a90skid.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Nintendo
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
A 90s Kid
  • Home
  • News
    • Nintendo
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

For the latest video game news, reviews and more subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

  • Review

Retro Review – Legend of Dragoon

  • January 30, 2018
  • Mathew Falvai

Although I was a Playstation teen, Legend of Dragoon and I didn’t cross paths until 2017. Released in the final months of the PS1 era (Dec 1999), Legend of Dragoon was supposed to cash in on the JRPG craze sparked by the best-selling Final Fantasy VII. While it couldn’t reach the staggering heights of Cloud and co, LoD still sold well in North America and developed a passionate following as a cult hit. But how does it hold up in 2018?

Simply put, if you’re looking for a retro-styled JRPG, Legend of Dragoonwill deliver a solid experience. It has a few pacing issues and a generic story, but the combat’s additions gimmick is engaging, I enjoyed getting to know the cast, and the pre-rendered environments were memorable.

Legend of Dragoon Combat

Combat

The most unique elements of LoD are the Additions system and the Dragoon transformation. Additions are similar to the timing mechanics of Super Mario RPG, but taken much further. Most of the characters learn several additions ranging in complexity. During the attack animation, the player presses the main button as two square outlines line up. Sometimes the color will change to orange and the player must press Circle to avoid a counter-attack from the enemy. The timing is not rhythmic, but does match the character’s attack animation. The guide squares flash different colors whether the player is early, correct, or late, which is helpful when determining the timing.

Nailing additions increases the damage and also builds SP points, which allow the player to transform into a Dragoon. The Dragoon state is an interesting trade-off. On the positive, it removes status effects (though one effect will prevent transformation), reduces damage taken, and allows magic spells and Dragoon attacks. Dragoon attacks are timing based, similar to Additions. On the negative, a Dragoon cannot use items or Guard, which are the two main forms of healing. The only way to heal in Dragoon form is to cast a healing spell, which are exclusive to a few characters. Characters can build up several levels of SP before transforming, elongating their Dragoon time by one one turn per level. In addition, if all characters in the party transform at once, they go into a Special state. This affects elemental damage and causes the Dragoon that initiated the Special Transformation will automatically perform perfect Dragoon attacks.

Additions are a fun gimmick that engage the player and can heavily influence battles, especially against the tough bosses. Failing additions results in very low damage output and denies you the SP required to transform into a harder hitting Dragoon. The variety of Additions available gives the player a few options to consider. An Addition with less button presses is obviously a better guarantee of success but usually does less damage. Some Additions generate more SP while others focus on damage dealt. They also level up with each 100% successful attack, offering a sense of progression from the low-XP regular enemies.

The Dragoon form’s specific abilities added a straightforward yet thoughtful layer of strategy. Attacks from both sides tend to hit hard and timing Dragoon transformations was often the most important piece of the puzzle. More traditional JRPG battles can become repetitive as each character performs the same role, so I appreciated the way Dragoon made me think with each turn.

After FF VII popularized elaborate battle animations, LoD couldn’t resist making the Dragoon transformations and spells quite long and slow. While they can elevate moments to epic heights, they also get old fast, drawing out already long battles to ridiculous lengths. I usually enjoy retrying difficult boss battles in RPGS, but LoD had me dreading a death, especially if I was already 20+ minutes into a battle. I highly recommend playing on an emulator that allows any kind of speed-up feature (save states are useful in a few areas too). This can shave hours of tedium off your playthrough.

The variety in party members was fantastic. The balance of strengths and weaknesses really had me thinking on the best make-up. A few characters jump out as optimal choices, but I’m sure you could get through the game with any combination.

1 2Next page
Total
4
Shares
Share 4
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Legend of Dragoon
  • ps1
  • psx
  • Retro Review
  • review
Mathew Falvai
Mathew Falvai

Mathew is a huge fan of Space, Strategy, and Shadowrun (Genesis version is #1). When it comes to games and films, he’d much rather experience a 10/10 classic from yesteryear than a 6/10 modern blandfest. He does feel we’re living in a gaming golden age with the power of indie developers at an all-time high, but wishes AAA publishers would take more risks. Mat believes it’s only a matter of time before the pendulum swings the other way and new ideas take their rightful place above reboots.

You May Also Like
Two handmade dolls from It Takes Two
View Post
  • 5 min
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • Review
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X

It Takes Two Review – Harmonious Collaboration

  • Matthew Owen
  • April 14, 2021
Little Nightmares 2 Hunter Shack
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Nintendo
  • PC
  • PlayStation 4
  • Review
  • Xbox One

Little Nightmares 2 Review – Tiny Terror

  • Matthew Owen
  • March 5, 2021
Hitman 3 Title Screen
View Post
  • 5 min
  • PC
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Review
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X

Hitman 3 Review – The Thrill of the Hunt

  • Matthew Owen
  • February 21, 2021
Gate to Niwa Resort in The Medium
View Post
  • 6 min
  • PC
  • Review
  • Xbox Series X

The Medium Review – Resort of the Dead

  • Matthew Owen
  • February 15, 2021
Scott Pilgrim vs the World Seven Evil Exes
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Nintendo
  • PlayStation 4
  • Review
  • Xbox One

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game – Complete Edition Review

  • Matthew Owen
  • January 22, 2021
Overlooking Night City
View Post
  • 9 min
  • PC
  • PlayStation 5
  • Review
  • Xbox Series X

Cyberpunk 2077 Review – Neon Nights and Buggy Fights

  • Matthew Owen
  • January 3, 2021
Black Ops Cold War Vietnam
View Post
  • 7 min
  • PC
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Review
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Review – A Satisfying Duty Done

  • Matthew Owen
  • December 13, 2020
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hillside
View Post
  • 10 min
  • PC
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Review
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla Review – A Wonderful Journey West

  • Matthew Owen
  • December 6, 2020

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

TRENDING
  • Gate to Niwa Resort in The Medium
    The Medium Review – Resort of the Dead
  • Two handmade dolls from It Takes Two
    It Takes Two Review – Harmonious Collaboration
  • Little Nightmares 2 Hunter Shack
    Little Nightmares 2 Review – Tiny Terror
  • Hitman 3 Title Screen
    Hitman 3 Review – The Thrill of the Hunt
  • Gold Hotel Room Luigi's Mansion 3
    The Switch Pro Games We Can’t Wait to Play in 4K
Instagram
#outriders #outridersgame #gaming 5 0
Don’t get COCKY or #demonsouls will destroy you 4 1
My first portable #mariokart where does it rank? 5 0
#metalgearsolid #mgs #hideokojima 4 0
Find the crpg for you in our newest YouTube video #crpg #divinityoriginalsin2 #baldursgate3 5 0
Get everything you need to know about the latest #nintendodirect on our YouTube. Including synced voice to my lips! 7 0
Celebrating the best game music of the decade in less than an hour on YouTube Facebook twitch dlive but not Instagram. 8 0
#gaming #gamingdaily #gamingmemes #morrowind #skyrim 6 0
#skyrim #morrowind #gaming #gamingmemes 8 0
#morrowind #skyrim #elderscrolls 8 2
#finalfantasy #nobuouematsu 7 0
#hyperlightdrifter streaming now. :) 7 0
Follow
Author
Mathew Falvai
Mathew Falvai
Mathew is a huge fan of Space, Strategy, and Shadowrun (Genesis version is #1). When it…
View Posts

a90skid.com

20 User(s) Online Join Server

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

#outriders #outridersgame #gaming 5 0
Don’t get COCKY or #demonsouls will destroy you 4 1
My first portable #mariokart where does it rank? 5 0
#metalgearsolid #mgs #hideokojima 4 0
Find the crpg for you in our newest YouTube video #crpg #divinityoriginalsin2 #baldursgate3 5 0
Get everything you need to know about the latest #nintendodirect on our YouTube. Including synced voice to my lips! 7 0
A90KID.COM

VIDEO GAMES COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT

A 90s Kid is an active website and media channel, dedicated to providing you information and entertainment related to the video games industry

Navigation
  • Home
  • News
    • Nintendo
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
Recent Articles
  • It Takes Two Review – Harmonious Collaboration April 14, 2021
  • The Switch Pro Games We Can’t Wait to Play in 4K April 10, 2021
  • The Funniest, Horniest, and Best Substories in Yakuza: Like a Dragon March 23, 2021
  • Everything Announced on the Square Enix Presents Spring 2021 Livestream March 19, 2021
  • Little Nightmares 2 Review – Tiny Terror March 5, 2021
A 90s Kid
© 2021

Input your search keywords and press Enter.