Hey Son, I got introduced to this game when I was in high school and I fell in love with the series! I will admit 2 is my favorite but I think 3 was the most captivating of the Drakengard games. I'm so Hype to see you covering it! I hope all is well and continues to go well! Your content is great as always! 🤓
For those curious about Leonard, avoiding No-no words: He Likes kids. Capital L. But he recognises that's wrong, so never acts on it, and goes off to live in the woods. Along with his 3 younger brothers. Then, when he sneaks out one night to go "Relieve some urges" behind a tree, he comes back to find his home burned down with his brothers inside. Which he kin'a takes as a sign from god that he shouldn't have jerked it. The English version censors this by not bringing up his unpleasant, unwanted desires, and he was just... going for a midnight stroll I guess?
@@dagon99 Well, the concept, or so I have heard, was to take one of the most reprehensible things in society, and try to make one one of the most heroic characters in the story. And Leonard is. Especially compared to the psychopathic murderer Caim, and the literal baby eater Arioch. He fights his desires his whole life, harms no-one, is the only guy who goes "Hey, maybe murdering all these child conscripts is a Bad Thing?", And in one of the story paths, sacrifices his life to try and save the world.
@calemr honestly sounds like a great story that doesn't just "discuss" morals but actually explores them. I'm not familiar with drakengard at all so I was expecting a generic, slightly grimdark fanatasy. Im just surprised to see this type of narrative in the form of a jrpg and slightly bummed western game devs won't donthe same.
A few years ago I became OBSESSED with the Drakengard/Nier games and went down the incredibly complex rabbit hole that is the lore for these games. So I'm excited to see them covered here.
Apparently some people feel that Platinum hasn't been the same since the success of Nier Automata, that all of their games since have been a bit stuck in its shadow.
I might be in the minority here, but I think the remake idea would be bad, unless it's a faithful remake. The combat should still be grindy, the weapon grind shouldn't be lessened, the controls should still be clunky. I feel a lot of this plays into the game ludonarratively. The only thing I would want changed is the flight controls/gameplay. The game is supposed to make you uncomfortable, and the gameplay runs into that. You're supposed to be left feeling dull after killing the same faceless person over and over, because that's how Caim thinks. He's a psychopathic murderer.
Smoul fun fact: Angelus and mannah share the same voice actor, further more the male voice when mannah is possessed by the watchers VA is cosmo from fairly odd parents!
One of the weirdest, bleakest, and most interesting series and spin off series in gaming. Nice to see it getting talked about! Hope Platinum remakes it one day.
Helpful Tip: Inuart and the Black Dragon actually suck at dodging the basic fireball blast. They'll still do it, but not nearly as crazy or consistently as the homing shot. It's a bossfight specifically designed to be much, MUCH harder if you rely strictly on homing, and to re-enforce that you have another powerful tool that may be harder to use, but can dish out the hurt when mastered.
You keep deciding to cover absolutely legendary series (IMO), and I love it. The Drakengard games are all in desperate need of remakes, or at the very least a remaster, mostly so we can have them all on one platform with the Nier games. If you've not watched it already, ValkyrieAurora's explanation of the varying timelines of the series is well worth a watch. Keep up the good work! ❤
Drakengard is... Honestly, the best game in need of a remake. Think about it: This year marks the 20th anniversary of this game, and a lot of dormant legacy franchises from the wild west that was the fifth, sixth and seventh generations either have made, or are set, to make a comeback in one form or another (Destroy All Humans!, System Shock, Half-Life, Armored Core, Alone in the Dark, The House of the Dead, Front Mission, Max Payne, Silent Hill, _fucking METAL GEAR)_ so I genuinely hope that Square Enix announce such a project. Think about what it'd be like if Caim could lock-on to enemies, if he had a handy-dandy parry feature, if there was a rudimentary ability to command troops befitting his role as a military commander, if The Dragon's movement was tweaked to be as satisfying as its Ace Combat lineage, if the stun-lock was tweaked to not be so punishing or if the club-wielding enemy commandos were rightly nerfed, the room for improvement is large, and needed, as the foundation for a great game is there, but the rushed development resulted in a flawed title. And yet, I STILL consider it a guilty pleasure in its vanilla form: when it clicks, the game is actually kinda fun, the air gameplay IS genuinely good if unbalanced, and the plot, music, English voice acting, writing, sound design, art design, weapons and characters? A-tier easily and deliver on its seinen manga inspirations and style. Despite the faults, I'll freely admit this was the first JRPG I've ever finished (A route only, in case you're wondering).
With the concepts and themes this game aimed to explore, nah. I really doubt it. Even if the developers had the budget to remake it. I really doubt, for even the devs, to recreate and dare to flesh out the concepts/themes they had in mind with this entry. It would be bonkers if they do, but the themes are too controversial for modern and general audiences to fully grasp. I like what it wants to achieve and tell, but even I can admit, it can be borderline repulsive (no, I don't just mean the incestous stuff) Nier is more accessible since, despite the themes it touches, is not as tragic and dark as Drakengard 1 is. It has more accessible and sympathetic characters that fall more in line with common anime stereotypes. Sure, the characters have flaws, but is not a "I'm a baby eater/pedo" kind of thing. This is a similar ask to wanting a remake of Rule of Rose, another game with great thematic explorations, shit combat/gameplay, but dark af. Square Enix is too far gone to dare to back up a remake of Drakengard 1. If, by any slim chance, decide to, given the current lineups they have delivered, I would not be confident they could deliver a faithful remake (storywise).
THIS WAS SUCH A NICE SURPRISE!! Drakengard/NieR is my favorite series and I love and will watch as many lore videos I can find! Can’t wait to watch this one and see what you’re take on it is❤
Hell yeah bro! I love this series so much. Of course my introduction was nier automata but after that it was history. I didn't know I needed this right now
Your closing statements is why I love Yoko Taro as a director and writer so much. He has a clear vision and sticks to it. He doesn't always stick the landing and the games tend to be rough around the edges, but you can see the passion behind his projects. It's what gaming used to be in the early 2000s.
Late comment, but it really helps that some higher ups in SquareEnix really loves Yoko's works, which is why he could persevere with his vision and continue making game with them up until Nier Automata and its success even though his games before that, while has garnered pretty solid cult following, weren't exactly commercial successes. Usually such financially underperforming series wouldn't be given the chance to have that many follow up works. Pretty nice to know that some of the higher ups in big game companies still do have passion for games and games' making.
This was actually my first ps2 game waaaaaaay back when as a kid and uhh yeah it was an interesting experience that left a massive impact on my writing
Phenomenal video man!!! Really is a shame Drakengard’s gameplay can’t keep up with the scope of its story but it’s still such a wild experience from start to finish. Love how you describe the world and story beats, it’s so enriching and exciting and your overall look at the gameplay and missions is so well detailed and executed. Really glad I stumbled upon this and I can’t wait to see your analysis on Drakengard 2 and eventually Nier!
I wasn't expecting THIS to be your next series, but I will not complain. Drakengard is a very fascinating game because it feels like a car crash you cannot look away from
Yup. "Car crash" sums up the world and setting nicely. The world has been ravaged by war to the bone, the areas you explore and fly above are mostly desolate and barren, the enemy force is a seemingly unstoppable empire which is secretly ruled by a super-powerful cult seeking to harness the power of eldritch deities, a woman has to act as a physical barrier between the world and the deities, and our only hope is a broken man, one who enjoys all the killing but is secretly fighting his inner bloodlust... but IS forming a bond with his pact-beast and has incestuous feelings for the woman acting as the barrier at least. And his optional allies are as pitiful and bizarrely tragic as he is. It's... *DARK* fantasy all the way. And it was released at a time when JRPGs weren't known for tackling dark fantasy plots like this.
@@NebLleb Yeah that is why I used the analogy I did because the game's plot is very disturbing hell even with skirting around some of the stuff the context you get for everything is just unsettling. And while there are many plots that look at violence in video games in a critical lense, Drakengard was among the first and if you ask me it did it probably the best. Hell I would even argue that the bad gameplay enhances the message Taro was trying to say.
@@jenniferrannila1414 Actually, I think the gameplay is good, has a fantastic foundation, and I actually had fun... but it was genuinely held back by the rushed development, which is why I hope a remake to be announced some time in the future so they can polish and make it the game it could've been. But... I do agree with you on its point. Besides Spec Ops: The Line, Drakengard successfully makes you question your character's bloodlust as you fight and kill and maim and blast and chop and knock down etc.. It's a pity that the gameplay is in need of further polish, because if it was... Holy hell. It would be a perfect example of being an enjoyable game that makes you reflect on your killing. It really is an example of the mid-90s - early-2010s being a breeding ground of creative, fun and unique concepts. (Also, I feel the plot to be a joint-effort between Taro, the writers and producers. Remember, it WAS originally created as a fantasy-based spiritual successor to Ace Combat by an ex-Project ACES member, before the staff was eventually chosen)
What a surprise this was! I never played any of the games but I was curious about "that dragon game I never got to play" and looked it up. I was not expecting a deep dive but it was a fun and emotionally conflicting journey reading and watching clips.
This game is terrible and I fucking love it. While playing Nier and Automata, I couldn't help but think back to this game and think that if someone were to tell me after playing this that the same director would end up making some of my favorite games ever I would have called them crazy.
Drakengard soundtrack is "wrong" and has a sort of dissonance quality to it, makes you feel uncomfortable. Reminds me of the original Demon's Soul soundtrack
If you haven't done so yet commenters - play: Drakengard 3, Drakengard, Nier Replicant, Nier Automata. In that order. (2 is optional is not in the "main" canom)
It will always amuse me that I was actually aware of this series a few years before Automata came out. Mostly due to how utterly insane the plot and characters of the first game are.
I remember when the game came out and a friend and I stayed up all night just to see mission after misson. It's not a good game, but it was a great experience. Also I liked the story.
I remember getting this on PlayStation two and me and my little brother barely understood this game except how to level up the weapons and the dragons that you could unlock , I also remember how cool I thought it was to jump from the dragon and start dropping people
Super underrated games imo, loved this one back in PS2 and enjoyed 2 on release to the point where I was legit surprised by the consensus largely being that it was a bad game but never played 3, the fact that Taro tied 2 seemingly unrelated worlds together will always be super interesting
I don't think Drakengard 2 is bad per say, I think its pretty good on its own and I enjoy characters like Legna However I think what was an issue for fans of the first such as myself were the very very different vibes and designs and how 2 is a bit of a departure from the OG tone. Characters have more anime / silly designs in 2, and Nowe in himself comes as a very generic protagonist. He suffers a lot when faced against Caim, as Caim is from the get go introduced as borderline evil, and insane. Drakengard 2 has it very own edge, which I really enjoy, but the presentation is also very different, with a seemingly good ending too versus 1 super dire and depressing paths
I fuckin love the maniac terror soundtrack of Drakengard 1. I never 100'd it because of the last boss it was too hard, but it occupies a special place in my heart.
Thank you for covering games that I didn't know existed. Very cool to learn about, with the exception of Leonard being....what they are. Thank you for continuing to create these retrospectives.
Legit, if anyone who calls D1's gameplay slow and monotonous played a single PS2 Dynasty Warriors game, they would be *amazed* by how much better it plays compared to those. Lack of juggle aside. It is in no way a "poor man's Dynasty Warriors", not at all. The magic system kicks the shit out of DW's musou attacks, levelling up weapons is much better and results in much better than DW, which only features stat boosts and combo extensions. DW had no evasion beside a janky jump, where Drakengard shipped with a roll that actually functions. Even Caim's blocking is better than in DW. Add in that you can hop onto dragonback whenever you want, and the only issue is that archers are arguably more annoying here than DW's cancer "snipe you from outside the draw distance" archers, and you have a game that plays a whole lot better. Trust me, I'm a DW die-hard and the first time I played Drakengard, I was losing my shit over how this game with its comparatively small team and brand new IP was doing it better than a series with almost nine entries under its belt - and a really popular media franchise featuring books, plays, movies, and three whole-ass other game series related to it. Drakengard was like if someone brought out a SMT/Persona competitor today and fused P5 Strikers with Devil May Cry.
I really liked this game when i was much younger.(got it when it first came out) But many years later, i think it's more of a love/hate relationship with this game. Part of it has to do with the 5 endings. I really believe there should have been at least one good ending. It's one of the main things, i don't agree with the creator on.
Son is back to the land of rising son. Can't wait for Nier video. ps. trying to imagine son telling the story of drakenguard 4 with a straight face. And I want to see Kbashes face when he sees that because he already went through that pain.
Never get bored of Drakenshit. Tbh was enjoying up into a certain point but skipping over Leonard's bit for being "too fucked up go google it" is an L. Most of the Taroverse is sick and perverted so gl. Lmao
This is one of my favorite games ever, but one that I hate to play. It's the only game where I just watch "the movie" on youtube. I normally never do that, but the gameplay in this one is so bad, that I can't force myself through it.
I've watched this video twice now and it brings another, fresh point of view, however there are a few things that bug me about it. The scene in which Furiae ends herself is not badly translated, it's just the cultural context that's missing. She says something along the lines of "embrace me, my brother" which isn't so bad for the western world, but... yeah. Angelus also has a line or two that make it very obvious just how much Furiae loves Caim. The first fight with Inuart (the cutscene) can be interpreted in different ways and this video picked the one that not many people think of. I think that Caim rushed towards the black dragon not because he wanted to save his own, but because he realized he had already seen it and the bloodlust took over him, he wanted revenge then and there and was not thinking about anything else. The same goes for Angelus - at this point they have not been together for long enough, I think she covered Caim because if the other dragon burnt him to crisp she'd die too. So she was effectively saving her own life, not necessarily defending Caim. Caim running towards the light in ending C is, at least in my opinion, definitely not about "saving lives". In this ending, all dragonkind has risen to destroy the world, so there most likely isn't anyone left to save. I believe Caim just wants to end as many dragons as he can and go in a blaze of glory. I do like that this video touches on the subject of Caim being unable to respond to all the screams of "no more murder pls" - people say that Verdelet's loss of hair and Caim's loss of voice were not that bad in terms of pact sacrifices, but Caim's voice was probably the last thing making him (feel) human.
I haven't played any of the Drakengard games but I've watched many analysis videos on them! Also, Nier and Nier Automata are both some of my favorite games of all time, so I can't wait to see your retrospective on them!
is there a meaningful difference between "a momentary satisfaction" and "good?" If you're still playing, something about it is obviously good enough imo
This was unexpected! I love this game and series, often don't think Drakengard gets the recognition it deserves. Thanks for covering this game on the channel!
i can't resist expecting when Inuart said "Usual song" and i was like hmmm he gonna sing really bad "I want it that way" and i'm gonna laugh out loud hahaha
@2:20 Iwasaki was directing another game at the time, which is why he asked his friend Yoko to step in for him on this project. I don't recall Yoko being any part of this project prior to Iwasaki tagging him as director (ie. Yoko was freelance at the time; I don't recall Yoko taking the role as art director prior to becoming the director for the game. Citing a source for this statement might help!).
I wasn't expecting a video on the DrakeNieR franchise so soon. I commented on one of your videos a little while ago about a DrakeNieR retrospective from you, but I can't find the comment. I don't know what happened to it. I commented on your Merch Announcement video too and I can't find that one either. Regardless, this was a pleasant surprise to wake up to this morning. Good job, son. I'm proud of you.
Oh dear lord yes, I'm gonna watch the shit out of this video when I get the chance. This series is nuts and as much I tried to get those secret levels and absorb the dark soul-esque storyline, the gameplay beat me into submission. Super looking forward to this
Hey I really gotta ask, does the painfully bad gameplay add to the experience? My friend played through these games recently and he thought so. I thought I'd much rather watch a video about the game after hearing how awful the moment to moment gameplay is. He recommended I play through the games myself to get the 'full experience', his theory (conjecture) was that they probably wanted to make the gameplay more fun/engaging but couldn't due to whatever (budget/time/staff etc.) constraints, so they incorporated this tedious repetitive ground combat not only because it was the best they could do but also because it added to the greater message of 'killing is bad' and the mc being this unhinged murderer as opposed to traditional action game heroes of the time where the violence was glorified, Yoko Taro wanted to oppose/subvert that message, was my understanding of it.
Hey son, have you ever played either of the Drakan games? Drakan: The Order of the Flame and Drakan: The Ancients' Gates. Seems like Drakengard's aerial combat is superior, but thats also not the real focus of Drakan, and both games also came out prior to Drakengard, in their defense.
Drakengard's ground combat feels like it's saying something. Now, Maybe I'd prefer if it was Fun, Most people certainly would, but as is, it gives this sense of Caim stomping his way through enemies, in a brutal bloody slog. I heard once, and I'm not sure if it's true, but it sounds right to me, that Caim is meant to be the antithesis to Dynasty Warriors characters. Not a hero, Not fun. He's the kind of person who kills hundreds of people in a day, and that kind of person Isn't Very Nice.
Mona's voice actress gives the English voice actors for Tails in SA1 and SA2 a run for their money in terms of how annoying and bad the performance is.
there's an achievement set for this you can play through pcsx2 and retroachievements as well 👀 i played about 200 hours of Drakengard making it and i STILL got a lot out of this vid lmao!
I killed countless number of soldiers in a level for the sake of levelling up a weapon and actually thinking I am going crazy in the first game. Work as intended. Hate it. What an amazing game.
