Dragon Drive D-Master's Shot
Dragon Drive is a collectible card game from Japan in the vein of the Yu-Gi-Oh or the Pokemon card game in which players collect dragon cards and supplemental support cards in order to play out dragon battles competitively. Like these sorts of franchises, Dragon Drive also had accompanying manga, anime, toys, and video games. Most of the video games are card collecting RPGs of sorts, but this one happens to be an action game by Treasure of all people.
Dragon Drive D-Master's Shot on the Gamecube is a 3D shooter that is mostly arena-based, but does feature some scrolling rail shooter levels. If I was going to compare it to another game, it's actually a lot like Bulk Slash or Virtual On with a dash of Panzer Dragoon. You usually fly around 3D arena levels, destroying all targets and collecting power ups until a boss shows up to try and put you in your place. Most of the usual control elements from these types of game are included-dashing in all directions, automatic melee when in close proximity to an enemy, lock-on, etc. The shoulder buttons are used to go forward and backward, A shoots, B raises a shield, X locks on, and Y dashes. The Z button is used to change dragon forms as you collect the appropriate cards, and the D pad has power up cards assigned to each direction. In the rail shooter levels, the lock on is disabled, but everything else remains the same.
The cards are the biggest difference between this game and other 3D shooters. You can only carry 4 at a time, and they seem to be of three main types-recovery, attack strength, and whatever the yellow type does. Each card has its own artwork and can be viewed in a gallery, as well as in the multiplayer mode, which I still haven't dug very deep into.
There are well done anime cutscenes spread throughout the game, and not just in between levels, as they will sometimes cut in at appropriate moments to add some drama to the proceedings such as boss approaches or story events. The game also comes with a bonus disc that has an introductory episode of the anime to give you some back story. While these are all in Japanese, they add a nice atmosphere to a game that benefits heavily from it.
Your dragon is awarded experience points based on your performance in each stage, which will then allow level ups that increase its strength and stamina. There does appear to be a New Game + option that allows you to maintain your abilities as you play through again, but I'm not sure if there is extra content therein.
There are a couple of other modes such as a Dragon Genome Code thing I haven't figured out and a 2 player split screen versus mode that play like a flight-based Virtual On. There is also a card gallery that allows you to view cards you have encountered in the story mode, which is kinda neat. The graphics are solid if unimpressive, and the music feels like pretty basic J-pop/anime fare. The control is responsive, but the pace is a little slower than some other games of this type.
I like Dragon Drive D, if for no other reason than because it is a fun import exclusive for the Gamecube. Treasure fans will find a pleasant game, but if you're looking for Panzer Dragoon, this isn't it. However, if you've already played the crap out of Virtual On or Bulk Slash and want to try something different, it's a neat little game with heavy anime flair. I enjoy it, anyway.
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