Download the Free Dragonlands Demo

By Dan Birlew | Posted September 7, 2010 in Video Games | 1 Comment »

DOWNLOAD Dragonlands.exe (20Mb)
Requires Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000/XP, Pentium 166MHz processor, Direct X 9.0, 800×600 monitor, Soundblaster-compatible sound card with PCM resources, 32Mb or more RAM, 50Mb or more HDD space

For as long as I’ve been playing video games, I’ve wondered how they’re made. When I learned that most games are created in C++ or an equivalent programming language, I tried to learn it. After that didn’t work out, I started looking for game making engines that allow people like me to start assembling games right away. I purchased a Japanese software called RPG Tsukuru 2003 and started gathering game assets from various Japanese websites. I began assembling my own fantasy RPG game, complete with a full storyline and mythology, mini-games, and combat.

That was in 2003.

Now it’s 2010, and I still haven’t finished the game I started. In fact, I was only 3-4 hours into the full game. I worked on it only in my spare time of course, between my major book projects (which of course take precedence over everything else.) So recently I decided to clip off the project, finish up the scripts and events I was currently working on at the time, and package it up as a “demo” for my visitors to download and enjoy. You can download it right now by clicking on the link above. The demo comes with a full instruction manual that you can access from the program folder on your start menu. Once you start the game, press F4 to play in window mode, if preferred.

The Dragonlands demo provides about 2-4 hours of play time for you to enjoy, plus there’s a casino in the main city that features gambling mini-games such as Blackjack, slots, and animal racing. So if you can keep from losing your shirt in the mini-games, you should be able to play the demo for much longer. People who enjoyed the 16-bit era of gaming (Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis) will probably find the game nostalgic and cute. Hopefully you won’t find it too laughable.

The story centers around the kingdom of Havalon and the recently appointed Inspector General, Cross, who is assigned a mission that has far-reaching implications for the entire world. At the start of the demo, Cross is a assigned his post and given his first mission, to travel to the nearby port of Saia and stop the impending invasion of pirates. Press Escape on your keyboard to open the Menu. You can only save your game in indoor locations, and it’s recommend that you save in the throne room before leaving through the south door.

Just outside the main city of Havalon, Cross runs into his contact, Kellogg, a soldier from the northern ice continent of Glacid. Kellogg joins the party, and together he and Cross must navigate southeast through the Dogedo Forest. The path through the forest is winding and there are many treasure chests just off the path that contain useful items. Battles occur randomly as you proceed through the forest. At the start of each battle, choose “Fight” to control the battle manually or “Auto” to let the game control the action. When each character’s turn comes around, select the battle commands you wish them to execute. Keep an eye on the characters’ HP and MP, and replenish them using Tonics and Mana Tonics from the item menu when necessary. These items are in short supply at the start of the game, so avoid using them until the characters’ HP or MP get really low.

Upon reaching a gap in the path, Kellogg explains to Cross that certain monsters such as Slimes can only be damaged by casting magic spells on them, such as Ferno. There’s a chest located just north of this encounter area containing a Ferno Tome. Grab it and open the items menu. Use the tome to teach Cross the Ferno spell, and then attack the Slimes by casting the spell. On each of Kellogg’s turns it’s recommended that you command him to Defend, so that damage from Slime attacks is reduced.

Kellogg leaves the party when you reach Saia. Continue into the port and Cross will find that the invasion is already underway. Search the guard barracks near the entrance to find new weapons and items, and then proceed south. At certain points Cross will be discovered by pirates. Fight the pirates and use Cross’s special attacks to take out one or more of them quickly. Be sure to enter the church and speak to the priest, who can restore all HP and MP as many times as you like.

Continue through Saia until a girl named Ako joins the party. She fights barehanded, but her rate of critical hit is much higher. Use her Two-Fisted skill to take out Pirates quickly. Make your way to the Mayor’s house in the northeast corner of the port. Enter the house and defeat the pirates threatening the Mayor and his family. Search the Mayor’s house for items, then return to the middle area and go east to the pier.

At the pier, Cross finds a way onto the pirate ship, leaving Ako behind. Search the ship’s hold and all the rooms to find items, and use Cross’s special skills to take out enemies quickly. When you emerge on deck, it’s recommended that you use Tonics and Mana Tonics to restore Cross’s health and MP. You must navigate around the right side of the deck to the Captain’s door without being seen. If you’re spotted, you’ll have to start over from the beginning. Once you’re inside the Captain’s quarters you must defeat him. Use Cross’s and Kellogg’s special attacks to defeat him more quickly.

The next morning, Kellogg and Ako agree to help Cross transport the Pirate Captain back to Havalon. This means he will be in the party and vulnerable to harm. If the Pirate Captain is killed, the game is over. Open the menu and move the pirate to the back row to reduce the damage he receives.  Check out the shops in Saia and buy everyone new weapons and armor before leaving.

Ako and Kellogg leave the party just outside Havalon, and Cross delivers the Pirate Captain to the throne room. Afterward, you are free to explore the entire castle and the giant city of Havalon. You are encouraged to do so before returning to Cross’s home, which is in the residential district in the north east part of the city. Visit the Casino in the main area to play Blackjack and slots or bet on animal racing using your hard-earned Gold. If you need more money you can always leave the city and fight more enemies on the route to Saia.

When done, enter Cross’s house in the East District of Havalon. His house is in the north east area, next to a sign where you can find a map of Havalon. Inside, Cross learns that his sister Embrith has left magic school (or rather, flunked out) and has come to visit. She demands that Cross take her to the Tome Shop nearby, the Castle, and the Great Cathedral on the west side of the city. She’ll follow you around town and prevent you from entering other buildings until you’ve visited these three areas. Once you’ve visited all three, Cross and Embrith return to his house. Go upstairs and rest to complete the demo.

Hopefully you’ll enjoy it! The truth is I will probably never finish it, but hopefully it will give you some idea of how I would design a jRPG. Here’s a full gallery of screenshots to whet your appetite and also to provide some clues on how to play:

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