For the purpose of transparency, this impressions was completed using a code provided by Blackthorn Media. The use of a free code does not affect my judgement of this product.
I originally planned to bring you a review for Dragonflight on the HTC Vive. But, as the game is in Early Access still I thought First Impressions would be more appropriate than scoring a game that is not yet complete.
For a long time now Dragons have formed a large part of Mythology. So, it only seems right that now we have the new medium available in VR gaming, we get to experience the beasts close up. This is were Blackthorn Media have stepped up, to allow us to discover that experience.
As soon as I booted up Dragonflight it was great to see the team at Blackthorn Media have gone with a realistic look to the game. It would have been easy to go with more of a cartoon-like look similar to How To Train Your Dragon – because this seems to be a popular move in VR. Instead you have some OK looking environments, but the dragons flying around look fantastic.
You play the game like you are flying one of these hulking beasts around a fantasy setting. You have the option to take the sky in a number of modes. You do have some combat missions that will see you taking on other dragons in combat and get to destroy some buildings on the way. At times this game does get really crazy around the action scenes, where you will dodging flames and if near a building arrows as well. When this does kick off you will feel like you are in a high budget fantasy film or TV show. But, this comes as no surprise with Blackthorn Media have provided great CGI work on films like The Matrix, The Hunger Games and Zootopia. The other mode is a free flight mode, this is for the people out there who would just prefer to fly around the fantasy world and take in the beauty and experience of flying one of the mythical creatures.
There was one issue I found with Dragonflight, that is, I found myself starting to feel a bit nauseous after 30-40 minutes of playing the game – and I think I have a good set of VR legs. I have only ever felt any sort of nausea on two other occasions with all the games I have played. It may have just been the control scheme’s within the game. However, please remember everyone is different when it comes to nausea, so, for you it might be completely fine.
Now, where there does seem to be limited content in the game at the moment – this can be expected as it is in Early Access. But, this is planned to just be preview of the first episode. With plans to make Dragonflight an eight episode story, and from what I have played it looks bright for Dragonflight VR if this happens.
Dragonflight VR is currently available on the HTC Vive, Oculus, Viveport and currently has plans to be released on the Playstation VR at a later date.
As mentioned previously the game is still in Early Access, so the game might add improvements as it moves forward.
Nice review mate.