By Jordan Campbell Now and then, I do love to get stuck into an action RPG, and since Diablo 4 and the early access for Path of Exile II, nothing else has really scratched the itch. A new challenger in the genre has entered the arena, with Dragonkin: The Banished now out and available on Xbox Series X|S consoles. Developed by Eko Software and published by Nacon, the game also has Xbox Cloud Gaming functionality, meaning you can stream the game to any device where your Xbox account is available. The question is, will you take on this adventure alone, or will you slog it out with your friends in online co-op with up to four of you?
Dragonkin: The Banished brings fast-paced action-RPG mechanics and progression that is built around constant combat and character growth. Choose your character from a choice of four classes: Knight, Archer, Barbarian and Oracle. The beauty of this game is that there is an opportunity for multiple playthroughs if you fancy tackling it with each class. There are many similarities to other games in the genre, such as starting and building yourself stronger constantly. With a honeycomb-style sprawling skill tree, there are so many powers and upgrades to tinker with as you dive into unknown paths with hordes of enemies, loot drops and dragon bosses. Combat is the most satisfying part for me, and they have nailed this aspect, which is by far the most important part of any action-RPG.
You can play through the game with up to four players online and experience the campaign and endgame as a group. This makes the game far more interesting than playing solo, as you can strategise and synergise your powers to deal devastating power to whoever crosses your path. That said, I did play this alone for the entirety of my review and watched some streams of other players tackling the co-op element, and it looked to be a blast! Outside of the addictive skill tree is city building, a place called Montescail. Everything you do within the game progresses your upgrades within this fortress. This, in turn, provides new opportunities for crafting, better vendors and more. It’s an essential system for building up your character power as you dive deeper into the adventure.
The performance throughout my time with Dragonkin: The Banished is pretty impressive. Aiming for 60fps on Xbox Series X, it appears to hit this most of the time with slight dips during busy on-screen periods. Smooth performance really complements the fast, frantic combat, with excellent lighting and effects. There is a wide range of environments, including swamps, forests, volcanic areas, ruins, and even glaciers. That said, from time to time, the layout of paths can start to feel a little repetitive, and with the game being a very linear experience, there wasn’t much room for exploration.
Audio design is superb here, with atmospheric music throughout bringing intensity to the chaotic moments. Attack effects sound and feel weighty, and whilst some moments of combat feel a bit floaty, I enjoyed how great it all sounded on my headset. Dialogue is well voiced, and enemies even have their own unique sound effects, which adds to the experience. With the audio as fantastic as it is, it wraps up the entire game into a well-polished package that looks stunning on a 4k screen.
Dragonkin: The Banished was a pleasant surprise, and it’s a little unfortunate that it has launched alongside games like Crimson Desert, which is stealing the headlines. Whilst it won’t stand at the top of the pedestal against an experience like Diablo, it’s a bloody good crack at an action RPG. If you’re after a mechanically deep entry to the genre with a solid 20+ hours of gameplay, then I’d urge you to take the plunge into its satisfying gameplay loop. That said, there could be way more fun to be had for you if you’re someone who wants to see everything the adventure has to offer, along with chasing high-tier loot and upgrades. For £34.99, it’s a no-brainer if you’re someone who loves this type of game. If you’re after a copy on Xbox Series X|S, then you can purchase it HERE.
Score – 80%
Pros
- Satisfying combat with a good variety in classes
- Online co-op multiplayer present for those who want to play with real players
- Rewarding loot progression loop with a decent upgrade system
- Great performance across the board on Xbox Series X
Cons
- Not much exploration on offer, a very linear experience overall
- Some enemy types are a little repetitive
- The early pacing of the game can feel a little slow
Fletcher Wilkinson