Developer: Idol FX

Drake of the 99 Dragons (2003)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Drake of the 99 Dragons: A Post-Mortem of a Gaming Debacle

Introduction

In the annals of video game history, there are countless tales of triumphs and disasters. Some games ascend to the heights of critical acclaim and commercial success, while others sink into the abyss of obscurity and derision. Drake of the 99 Dragons, released in 2003 for the Xbox and Windows PC, undoubtedly belongs in the latter category. This ill-fated title has garnered a reputation as one of the worst games ever made, a cautionary tale of rushed development, broken promises, and shattered dreams.

The Premise

Drake of the 99 Dragons, also known simply as Drake, unfolds in a dystopian cyberpunk setting. The protagonist, Drake, is an undead assassin who embarks on a quest to avenge his murdered clan, the 99 Dragons. His mission is to recover the ancient “Soul Portal Artifact” from the clutches of the nefarious Tang, a power-hungry warlord who intends to use it to harvest the souls of the dead and fuel his undead cyborg army.

Development and Release

Drake of the 99 Dragons was developed by Idol FX, a relatively unknown studio at the time. The game’s concept was ambitious, aiming to create a cel-shaded third-person shooter with a compelling story and a unique blend of action and stealth gameplay. Idol FX envisioned Drake as the launchpad for a multimedia franchise, encompassing comics, an animated television series, and even a potential film adaptation.

However, the studio’s lofty aspirations were severely hampered by a restrictive development cycle. Idol FX was given a mere six months to complete the game, leaving little room for play-testing and refinement. As a result, Drake of the 99 Dragons was released in an unfinished and buggy state, plagued by numerous glitches, awkward controls, and repetitive gameplay.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Drake of the 99 Dragons was met with a barrage of negative reviews from critics. The game’s technical shortcomings were impossible to ignore, with reviewers lamenting its unresponsive controls, poor AI, and frequent crashes. The story and characters were also criticized for being shallow and unengaging.

Drake of the 99 Dragons quickly became a laughingstock in the gaming community, earning a reputation as one of the worst games ever made. It was featured in numerous “worst of” lists and became a cautionary tale about the dangers of rushing game development.

Post-Mortem Analysis

In the years since its disastrous release, Drake of the 99 Dragons has been subject to much scrutiny and analysis. Many factors have been cited as contributing to its failure, including:

  • Rushed Development: The six-month development cycle was simply not enough time to create a polished and refined game.
  • Inexperienced Studio: Idol FX lacked the experience and resources to handle such an ambitious project.
  • Publisher Pressure: Majesco Entertainment, the game’s publisher, reportedly pressured Idol FX to release the game before it was ready.
  • Broken Promises: The multimedia franchise plans never came to fruition, leaving fans disappointed.

Conclusion

Drake of the 99 Dragons stands as a cautionary tale in the annals of video game history. It is a reminder of the importance of proper development time, experienced developers, and realistic expectations. While the game’s legacy is one of failure, it also serves as a valuable lesson for aspiring game creators and publishers alike.

Additional Notes

  • Drake of the 99 Dragons was originally intended to be a launch title for the Xbox, but it was delayed due to development issues.
  • The game’s cel-shaded graphics were considered innovative at the time, but they were also criticized for being too simplistic and lacking in detail.
  • Despite its negative reception, Drake of the 99 Dragons has gained a cult following among some gamers who appreciate its campy charm and unintentional humor.
  • The game’s soundtrack, composed by Cris Velasco, has been praised for its atmospheric and haunting melodies.

Review Score

2/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi (2003)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi (2003)

A chilling horror adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi is a survival horror video game developed by Ritual Entertainment and published by Ubisoft. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in 2003. The game is set in the year 1912, and follows the story of Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer who travels to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula.

Upon arriving at Dracula’s castle, Harker is quickly imprisoned and turned into a vampire. He must now escape from the castle and find a way to defeat Dracula before he can spread his evil across the world.

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi is a third-person action-adventure game. Players control Jonathan Harker as he explores Dracula’s castle and its surrounding areas. The game features a variety of puzzles and combat sequences. Players must use their wits and skills to survive and defeat Dracula.

The game was praised for its atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay. However, it was also criticized for its linearity and lack of replay value.

Story

The game begins in the year 1912. Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer, is sent to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula. Dracula is a wealthy and powerful vampire who has been terrorizing the countryside. Harker is tasked with finding a way to defeat Dracula and end his reign of terror.

Upon arriving at Dracula’s castle, Harker is quickly imprisoned and turned into a vampire. He must now escape from the castle and find a way to defeat Dracula before he can spread his evil across the world.

Harker’s journey takes him through the castle and its surrounding areas. He must battle Dracula’s minions, solve puzzles, and find a way to defeat the vampire lord himself.

Gameplay

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi is a third-person action-adventure game. Players control Jonathan Harker as he explores Dracula’s castle and its surrounding areas. The game features a variety of puzzles and combat sequences.

Players must use their wits and skills to survive and defeat Dracula. They must also be careful to manage their health and bloodlust. If Harker’s health drops too low, he will die. If his bloodlust becomes too high, he will turn into a vampire and lose control of himself.

Setting

The game is set in the year 1912. Dracula’s castle is located in Transylvania, a region of Romania that is known for its dark and mysterious history. The castle is a large and imposing structure, with many secret passages and hidden chambers.

The surrounding areas are also dark and dangerous. Harker must travel through forests, swamps, and mountains in order to reach Dracula’s castle.

Characters

  • Jonathan Harker: The protagonist of the game. Harker is a young lawyer who is sent to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula. He is quickly imprisoned and turned into a vampire. He must now escape from the castle and find a way to defeat Dracula.
  • Count Dracula: The main antagonist of the game. Dracula is a powerful and evil vampire who has been terrorizing the countryside. He is the one who turned Harker into a vampire. Harker must defeat Dracula in order to save himself and the world.
  • Mina Harker: Jonathan Harker’s wife. Mina is a strong and determined woman who is determined to save her husband. She follows Harker to Transylvania and helps him in his quest to defeat Dracula.
  • Dr. Abraham Van Helsing: A vampire hunter who helps Harker in his quest to defeat Dracula. Van Helsing is a wise and experienced vampire hunter who knows much about Dracula’s weaknesses.

Reception

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay. However, it was also criticized for its linearity and lack of replay value.

The game was a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide. It was also nominated for several awards, including the Game of the Year award at the 2003 Golden Joystick Awards.

Legacy

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi is considered to be one of the best horror games of its time. The game’s atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay have been praised by critics and players alike. The game has also been cited as an influence on other horror games, such as Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill 2.

Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi is a classic horror game that is still enjoyed by many today. The game’s atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay are top-notch, and the story is engaging and well-written. If you’re a fan of horror games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi.

Review Score

7/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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