Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern

Discount Price: $85.99

Accessories:
PC Gamer (1-year)	Games for Windows: The Official Magazine

Customer Reviews:

Concider it An Alternate Universe Pern [Posted on 2002-12-12]
I was initially disapointed with the fact that we were following D'kor, a new character rather then an old favorite from the books. But then I thought, why use an old storyline when you can surprise your readers with a whole new one they get to discover on their own?
I was disapointed that the keyboard controls weren't easier to use - I had a heck of a time picking the pocket of the gambling cheat in Chapter 4 - mouse or game pad driven probably would have been easier.
I know that people have complained greatly about graphics and about the dragon's use and appearance. I don't believe that most fans of the book just now trying the game realize just what a difficult time UbiSoft had getting that damned dragon to work. There was absoultely no way they could have on the limited budget they were given to work with gotten a dragon that could have stepped off one of Michael Whellan's covers for Anne's books. As for the thread fighting - personally I'm glad that was omited, as the game was hard enough as it was working with the keyboard controls, I can't imagine what dodging and flaming thread would have been like.
As a first attempt I think this was great - and while tricky, not too hard for someone who's never gamed in their life. Hopefully, there will be a second game with some further intrique of D'kor's life on Pern. By the time a sequal hits the shelves, the technology should be there to give everyone what they were hoping for.

Addictive and Lovable Goodness [Posted on 2003-08-23]
Personally, I don't know what the bloody is wrong with these people giving DR:CoP less than above average in reviews. So WHAT if the angles and such are a pain? I've found the whole 'loading time' problem not to be the game, but your computer. Granted, DR:CoP wouldn't load on my old 98 machine, but works like a charm on my new XP. But other than the technical mumbo-jumbo, I tend to look at the whole gameplay interaction rather than how you play it.

Just the *thought* of a Pern game set my senses wild. I've been a fan of Anne McCaffrey's world going on five years now, and I have to say, this game brought /so/ my sense into my perspective of the books. To tell you the truth, I had zilch ideas of what a Weyr looked like - I mean, I knew the whole cavern dealie and such, but this game just made it so much more.. clear. And the firelizards! I /loved/ my little flits, and Zenth. Come on! While I used to think D'kor was just.. icky to look at, you grow to love him even through the hysterical faces and gestures he makes in the Tunnlesnake Caves..

Sure, I know how aggravating it is to deal with the game freezing on you in the glitches (it just about drove me mad some times..) and I know it can be touch with the angles, but I really found the game itself worth it. Come /on!/ You get to be the sexy, confident Bronzerider looking for Gold candidates all while saving Pern. And the Hatching Sands! That had to be my -favorite- environment in the games. **swoons at the pretty Gold..**

Needless to say, if you are a diehard Pern fan (you gotta have atleast some knowledge of the books to understand the game..) and enjoy roleplaying / goal-oriented / generally interesting games, this is for you. The battles aren't exactly dynamic, but then again, did you expect fluffy D'kor to be a ruffian?

**crosses fingers.** I can only wish they'd do a sequel now.. or something of the sort. *_*

Could/Should Be SO Much Better [Posted on 2003-10-07]
This game was very fun in the offset, because everything is textured and colored wonderfully, and every new area is eye dazzeling. However, the game-play itself leaves MUCH to be desired. It's as if Ubi Soft released this game half done. It's extremely buggy, some parts of the story line completely disapear never to be explained, the character's voices will cut in and out during dialog, and my biggest complaint is getting stuck in the middle of the game due to a BUG!!! Also, the fighting system is a basic point and click. Click short for small attack, click longer for larger attack. Boring! This game could be so much fun if it had been finished by it's creator. Even with all of the un-fun bugs, this game still has potential if you're a huge Dragonrider fan like myself. Despite everything, I have stuck with this game for the love of Anne McCaffrey and the amazing world of the Dragonriders that she's created. It's like playing through a book in the series. However, there are lots of discrepancies here too. If you are a fan, you'll be disapointed by what appears to be the lack of the programmer's knowledge of Pern, it's culture, and it's social-political structure. Over all, I liked playing through a video novel, but the patience required may be too much to ask from some players. If you're a fan, go for it! If you're not, don't bother. :)

A (somewhat disappointing) must-have for Pern fans [Posted on 2003-10-20]
Like many others, I was absolutely wild to get my hands on this game when I first heard about it, as I`ve been a Pern fan for many many years. I think the developers did a good job considering their limitations, but of course, there was absolutely no way this game could have lived up to my hopes, dreams, and expectations to be totally honest! The controls were a bit difficult, and there were some noticeable bugs, but for a die-hard Pern fan there is no way you could pass up the opportunity to be in the game. It didn`t take too long to beat, but my first time through I wasn`t able to get to all the secrets, so the opportunity to replay and re-enjoy is there. For the Pern enthusiast, this is a must-have. For the gaming enthusiast, I would rate this a `pass`.

very very good game [Posted on 2006-01-24]
Ok i beat the game i about a week but i did not complete every thing. like getting all of the fire lizards. I cant find the brown. I have been introrested in anne mcCaffreys books for only 4 months but i have only read 4 of them. back to the game i loved the game . good for pern fans. the only thing is that it needs thread fighting. it would be so much better if you could fight thread. anyway its a very very good game.

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