Available on PC (Windows, macOS); Consoles (Steam Deck)
There’s something about games made by students that gives me so much hope for the future of gaming. Whether they come up with an entirely new concept or reinvigorate older games, they always bring a refreshing perspective to their creations.
Slay the Dragon is the creation of The Animation Workshop students in Denmark. It’s one of their student projects, and one that I greatly enjoyed. And it’s free to play!
With only about 30 minutes, this one is simple, cute, and easy. It reminded me of The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker in terms of gameplay, with the cute chibi-like 3D models and actual combat mechanics. Its colorful theme is inspired by the Swedish countryside and adds to the feeling of warmth and childhood bedtime story nostalgia. One of the notable things about Slay the Dragon, however, is its isometric hack and slash with a fixed camera.
You play as Maj, who must go and rescue her little brother, August, after a dragon swooped down and abducted him in the middle of their adventure. Tragically, the last words she spoke to him before her nemesis, the mighty dragon, took him away were that she wanted him to disappear. Be careful what you wish for, Maj!
You go through a couple of different enemies. Their attacks are simple enough to avoid, though. For some of them, you can dodge or simply step out of the way. The movement itself is smooth, and I didn’t find anything laggy or janky. The game uses a heart system that you can upgrade: Some hits are half a heart, while harder attacks from enemies could knock down a heart and a half, so watch out.
Overall, Slay the Dragon is a lighthearted, sweet story about siblings, creativity, and might, and I personally recommend it. It won’t take up too much of your time, and it gives us a nice little view into both the past and the future of gaming. And, again, it is also free on Steam.
