Written by   :   	Silverblade  (1430)
Written on 	 :  	24 Jun 2004
Platform 	 :  	DOS
Rating 	 :  	4.25 Stars4.25 Stars4.25 Stars4.25 Stars4.25 Stars

Summary
The first and only Dragonride RPG-simulator

The Good
The very idea of simulating aerial battles on the back of a dragon is truly one 
of the boldest ever realised in a game. A simulator is supposed to emulate 
reality to some extent, and dragons are not part of what sane people would 
define as reality. However, RPG games actually simulate a fantasy world in a 
manner that makes them seem realistic in their own way, and this game combines 
RPG elements with the gameplay of a combat flight simulator into a truly 
remarkable blend. Players assume the role of a Solamnic Knight and actually 
choose which Order they will eventually follow in the course of the War of the 
Lance, the climactic conflict between the forces of Good and Evil. The player 
controls everything, from altitude and flight speed, to the dragon's formidable 
breath weapon and a powerful dragonlance which can instantly kill most dragons. 
For gamers who admire and revere the most remarkable creatures of fantasy this 
game was a unique experience. The package contained large cards with classic 
artwork from TSR's best, describing each kind of dragon. A veritable jewel in my 
collection.

The Bad
It was quite hard, especially later on when you were forced to face several evil 
dragons at once. Other than that nothing really bothered me in this game.

The Bottom Line
All the other games that cast the player as a dragon or its rider are purely 
action-based. This is the only simulator of its kind and it is a game worth a 
dragon's lair in gold, if you can ignore the old graphics and sound.

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Written by   :   	Gothicgene  (83)
Written on 	 :  	18 Jul 2001
Platform 	 :  	DOS
Rating 	 :  	4.33 Stars4.33 Stars4.33 Stars4.33 Stars4.33 Stars

Summary
this game combines RPG and Flight Simulator elements better than any other (with 
the possible exception of Wing Commander)

The Good
You get to fly a Dragon. How can you beat that?

Oh, the storyline is the War of the Lance. Every DragonLance friend should feel 
right at home. The graphics were very good for the time being (for the most 
part). Controls were easy, and you could redefine them. The storyline was 
variable, and depending on some in-game choices would change. Also, there is a 
mission editor so the game has a lot of replayability. There are also a lot of 
neat easter eggs: if you land on a grassy area, the dragon would start munching 
cows as it waits to take off again!

Plus, I nearly peed my pants when I first saw that awesome skeletal death 
dragon.

The Bad
Sometimes the graphics would become blurry, especially when you were flying too 
close into a mountain it became hard to see where what was. Very excusable 
though as this was one of the first games to use early vector graphics.

The Bottom Line
Well worth a look, although I haven't played this game in ages (I need another 
copy, damnit!) and don't know if it has problems on newer machines. 

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Written by   :   	ududy Bronze Star Contributing Member (47)
Written on 	 :  	15 Mrz 2001
Platform 	 :  	DOS

Summary
There aren't many fantasy simulators to compare this one to, but even if there 
were, it would have been tough to beat

The Good
The 3d graphics were excellent for their time, especially the complexity of the 
terrain (the 3d creature models lacked character so i preffered the bitmapped 
versions) missions were varied and tense role-playing elements made it more fun 
- you could have taken on special challenge missions to improve your and your 
dragon's statistics, and advanced through more and more powerful dragons

The Bad
at the time i was in love. playing it a few years later i came to dislike the 
claw to claw battles, which usually just amounted to endless turning around 
until you got lucky. also, it was way too easy to outdistance most enemy 
dragons. the flight model was also too simplistic.

The Bottom Line
Dragon Strike is a classic, and we're long overdue for a new dragon simulator. 
Maybe "ozzy's black skies" will fit the bill?
