School of Dragons is a role-playing game based on the popular DreamWorks Animation film franchise, "How to Train Your Dragon." The game was developed and published by JumpStart Games and was released on July 17, 2013.
Based on the Movie- How to Train Your Dragon
"How to Train Your Dragon" is an animated fantasy film that was released in 2010. It is based on the book series of the same name written by Cressida Cowell. The movie was produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois.
The story is set in the fictional Viking island of Berk, where dragons are seen as fierce and dangerous creatures that constantly attack the villagers‘ livestock. The protagonist is a young Viking who is different from his fellow villagers. Hiccup is intelligent, inventive, and compassionate, but he struggles to live up to the Viking tradition of dragon slaying.
One day, Hiccup manages to shoot down a Night Fury, one of the rarest and most feared dragons, using a device of his own creation. Instead of killing the dragon, however, Hiccup befriends it and names him Toothless, realizing that dragons are not the mindless monsters they are believed to be.
As Hiccup spends more time with Toothless and learns about dragons, he discovers that there is a lot more to them than meets the eye. Together, Hiccup and Toothless embark on an adventure to bring peace between Vikings and dragons, facing challenges, discovering hidden truths, and defying the prejudices of their society.
Gameplay- Flying and Completing Tasks
The game takes place in the fictional world of Berk, where players assume the role of a Viking student attending the School of Dragons. The primary goal is to learn how to train and interact with dragons, just like the characters in the movie. Players can choose their own Viking avatar, customize their appearance, and embark on numerous quests and adventures.
Avatar Customization: Players begin by creating their Viking character, customizing their appearance, gender, and outfit. They can also choose their own dragon companion.
Dragon Training: The core focus of the game is training and interacting with dragons. Players can hatch dragon eggs and train them to perform various tasks and abilities. Each dragon has unique traits, abilities, and elemental affiliations.
Quests and Missions: School of Dragons offers a wide range of quests and missions that players can embark on. These quests often involve exploring different areas, interacting with characters from the movie, and completing various objectives. Quests help progress the game‘s storyline and reward players with experience points, in-game currency, and items.
Flying and Exploration: Players can explore the vast open world of Berk on the back of their trained dragons. They can soar through the skies, discovering hidden locations, landmarks, and challenges.
Education and Learning: School of Dragons incorporates educational elements into the gameplay. Players can learn about various subjects such as science, math, and reading through interactive mini-games and quests. These educational activities are seamlessly integrated into the game to provide an engaging and educational experience.
Multiplayer Interaction: The game features a multiplayer mode where players can interact with each other in real-time. They can join clans or teams, chat with other players, trade items, and participate in cooperative activities.
Graphics- Same Feeling as the Movie
The game adopts a colorful art style that is reminiscent of the animated films. The environments, characters, and dragons are designed with attention to detail, incorporating the distinctive aesthetics of the film. The visuals aim to create a visually cohesive and enchanting world that draws players into the game.
The game offers a visually stunning and expansive world, faithfully recreating the enchanting landscapes of the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise. Players can explore iconic areas from the movies such as the School of Dragons, the Viking village of Berk, the Dragon Training grounds, and various other islands and landscapes. The ability to explore these diverse environments on the back of a dragon is a thrilling experience, offering breathtaking views and hidden surprises around every corner. The world design, coupled with dynamic lighting, weather effects, and atmospheric sounds, adds depth and immersion to the gameplay.
School of Dragons showcases a wide variety of dragon species, each with its own unique design and characteristics. From the fearsome Night Fury (Toothless) to the majestic Monstrous Nightmare, the dragons in the game are visually striking and highly recognizable.
Shortcomings
Connectivity Issues: There are some connectivity issues, including occasional server problems and slow loading times. These technical issues can disrupt the gameplay experience and cause frustration.
Learning Curve: The game may have a steep learning curve for younger or less experienced players, especially in terms of understanding the mechanics and navigating the quests. Additional guidance or tutorials could help ease new players into the game more effectively.
Summary
School of Dragons provides an immersive and enchanting gaming experience for fans of the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise. With its engaging dragon training mechanics and visually appealing graphics, the game successfully transports players to the world of Berk. But this game needs to be improved in terms of operational fluency and network connection issues.
