DragonFable

DragonFable
Developer(s)	Artix Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Artix Entertainment
Engine	Adobe Flash
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	November 31, 2005 (Beta)[1] June 9, 2006 (Live)[2]
Genre(s)	Role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Distribution	Web-browser

DragonFable is a free-to-play, online, browser-based, single-player fantasy role-playing game developed by Artix Entertainment and updated on a weekly basis.^[3] You can either play for free or pay a one time fee which grants the player access more game content like: housing, quests/events, and special equipments. George Lowe, a voice actor most well known for voicing Space Ghost in Space Ghost Coast to Coast, voiced himself in a live event known as "Falconreach Idle" on 19 November 2010.^[4]

Gameplay

Players control their character via pointing and clicking on the screen in various areas to navigate the player character to the point where they click. Most items are activated either simply by running into them, or by pressing a button that will appear when the point is reached (when outside of battle). Battle is (most often) entered by making contact or entering within a certain area around a "monster". Other times, however, combat can be entered in actions along with a basic "Attack!" button. (attacks all have a specific "element" of damage, such as Fire or Wind). Players have 2 health potions and 2 mana potions, restoring each respectively. The attacks the player can use are determined mostly by what class they are using. Each class has a set of armor unique to that class and a different set of attacks. Most fighting takes place in "Quests", missions involving a set storyline and the fighting of monsters. Most quests feature a "Boss" character, which is a particularly powerful monster, often having a small dialogue with the player pre-fight(and sometimes post-fight). Defeating enemies earns "Exp Points" which causes the player character to level up when they earn enough. Money and items are also common rewards.

Plot

The player is a hero from an unknown location and the game begins when the player meets a priestess who carries the black dragon box. After a series of quests, the player gains possession of the box, and the dragon egg within it, it is then revealed that there are two boxes—a white and a black box. Both will hatch a dragon to destroy (Black) and save the world (White). The main antagonist, the DoomKnight Sepulchure tries to take possession of the black box by sending his servant, Drakath, to get the black dragon box and kill the priestess. However, the player stops Drakath and saves the priestess from him. Then the box is stolen. The player must do a series of quests to obtain the black dragon box. However, at the same time as the player's dragon, Draco hatches Sepulchure hatches the second dragon with his white dragon box and immediately turns it into a dracolich (undead dragon). The player then journeys with his/her dragon in order to stop Sepulchure's evil plans. The player saves most of the orbs whilst Sepulchure steals the others. Sepulchure launches a huge offensive and after a long fight with Sepulchure, Drakath, his henchman stabs him and fuses himself ,with all the orbs and Sepulchure's Master, the mysterious stranger to turn into a dragon, the Super Mega Ultra Darkness Dracolich (SMUDD). Draco and the player finally defeat SMUDD and the world is saved.

Book 2 revolves around Warlic's disappearance after the defeat of SMUDD. A group of aliens have arrived in Lore, chased by an evil alien called Wargoth. Wargoth is defeated by the player and Warlic returns to Lore, but the player is frozen for the next five years.

Five years later, an anti-magic organisation has arisen called the Rose, which the player has to stop.

Sidequests

On 19 February 2010, the ArchKnight game and quest chain was continued and finished in DragonFable, with Ash as the player character. The quest chain is currently only accessible to those with upgrades in AdventureQuest and DragonFable.^[5] In 2012, another quest chain was released; the Alexander quest chain. This follows the young mage Alexander in training. It shows the origins of Warlic, Xan, and Jaania.

Holiday events

DragonFable has several recurring holiday events. These include Valentine's Day (named "Hero's Heart day" in game), April Fools' Day (not referenced by in game characters, but a prank on the site, such as switching NPCs with the NPCs from MechQuest),^[6] Halloween^[7](named "Mogloween" in game), Christmas (named Frostval in game), Friday the 13th, Talk Like a Pirate Day and Thanksgiving (named Thankstaking in game). They also have occasional hunts like gourd, egg, and chest hunting.

Reception

Chris Barylick, from The Mac Observer, said that while the game was "not perfect, nor does it offer the same options as the marquee titles, but it's definitely worth a gander".^[8] Andre Haas, from About.com, said that the game was "highly recommended to fans of Adventure Quest [...] Dragon Fable is pretty much just an improved version of Adventure Quest".^[9] Andrew Wooldridge, from Jay Is Games said that "DragonFable is a perfect game for a quick 30-minute RPG fix" and "if you are looking for a great lunchtime game that brings fun back to the leveling up grind then DragonFable is for you".^[10]

See also

• AdventureQuest
• AdventureQuest Worlds
• Artix Entertainment
• MechQuest
• WarpForce

References

External links

• DragonFable homepage