Dragonfable

While I personally believe that we gamers could happily wait a few thousand years before playing another fantasy-based MMO, it appears that there are a few of us out there that haven't quite had their fill of dragon slaying, dungeon crawling, and damsel rescuing adventure just yet. As such, games like "DragonFable" are thriving just as well now as they have in previous years, and having spent the last six hours playing "DragonFable" myself, I'm beginning to see why. The concept behind "DragonFable" could hardly be considered innovative. If anything, it greatly resembles a much older style of gaming; the turn-based RPG. Having spent my childhood surrounded by the wonders of the turn-based RPG made possible by the SNES, I was immediately drawn to the combat style presented in "DragonFable". However simple it may be, and through what I can only describe as a delicate feeling of nostalgia, I enjoyed every second I spent playing it. 

Abandoning the text-based style employed by most browser-based gaming adventures, "DragonFable" is played using a flash interface, with hand-drawn cartoon characters and animations. It's incredibly good looking, and largely user-friendly, too, allowing players to actually take the role of a hero, explore the world, complete quests, fight monsters, and upgrade their weapons and equipment all inside a simple web-browser that requires little more than the latest version of Flash to run. The lack of an install is clearly one of "DragonFable"'s most appealing features, whereas the MMORPG themed gameplay acts as its biggest downfall, because the lack of innovation places it firmly in the same category as so many other MMO games that after a small download, are able to provide so much more. However, "DragonFable" isn't an MMO. In fact, with the exclusion of an Internet connection, "DragonFable" resembles an MMO about as much as your bathtub does. For all intents and purposes, "DragonFable" is a web-based single-player adventure and should be considered as so. 

It follows a main storyline with optional quest paths, and involves zero contact with other players. The mention of features such as PvP (Player vs Player) combat are false in both design and implementation; while you will are indeed able to fight another players character in the arena, you will not be fighting them. Instead, their character will be controlled by the computer, making arena battles no different than any other. Outside of the specifics mentioned above, there is little else to mention. Quest, upgrade, and adventure-it's the same recipe as the hundred thousand RPG games before it, except this time you can begin playing in less than a minute. You can play as a Warrior, Mage or Rogue, and throughout your adventures you will level up, learn new skills, acquire new weapons and items, learn professions, and (although I haven't progressed that far yet) you'll more than likely end up saving the world. As with most browser-based games, there is a payment option available; and you'll need to take advantage of it if you want to make any real progress. 

In "DragonFable", the payment option takes the form of a Dragon Amulet, that, you guessed it, allows you to take control of a dragon. It also gives you access to special quests and items, and a small stockpile of Dragon Coins that can be spent on further enhancing your uberness. Additional Dragon Coins can also be purchased in pre-allocated allotments, and will be required to take full advantage of the game and its many, many features. For what it's worth, "DragonFable" is charming, fun, and highly addictive. While I couldn't recommend it as a game of choice while at home, it will surely help to pass the time at school or work. Check it out, and at the very least you'll be in for a nice surprise.

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