Games Where You Play as a Dragon: Because Who Needs Logic When You Can Breathe Fire?

Dragons have long been a staple of mythology, literature, and pop culture. From the fire-breathing beasts of European folklore to the wise, serpentine dragons of East Asian legends, these majestic creatures have captured the human imagination for centuries. It’s no surprise, then, that dragons have found their way into the world of video games. But what happens when you flip the script and allow players to step into the scaly shoes of these mythical beasts? The result is a fascinating subgenre of gaming that offers a unique blend of power, freedom, and, occasionally, absurdity. In this article, we’ll explore the various facets of games where you play as a dragon, examining everything from gameplay mechanics to narrative themes, and even delving into the philosophical implications of embodying such a creature.

The Allure of Playing as a Dragon

The Power Fantasy

One of the most immediate appeals of playing as a dragon is the sheer power fantasy it offers. Dragons are often depicted as some of the most powerful creatures in their respective universes, capable of leveling cities, hoarding vast treasures, and commanding the respect (or fear) of all who encounter them. In games like Divinity: Dragon Commander or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (with the Dragonborn DLC), players get to experience this power firsthand. Whether it’s raining down fire from the skies or engaging in epic aerial battles, the sensation of being an unstoppable force of nature is intoxicating.

Freedom of Movement

Another significant draw is the freedom of movement that dragons often afford. Unlike humanoid characters, dragons can typically fly, giving players a bird’s-eye view of the game world. This not only changes the way players interact with the environment but also opens up new possibilities for exploration and combat. Games like Drakan: Order of the Flame and Spyro the Dragon series capitalize on this, offering expansive worlds that are a joy to traverse from the air.

Unique Gameplay Mechanics

Playing as a dragon often comes with a unique set of gameplay mechanics that set these games apart from more traditional RPGs or action-adventure titles. For instance, in Drakengard, players can switch between ground combat and aerial battles, each with its own set of controls and strategies. Similarly, in Century: Age of Ashes, the focus is on multiplayer dragon dogfights, where players must master the art of aerial combat to outmaneuver their opponents.

Narrative Themes and Philosophical Implications

The Duality of Dragons

Dragons are often portrayed as dualistic creatures, embodying both destruction and wisdom. This duality can lead to some fascinating narrative themes in games where you play as a dragon. For example, in Divinity: Dragon Commander, players must navigate the complexities of ruling a kingdom while also dealing with their draconic nature. The game explores themes of power, responsibility, and the moral dilemmas that come with being a ruler who is also a fearsome predator.

The Nature of Power

Playing as a dragon also allows for an exploration of the nature of power. In many games, the dragon is a symbol of ultimate power, but this power often comes with a cost. In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, for instance, the Dragonborn’s power is both a blessing and a curse, as it draws the attention of powerful enemies and forces the player to confront their own mortality. This theme is further explored in Drakengard, where the protagonist’s draconic powers are tied to a cycle of violence and destruction that seems impossible to break.

The Human-Dragon Relationship

Another recurring theme in dragon-centric games is the relationship between humans and dragons. In Spyro the Dragon, the titular character is a young dragon who must navigate a world filled with both friends and foes. The game explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the challenges of growing up. In contrast, games like Dragon’s Dogma delve into the darker aspects of this relationship, portraying dragons as both saviors and destroyers, depending on the perspective of the human characters.

The Evolution of Dragon Games

Early Days: From Spyro to Drakan

The concept of playing as a dragon in video games isn’t new. One of the earliest and most iconic examples is the Spyro the Dragon series, which debuted in 1998. These games were platformers that focused on exploration, puzzle-solving, and light combat. While Spyro was more of a cute, anthropomorphic dragon, the series laid the groundwork for future dragon-centric games by proving that players were interested in stepping into the claws of these mythical creatures.

Around the same time, Drakan: Order of the Flame offered a more mature take on the concept. Released in 1999, Drakan combined ground-based combat with aerial battles, allowing players to switch between controlling a human protagonist and her dragon companion. This hybrid approach was innovative for its time and set the stage for more complex dragon games in the future.

The Modern Era: From Skyrim to Century: Age of Ashes

In recent years, the genre has evolved significantly, with games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Century: Age of Ashes pushing the boundaries of what it means to play as a dragon. Skyrim introduced the concept of the Dragonborn, a human with the soul of a dragon, allowing players to experience the best of both worlds. The game’s Dragonborn DLC expanded on this, offering new dragon-related abilities and quests.

On the other hand, Century: Age of Ashes takes a completely different approach, focusing on multiplayer dragon combat. Released in 2021, the game pits players against each other in fast-paced aerial battles, emphasizing skill and strategy over narrative depth. This shift towards multiplayer experiences reflects broader trends in the gaming industry, where social interaction and competitive play are increasingly prioritized.

Indie Innovations: I of the Dragon and Dragon Cliff

While AAA titles have dominated the dragon game landscape, indie developers have also made significant contributions. I of the Dragon, released in 2004, is a cult classic that combines action-RPG elements with city-building mechanics. Players take on the role of a dragon tasked with protecting human settlements from waves of monsters, adding a layer of strategy to the traditional dragon power fantasy.

More recently, Dragon Cliff (2018) offers a unique twist on the genre by blending dragon gameplay with roguelike elements. In this game, players control a dragon who must navigate procedurally generated dungeons, battling enemies and collecting loot. The roguelike mechanics add a layer of unpredictability and replayability, making Dragon Cliff a standout title in the indie dragon game scene.

The Future of Dragon Games

Virtual Reality and Immersion

As technology continues to advance, the potential for more immersive dragon games grows. Virtual reality (VR) offers an exciting opportunity to take the dragon experience to the next level. Imagine soaring through the skies, feeling the wind rush past you as you dive towards your enemies, or the thrill of unleashing a torrent of fire from your jaws. While there are already a few VR dragon games, such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR (with mods that enhance the dragon experience), the genre is still in its infancy. As VR technology improves, we can expect to see more ambitious dragon games that fully leverage the immersive potential of the medium.

Cross-Genre Experimentation

Another exciting direction for dragon games is cross-genre experimentation. We’ve already seen how games like I of the Dragon and Dragon Cliff have blended traditional dragon gameplay with city-building and roguelike elements, respectively. In the future, we could see even more innovative combinations, such as dragon-themed survival games, where players must manage resources and fend off threats while controlling a dragon, or dragon-centric narrative adventures that focus on storytelling and character development.

Expanding the Dragon Mythos

Finally, there’s the potential to expand the dragon mythos in new and unexpected ways. While Western and East Asian dragons are the most commonly depicted in games, there are countless other dragon-like creatures from various cultures around the world that have yet to be explored. Games could draw inspiration from African, Native American, or South American folklore to create unique dragon experiences that offer fresh perspectives on these mythical beings.

Conclusion

Games where you play as a dragon offer a unique and exhilarating experience that taps into our deepest fantasies of power, freedom, and adventure. From the early days of Spyro the Dragon to the modern multiplayer battles of Century: Age of Ashes, the genre has evolved significantly, offering players a wide range of gameplay mechanics, narrative themes, and philosophical explorations. As technology continues to advance, the potential for even more immersive and innovative dragon games is limitless. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed aerial combat, deep narrative experiences, or experimental indie titles, there’s a dragon game out there for you. So spread your wings, take to the skies, and embrace your inner dragon—because who needs logic when you can breathe fire?

Related Q&A

Q: What are some of the best games where you play as a dragon?

A: Some of the best games where you play as a dragon include The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (with the Dragonborn DLC), Divinity: Dragon Commander, Spyro the Dragon series, Drakengard, and Century: Age of Ashes.

Q: Are there any VR games where you can play as a dragon?

A: Yes, there are a few VR games that allow you to play as a dragon, such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR (with mods that enhance the dragon experience) and Dragon Front, a VR strategy game where you can summon dragons to fight for you.

Q: What makes playing as a dragon different from playing as a humanoid character?

A: Playing as a dragon often offers unique gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to fly, breathe fire, or engage in aerial combat. Additionally, the narrative themes and philosophical implications of embodying a dragon can be quite different from those of a humanoid character, exploring concepts like power, freedom, and the human-dragon relationship.

Q: Are there any indie games where you play as a dragon?

A: Yes, there are several indie games where you play as a dragon, including I of the Dragon, which combines action-RPG elements with city-building mechanics, and Dragon Cliff, a roguelike game where you control a dragon navigating procedurally generated dungeons.

Q: What are some upcoming dragon games to look out for?

A: While specific upcoming dragon games can be hard to predict, the continued advancement of VR technology and the trend towards cross-genre experimentation suggest that we can expect more innovative and immersive dragon games in the future. Keep an eye on indie developers and VR platforms for new and exciting dragon experiences.