Key Highlights
- Experience a unique prologue that lets you test high-level classes before choosing your character.
- Master unique combat techniques with four distinct classes: the Knight, Barbarian, Oracle, and Archer.
- Customize your build with the innovative Ancestral Grid system, mixing and matching skills and modifiers.
- Explore the vast world of dragonkin and help rebuild the city of Montescail as a bastion of humanity.
- This early access title shows promise with its epic story and fun combat, though some areas still need development.
- Engage in endgame content like dungeon purification and the Hunting Board for repeatable quests and loot.
Introduction
Welcome to the ravaged world of Dragonkin: The Banished, a new action RPG that’s just hit early access. If you’re a fan of games like Diablo or Path of Exile, you’ll find some familiar elements here, but Eko Software is carving its own path. The game throws you into a deep story about the exiled dragonkin and their struggle for survival. It brings fresh ideas to the table, making it an intriguing title for both veterans of the genre and newcomers looking for an epic adventure.
The Rise and Fall of Dragonkin: The Banished — Key Moments and Turning Points
The story of Dragonkin: The Banished is a sweeping saga of power, corruption, and survival. It details the origins of the mighty dragonkin, their ascent as protectors of the world, and the tragic downfall that led to their status as the banished. Understanding these key moments is essential to appreciating the journey your character undertakes.
Your adventure begins in the shadow of this great history, picking up after the dragonkin have been cast out. You are a product of this exile, fighting to reclaim a place in a world that now fears you. The following sections will walk you through this epic timeline.
1. Origins of the Dragonkin and Their World
The world of dragonkin is a land steeped in ancient conflict and lore. The story begins long ago, with a great war against a corrupting evil dragon that threatened to consume humanity. Legendary heroes, imbued with the very blood of dragons, rose to challenge this darkness. Their power stemmed from a unique connection to these mighty beasts, making them humanity’s greatest weapon.
This history unfolds across a vast landscape, from the fiery heart of the mountains to mysterious ancient islands. The game’s prologue throws you directly into this pivotal moment, allowing you to witness the scale of the conflict firsthand. You play as the heroes who fought this war, giving you a taste of the immense power that defines the dragonkin legacy.
This rich backstory is a key area of its development, setting the stage for the entire game. The events of the past directly shape the present, influencing the factions, characters, and challenges you will encounter on your journey.
2. The Ascendancy: How Dragonkin Rose to Power
After their initial victory against the great evil, the heroes didn’t just fade into legend. They established a new order to protect the world from future threats. They founded a guild of dragon hunters, an elite force dedicated to keeping the peace and hunting down any remaining draconic corruption. This marked the beginning of their rise to power and influence.
Their base of operations was the huge city of Montescail, which grew into the last bastion of humanity under their protection. An innovative mechanic in the game allows you to rebuild and upgrade this city, reflecting its importance. The Hunting Board becomes a central part of your gameplay, offering quests that reinforce the dragonkin’s role as guardians.
Their ultimate goal was to create a world safe from the monsters they fought. By organizing and training new hunters, they established a system that ensured humanity’s survival, cementing their place as legendary protectors for an entire generation.
3. The Golden Age: Peak Civilization and Culture
During their peak, the dragonkin developed their own culture, a unique blend of human resilience and draconic power. This wasn’t just a military order; it was a thriving civilization with deep-seated traditions and advanced knowledge. Their mastery of power was reflected in their ability to harness a wide range of modifiers for their skills and equipment, making them incredibly versatile warriors.
Classes like the Oracle, who could channel draconic energy with immense precision, showcase the sophistication of their society. They weren’t just brutes; they were visionaries and masters of magic. The pursuit of powerful loot was not just about getting stronger but about finding artifacts that held a piece of their history and power.
This Golden Age was defined by their ability to balance immense strength with a sense of duty. The complex systems you interact with, like the Ancestral Grid, are a direct reflection of this highly developed culture, where power was something to be cultivated and customized with care.
4. The Cataclysm: Events Leading to the Downfall
Despite their power, the Golden Age was not destined to last. A great cataclysm occurred, shattering the peace the dragonkin had fought so hard to build. The game’s prologue gives you a glimpse into the kind of battles they faced, fighting hordes of evil creatures and powerful dragons. However, the events that led to their downfall were more insidious than a simple war.
The very source of their strength, the draconic power flowing through their veins, may have become a corrupting influence. The Ancestral Grid, a system that organizes their abilities, hints at a power so complex it could easily become unstable. The exact nature of the cataclysm is a mystery you unravel as you play, but it resulted in the dragonkin being feared and cast out by the very people they once protected.
This turning point transformed them from heroes into exiles. Their immense power became a curse, and they were banished, blamed for the very chaos they once fought to contain. This tragic fall from grace is the central conflict of the game’s narrative.
5. Exile and Survival: Life After the Banishment
Life as one of the banished is a constant struggle for survival. Having been cast out into a hostile world, the remaining dragonkin must fend for themselves. Their exile forces them to live on the fringes of society, hunting to live and living to fight. This is where your journey as a player begins.
You must navigate this dangerous new reality, battling draconic monsters and other foes that roam the wilds. The core gameplay loop is tied to this struggle, as you gather combat loot to improve your gear and grow stronger. Every piece of armor and every new skill is a hard-won victory in your fight to endure.
This period of exile defines your character’s identity. You are not a celebrated hero but an outcast trying to make your way. Your goal is to survive, understand what led to your people’s downfall, and perhaps find a way to restore the honor of the dragonkin.
Core Gameplay Experience in Dragonkin: The Banished
The core gameplay in the early access of dragonkin will feel familiar to ARPG fans but comes with its own unique twists. You’ll be hacking, slashing, and looting your way through hordes of enemies, customizing your character’s fighting style with a variety of skills and gear. The minute-to-minute action is fast-paced and fun, focusing on making you feel powerful.
Beyond the standard combat, the game introduces unique systems to master. You’ll need to learn advanced combat techniques and engage in activities like dungeon purification to earn the best rewards. We’ll explore these mechanics more deeply in the sections below.
Combat Mechanics and Unique Abilities
The combat in Dragonkin: The Banished is designed to be both accessible and deep. You have a choice between traditional point-and-click movement or modern WASD controls, giving you precise command over your character. Each class offers a distinct set of combat techniques. For instance, the Oracle, who inherited the blood of the blue dragon, can unleash powerful electric draconic powers from a distance.
Finding the right combat loot is crucial, but the real customization comes from the Ancestral Grid. This system lets you slot in active and passive skills like puzzle pieces, creating powerful synergies. As one review from GamingTrend notes, “However, the Ancestral Grid does take a fair bit of time to actually start being fun,” as you need to level up to unlock enough space to truly experiment.
Key combat features include:
- Flexible Controls: Choose between classic mouse-based movement or direct WASD control.
- Five Skill Slots: Equip up to five different abilities for a mix of offense, defense, and utility.
- Ancestral Grid: A unique hex-based skill tree for deep build customization.
- Class Variety: Play as a tanky Knight, a raging Barbarian, a magical Oracle, or a nimble Archer.
Exploration, World Design, and Immersion
The world of dragonkin is designed to be vast, though in its current early access state, it can sometimes feel a bit empty. The developers have clearly built a large sandbox and are now in the process of filling it with content. You’ll journey from the central hub city of Montescail to ancient islands and war-torn plains, with each area of its development offering a distinct visual theme.
Exploration involves traveling between points of interest, often encountering pockets of enemies along the way. To add variety, endgame activities like Dungeon Purification allow you to apply a wide range of modifiers to challenges, which can dramatically change the difficulty and the rewards you receive. This system ensures that replaying content remains engaging.
The world design provides a solid foundation for future updates. Here is a quick look at some key explorable areas:
|
Location |
Description |
Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
|
Montescail |
The main hub city that you can upgrade and rebuild. |
Accessing vendors, crafting, and picking up quests. |
|
The Wilds |
Open zones connecting major story locations. |
Fighting bandits and monsters, finding raw materials. |
|
Purification Dungeons |
Timed, randomized dungeons for endgame loot. |
Slaying all enemies within a time limit. |
|
Hunting Grounds |
Special areas for Hunting Board quests. |
Tracking and defeating powerful draconic creatures. |
Visuals, Audio, and Technical Performance
When it comes to presentation, Dragonkin: The Banished is a solid package, though it has room for improvement. The art direction delivers a vibrant and colorful fantasy world that looks impressive, especially during chaotic battles against massive draconic monsters outside the walls of a huge city.
However, the technical side shows the game is still in early access. The audio design can get repetitive, and system optimization is an ongoing process. The game runs, but performance can vary depending on your hardware and the intensity of the on-screen action. Let’s look closer at these aspects.
Art Direction, Animations, and Graphics Quality
The art direction in Dragonkin: The Banished is one of its strong suits. Published by Nacon, the game opts for a vibrant and almost painterly style that sets it apart from the grittier, darker look of contemporaries like Diablo. The environments are colorful, and character models are detailed, making the world a visually appealing place to explore.
The animations are fluid, especially during combat. Your character’s attacks have a satisfying weight to them, and seeing enemy corpses ragdoll across the screen after a powerful blow is always entertaining. The graphics quality is generally good, with impressive spell effects and detailed textures that bring the world to life.
While not a graphical powerhouse that will push your high-end PC to its limits, the game’s visual style is cohesive and well-executed. It creates a stunning backdrop for your dragon-slaying adventures and makes for some impressive screenshots, especially during large-scale battles.
Soundtrack, Voice Acting, and System Optimization
The audio experience in the game is a mixed bag. The voice acting is well-done, with characters delivering their lines convincingly, which helps sell the story. The soundtrack provides a fittingly epic score for your adventure, enhancing the mood during exploration and combat. However, the sound effects themselves can become repetitive after hours of play.
In terms of system optimization, the game performs reasonably well but shows its early access nature. On a mid-range PC, you can expect stable frame rates, but performance can dip during intense battles with many enemies on screen, as the game becomes CPU-heavy. For Steam Deck users, achieving a stable 30 FPS requires lowering most settings.
There are also additional services, such as an optional Nacon account, which is needed to access all features. Overall, the performance is acceptable for an early access title, but further optimization is needed before the full release to ensure a smooth experience for all players.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Dragonkin: The Banished” offers a rich tapestry of storytelling and gameplay that captures the essence of its rise and fall. From the origins of the Dragonkin to their golden age and subsequent cataclysm, players are immersed in a world filled with deep lore and vibrant cultures. The core gameplay mechanics, exploration, and stunning visuals elevate the experience, making it a compelling adventure for both beginner and seasoned gamers alike. If you’re curious about how this title stands out in the crowded RPG landscape or want to explore its unique features further, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation. Dive into this captivating world and discover what awaits!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dragonkin: The Banished suitable for solo or co-op play?
The game is designed primarily for solo play, allowing you to experience the story and customize your dragonkin hero at your own pace. While the early access launch focuses on the single-player experience, ARPGs of this nature often add co-op play later in development.
What makes Dragonkin: The Banished different from other fantasy RPGs?
Dragonkin stands out with its Ancestral Grid, an innovative mechanic for deep skill customization. Its prologue lets you test max-level classes like the Archer before you choose, and unique endgame activities like dungeon purification add replayability beyond the main story.
Are there plans for future updates or expansions?
Yes, the developers have a roadmap for future updates during the early access period. These updates, supported by publisher Nacon, will add new skills, more endgame content, and city features, with potential for larger expansions after the full release.
