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Drakan: The Ancient Gates PS2 Review by: Kazooie

For of all let me state that I have no idea why this game is so overlooked! Drakan: The Ancient's Gates is an action adventure gamer's dream comes true. This game really has so much to offer that it's hard to put it in writing. Anyway I'll give it a try.

First of all let me say I just finished Metal Gear 2 before I played this game, so I didn't expect to be blown away by the graphics. This game is in the same league! The landscapes are masterfully created, and the texture maps are the most beautiful I have ever seen on the PS2. Not the mention the animation is excellent. The monsters really move fluidly and each one has a ''celebration animation'' you see when they kill you.

There are no bad draw distances, blurry effects, etc. In fact, the game has shown more detail than games such as Final Fantasy X and it's numerous big-budget counterparts. Your hair blows in the wind, and sways side to side when you walk. Water ripples as you walk through it. Bushes rustle and shake as you brush past them. Lord, they even added the heat distortion above the numerous torches in the game!

The controls in Drakan are flawless. They are not complex, but neither are they overly simple. You can't just pick up the control and be a master, but it isn't hard to get used to them. Basically there are four things you have to master, attacks, parries (which require precise timing), rolls, and jumps. After you have them down you will find that they work very well and get the job done.

The noises that Rynn makes sometimes are puzzling, but that is the only bad thing I can think of. However, the voice acting is top notch. It is just entertaining listening to all the people you talk to (with their thick British accents). Finally the music is well done and serves it's purpose.

Drakan is loads of fun. Never will you find yourself bored. As I mentioned above, there is a little bit of a learning curve, but anyone who has played a video game before will be able to get used to them without too much trouble. There is a lot of freedom and many side quests. The game never really restricts you to one choice. Drakan is solid in this department.

The combat system is very well done. There are simple combo moves as well as ''power'' moves that can knock opponents off their feet. Also running, jumping and dodging can all be done effortlessly. On top of that the spell casting system is really unique. You can either cast a spell through the menu screen or by using a combination of the D-pad directions. Every time a direction is pressed Rynn's hand moves the same way until the right combo is pressed to cast the spell. This really adds to the feel of the game.

The story in Drakan is exciting and makes you want to keep playing the game. I have never played the other Drakan games, but if there was anything i needed to know this game filled in without problems, I was never confused or in the dark about anything. While playing this game I really got the feeling that I was doing the quests for a reason and not just muddling around.

I'm not even sure if there will be a game released that is this well done for quite some time . The fact this game has been underrated by some websites is a crime! For this game is like a classic to many people and is always lots of fun to play and is in fact one of the best games and one of the first games I've played on the PS2.

Presentation The Ancient's Gates is an action adventure gamer's dream comes true.	9.0
Graphics The game has shown more detail than games such as Final Fantasy X.	8.5
Gameplay The controls in Drakan are flawless. They are not complex, but neither are they overly simple.	10
Overall The story in Drakan is exciting and makes you want to keep playing the game.	9.0