You are on page 1of 12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Drakengard3
FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Drakengard3[Note1]isanactionroleplayinggamedeveloped
byAccessGamesandpublishedbySquareEnixexclusivelyfor
thePlayStation3.ThegamewasreleasedinDecember2013in
Japan[6]andinMay2014inNorthAmericaandEurope.[7][8]It
isthethirdgameintheDrakengardseriesandaprequeltothe
originalgame.Thegame,liketherestoftheseries,featuresa
mixtureofgroundbasedhackandslashcombatandaerial
battles.ThestoryfocusesonZero,awomanwhocan
manipulatemagicthroughsong.Partneringwithadragon
namedMikhail,Zerosetouttokillherfivesisters,whorulethe
world'sregions.Asshetravels,theplayerdiscoversthetrue
reasonbehindZero'srampage.
Thegame,createdtocaterforhardcoreroleplayinggame
audiences,wasdevelopedbythesameteamwhocreatedthe
originalDrakengardandseriesspinoffNier,including
producerTakamasaShiba,directorTaroYokoandwriter
SawakoNatori.ThemusicwascomposedbyKeiichiOkabe,
whoalsoscoredNier.Unlikeprevioustitlesintheseries,the
teamdevelopedthegameatAccessGames,duetothe
company'sexperienceatdevelopingactiontitlesandtheteam's
wishtoaddresscriticismslaidatthegameplayofprevious
Drakengardgames.Drakengard3receivedmixedtopositive
reviewsandsalesinJapanandmixedreviewsinthewest.The
groundbasedgameplayandstoryweregenerallypraised,while
commoncriticismsincludedthedragongameplay,graphicsand
multipletechnicalissues.

Drakengard3

NorthAmericanstandardeditionboxart

Developer(s)

AccessGames[1]

Publisher(s)

SquareEnix

Director(s)

TaroYoko[2]

Producer(s)

TakamasaShiba[2]

Programmer(s) YoshikiKashitani[2]
Artist(s)

KimihikoFujisaka[2]

Writer(s)

TaroYoko[2]
SawakoNatori[3]

Contents
1 Gameplay
2 Story
2.1 Settingandcharacters
2.2 Plot
3 Development
3.1 Worlddesign
3.2 Music
4 Releaseandmerchandise
5 Reception
6 Notes
7 References
7.1 Gamequotes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

Composer(s)

KeiichiOkabe[4]

Series

Drakengard

Engine

UnrealEngine3[5]

Platform(s)

PlayStation3[2]

Releasedate(s)

JP

December19,

2013[6]
NA
May20,
2014[7]
EU
May21,
2014[8]
1/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

7.1 Gamequotes
8 Externallinks

Genre(s)

Actionroleplaying
game[2]

Mode(s)

Singleplayer

Gameplay

Thegroundbasedandaerial
combat,featuringprotagonists
ZeroandMikhail

Drakengard3featureshackandslashgameplayandaerialcombaton
adragon,aswithpreviousentriesintheseries.Theplayercontrolsthe
mainprotagonistZeroduringtheentirecampaignandformostlevels
isaccompaniedbyuptotwoAIcontrolledcompanions.[9]Inground
basedcombat,Zeroperformsmultipleattacksonvariousenemies.
Thesecanbecombinedintocombos,whichfillupZero'sTension
Gauge.Whenthegaugeisfilledtoanydegree,Zerocantemporarily
enterIntonerMode,ahyperactivestatewhichenableshertomove
quicklyanddealhighdamagetoenemieswhilealsomakingher
immunetoattack.[9][10]AsZerolevelsup,weaponsgrowmore
powerfulandZerogainsaccesstomultipleweapontypesasthegame
progresses.Eachweapontypeproducesadifferentsetofattacking
moves.Unlikeprevioustitlesintheseries,theplayerdoesnothaveto
pausethegamestoswitchweapons,insteadbeingabletodoitatany
timewithoutpausing.[11]
Zerocanswitchbetweenfourweapontypes:swords,spears,combat

bracersandchakrams.[5]Eachweaponhasafourlevelcapandcanbeleveledupeitherthroughcombator
byspendingmoneyacquiredduringlevels.[12]Eachweaponhasdifferenteffectsdependingonenemytype
andcombatsituation,withspearsbeingusefulagainstheavilyarmoredorshieldedenemiesandswords
beingadefaultweapon.[11]Whileexploringlevels,Zerocancollectitemsfromchestsandfallenenemies
whichearnmoneyforbuyingpotions,aswellasbuyingandlevelingweapons.[12]Zerocanalsocomplete
sidequestsastheplayerprogressesthroughthegame:thesesidequestsplacewithinareasofnormallevels
andlimitationsontheplayer'sabilities.Theplayer'sperformanceduringthemearnsspecialitemsandthe
numberofitemsyouearnincreaseswiththenumberofenemieskilled.[13]
Foraerialcombat,ZeromountsherdragonMikhail.Thetwomaintypesofaerialcombatarerailshooter
stylemissionsandfreeroamingcombatwhichenablesbothaerialandgroundbasedcombat.[10]Mikhail
hasmultipleattacktypesathisdisposal:whileontheground,afterZerohasmounted,thedragoncan
performasweepingattackusinghiswingsandsnapatthem.[14]Duringcombatintheair,Mikhailcan
breathefiredownontothegroundandatairborneenemies.Mikhailisfullycontrollablewhileintheair,
flyingthroughtheenvironmentandbeingabletoevadeenemyfire.Mikhail'smainattack,breathingfire,
featuresalockonfeaturewhichcantakeinmultipleenemies.[15]MikhailcanalsoenterIntonerMode
whileZeroismounted,whichmagnifiestheamountofdamagehecandeal.[14]Duringgroundbased
missions,ZerocanalsocallinMikhailtodealdamagetoenemyunits.[11]

Story
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

2/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Settingandcharacters
Drakengard3takesplaceroughlyonehundredyearsbeforetheeventsofDrakengard,actingasaprequel
tothefirsttwogamesintheseries.Despitebeingaprequel,Drakengard3mostlyfollowsseparate
timelinesunrelatedtotheeventsofDrakengard.[16]Inearliertimes,thelandwasravagedbyconflict
betweenwarlords.Attheheightofthecarnage,fivemysteriousfigurescalledIntoners[Note2]appearedand
usingtheirabilitytoutilizemagicthroughsong,defeatedthewarlordsandendedtheconflict.[q1]Dueto
this,theybecomeworshipedasdeitiesandbecamerulersofvariousregionsoftheland.Anunspecified
timelater,inthegame'spresent,thestrongestIntoner,One,wishestounitethefiveonceagainandbring
stabilitytotheland.[17][18]ThesourceoftheIntoners'powerisanevilflowerthatsavedZerofromdeathto
useherasaninstrumentformankind'sdestruction.Zerowasitsoriginalhostandshenowwishestodestroy
allthoseaffectedbyitspower,herselfand'sisters'spawnedwhenZeroattemptedsuicideandensurethe
safetyoftheworld.[q2]
TheplayercontrolsZero(Zero),themainprotagonistandantihero,consideredatraitorbythe
Intonersandtheirfollowersbecauseofhermissiontokillthem.Aidingheronherquestisthedragon
Mikhail(Mihairu),whoaidsherandishermountinaerialbattle.TheotherfiveIntonersare:
One(Wan),thecurrentruleroftheIntonersTwo(Tou),themorecheerfulmemberofthegroup
andruleroftheCountryofSandThree(Surii),ruleroftheCountryofForestandanobsessiveover
dollsFour(Fou),ruleroftheCountryofMountainandtheonlyvirginofthegroupandFive(
Faibu),ruleroftheCountryofSeaandawomanconsumedbygreedforeverything.Travelingwith
Zeroonherquestarethedisciples,[Note3]agroupwhoformallyservedtheIntonersandaccompanyZero
aftertheiroriginalmistressesarekilled.[19]Theyinclude:Cent(Sento),adumbandoverconfident
man,aswellastheloveroftheIntonerTwoOcta(Okuta),anoldandcunningmanobsessedwith
sexDecadus(Decto)agentlemanlywarriorwithamasochisticstreakandDito(Dito),
asadisticyoungman.EachofthediscipleshelpstheIntonersummonangelsanddaemonsintobattle.The
gameisnarratedtotheplayerbyAccord(Akru),anandroidcreatedbythe"oldworld"to
monitoranddocumentalltimelines.[q3]

Plot
ZeroandherdragonMichaelslaughtertheirwayintotheCathedralCity,thecenterofpowerforthe
Intoners.Zero'sattempttokillthemdirectlyendsdisastrously:sheandMichaelaregravelywoundedby
One'sowndragon,Gabriel.Ayearlater,Zeroandherdragon,nowachildlikereincarnationnamed
Mikhail,setofftotrykillingtheIntonersagain.TheyfirsttraveltotheLandofSeastofaceFive:during
thefight,FiveiskilledbyherdiscipleDito,whomZerotakesintoherservice.Thegroupthenjourneyto
theLandofMountainsandfaceFour:afterFour'sdeath,ZerorecruitsDecadus.Theythenproceedtothe
LandofForests.There,Three'sdiscipleOctaattemptstobetrayhismistress,butsheforceshimtohelpher
fightZero.SheiskilledbyMikhail,whoisthenattackedandcapturedbydaemonssummonedbyTwoand
Cent.ZeropursuesthemtotheLandofSand,freeingMikhailfromcaptivityandfacingthetwo.Mikhail
killsTwoandCentjoinsZero.ThegroupthenfighttheirwayintotheCathedralCity,whereZero
transformstheDisciplesintotheirtruedoveforms,freeingthemfromtheirservicetoher.[q4]Duringher
battlewithOne,MikhaildieswoundingGabriel,allowingadistraughtZerotofinishoffGabrielandOne.
ZeroisthenkilledbyamalecloneofOne,whodecidestocreateanewreligiousorderinmemoryofhis
"sister".[q5]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

3/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Afterthis,Accordtellsofthreealternateseriesofeventsor"branches",causedbyagroupofsingularities
(Zero,hersisters,andthedisciples)comingtogether.[q6]Inthesecondbranch,whileintheLandofForests
andhavingalreadyrecruitedCent,Zerofindsthesurvivingsistersbeingdriveninsanebythepowerofthe
flower:Threediesofunknowncauses,causinghersoldierstogomad.Eventually,thegroupfindOnehas
beenkilledbyaderangedTwo.Broughtbackunderherinfluence,Centturnsonthegroup,killingOctaand
Dito.TwoandDecaduskilleachother,whileZerokillsCent:beforedying,TwoandCentsummontheir
angelRaphael,whichpoisonsMikhailbeforebeingkilled.InordertosaveMikhail,Zeroactivatesthe
flower'spowerandformsa"pact",resurrectinghim.[q7]Inthethirdbranch,afterrescuingMikhailfrom
Two'sstronghold,thedragonisdevolvedbacktohischildformbyTwo'spowers.Uponarrivalinthe
CathedralCity,thegroupfacesTwo,whodestroysthefourdiscipleswhentheykillher.Zerothenfaces
One,whorevealsthatsheknowsthetruenatureoftheIntonersandrevealsthereasonbehindZero's
partnershipwithMikhail:oncetheotherIntonersweredead,MikhailwastokillZero,destroyingthe
flower'spower.[q8]GabrielandMikhailkilleachotherandZeroandOneengageinanenragedbattle.After
killingOne,Zero,stillinshockfromMikhail'sdeath,setsofftotryandfindanotherdragonwhocankill
her.ItisimpliedinAccord'sclosingreportthatshefails.[q9]
InthefourthandfinalbranchofZero'ssetoftimelines,assheproceedsonherquest,sheencounterseach
ofhersisterspossessedbytheflower'spower,aswellasinteractingdirectlywithAccord.Ineachbattle
withthesisters,theDisciplessummontheirangelsandtransformintodovesuntilonlyOctaremains.Inthe
CathedralCity,ZeroandOctafaceoffagainstOnewhileMikhailchallengesGabriel.Octasacrifices
himselftorestrainOne.Finally,AccorddecidestointerveneandsacrificesherselfsoZerocankillOne,
whichinturnkillsGabriel.UponabsorbingthepowerofallfiveIntoners,Zerotransformsintoastone
monsterandgoeswithMikhailtoanotherrealm,wheretheyengageinarhythmgamestylebattle.Upon
winning,MikhaildestroysthemonsterandAccord'svoicedeclaresthattheflower'sevilhasbeensealed
away,althoughthereisstillthepossibilityofitreappearinginanothertimeandplace.Shealsosuspectsthat
Zeromighthavesurvived.[q10]Inapostcreditsscene,anewversionofAccordreplacestheonedestroyed
byZeroandmanyothersjoinherinhelpingrecordworldevents.Astheydisperse,thenewAccordspeaks
totheplayer,hopingtoseethemagainandthankingthemforplaying,beforethescreengoesblack.[q11]

Development
Drakengard3wasconceivedwhenTakamasaShibaandTaroYoko,therespectiveproduceranddirectorof
theoriginalgame,metupyearsafterCavia,thecompanywheretheycreatedtheseries,wasabsorbedinto
AQInteractive.Thetworesurrectedearlyplanstocreateathirdentryintheseries.Aspartofthe
brainstormingprocess,thecompanyusedfanquestionnaires,fromwhichtheteamlearnedthatmany
wantedadarkstorysimilartoNierforthenextentryintheseries.[20]Speakingaboutthecreationofthe
game,ShibasaidthatDrakengard3wasmadepartlybecausethecompanywasmakingfewersingleplayer
RPGconsolegamesandhewishedtocapturetheatmosphereofearlierdays.AlongsidethatwasShiba's
ambitiontoshowthattheRPGfanbasewasnowamainstreamcommunitythatwantedamorehardcore
gamingexperience.[21]ThegamewasdevelopedbyAccessGames,whowerenotedforthesurvivalhorror
DeadlyPremonition.Shibanotedthatthecompanywas"justreallygoodatcreatingactiongames",which
wouldenabletheteamtoaddresscriticismslaidatthepreviousgamesintheseriesfortheirpoorcombat
whilestillbeingabletocraftastorytruetotheDrakengardseries.[22]Bythetimethegamewasunveiledin
early2013,itwas60%complete,andYokocommented"It'snotDrakengardorNier.Ifyou'reexpecting
that,you'llbedisappointed."[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

4/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Worlddesign
KimihikoFujisaka,characterdesignerforthepreviousentriesintheseries,reprisedhisrole.[23]In
designingthecharacters,Fujisakausedtheprevioustwogames'"MedievalEurope"inspirationforthe
enemies,whileleaningtowardsmoremoderndesignsforthemaincharacters.[24]InadditiontoFujisaka,
actorShinnosukeIkehata,whohadvoicedkeycharactersinpreviousgamesintheseries,returnedtodo
voicework,[25]andwriterSawakoNatori,whohadworkedonDrakengard,Drakengard2andNier,
returnedtowritethescenariowithYoko.[3]Thestorywaswrittentohave"agoodbalanceofdarknessand
humor",accordingtoShiba:hesaidthattherewas"actuallyagoodbitof[darkness],intheingame
dialogueforexample."Theteamdidnotwanttoturnitintoacompletelydarkstory,insteadstillhaving
scenesthatpeoplecouldlaughat.[26]Yokodidnotwanttheemotionsofthevariouscharacterstofallinto
simplestereotypes,orfortheretobeasimplistictakeonthesituation.Healsowantedtocreateastrange
"abnormal"picturefortheplayers:thecitedinstancewasthecontrastbetweenthefearandterrordisplayed
byenemysoldiersandtheoftenvulgardialoguebetweenZeroandhercompanions.Healsostatedthathe
wentthroughalargepartofthegame'sdevelopment"halflaughing".[27]
Duringthestorydevelopmentprocess,theteamdecideduponafemaleprotagonistasthegame'slead,in
contrasttothepreviousgameswhichhadfeaturedmaleprotagonists,alongwithalargenumberofother
femalecharacters:thiswasprimarilybecauseallotherproposalshadbeenrejectedorscrapped.[20][28]Many
aspectsofZero'sdesignandabilitieswereintendedtoevokethegame'sgrittyatmosphere,whiletheflower
growingfromhereyewasalmostcutwhenShibathoughtitwouldbetoomuchofariskfortheserieswhen
coupledwiththecharacter'sgender.[20]AcoupleofYoko'sideasthatwerecutoutorrejectedduring
developmentincludedafullycontemporarysettingwithaschoolgirlprotagonist,andcallingthegame
Drakengard4insteadofDrakengard3,withthestoryrevolvingaroundsearchingforthemissing
installmentintheseries.[29]Yoko,NatoriandsupplementarywriterEmiNagashimawerejointly
responsibleforcreatingthedisciples'personalities.YokowantedNagashimatowriteCenttobeasmuchof
anidiotaspossible,whileshereceivedsomenegativefeedbackforherportrayalofDecadusdespiteher
bestefforts.OctawasthecharacterNatoriandNagashimabestunderstood,thoughNagashimafoundit
difficultwritinghisnovella.WhilewritingMikhail'sdialogue,NatoriwasaskedbyYokotoembodythe
goodqualitiesofanimalsandchildreninhim.Insteadofbeingrealistic,Natoriborrowedelementsfrom
otherfictiontocreatehispersonality,findinghimthemostfuntowrite.[3]ThedialoguebetweenZeroand
herdiscipleswaswrittenbyYokotocontrastincontentwiththeviolentcombat.Elementsoffourthwall
breakingwereincludedinthegame,suchassomeofZero'sdialogueorAccord'sactionsduringthefinal
ending:thisbothactedasacallbacktoDrakengard,andtosuggestthattherealworldwassimplyanother
branchoftheDrakengarduniverse.[27]
Fujisaka'sdesignforZerowasthefirsttobeapprovedbyYoko.TheotherIntonersweredesignedfairly
quicklyafterthat:YokotoldFujisakato"thinkPuellaMagiMadokaMagica"whendesigningthem.Each
characterhaddifferentdesignthemes:forexample,Five'swasnudityandknitwear,Four'swasherbeinga
femalecaptain,andTwo'swereunderwearand"lolita".Threewasmeanttohavebangscoveringherface
andmultiplehairpins,butthiswasdropped.[30]Thecharacters'numberbasednamesanddifferingeye
colorsweremeanttohelpplayersidentifythem,whileaspectsofZero'sdesignwereincorporatedintothe
otherIntonerstoemphasizetheirconnections.[31][32]TheApostlesweredesignedandapprovedquicklyas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

5/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

theywerenotahighpriority.Theyweredesignedaroundprimemalearchetypes:Cent,originallythe
group'ssadist,wasthe"prettyboy",Octawasthe"oldman",Decaduswasthe"middleagedman",and
Ditowasthe"littleboy".[30]

Music
Thegame'smusicwascomposedbyKeiichiOkabe,whoalsocreatedthescoreforNier.Okabewishedto
matchtheworkofNobuyoshiSano,findingcreatingitanewexperience.HewasalsorequestedbyYoko
nottofollowthemusicalrouteofeitherDrakengardorNierandwasinspiredbythegamesthemeof"the
senseofcontrast".[4][33]Oneofthegame'sthemesongs,"KuroiUta"(,BlackSong),wassung
byEirAoi,asingernativetoHokkaidowhowasaselfconfessedfanoftheDrakengardseries.[4][34]Her
likingoftheserieswasthereasonShibaselectedhertoperformthethemesong.[35]Thelyricswerewritten
byKikuchiHana,oneofNier'sscenariowriters.[36]Thegame'ssecondthemesong,"ThisSilenceIsMine",
usedinthegame'sTokyoGameShowtrailer,wasspeciallywrittenandsungbyOnitsukaChihiro.[37][38]
DragonDragoon3OriginalSoundtrackwasreleasedonJanuary21,2014underthecatalognumber
SQEX10414~5.[39]Thethemesongswerereleasedbothaspartofthesoundtrackandassingles.[39][40][41]

Releaseandmerchandise
Drakengard3receivedfewgameplaypreviewsandwaspromotedintheformofnovellas:thiswasbecause
Shibawishedforthegame'sstorytobeamysteryforplayers.[21]Thegamewasoriginallymeanttobe
releasedinOctober2013inJapan,[42]butwaspushedbacktoDecemberduetoSquareEnixwantingto
improvetheoverallqualityofthegameandensureitmetfanexpectation.[43]Whileitreceivedaphysical
anddigitalreleaseinJapanandNorthAmerica,Drakengard3wasreleasedindigitalformatonlyin
Europe.[44]ItwasalsolocalizedintoChinesewiththeassistanceofSonyComputerEntertainmentJapan
Asia,inanattempttoactivelytapintotheChinesespeakingmarket.[45]Thecollector'seditionreleasedin
JapanalsoincludedanoutfitinspiredbyKain,thefemaleprotagonistofNier.[46]Alimitedcollector's
editionwasalsoreleasedinNorthAmerica,EuropeandAustraliathroughSquareEnix.Itcontaineda
prequelnovelconcerningthegame'smaincharacters,ascenarioinvolvingOne,andDLCforbothJapanese
voiceactingandacostumeforZeroinspiredbythefirstgame'sprotagonist.[47][48]
Alongsidethegame,therewerealsotwomangareleasedinJapanwrittenbyEmiNagashimaunderherpen
nameJunEishima:DragOnDragoon:UtahimeFive,aprequelfocusingontheotherIntoners,andDrag
OnDragoon:ShiniItaruAka,whichactsasthegame'ssequel.[3][49]Bothmangaswerecreatedandwritten
withYoko'ssupervision.[50]ThegamewascomplementedwithmultipleDLCpacks:theyincludedmultiple
characteroutfitsforZeroinspiredbypreviousseriesprotagonists,cosmeticadornmentsforMikhail,andsix
prequelchaptersdetailingpasteventsinthelivesofbothZeroandhersisters.[51][52]ThisDLCwaslater
releasedinthewestalongwithalternatemusicforZero'sIntonerModesequences.[53][54]ASCIIMedia
Worksalsopublishedacompleteguidetothegame,whichincludedguidestotheserieshistoryanda
novellafollowingonfromShiniItaruAkawhichretoldtheeventsofDrakengard.[55]Anovel,Dragon
Dragoon3SideStory,wasreleasedon28August,2014.[56]Thenoveldetailedafifthseriesofevents
connectingthenarrativesofDrakengard3andDrakengard,asnoneofthegame'sendingsdidso.[57]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

6/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Reception
DuringitsfirstweekonsaleinJapan,Drakengard3sold
114,024copies,comingfourthinJapanesesalechartsand
reached125,500unitsbytheendoftheyear.[63][64]Total
physicalsalesinJapanasofMay2014havereached
150,866units.[65]Itreached79thplaceonFamitsu'slist
of100bestsettlingtitlesoftheyear,whileitreached
62ndplaceDengekiOnline'slist.[64][65]Drakengard3
receiveda34/40fromFamitsu,withthefourreviewers
givingitscoresof9,9,8and8.[60]Thegamereceived
"average"reviews,accordingtoWesternvideogame
reviewaggregatorMetacritic.[58]AnimeNewsNetwork's
ToddCioleknamedDrakengard3GameoftheYearin
2014.[66]

Reception
Aggregatescore
Aggregator

Score

Metacritic

61/100[58]

Reviewscores
Publication

Score

Destructoid

8.5/10[59]

Eurogamer

5/10[5]

Famitsu

34/40[60]

GameInformer

6/10[61]

GameSpot

7/10[10]

Thestoryreceivedmixedreviews.DengekiPlayStation
[9]
GamesRadar
calleditthebeststoryoftheDrakengardseries,while
IGN
4.8/10[62]
Famitsuwasgenerallypositiveabouttheworldand
characters,praisingthecharacterdialogue.[67][68]
Destructoid'sChrisCarterstatedthatthestorycompelledhimto"truckforwardandfigureitalloutfor
[himself]",whilehefoundthedialoguebetweenthecharactersfunnyandtheirrelationships
entertaining.[59]GameInformer'sKimberleyWallacewaslessenthusiastic,sayingthatwhiletherewerea
fewinterestingscenes,"thenarrativeandcharactersmakealotofmissteps."[61]IGN'sMeghanSullivan
criticizedthestoryforbeingtooslowandtooreliantonforeknowledgeofthepreviousgames,whilecalling
themaincharacters"poorlywritten".[62]Gamespot'sHeidiKempsgenerallypraisedthestory,especiallythe
waysitpokedfunatthegenreandfocusonthemanypathsthegametookplayersdown,while
GamesRadar'sBeckyCunninghamcalledthestory"themainreasontoplay[thegame],especiallyasit
approachesmedievalfantasywithdarkcomedyinsteadofstraightlacedtropes."[9][10]Eurogamer'sChris
Schillingsaidthatthegameplayedout"likeajetblackcomedy",callingitsnarrativefarcolderthanthatof
Nier,whilepraisingZero'scharacterization.[5]
Incontrasttoprevioustitlesintheseries,thegameplayreceivedpraise.Dengekipraisedtheredesigned
battlesystem,citingtheabilitytoswitchweaponsinstantlyasitsbestfeature.[68]Famitsuwasalsopositive,
despiteitnothavingmanydistinguishingfeaturestoseparateitfromothervideogamesinthegenre.[67]
Sullivanpraisedthegroundaspectofgameplay,especiallyZero'sIntonerMode,butcriticizedthedragon
gameplayasawkwardandexacerbatedbythepoorcontrollayout.[62]Cunninghamsaidthatthecombatwill
"keep[players]on[their]toes",praisingthebalancebetweencharacterandenemypowerandtheweapon
switchingability,butbeingmoremixedaboutthedragongameplay.[9]Cartercalledtheactiongameplayhis
"favoritepart",referringtoitasafasterandsmootherversionofcombatfromtheDynastyWarriorsseries,
whileKempsfounditgenerallysatisfactorydespiteitssimplicity,whilecitingthedragonsectionsas"a
welcome,ifnotalwaysparticularlywelldesigned,breakfromstabbingtroopsdirectly."[10][59]Wallacewas
positiveaboutmanyaspectsofthesystem,butstatedthatitgotboggeddownbytheleveldesignand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

7/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

predictableenemymovements.[61]Schillingenjoyedthegroundbasedgameplaydespiteitssimplicity,
comparingitto"acrossbetween[DmC:DevilMayCry]andDynastyWarriors",butcitedthedragon
gameplayasfarlessenjoyable.[5]PoorAIforZero'scompanionsanddragondrewcriticism.[9][10][61][62]
Thegraphicsandleveldesignweregenerallycriticized.Cunninghamcalledtheenvironments"verybland"
whencomparedtothenarrative,whileWallacegenerallycriticizedtheingamelevelandcharacterdesign,
thoughcitedthecinematiccutscenesasanimprovement.[9][61]Incontrast,Carterpraisedthecharacter
designandcalledtheothervisuals"absolutelybeautiful".[59]Sullivanwasgenerallynegative,citingthe
leveldesignandnarrowcolorpalateaspartofhercritique,andcomparingthegraphicstoagamefromthe
PlayStation2era.[62]Schillinggenerallyfaultedthegameforitstextures,graphicsandcharacterdesign,
despitenotingthedevelopers'attemptstolampoongamingconventions.[5]Technicalissuessuchasfrequent
frameratedrops,anerraticcameraandscreentearingwerecitedasgeneralfaultswiththe
game.[5][9][10][59][61][62]

Notes
1.Drakengard3wasoriginallyreleasedinJapanasDragOnDragoon3(Japanese:3
Hepburn:Doragguondoragn3).
2.Intoners:Songstresses(Utahime)intheJapaneseversion
3.Disciples:Apostles(Shitotachi)intheJapaneseversion

References
1.Phillips,Tom(20130314)."DeadlyPremonitiondevelopermakingDrakengard3".Eurogamer.Retrieved
20131009.
2.Romano,Sal(20130312)."Drakengard3announcedforPlayStation3".Gematsu.Retrieved20131009.
3."DOD33
DOD3" .DengekiOnline.20131227.Retrieved20140228.
4.Gifford,Kevin(20130717)."Drakengard3willnot'feelmuchlikeaSquareEnix'release,ifmusicdepartment
hasitsway".Polygon.Retrieved20131009.
5.Schilling,Chris(20140529)."Drakengard3review".Eurogamer.Retrieved20140529.
6.Pitcher,Jenna(20130822)."Drakengard3delayedtoDec.19inJapan".Polygon.Retrieved20130822.
7.Ishaan(20140205)."Drakengard3CollectorsEditionAnnouncedForNorthAmerica".Siliconera.Archived
fromtheoriginalon20140425.Retrieved20140208.
8.Karmali,Luke(20140205)."Drakengard3ReleaseDate,OpeningCinematicRevealed".IGN.Retrieved
20140205.
9.Cunnginham,Becky(20140520)."Drakengard3Review".GamesRadar.Retrieved20140520.
10.Kemps,Heidi(20140527)."Drakengard3Review".Gamespot.Retrieved20140529.
11.Sato(20130722)."Drakengard3LetsYouPerformWeaponSwitchingCombosInBattle".Siliconera.Archived
fromtheoriginalon20140418.Retrieved20131009.
12.Teague,Cameron(20140520)."Drakengard3Review(PS3)".PlayStationLifestyle.Retrieved20140531.
13.Romano,Sal(20131125)."ClearsidequeststoearnrewardsinDrakengard3".Gematsu.Retrieved
20131125.
14.Spencer(20130825)."Yeah,Drakengard3HasDragonRidingGameplay".Siliconera.Archivedfromthe
originalon20131228.Retrieved20131009.
15.Romano,Sal(20131006)."MountMikhailinDrakengard3'sskybattles".Gematsu.Retrieved20131009.
16.3[DragOnDragoon3TheComplete
Guide+Settings](inJapanese).Tokyo:ASCIIMediaWorks.20140411.pp.180181.ISBN9784048660860.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

8/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

17.Yin,Spencer(20130314)."Drakengard3/DragOnDragoon3'sStoryDetailed".Siliconera.Archivedfromthe
originalon20140101.Retrieved20131009.
18.Donato,Joe(20131026)."Drakengard3Preview:ProducerTakamasaShibarevealsaninsaneprequel".
GameZone.Retrieved20131026.
19.Sato(20130514)."Drakengard3sLeadCharacterIsRatherPromiscuous".Siliconera.Archivedfromthe
originalon20131226.Retrieved20131009.
20.Sato(20130405)."Drakengard3ProducerAndCreativeDirectorExplainHowTheGameCameToBe".
Siliconera.Retrieved20131009.
21.Agnello,AnthonyJohn(20131024)."Shootthecore:HowTakamasaShibaplanstopreservetheoldwayswith
'Drakengard3' ".DigitalTrends.Retrieved20131025.
22.Hawkins,Matt(20131009)."Drakengard3Producer:AsLongAsTheyHaveTaroYoko,SquareEnixCan
MakeMoreDrakengard".Siliconera.Retrieved20131210.
23.Spencer(20130315)."SeeMoreAwesomeArtworkFromDrakengard3".Siliconera.Archivedfromtheoriginal
on20131218.Retrieved20131211.
24.Sahdev,Ishaan(20140409)."Drakengard3ArtDirectorOnHowHeDesignedTheGame'sCharacters".
Siliconera.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140509.Retrieved20140727.
25."3DOD1
DOD3".DengekiOnline.20131216.Retrieved20131216.
26.Hawkins,Matt(20131013)."Drakengard3ConnectsToNier,WillHaveABalanceBetweenDarknessAnd
Humor".Siliconera.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20131230.Retrieved20131210.
27.
3.4Gamer.20140228.Archivedfromtheoriginalon
20140315.Retrieved20140725.
28.Corriae,AlexaRay(20140520)."Drakengard3directordiscussfindingbeautyinabloodystory".Polygon.
Retrieved20140521.
29." 3" .Famitsu.20130404.Retrieved
20131210.
30.3P
.Famitsu.20130902.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20160304.Retrieved20131212.
31.3
DODDOD3.DengekiOnline.20130903.Archivedfromtheoriginal
on20160304.Retrieved20141107.
32.3
""DOD3.DengekiOnline.20130905.Archivedfromtheoriginalon
20150428.Retrieved20141107.
33.Sahdev,Ishaan(20140506)."Drakengard3SoundDirectorOnHowTheMusicIsDifferentFromNier's".
Siliconera.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140508.Retrieved20140508.
34.Sahdev,Ishaan(20130701)."Drakengard3sFirstTrailerShowsOffGoryGameplayFootage".Siliconera.
Archivedfromtheoriginalon20131229.Retrieved20131009.
35."3
DOD3" .DengekiOnline.20130716.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20131223.Retrieved
20140914.
36."!? DoD3" .Famitsu.20130729.
Archivedfromtheoriginalon20131223.Retrieved20140914.
37."3ThisSilenceIsMinePV
"[OnitsukaChihiroisinchargeof"DragOnDragoon3"themesong
"ThisSilenceIsMine".LatestPVcontainsprofoundscenessuchasabloodcoveredFive].DengekiOnline.
20130924.Retrieved20131210.
38.SquareEnixJapan(20130923)."3:TGSPV".YouTube.Retrieved20130920.
39."DRAGONDRAGOON3OriginalSoundtrack".VGMdb.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140816.Retrieved
20140924.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

9/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

40."35thSingle
".Famitsu.20131113.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20141210.Retrieved20140914.
41."3ThisSilenceIsMine1218
".Famitsu.20131208.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20131219.Retrieved20140914.
42.Spencer(20130626)."Drakengard3ComingOutOnOctober31InABeautifulBoxSet".Siliconera.Archived
fromtheoriginalon20131216.Retrieved20131009.
43.Owen,Dave(20130822)."Drakengard3delayedinJapanuntilDecember19".VG247.Retrieved20131009.
44.Karmali,Luke(20130205)."Drakengard3ReleaseDate,OpeningCinematicRevealed".IGN.Retrieved
20140508.
45.Spencer(20140127)."DekamoriSenranKaguraWillAlsoGetAChineseVersion".Siliconera.Archivedfrom
theoriginalon20140223.Retrieved20140130.
46.Spencer(20130916)."HeresDrakengard3'sLeadingLadyDressedAsKaineFromNier".Siliconera.Archived
fromtheoriginalon20131218.Retrieved20131216.
47.Karmali,Luke(20140402)."Drakengard3Collector'sEditionAnnouncedforEuropeandAustralia".IGN.
Retrieved20140508.
48.Ishaan(20140205)."Drakengard3Collector'sEditionAnnouncedForNorthAmerica".Siliconera.Archived
fromtheoriginalon20140425.Retrieved20140508.
49.Nagashima,Emi(20130427).":".EmiNagashimaBlog.
Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140316.Retrieved20140316.
50.Yoko,Taro(20130302).""[Supervisionwork
ofthecomicShiniItaruAka].DiaryofTaroYoko(blog).Retrieved20140316.
51.Sato(20131021)."Drakengard3'sZeroCosplayingAsTheFirstDrakengardProtagonist,Caim".Siliconera.
Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140210.Retrieved20131216.
52."3DLC19
DOD3".DengekiOnline.20131216.Retrieved20131216.
53.Matulef,Jeffrey(20140605)."Drakengard3prologueDLCchaptersareoutnow".Eurogamer.Retrieved
20140610.
54.Vitale,Adam(20140618)."FinalDrakengard3DLCdetailedandpriced".RPGSite.Retrieved20140618.
55."3".DengekiOnline.20130410.Retrieved
20140430.
56."SquareEnixeStore:DragonDragoon3SideStory".SquareEnixeStore.Archivedfromtheoriginalon2014
0726.Retrieved20140726.
57.Nagashima,Emi(20140828)." " .EmiNagashimaBlog.
Archivedfromtheoriginalon20141101.Retrieved20141101.
58."Drakengard3forPlayStation3".Metacritic.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140915.Retrieved20140520.
59.Carter,Chris(20140520)."Review:Drakengard3".Destructoid.Retrieved20140520.
60.Romano,Sal(20131210)."FamitsuReviewScores:Issue1306".Gematsu.Retrieved20131210.
61.Wallace,Kimberley(20140520)."Drakengard3:SoullessBloodSplatter".GameInformer.Retrieved
20140520.
62.Sullivan,Meghan(20140520)."Drakengard3review".IGN.Retrieved20140521.
63.Ishaan(20131225)."ThisWeekInSales:AtLast...Drakengard3".Siliconera.Archivedfromtheoriginalon
20131230.Retrieved20130109.
64."GEIMIN.NET2013" (inJapanese).Archivedfrom
theoriginalon20140424.Retrieved20140129.
65."2013TOP100124113DS
XY".DengekiOnline.20140512.Retrieved20140608.
66.Ciolek,Todd(20141217)."DueRecognition".AnimeNewsNetwork.Archivedfromtheoriginalon201412
17.Retrieved20141217.
67."3"[DragOnDragoon3].Famitsu.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20140330.Retrieved
20141203.
68.DeMeo,Francesco(20131215)."Drakengard3ReviewedByPlaystationDengeki:100/90/85/95".
Explosion.com.Archivedfromtheoriginalon20131216.Retrieved20131216.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

10/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Gamequotes
AccessGames(20140520).Drakengard3.PlayStation3.SquareEnix.
1.Narrator:Longago,inanagetarnishedbyendlessconflict,fivebeautifulgoddessesdescendedupontheland.Thegoddesses
sangmysticalsongsthatrestoredpeaceandharmonytoourbrokenworld.Thepeoplebegantoworshiptheseholysongstresses
andcametorefertothemasIntoners.(Opening)
2.Zero:ThefirsttimeIsawthisflower...wasthedayIdied.NowI'mjustacorpsebeingkeptalivebytheflower'smagic.[...]
Thisflowerisacalamitythatthreatenstheentireworld.It'sgrowing,feedingoffme.Eventuallyit'sgoingtoconsumeme
entirely,andoncethathappens?Onceit'sfullygrown?It'sgoingtodestroyeverything.[...]WhenIrealizedthatIwasinfected
withaflowerthatwasgoingtoendtheworld,Itriedtokillmyself.Well,technicallyIwasalreadydead,but,yeah.Anyway,I
triedtoripthedamnthingout.But,intheend,Ijustmadethingsworse.Theflowerfreakedout.Startedsproutingthese...
children.Fivelittlegirls,oneafteranother.TheyburstoutofmeandranoffbeforeIcouldblink.[...]Anyway,Imademy
choice.Idecidedtokillmysisters,andthendestroytheflower.(BranchD,Verse7)
3.Zero:Whatthehellareyou,anyway?/Accord:We'reRecorders.[...]It'sourjobtorecordworldeventsfromtheancientpast
tothedistantfuture.YouknowtheOldWorldyoupeoplearealwaysgoingonabout?Well,Iwassentbyfolksfromthere.
(BranchB,Chapter2,LostVerse2)
4.Zero:It'sunavoidable.Disciplescan'tremaininhumanformwithoutanIntoner'spower.Soonerorlater,you'lldisappear.So
beforethathappens...I'mgivingyouyouroldformsback.(BranchA,Chapter5,Verse3)
5.One:Isee...IftherearenoIntonerslefttoprotecttheworld...ThenI'lljustprotectitmyself!We'llformanewreligion.A
religionthatworshipsmysisterOne.(BranchA,Chapter5,EndingA)
6.Accord:IntheflowofpostCataclysmhistory,ifauniquesetofconditionsknownas"singularities"cometogether,splitsoccur
intime,resultinginthemultipleworlddivergencephenomenon.(BranchB,Verse1)
7.Accord:Byutilizingthereprogrammingfunctionoftheflower,thesingularityknownasZerohascreatedanewconceptknown
asapact.Idonotknowhowthiswillaffectthefuture.However,Iwillcontinuetoobserveeventsastheyunfold.(BranchB,
EndingB)
8.One:Intonersofferonlypestilencetothisworld.Someday,theywillbethediseasethatbringsruintoallhumanlife.That's
whyyou'retryingtokillus:tosavetheworld.Andonceyousucceedinkillingyoursisters...You'regoingtofinishthejob...and
killyourself.Andyou'llusethatdragontodoit.(BranchC,Verse5)
9.Accord:TheIntonerZerocompletedherobjective.However,thedragonMikhailhasdiedandZero'smentalhealthisina
ratheralarmingstate.I'mafraidthere'slittlechanceoffindingasolutioninthistimeline.Assuch,Irecommendsealingoffthis
branch.(BranchC,EndingC)
10.Accord:Recording.TheIntonershavebeensealedoffinanotherworld.Thethreatoftheflowerhasbeenextinguishedfrom
thisbranch.However,thepossibilityexiststhatthissealcouldunravelitselfatsometimeorlocationinthefuture.Untilthen,
ourrecordingeffortswillcontinue.Oh.Andapersonaladdendumregardingmyobservationaltarget,Zero.Perhapsthisis
beyondmyfunctionalrequirementsasarecorder,butIcannotshakethefeelingthatsomehow,somewhere,Zeroisstillalive.
Andthat,someday...Someday,sheandIwillseeeachotheragain.Crazy,Iknow.Callitahunch.(BranchD,TheFinalSong)
11.Accord:Ihopetoseeyouagainsomeday.Butuntilthen...I'dliketosay...Thankyouforplaying.(BranchD,TheFinalSong)

Externallinks
Officialwebsite(http://www.drakengardgame.com/)

Wikiquotehasquotations
relatedto:Drakengard

Retrievedfrom"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Drakengard_3&oldid=709915576"
Categories: Actionroleplayingvideogames Amnesiainfiction Bloodinfiction
Dissociativeidentitydisorderinpopularculture Dragonsinvideogames Drakengard
Dreamsinfiction Familyinfiction Fantasyvideogames Fictionwithalternateendings
Godcomplexesinfiction Hackandslashroleplayinggames PlayStation3games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

11/12

5/23/2016

Drakengard3Wikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

PlayStation3onlygames Rebellionsinfiction Roleplayingvideogamesintroducedin2013


SquareEnixgames Musicinfiction UnrealEnginegames Videogameprequels
Videogamesfeaturingfemaleprotagonists 2013videogames Parasitesinfiction Amputeesinfiction
Thispagewaslastmodifiedon13March2016,at21:47.
TextisavailableundertheCreativeCommonsAttributionShareAlikeLicenseadditionaltermsmay
apply.Byusingthissite,youagreetotheTermsofUseandPrivacyPolicy.Wikipediaisa
registeredtrademarkoftheWikimediaFoundation,Inc.,anonprofitorganization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard_3

12/12

You might also like