DSSingleCard.com
Setup & Timing
Draglade's setup and interface are extremely easy to navigate; a "Wireless" option is right on the main menu. Download time is average to a little bit faster than average. There are several parts to the opening credits, but most of them are skippable.
Menus & Navigation
The menu system is touch controlled and all of the options to be tapped are large enough or have a sufficient buffer space, or both. Menu accuracy while tapping is excellent.
Ease Of Use / Play Control
Game controls for Draglade are very easy to work with. Moves (attacks, jumps, etc.) are assigned either to a single button or to a button combination (2+ buttons pushed together), rather than a button sequence (2+ buttons pushed one after another) like many other fighters. Jump controls are open with many mid-air functions possible. The game responds really well to the controls and they (the controls) feel natural. Touch controls aren't forced where they wouldn't help, but they are utilized very simply on the touch screens for switching between main and stock Bullet attacks.
Content
Graphically, while Draglade is a basic 2D fighter, the detail (for a 2D fighter) is easily above average. The animations are excellent. Sound-wise, the sound effects are helpful (and recommended), but not essential. For the Single-Card Download play, there are several different fighters ("Grappers") available, each with their own set of abilities. Color options are a convenience and a luxury, but are a nice touch. The mid-air controls (for moves or mid-jump direction changes) and terrific. The only letdown (feature-wise) is the inability to reselect characters and redownload' as it stands, the guest has to power off their system and boot back up and then redownload if anyone (host or guest) wants to change their character.
Overall Fun
Draglade is only the second action fighting game I've had the pleasure of reviewing so far for DSSingleCard.com; the other was Bleach: The Blade Of Fate. The two games took a very different approach to 2D fighting games. While Bleach provided a second depth level and touch-screen attack cards, Draglade has selectable special moves and a more traditional button-based control scheme. Both control methods work well and both games are very fun. Draglade's Beat Combos also add in an attack difficulty that, when mastered, does greatly increased amounts of damage. Despite how much fun the game is, there are two major complaints I had about Draglade that I'd love to see changed in a sequel: (1) allow the ability to switch characters without the guest powering down and (2) allow more than two players in a single battle for 4+ person multiplayer. Needless to say, the game is extremely fun and I know I'll be returning to it.
Allow the ability to reselect characters and redownload without the guest needing to power down and then to power back up.
Permit more than two player to battle at a time.
Category Score: 13.5 / 15
Overall Single-Card Download Rating: 87 / 100 (a.k.a. 43.5/50)
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