By The First Egg

Chronicles of Pern Dragon Riders is based on the best-selling novels Dragon riders of Pern. The games storyline builds from Pern's (the name of the planet) first being colonized and developed. Pern the third plant from the G-Type star within the rukbat sector is a planet that flourishes on mutual respect and consideration for one another. Pern's only enemy is a life form known only as Thread. Thread, who you will never see, fight, or need to concern yourself with, attacks Pern every 200 hundred years causing great damage and nearly wipes out all life on Pern.

On the verge of extinction, the inhabitants of Pern genetically modify fire-lizards to create a race of fire breathing, flying dragons to take flight and burn Thread from the sky. The title of this game is Dragon Riders, which leads us to the real plot of the game. Every inhabitant of Pern is not a Dragon Rider. In fact, becoming a Dragon Rider or a Werywoman (In short, a woman who cares for the eggs and the golden dragon) is an honor of high regards. To become a Dragon Rider, candidates are selected for "impression". Impression takes place the moment the dragon hatches from the egg. It chooses its rider, for the first and only time, and becomes mentally bonded with its rider until and including in death. Not being chosen could be considered by some as failure, shameful, and cause for dishonor. Two brothers, Roth, prideful, strong, driven by ambition and Dalkor younger, consumed by fear are both chosen as candidates for impression. Zenth, the dragon, chooses the younger Dalkor so begins the chronicles of Pern.

REVEIW

Why did I choose to tell so much of the plot in this review?
Well, This game is based completely on story line. The game possesses very little in terms of fighting. In fact, the fights that you are engaged in are at best a joke. Despite very detailed graphics through out most of the game fight scenes are nothing more than an Atari 2600 equivalent of pong. And almost all enemies are eliminated within 1-3 pushes on your attack button. For you action enthusiast here's my money saving tip, leave this title on the shelf.

Where this game does prosper is in its storyline. Hey it is based off a novel. Throughout the game you meet and talk to the people of Pern. Your meetings will result in one of four events, information gathered, a new assignment, an item gained or lost, or a complete waste of time. But you will find yourself making your way to every inhabitant of Pern to hold conversation so that you can better understand the adventure. Many of the people of Pern have, how can we say, issues. From lost toys to lost family members, every person of pern who has a need that you talk to asks you for help. Helping them increases your reputation slightly. Throughout the game a certain level of reputation, knowledge, and strength must be acquired to complete certain assignments. Besides doesn't it just feel good to help someone in need?

Seriously however, this game is refreshing when compared to all the foulmouthed, Blood bathed, break all of the 10 commandments "GAMES" that we indulge ourselves in now a days. Which to some gamers may equate to boring. D'Kor, Dalkor's impressed name, is a man of honor and integrity who you want to help to maintain his reputation. As for the world of Pern it is quite small, with no chance of getting lost or confused. Which to some gamers may equate to boring. This game in a nutshell is a book that you play.


What upset me the most about this game were the frequent and long load times. Almost every time you enter a closed door the game loads. With an approximate 45-second load time and several doors to enter I was reduced to finding several other activities to entertain myself while playing this game (cleaning my house, Ironing, cooking, you name it.). To illustrate the frequent and long load times, to get from D'kors room to the first place you can fly your dragon it takes four loads and approximately 5-6 minutes. What's wrong with that well you actually spend only about 30-45 seconds, if that, actually playing the game during this time. Oh! And you haven't even yet got on your dragon. Bye the bye you never actually control a flying dragon.

The simplicity of this game should not be left out in a review. I played this game following conquering Tomb Raider the Last Revelation. And following trying to figure out some of that games puzzles and mysteries, this game was exactly what the doctor ordered. If at any point you don't know what you are suppose to do, D'Kor carries a book which out-lines assignments and assignments completed. If that doesn't work simply just start talking to everyone again you will eventually be lead in the right direction. What's more, you can never really make a mistake. The game wants you to beat it and even most of your bad choices can be corrected. Again, I must reiterate this game is a book that you play.

GRAPHICS = The Graphics are focused on the people and homes of Pern only with little attention given to the items or other small details of Pern. The graphics are similiar to RainBow 6.

REPLAY = To each their own, but I can not see any one ever putting this game into their system again after they beat it the first time. Unless you are some noble who forgot to help some one and you want to go back to do it.

SOUND = O.k, the sound that is present in Dragon Rider is fairly decent. However, the key words here is the sound that is present. Often, throughout the game you will speak to someone and you will have to read the dialogue, as the sound will not be present. Also, the world of Pern in it self is not a world of vast sounds.

ACTION = besides running from one person to another person to talk this game has no action.

Storyline = the best novel I have ever read...oops played.

So would I recommend this game? Absolutely. I know this review does not sound all that supportive of the game. But as I said this is not a game in the traditional sense but rather a novel that you play. So if you are hunting on line, or walk into a store and see this game on the shelf at a good price (around $10.00 or less) pick it up. Remember games are there to entertain you for a few hours and playing this "book" does accomplish that.