Drakan: The Ancients' Gates
Developer(s): Surreal Software
Publisher(s): SCEA (US), SCEE (EU)
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: GameRankings: 79/100, Metacritic: 78/100
Game description: In the decaying world of Drakan, the immortal Spirit Dragons are held captive. Now it's up to Rynn--a brave female warrior--and her dragon Arokh to save these spiritual leaders and the last remnants of humankind. Together with Rynn and Arokh, you'll need magical spells, resourcefulness, and powerful weapons to survive the vast environments. You'll gain skills as a fighter, an archer, or a mage as you fight ruthless enemies from the arctic tundra to the swamplands. The mysterious world of Drakan is filled with magical creatures, interesting characters, and challenging puzzles.
Drakan: The Ancients' Gates is an action-adventure PlayStation 2 game with RPG elements by Surreal Software. It is the sequel to the 1999 PC game Drakan: Order of the Flame.
Test configurations on Windows:
Environment | Configurations | Comments | Tester | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region | OS | CPU/GPU | Revision | Graphics | Sound/Pad | ||
PAL | Windows 2000 |
|
0.9.6 beta r710/r1736 |
|
SPU2-X 1.2.0 | • Hacks: EE x2, INTC, IOP x2, Idle Loop, VU Stealing 3
• With r1736 the emulator will crash on switching to new locations, use r710 to load instead. • Do not use r710 to play as it tends to freeze in some situations. |
ngng |
PAL | Windows XP Pro SP3 (32-bit) |
|
0.9.6 beta r985 |
|
SPU2-X [2014-07-14] |
|
Elvin presler |
NTSC-U | Windows |
|
1.3.1 | GSdx | SPU2-X | No fixes or speed hacks enabled. Shade Boost is on, basically everything else is off. 4:3 aspect ratio, 6x native resolution. FXAA works but is not required. D3D10/11 Hardware Mode. 58-60 FPS constant, minimal to no stutter, very smooth. Almost as glitch-free as on the PS2, but much prettier. Glitches: Fire halos show through walls at close range, sunglare shows through certain mountain geometry, the sky is distorted in a pinwheel pattern, but only above the character, straight up. (Not on the horizon.) | |
PAL | Windows 7 64-bit |
|
1.4.0 | GSdx SSE41, OpenGL | SPU2-X | Perfect emulation. |
Known Issues
Cannot create a memcrad save after loading from an older savestate
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Affected Game Versions: All
- Description: Cannot save your game normally after loading from a savestate before the current save was made.
- Workaround: Loading the your memcard save normally allows you to save your game again. Avoid using save states or manage them carefully.
Light effects visible through solid geometry
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Affected Game Versions: All
- Description: Light source halos can be seen through walls and sunlight lens flare is visible through mountains.
- Workaround: Switching to the software renderer and back to the hardware one fixes the light sources temporarily. Alternatively play using the software renderer as the issue is not present in it.
Freezing on certain versions
- Status: Active
- Type: Severe
- Affected Game Versions: All
- Description: Note also that you cannot play smoothly in many other versions before 985 (they'll be freezing) and after 985 (up until 1888) as there will be some crashing issues.
- Workaround: Use r985 to play until another good version is found
Frozen world
- Status: Active
- Type: Severe
- Affected Game Versions: All
- Description: Sometimes the world can stuck preventing from performing any action (cannot change a weapon, enemies will not move and cannot be killed)
- Workaround: You have to save often (F1) and change quick slots often (F2) as the only way to resolve this is to load.
Gameplay Screenshots
<spoiler show="Show images" hide="Hide images">
-
This is Surdana -
Ravenshold is a snowy realm -
There's something fishy about this guy... -
Meet Rynn (quite a rich girl) -
Hold on and don't look down! -
This is some hospitable looking place! -
When the spirit is strong no dungeon can keep it. -
This set of crates is almost impossible to master in the emulated version of the game -
This unusual sword is really hard to get! -
Even in death they still are longing for the sky -
This architecture is... creepy -
Hmmm! This is a whole another story! -
One frame from the last video: the proof that game can be beaten in emulator!
</spoiler>
<spoiler show="WARNING: The following images contain spoilers to various story-related content, including the ending." hide="Hide images">
-
This butterfly will show some respect, I'll see to it. -
I can only guess that the next boss will be you, right? -
These rocks ain't meant for falling. -
Thanks but I'll pass.. You're a little too dead for my taste. -
Those undead people choose their homes wisely -
And they do have bad manners if you ask me... -
You should close your eyes before you step -
Ah, can this be my house for a change? -
Isn't she a sweetheart? -
Ah!.. What to say? Same old question everywhere I go... -
I see it's not shabby here. Feasts, money and girls! Now wait a minute... I'm a girl too! -
Must be the altar. Lets find a priest now! -
He's so relentlessly kind I want to cry... -
This is the right time to keep a promise. -
What a waste of a good ancient temple! Vandalism!
</spoiler>
Gameplay Videos
- Drakan: The Ancients' Gates - PCSX2 【1080p HD 60 FPS 】
- Drakan: The Ancients' Gates LONGPLAY - PCSX2 1080p HD 60 FPS 【1/2 】
External links
- Drakan FAQ by ilphay FAQ highlighting some possible questions.
- Drakan 2 page by Ray Earle Very good guide! Wholeheartedly recommended! (Sadly the original page is gone but the copy remains)