Drakan: The Ancients' Gates

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Drakan: The Ancients' Gates

Region NTSC-U:
Serial numbers: SCUS 97128
Release date: January 28, 2002
Windows Status: Playable
Linux Status: Playable
Mac Status: ?
Region PAL:
Serial numbers: SCES 50006
Release date: July 5, 2002
CRCs: 04F9D87F
Windows Status: Playable
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?

Developer(s): Surreal Software
Genre: Action-Adventure,RPG
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: Gamespot link
Game review score: 7.7/10
Game description: 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 configuration on Windows:

PCSX2 version: r710/r1736
Graphics by GSDX: 1611
Sound by SPU2-X: 1.2.0
Pad plugin is LilyPad: 0.10.0
DVD plugin is Linuz ISO CDVD: 0.8.0
BIOS version: Europe v01.60

Comments:

  • With the latest beta version 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
  • After saving to memcard NEVER load from old states (F3), consider all quick states invalid you can only save them anew!
  • Sometimes the world can stuck preventing from performing any action (cannot change a weapon, enemies will not move and cannot be killed). You have to save often (F1) and change quick slots often (F2) as the only way to resolve this is to load.
  • There are some minor GFX glitches in GSDX as of r1611. Sun shines through the walls, some trees look bad the skies can be broken from time to time.
  • Packed r1736, r710 and plugins used in this playthrough are here to download.

Hack comments: EE x2, INTC, IOP x2, Idle Loop, VU Stealing 3

Test configuration on Linux:

PCSX2 version: 1736
Graphics by ZZogl: 182
Sound by SPU2-X: untested

Comments: Regulary freeze


PC specs used to test the game:

CPU: C2D 3Ghz
GPU: nVidia Geforce 8800GTX




Some tips (may contain small spoilers!):

  • The first 3-4 hours of play for this game are the hardest. You do not have enough experience to get a decent weapons/spell and the enemies ain't too weak in comparison with those you'll encounter later. This is a crash test for your skills. Thus in Shadowmire you would consider to perform better using bow than a sword.
  • Gaining experience in the beginning, you may want to spent the hard earned points to some Melee and Archery exhancement but upgrading Magic skills later is a must!
  • When fighting skeletons it's better to use the fast sword than any other weapon. Squat down and wait for them coming constantly using your sword. They'll be dead in no time.
  • When fighting with bosses and tough enemies (and most of them are tough in this game) try to trick the weak game AI by hiding behind some obstacles like small rocks, walls, corners, etc. Even when the enemy is visible by 1-2% you can kill it without spending too much of any precious resource (including HP). Running around rocks when using magic is considered a wise strategy.
  • When fighting on the stairs/doorways remember that most of the enemies cannot follow you up or through so hide in small rooms using range weapons or magic.
  • As for the magic spells not all of them are useful. Some like Fireball or Ice Blast are too hard to use with the current control scheme. Your best friends are Rejuvenate for healing and the spells like Lightning Bolt (you'll get it for free in Andrellian Isles) or Soul Stealer. Time Slow also is a must when you're going to use melee weapons on strong enemies.
  • The easiest way to kill the enemy dragon on the early stages of the game is to use Arokh lighting ability. And this ability will only be available after Andrellian Isles so every dragon battle before will be exremely tough. If you want to try to finish the quest of Khossa Vole before you have this spell it would be extremely hard but still doable. You'll have to lure all four bone dragons one by one and kill them by moving backwards fireing continually. That will keep them in a distance.
  • On the later stages however you may like to use sonic breath better. It will especially be useful against bone dragons because continual firing keeps them away.
  • When fighting with strong dragons like Shaza and Tora (they are unleashed together) that strategy may not be enough. The only safe and sure way to kill them is to hide around the corner of a mountain (so the dragon cannot be seen) and fire your sonic alternative periodically into the area so that it affects the invisible dragon. Othewise try your luck in extreme battle in an open air (though it may not last long).



Extras:



The gallery: