DragonFable
| DragonFable | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Artix Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Artix Entertainment |
| Engine | Adobe Flash |
| Release | 31 November 2005 (Beta)[1] 9 June 2006 (Live)[2] |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
DragonFable is a free-to-play, online, browser-based, single-player, fantasy, role-playing game developed by Artix Entertainment and updated on a weekly basis.[3] Players may access additional game content—including housing, as well as exclusive quests, events, and equipment—by upgrading their accounts for a one-time fee.
Gameplay
Players control their character via pointing and clicking on the screen in various areas to navigate the player character to the point where they click. Most items are activated either simply by running into them, or by pressing a button that will appear when the point is reached (when outside of battle). Battle is typically entered by making contact or entering within a certain area around a "monster". Other times, however, combat can be entered in actions along with a basic "Attack!" button. (Attacks all have a specific "element" of damage, such as Fire or Wind). Players have two health potions and two mana potions, restoring each respectively. The attacks the player can use are determined mostly by what class they are using. Each class has a set of armor unique to that class and a different set of attacks. Most fighting takes place in "Quests", missions involving a set storyline and the fighting of monsters. Most quests feature a "Boss" character, which is a particularly powerful monster, often having a small dialogue with the player pre-fight (and sometimes post-fight). Defeating enemies earns "Exp Points" which causes the player character to level up when they earn enough. Gold and items are also common rewards.
Plot
In Book 1, the player is introduced into the story as a hero from an unknown location arriving to Lore (the world of DragonFable). The player is also destined to become a dragonlord who will own one of the two great dragons, both unhatched in separate boxes (black and white) at the start of the game. Obtaining the dragon egg from the black dragon box is one of the two major story lines in Book 1 and the rest of the game. The player must stop the primary antagonist, Sepulcher who is a Doomknight and possesses the white dragon box from capturing elemental orbs in order to achieve ultimate power and world domination. This leads to a series of quest chains, a saga for each orb. There are many other smaller story lines in Book 1. Among them are Xan's saga, Ravenloss saga, Nythera's saga, etc. Seasonal quest chains appear during Christmas (Frostval in game), Friday the 13th, Thanksgiving, Valentines (Hero's heart day) and Halloween (Mogloween) which may occasionally tie into the larger plot throughout the game.
In Book 2, the player has to save a group of aliens who just escaped to Lore from an interdimensional creature called Wargoth. Also the player has to search for Warlic after his disappearance at the end of Book 1.
In Book 3, the player returns to Lore after five years to stop the anti-magic organization called The Rose, who has become a major power in Lore even gaining support of the King.
Side quests
On 19 February 2010, the ArchKnight game and quest chain was continued and completed within DragonFable, with Ash as the player character. The quest chain is only accessible to those with upgraded accounts in either AdventureQuest or DragonFable.[4] In 2012, the Alexander quest chain, which follows the young mage Alexander during his training, was released; it explains the origins of the characters Warlic, Xan, and Jaania.
In-game events
DragonFable has several recurring holiday events. These include Valentine's Day (named "Hero's Heart day" in game), April Fools' Day (not referenced by in game characters, but a prank on the site, such as switching NPCs with the NPCs from MechQuest),[5] Halloween[6](named "Mogloween" in game), Christmas (named Frostval in game), Friday the 13th, Talk Like a Pirate Day and Thanksgiving (named Thankstaking in game). They also have occasional hunts like gourd, egg, and chest hunting.
George Lowe, a voice actor best known for his role as Space Ghost in Space Ghost Coast to Coast, voiced himself in a live event known as "Falconreach Idle" on 19 November 2010.[7]
Reception
Chris Barylick, from The Mac Observer, said that while the game was "not perfect, nor does it offer the same options as the marquee titles, but it's definitely worth a gander".[8] Andre Haas, from About.com, said that the game was "highly recommended to fans of Adventure Quest [...] Dragon Fable is pretty much just an improved version of Adventure Quest".[9] Andrew Wooldridge, from Jay Is Games said that "DragonFable is a perfect game for a quick 30-minute RPG fix" and "if you are looking for a great lunchtime game that brings fun back to the leveling up grind then DragonFable is for you".[10]
See also
References
- ^ "DragonFable: Design Notes". DragonFable. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Dragon Fable". GameSpot. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- ^ Brian Perry Jr. "Artix Interview". Onrpg. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
- ^ "Artix's RPG ArchKnight Epic Finale on Friday; Game Finishes Inside Another Game". IGN. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
- ^ Suzie Ford (6 April 2009). "Artix April Fools Fun". WarCry Network. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
- ^ Suzie Ford (30 October 2009). "Artix Entertainment: Happy Mogloween!". WarCry Network. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
- ^ "Artix Presents TV Talent Reality Show Parody "FalconReach Idle" in Browser-Based DragonFable". IGN. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
- ^ Chris Barylick (29 November 2006). "Your Daily Dose of RPG: DragonFable". The Mac Observer. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ Andre Haas. "Linux Game: Dragon Fable". About.com. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ Andrew Wooldridge (10 September 2006). "Dragon Fable". Jay Is Games. Retrieved 10 October 2010.