Dragonkin: The Banished review

I admit that I don’t have the time or mindset to chuck myself into complicated and time-consuming games. My life is busy, and I’m often turned off if I have to spend hours working through core gameplay mechanics. Therefore, when I decided to tackle Dragonkin: The Banished, I surprised myself. Although the learning curve is relatively gentle, there is plenty to learn, and the game could get away from you. However, I’m glad I tackled it as it kept my attention throughout my 30-odd hours of playtime.

EKO Software has developed this high fantasy, action-adventure experience. It is a single-player or local and online cooperative experience. Additionally, there are up to 4 main characters to select and a fun pet to upgrade on the way. Although I didn’t pursue the online action, I can see this being a great game to tackle with friends. Thankfully, there was enough to keep me entertained as I hacked and slashed my way through mountains of enemies.

Dragonkin: The Banished tells a serviceable tale.

Dragonkin: The Banished is set in a dark world where the blood of dragons has corrupted the human world. Your goal is to take control of a legendary hero and hunt down the formidable Dragon Lords. This is no easy task as monsters and other beasts stand before you. Thankfully, an excellent prologue highlights your potential while setting you on your way.

The story works as a suitable tool to deliver the steady gameplay loop. With 4 traditional characters to select from, a baby dragon to develop and master, and a special upgrade system that replaces the traditional skill tree, there is plenty to do as you move away from genre norms. However, it is the city of Montescail that serves as a hub on your journey, with upgradeable buildings, vendors, crafting, and bonuses. This hub improves your chances of survival.

Hack-and-slash.

I know hack-and-slash combat isn’t for everyone, but I couldn’t help but admire the slick gameplay and the almost mindless approach. Each of the different heroes works their way through the enemies in unique ways. Therefore, it would be pleasurable to see how a band of friends could mow down every minion and major boss they approached.

The deep customisation is interesting while offering a sense of reward if you are willing to experiment. Although I didn’t always get it right, you can re-spec your build without any negative consequences. The trial-and-error design worked incredibly well, and I never felt punished for making minor errors.

Dragonkin: The Banished has removed that sense of mindless action. Instead, there are plenty of varied combat approaches to master. With loads of different enemies to tackle, you’ll have to master your character build as well as your combat style if you wish to overcome every Dragon Lord.

Dragonkin: The Banished looks fantastic.

Isometric viewpoints are a staple for this genre. This approach works really well with crunching combat. Moreover, the clean UI helps to clarify many of the finer abilities and different options to pick from. This makes it much easier to pick up and play without dumbing things down too much for experts of this genre. The audio is as dark, sinister, and atmospheric as you’d expect. It helps to deliver the story without being OTT or cheesy.

The controls are well considered, and the learning curve is just right. The prologue is a great way to cut your teeth, and I recommend going through this to understand what you have to come. Thanks to the excellent tutorial and UI, Dragonkin: The Banished is great to play. I experienced over 30 hours of action, and I could have played for much more. There is plenty to see and do, and each character adds plenty of depth. Therefore, this delivers plenty of replay value and longevity.

Dragonkin: The Banished is a great title.

I was worried that this would be hellishly overwhelming and time-consuming. Thankfully, I was wrong. Although there is plenty to learn, everything feels achievable. Additionally, working through every element doesn’t feel like a slog. Therefore, you can experiment and try out new characters without feeling like you are wasting your time. Accordingly, it is a great game, and I recommend grabbing a copy from the Xbox store!