Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Touryuu Densetsu: Elan Doreé breaks the mold of traditional fighting games by placing every combatant atop a majestic dragon, ensuring that you’re airborne from start to finish. Rather than being confined to a static arena, you’ll harness both aerial finesse and ground-based tactics, seamlessly blending 2D-plane combos with full 3D movement. This dual-layered combat system invites both veteran fighting game enthusiasts and newcomers to master the skies and claim aerial supremacy.

The core mechanics revolve around dragon-riding maneuvers, where direction, altitude, and momentum can turn the tide of battle. Standard punches and kicks are present, but it’s the magic attacks—ranging from elemental breath blasts to area-of-effect spells—that elevate the strategic depth. Combos begin with rapid-fire strikes before branching into dragon-augmented special moves, keeping encounters dynamic and highly replayable.

Each character-dragon pairing boasts unique abilities and playstyles. Some dragons emphasize raw speed and quick-hit tactics, while others favor defensive play and powerful, slow-casting spells. The freedom to loop around opponents in three dimensions allows creative setups: dive-bombing from above to break guards, skirting behind foes for surprise flank attacks, or soaring high to unleash charged magic. This variety ensures that no two matches feel the same.

Graphics

Visually, Elan Doreé leverages the ST-V arcade’s retro-inspired charm while incorporating modern shader effects and high-resolution textures. The dragons are richly detailed, each scale and wing membrane meticulously rendered to convey weight and realism. Character models exhibit sharp facial expressions and fluid animations, making every fire-breathing roar or magical incantation a spectacle to behold.

Battle environments are expansive sky realms punctuated by floating islands, crumbling ruins, and ethereal cloudscapes. Dynamic weather effects—such as drifting fog or sudden lightning storms—affect visibility and add atmospheric tension. These backgrounds aren’t mere backdrops; they can influence strategy by offering cover or restricting movement along narrow floating pathways.

The game runs smoothly at a consistent frame rate, even amid the most chaotic multi-dragon skirmishes. Camera transitions are seamless, automatically adjusting to showcase key moments like aerial combo finishes or dramatic landings. Subtle motion blur and depth-of-field effects enhance the sense of speed and altitude, further immersing players in the dragon-bound combat.

Story

Elan Doreé’s narrative unfolds across a mystical realm where dragon riders are revered as guardians of balance. An ancient prophecy foretells the rise of a dark entity capable of corrupting dragonkind, setting the stage for an epic clash between light and shadow. As you progress through the single-player campaign, you’ll experience this lore through a series of character-driven chapters, each offering unique perspectives on the looming threat.

Character arcs are fleshed out with animated cutscenes and in-battle dialogue, revealing personal motivations, rivalries, and alliances. Whether you’re guiding the stoic knight who seeks redemption or the impulsive sorcerer yearning for recognition, every storyline branch feels meaningful. Side missions explore hidden facets of the world—rescuing captive dragons, uncovering lost relics, or forging temporary truces with rival riders.

The storytelling pace is well-balanced, alternating between high-octane aerial battles and quieter moments of reflection at the Dragon’s Aerie. Voice acting is solid, with distinctive accents and tones that match each character’s personality. While some plot twists may feel familiar to fantasy veterans, the dragon-riding premise and world-building details inject fresh excitement into the genre.

Overall Experience

Touryuu Densetsu: Elan Doreé delivers a compelling fusion of classic fighting game principles and innovative aerial combat. The exhilaration of battling atop dragons, combined with robust character customization and spell variety, keeps gameplay engaging session after session. Whether you’re climbing leaderboards in competitive multiplayer or delving into the lore-rich campaign, there’s a satisfying progression loop driving you forward.

The game’s art direction and performance are standout features, offering both nostalgic flair and contemporary polish. Visually arresting environments and fluid animations complement the tight control scheme, ensuring that even newcomers can pick up the basics quickly while still rewarding skilled execution. Minor quibbles—such as occasional camera angle frustrations during tight spaces—do little to dampen the overall thrill.

Ultimately, Elan Doreé shines as an inventive entry in the fighting game landscape. By marrying relentless aerial dogfights with strategic ground combos and a well-crafted narrative, it presents a fresh challenge that feels both approachable and deep. Fans of high-flying combat and fantasy lore will find Touryuu Densetsu an exhilarating adventure worth embarking on.

Retro Replay Score

null/10