Dragon Blaze
{{short description|2000 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Dragon Blaze
| image = Dragon Blaze.png
| developer = Psikyo
| publisher = Psikyo
| artist = Kouji Ogata
| composer = Masaki Izutani
| release = Arcade: 2000
PlayStation 2: June 23, 2006
Nintendo Switch: April 5, 2018
Windows: August 3, 2020
PlayStation 4: June 29, 2022
Xbox One: January 11, 2023
| genre = Scrolling shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| arcade system = Psikyo SH2
| platforms = Arcade, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
}}
Dragon Blaze is a shoot 'em up arcade game developed and published in 2000 by Psikyo. It was ported to the PlayStation 2 as part of Taito's Psikyo Shooting Collection Vol. 3: Sol Divide & Dragon Blaze compilation in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/tcps10104.html |title=彩京シューティングコレクション Vol.3 ソルディバイド&ドラゴンブレイズ | ソフトウェアカタログ | プレイステーション® オフィシャルサイト |publisher=Jp.playstation.com |accessdate=2016-09-08 |archive-date=2016-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921132429/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/tcps10104.html |url-status=dead}} The game was later also released on its own as a budget range title for the PlayStation 2 in Europe by 505 Games on 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/934138-dragon-blaze/index.html |title=Dragon Blaze for PlayStation 2 |publisher=GameRankings |date=2006-06-23 |accessdate=2016-09-08}} In 2018 the game was ported to the Nintendo Switch by Zerodiv as part of their series of re-releases of classic Psikyo games.{{Cite news|url=https://switchwatch.co.uk/dragon-blaze-nintendo-switch-review/|title=Dragon Blaze Nintendo Switch Review - SwitchWatch|date=2018-04-06|work=SwitchWatch|access-date=2018-04-08|language=en-US}} The game was later ported to Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Gameplay
Dragon Blaze plays like many typical 2D vertically scrolling shooters by Psikyo, although this game is closer to the bullet hell genre than most of the company's other output and the color of the enemies' bullets has been changed from Psikyo's trademark orange to a neon purple. The game gives each character (Quaid, Sonia, Ian, Rob) the standard normal shot, charged shot, and magic bomb, but each character also rides a dragon, which can be dismounted and be used as a weapon itself. The dismounted dragon initially acts as a piercing weapon, and then remains stationary shooting until the player calls it back using the same button. It can also be used to collect items.{{cite web|url=http://psikyobabble.com/psikyo03/product/dra_bl/system.html |title=ドラゴンブレイズ SYSTEM |publisher=Psikyobabble.com |accessdate=2016-09-08}}
Reception
In Japan, Game Machine listed Dragon Blaze on their November 1, 2000 issue as being the fourth best-performing arcade game at the time.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=621|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 November 2000|page=21|lang=ja}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official|http://psikyobabble.com/psikyo03/product/dra_bl/index.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{KLOV game|id=7638}}
- [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dragon-blaze/ Dragon Blaze] at Hardcore Gaming 101
- [http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7638 Dragon Blaze] at the International Arcade Museum
- [http://www.world-of-arcades.net/1945/Dragon%20Blaze/Dragon_Blaze.htm Dragon Blaze] at World of Arcades
Category:Video games about dragons
Category:City Connection franchises
Category:Vertically scrolling shooters
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games featuring female protagonists
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
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