Drakensang Online was released in 2011 as a browser MMORPG. Now, you need a separate client, which has been available for download via Steam since September 2022. The gameplay is reminiscent of Lost Ark. MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch took another look at the MMORPG.
What kind of game is it? Drakensang Online is an MMORPG in isometric perspective, where you can complete quests and slay hordes of monsters. To do this, you create a character from the four classes:
- Dragon Warrior
- Circle Mage
- Ranger
- Steam Mechanic
In the endgame, group dungeons, PvP, and the grind for the best equipment await, especially focusing on upgrading gems and runes.
Although the name suggests otherwise, the game is not based on the world of “The Dark Eye,” but has its own world and lore created specifically for it. The German developer Bigpoint holds only the rights to the name, not to the world itself.
What’s new? Drakensang Online has always been a niche MMORPG. However, the game has changed significantly over the last few years. Since September 2022, it has also been playable via Steam. Therefore, we took a look at it and will tell you if it’s worth starting now.
Entry and endgame have been completely revised
How is the entry? Drakensang Online used to be an MMORPG with a somewhat difficult entry. However, since a major overhaul, entry has become easy – perhaps even too easy. A tutorial explains the basics, and the first monsters all die with one hit. This continues until about level 16, after which it becomes a bit more challenging.
By this point – roughly after 60 to 90 minutes of gameplay – you have already unlocked the first abilities and gotten used to the gameplay. What’s cool is that with every level-up, there’s a point that can be distributed within the skill tree. This feels directly rewarding.
As the battles become a bit more challenging, the combat system becomes fun as well. The movements and animations are smooth, and melee characters can be well kited.
The game world is divided into various instances that you can enter through gates. However, in these instances, you can also encounter other players. There are also cities where merchants, quest givers, and some players can be found at any time of the day.
Since the MMORPG can be played entirely in German, the entry should not be a major problem. I myself played Drakensang again after years, and you can watch the first 30 minutes of it here:
What does the MMORPG offer in the further course? The areas in Drakensang Online can be entered alone or as a group. It’s cool that they often offer various difficulty levels. Right from the start, there are several zones that allow you to revisit them later at a higher level. There is now also a precise display of which levels the higher difficulty levels are aimed at.
In general, you follow a story told through quests. This story is divided into several chapters.
With the content expansion Dark Legacy, the MMORPG received its largest update since release in December 2020. However, this adjusted and changed a lot of systems:
- The max level is now 100.
- In the new skill trees, you can actively improve each ability.
- You can only have 8 instead of 10 abilities equipped. You have to think carefully in advance about which skills you will take into battle.
- New endgame content was added to the game.
What does the endgame look like? The actual experience of Drakensang Online begins when you reach level 100. Then it’s about farming the first real equipment. That’s still fun, as you explore various areas and face some challenges.
However, if you want to upgrade your equipment significantly, you sometimes have to play the same content hundreds of times. The initial focus is on runes, later on jewels for accessories and gems. The latter need to be upgraded to unlock higher difficulty levels, where you then have to farm again to get further upgrades.
In addition, the MMORPG offers an achievement system and PvP to engage with in the long term. However, many current Steam reviews criticize that PvP is currently not very fun due to balance issues. Even with weak equipment, you are expected to fight against experienced and well-equipped opponents.
Criticism of the payment system and the major update
What about the payment system? Drakensang Online is Free2Play. However, even during my first minutes, I notice the currency Andermant. I can buy this for real money and then use it in an in-game shop. There, several items await, including:
- Essences that can increase my damage by up to 300% for X attacks.
- Health potions that can also be used in PvP.
- Lockpicks with which I can open chests in areas or after boss battles.
That sounds unpleasant, but to be fair, it must be said that you can also earn Andermant by playing, and in good amounts. You are not dependent on spending real money, but it can speed up many things.
Additionally, there’s a premium buff that includes more fame, more XP, more inventory slots, free travel, cheaper crafting, access to premium merchants, and auto-loot for important items. It costs 9.99 euros per month.
There’s also a deluxe buff that further increases the values of these bonuses – for 21.99 euros.
What else is criticized? Many veterans have voiced strong criticism of the content expansion Dark Legacy. This changed the equipment system so that armor sets no longer play such a significant role. Due to the adjusted item levels and the new max level, they also felt devalued in their progress. This led to a lot of frustration and criticism.
Moreover, there are complaints that the new endgame content looks more like copies of old content and has not brought any completely fresh air into the MMORPG.
There is also criticism that the game visually continues to evolve towards Asia and crazy mount skins. For example, there are steampunk bikes or flying carpets. Additionally, the developers are said to communicate less openly than they used to.
What about regular updates? Drakensang Online receives regular smaller updates and brings events to somewhat liven up the existing content. However, players have been waiting in vain for significant updates since the content expansion. However, there have previously always been somewhat longer content droughts.
A solid MMORPG in isometric perspective, but clearly inferior to Lost Ark
Drakensang Online is not a bad MMORPG. The leveling process and the story are fun and keep you entertained for hours to weeks. However, in the endgame, the grind is very high, and innovative ideas are missing. You often have the feeling of playing the same content repeatedly. Additionally, the game has somewhat shot itself in the foot by upsetting its veterans with the major update.
Nevertheless, the developers tried to attract new players, among other things with the revised entry and the release on Steam. And indeed, the MMORPG is still sufficient to ensure you never feel alone. However, it seems that the game has probably passed its peak, which some see in the years 2016/17.
Overall, I have the feeling that Lost Ark is currently the clearly better alternative. The classes offer more variety, the gameplay is deeper, and especially the boss fights are better staged in the Korean MMORPG.
However, if you prefer the graphic style and the world of Drakensang, you should definitely give the old MMORPG a chance.
Alexander Leitsch
MMORPG expert at MeinMMO
