Review: Dragons Down:: A game that lingers in the mind.

by Gbierly

I was eleven when I first encountered, and actually owned a copy of, Magic Realm. I wanted very much to unlock the secrets of its complex and evocative landscape, characters, and adventures, but I couldn't figure it out.

And so I can't speak to how well Dragons Down reimagines the design and experience of its inspirational predecessor (although many have discussed this). What I have found is a game that I am struggling to stop thinking about, even when I am not at the table. Somehow, a world of discovery, possibility, and danger emerges from the individual pieces - the wilderness, civilization, and site tokens; the possibility that your monster foes will change their tactics even as you have committed to the attack; the control you have over your style of adventure (and adventurer): stealthy or bold, swift or meticulous, treasure hunter or slayer. There is a thrill to flipping a small piece of cardboard to find that you have indeed stumbled upon an ancient altar in the clearing, and that all of its riches and horrors await you, and may descend upon you with the next summoning roll. Or not.

Risk, danger, and the opportunity to push your luck are EVERYWHERE in Dragons Down. Spend your final action attempting to loot one of the two remaining deep treasures? Or sneak so you might hide on the occasion that six orcs appear around the bend? Continue to haggle with the Smith, even after you've convinced him to partially winnow down the price of a suit of chainmail, and risk a door slammed in your face? Or pay double while you can and get back on the road? Place your final cube into a defensive maneuver and avoid damage if your foe's tactics change, or push the chips in and go for a speedy attack that might win the battle before a counterblow is struck.

If you enjoy an open world adventure with a rich variety of characters across lineages and classes, real combat danger for even for powerful characters, many, many choices for actions and tactics, a sense of epic travel, discovery, and anticipation, give Dragons Down a look. It's the fantasy adventure game I was looking for.

Source: View source