Drakengard 3

 A prequel (more or less) to the first two Drakengard games, it also sees Yoko Taro return to both write and direct, bringing the series back to its darker roots, though with more of a black comedy feel this time around.  The protagonist is also a notable one; one of six heroic figures called "intoners" who, for reasons initially unclear, seeks to kill her sisters and become the world's sole intoner and is often at odds with her dragon companion as she does so.  Gameplay is similar to the first two, though it retains the improvements of 2 and even adds some of its own, allowing for smooth transitions between aerial and ground-based combat and even letting one swap weapons instantly to keep the gameplay smooth.  Its gameplay and level design are still pretty forgettable even three games in, but Drakengard's focus on its complex characters, visceral emotions and grim storytelling shine through, making it an oddly compelling experience even in spite of its repetitive gameplay.

Note: The game does have audio bugs that can make voices extremely quiet or result in distorted audio.  Make sure to set your PS3 system's audio to accurately reflect your setup!

Developer: Access Games

Publisher: Square Enix

Released: 2014

Platforms: Playstation 3

Drakengard 2

 A direct sequel taking place eighteen years after the original Drakengard, it also took some criticisms of the original to heart.  The gameplay is much more refined this time around, with tighter controls and more variety, allowing you a larger skillset and even some Devil May Cry-esque launchers and air combos, allowing for some more visually distinct combos and gameplay variety (but with little difference in terms of overall damage) as well as being able to block and side-dodge to evade attacks.  Yoko Taro was not involved in the game's creation this time, though, and the experience is definitely weaker for it - characters are rather stock and the story, while still possessing some dark and grim themes, feels much more generic overall.  It also lacks the cinematic flair of the original, with most key events now simply being portrayed in-engine and with still character portraits doing the talking.  A step forward in some ways but a step back in others, Drakengard 2 is a passable hack-and-slash game, but definitely not as memorable as the original despite its improved gameplay.

Developer: Guinea Pig

Publisher: Square Enix, Ubisoft

Released: 2006

Platforms: Playstation 2

Drakengard

 Drakengard was a game met with both praise and criticism upon its release in 2003, and upon playing it, I can certainly see why.  It's a generic hack-and-slash reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series, though it lacks the smooth design and strategic bent of those games - the controls are stiff and movement somewhat clunky, and gameplay mostly consists of monotonous enemy bashing with the same two-second music loop repeating constantly for the entire level (which can sometimes go on upwards of thirty minutes).  There is also the occasional Panzer Dragoon inspired aerial combat stage, where one can lock on to enemies and unleash a barrage of homing fireballs to take them down, but these also get very repetitious because there simply isn't a lot to them beyond point-and-fire.  Drakengard is one of many games that tried to carry itself solely on its writing, presentation and production design rather than putting any real focus on its gameplay, but it does at least do an admirable job there - the story is a rather complex one despite its simple premise, cutscenes are well-animated and the voiceover is surprisingly good for 2003, and the characters are all complex and morally ambiguous, fitting perfectly into the grim setting.  It may not be worth the inflated prices it commands ever since Yoko Taro's newfound popularity with NieR: Automata, but if you can find a copy, you're in for a good story wrapped in a rather tedious gameplay experience.

Developer: Cavia

Publisher: Square Enix, Gathering of Developers

Released: 2003

Platforms: Playstation 2, Mobile