played it an absolute ton once I got it and it instantly became one of my favourite Saturn games. You have to push past the initial difficulty and understanding of the game, but once you do, man, the battles can be amazing and the strategy element is fantastic. Great game.

@Warmaker01 4 ай бұрын

I remember seeing this game reviewed well on Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine, convincing me to get this title. What really grabbed my interest was seeing the battles. It reminded me a little of the Genesis game called Warsong, which was a port of one of the Langrisser games from Japan. Dragon Force was a quite unique game for its time.

@shanesteinhauser9680 3 жыл бұрын

The more I watch these videos the more I want a Saturn. Gonna get a MODE and a Saturn so I can play these games. The 2D artstyle holds up a hell of a lot better than the blocky 3D of other platforms.

@greenEYEDdj 3 жыл бұрын

Damn this was a great review. Yo X, gonna fire up the MODE you helped me with and dig into this.

@zachwolfrom4522 3 жыл бұрын

I have been waiting for this forever!! Thank you.

@saturnman9129 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic game. Even today it still rocks. I would love to see you make a video about the Shenmue project for the saturn

@jerrycuff013 3 жыл бұрын

This saturn game looks so amazing! It's like the shining force series meets medieval total war.

@ThatPunkYT 3 жыл бұрын

You definitely need to check out its sequel! There's a great fan translation out there, and I've played the heck out of it! Definitely check out some footage to see what it's all about! 😁👍

@PeteyPeeps01 3 жыл бұрын

I'm excited to play this soon! I recently finished Shining Holy Ark and thought it was incredible.

@ctownsoldier 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice, im barely starting and was a little lost in the mechanics. im definitely avoiding a guide now

@mercster 3 жыл бұрын

Keep 'em coming buddy, love your videos!

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

Atomic Wedgie!

@robertharris8775 3 жыл бұрын

Great Video Sega Lord X! I have this game and have yet to play it. I feel like this game needs a lot of my time, which is why I haven't started it. I am currently playing Albert Odyssey, but I think this will be my next game to play through. Thanks again for the video, I love your passion for the Saturn and it really shows in the videos you do regarding it. I am a late adopter of the Saturn since I was and still am a Playstation guy, but there is no denying that Sega of America just did not do right by the Saturn.

@Harkness78 3 жыл бұрын

One of my favorites, I beat it with every faction except Reinhart, who I started but was pretty burnt out on the game by then. Really liked Goldark and Junon and Beastman playthrus. I wish they had brought the sequel to the West. I am fine with the "you get to the endgame and it forces you to finish because dragon armies just continually attack." It forces you to finish with that leader's story and move on to another one. I probably would have just played the same kingdom forever if it didn't cut me off.

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

You can play it in english now. Ive beaten it with 4 of the factions.

@philmason9653 3 жыл бұрын

"Saturn games that I consider to be the best of that generation" would actually be a solid idea for a video on its own.

@dracothemighty 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite game of all time. Nothing compares.

@analog_ape 3 жыл бұрын

I could only admire screenshots in the magazines at the time, as I had the PlayStation and couldn't afford both systems. Have been wanting to play it ever since.

@zanychelly 3 жыл бұрын

That’s an awesome review

@Graus4201 3 жыл бұрын

really enjoyed it after finding it a few years ago reminded me of my favorite growing up Ogre battle 64.

@pluxauag7555 Жыл бұрын

One of my favourite Saturn Games, thank you for adding this game to the KZfaq Library of videos. What an awesome game. Harpies are the best troops to have.

@neozzickmixes3987 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this game so much, as soon as I turned 18, I got a tattoo of the dragon symbol on my leg. I'm 38 years old now, I don't regret it at all. Still love the game

@cumberbatchpepperpot 3 жыл бұрын

Playing this back in the day was an amazing experience. I’m surprised dragon force didn’t develop its own, new popular genre

@steelcurtain187 3 жыл бұрын

Great review. Wish this was easier to play nowadays

@mole28 3 жыл бұрын

I love this game! I played it so much in the past, it's about time to play it again! By the way, can you do a review of Dark Savior sometime? I bought it at roughly the same time as Dragon Force and that is also one of my favorite saturn games!

@smellycatbutts 2 жыл бұрын

I played this game so many years ago, and was one of only 3 games I had on my Saturn. I don't remember the PC names very well, but I played first as the green ruler, and I know I also beat the game as the purple and blue rulers, and then the child king and the antagonist. I still have this game in storage along with Magic Knight Rayearth, and Nights. It's not saying much, but it was also my favorite game on the Saturn that I owned.

@vasileios6301 3 жыл бұрын

Top Saturn game,that is not only great and unique as a game,but also is perharps the best example of Saturn's 2d capabilities without an extra ram cart. The amount of sprites on battles is just amazing.

@maroon9273 3 жыл бұрын

The only game pushed a lot of sprites on screen

@maiolaproducciones 3 жыл бұрын

Great job, Lord! this is my favorite saturn game too. Fourth favorite game overall.

@segare-trop-vieux3932 3 жыл бұрын

I like this game and even more the second dragon force ( artwork aren’t as good as the first one but the gameplay with 2 kind of army is insane!)

@jgs1703 3 жыл бұрын

I am going to play DF2 after I beat DF completely. Ive beaten DF 4/8 characters.

@dltraining6044 3 жыл бұрын

Great content. You should do a video on Zero Tolerance for the genesis. That was a tough game.

@germainetaylor1757 3 жыл бұрын

As far as I know there are no other strategie jrpg games quite like this one on any other console the first time I played this game as a kid I was blown away by the hand drawn 100 vs 100 battles please sega revisit this series again some day