Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dragonflight throws you straight into the action by placing you in control of four unique heroes—Bladus the fighter, Rinakles the mage, Dobranur the dwarf, and Andariel the elf—without the need for character creation. From the very beginning, you’ll manage this party as a cohesive unit, capitalizing on each member’s strengths in combat and exploration. The learning curve is gentle; basic commands like movement, attacking, and spellcasting are introduced organically as you navigate the overworld and delve into dungeons.

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The game’s non-linear structure is one of its strongest draws. You can head to almost any location on the map from the outset, giving you the freedom to pursue side-quests, hunt rare monsters, or chase down elusive reagents needed for powerful spells. Towns and the overworld are rendered in a classic top-down view, making navigation intuitive and giving you a broad perspective on the realm of Pegana. While house interiors aren’t drawn, their functions are clear through text descriptions and NPC interactions.

Combat in Dragonflight switches to a side-scrolling view overlaid with a tactical grid, blending real-time aesthetics with turn-based depth. You can move individual characters, engage in melee or ranged attacks, and cast spells in a methodical sequence. Experience points are awarded for every foe vanquished, and characters grow steadily more formidable. A standout feature is the reagent-mixing magic system—choosing between Black and White schools adds strategic variety, as each path offers distinct spells and bonuses.

Graphics

Visually, Dragonflight embraces a nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic reminiscent of early Ultima titles. Overworld tiles are bright and colorful, lending a storybook quality to forests, plains, and mountains. Character sprites are small but detailed enough to convey class differences at a glance, while environmental effects like fluttering flags or swaying trees add subtle life to the landscape.

Dungeons switch to a first-person pseudo-3D perspective that recalls Dungeon Master’s immersive corridors and trap-filled chambers. Walls, doors, and floor textures are minimalist but effectively evoke a sense of claustrophobia and danger. The lack of fully rendered house interiors is noticeable, yet the text-based room descriptions allow your imagination to fill in the details—sometimes more vividly than graphics alone could.

The side-scrolling battle view carries its own charm. Combat animations are simple: weapon swings flash, spells spark, and enemy sprites change frames to show damage. The overlaid grid remains clear, helping you plan moves precisely. While the graphics won’t compete with modern releases, they have a timeless appeal that fans of retro RPGs will appreciate.

Story

The lore of Dragonflight centers on a bygone era when mighty dragons safeguarded humanity. A bitter feud between the Black and White mages shattered this peace, resulting in the disappearance of both dragons and the heads of the magic guilds. This mysterious void in leadership leaves the world vulnerable to rising evil.

Into this void step four friends, each from a different walk of life, summoned by an elderly wizard in the city of Pegana. Their mission is two-fold: uncover the fate of the dragons and master advanced magic to restore balance. Through dialogue with NPCs, scattered lore entries, and unfolding quests, you gradually piece together the causes behind the magical rift and the dragons’ vanishing.

Rather than relying on flashy cutscenes, Dragonflight unfolds its narrative through in-game text boxes and conversations. This approach places emphasis on exploration and discovery—every new rune, hidden manuscript, or reluctant villager can reveal a crucial clue. The story’s pacing is controlled by your decisions, giving you a genuine sense of agency in how the epic quest progresses.

Overall Experience

Dragonflight delivers a rich, old-school RPG experience that balances freedom, strategy, and exploration. Its party mechanics encourage you to experiment with different formations and magic mixes, while the open world tempts you to stray from the main path in search of secrets. The non-linear design means there’s seldom a dull moment: every trip into the wilderness could spawn a surprise encounter or lead you to a hidden shrine.

That said, some aspects betray the game’s vintage roots. The absence of an auto-mapping feature in dungeons can be frustrating, especially during long excursions through twisting corridors. Similarly, the static house interiors rely on text rather than visuals, which may disappoint players used to fully rendered environments. Combat can feel slow if you favor rapid engagements, as turn-based pacing rewards careful planning.

Ultimately, if you’re a fan of classic RPGs and don’t mind trading modern conveniences for old-school charm, Dragonflight is an engaging journey. Its blend of top-down overworld exploration, pseudo-3D dungeons, and tactical side-scroll combat offers a unique flavor. For players yearning to relive the golden age of fantasy role-playing, steering a party of heroes on a quest to rediscover lost dragons and arcane lore will feel like coming home.

Retro Replay Score

7/10