Dragon is Dead Review

If you’ve ever fantasized about repeatedly throwing yourself into the jaws of doom, gaining strength each time, and coming back stronger and grumpier, PM Studios and TeamSuneat have the perfect game for you in Dragon is Dead. Released for the PlayStation 5, this stylish rogue-lite adventure blends challenging 2D platforming, intricate combat, and the addictive loop of progression we’ve come to love (or loathe). Taking on the role of an immortal warrior known as a “Successor,” you’ll find yourself continually resurrected, emboldened by your past defeats and successes in a world overtaken by a mysterious, creeping Corruption.

On paper, the rogue-lite genre might sound punishing, but Dragon is Dead ensures its challenges feel satisfying rather than frustrating, turning death into a rewarding part of your journey. You’re thrown into battle against grotesque creatures spawned by the corrupted remnants of a once-mighty dragon, facing intricate platforming segments and fierce boss encounters along the way. Each run promises fresh challenges, new tactical decisions, and the opportunity to incrementally build a character tailored exactly to your playstyle.

TeamSuneat has skillfully combined precise gameplay with deep, lore-rich storytelling, creating an intriguing backdrop for your endless struggle against the forces of darkness. As you delve deeper, you’ll uncover secrets that force you to question not only your mission but the very nature of the world itself. With its dynamic environments, permanent progression systems, and deep customization options, Dragon is Dead manages to maintain freshness long after your fiftieth—or hundredth—run.

But does this ambitious rogue-lite manage to rise above its peers, or is it simply another pixelated slog through familiar mechanics? Sharpen your blades, gather your runes, and prepare to die repeatedly, we’re about to find out if Dragon is Dead truly brings new life to this fiercely competitive genre.

Into the Corrupted Abyss, Setting and Story

In Dragon is Dead, TeamSuneat crafts a world teetering on the brink of ruin. The mighty black dragon, Guernian, who once defied gods, is dead—though its legacy of corruption lingers and mutates life in bizarre ways. Your character, an immortal warrior known as a Successor, has been chosen by divine beings to combat this chaotic evil, uncovering the truth behind the spreading corruption. It’s a premise that cleverly intertwines classic fantasy elements with thoughtful exploration of deeper, philosophical questions.

The town of Cliffshire serves as your central hub, a deceptively peaceful place from which you’ll launch your perilous expeditions. The beautifully detailed and darkly atmospheric regions beyond Cliffshire are interconnected, multi-layered labyrinths, transforming with each run thanks to the game’s rogue-lite structure. This shifting terrain ensures each venture feels novel and unpredictable, packed with hidden secrets, loot, and fiendish monsters eager to send you back to the grave.

Characters encountered throughout the journey range from quirky villagers to sinister antagonists, each providing clues and narrative depth that gradually reveal the lore of this world. As you progress, it becomes increasingly clear that things are not as straightforward as simply vanquishing evil. The game masterfully weaves its story through gameplay, item descriptions, and cryptic NPC dialogue, evoking curiosity and pushing you to uncover hidden truths.

Ultimately, Dragon is Dead builds a compelling narrative tapestry that not only motivates your relentless cycles of death and resurrection but rewards your perseverance with intriguing lore and dark revelations that linger long after your console has powered down.

Live, Die, Upgrade, Repeat, Gameplay and Mechanics

At the core of Dragon is Dead lies its meticulously designed gameplay loop, blending punishing platforming challenges, strategic combat, and addictive rogue-lite progression. Combat demands precise timing, skillful dodging, and sharp awareness of enemy patterns—think Hollow Knight meets Dead Cells, but with its own uniquely grim flavor. Each enemy encounter requires careful study, making victories feel genuinely earned and deaths entirely educational.

The progression system is particularly satisfying, cleverly balancing permanent upgrades with temporary risk-reward elements. Upon dying, you lose transient bonuses and gold, but your gear and rune-based enhancements carry over, turning each defeat into tangible growth. This design keeps frustration to a minimum while maintaining a sense of urgency and risk during gameplay. Crafting and awakening legendary gear with rune stones acquired from defeated bosses adds further layers of strategic depth and customization.

Loot management and artifact collection enhance gameplay further, introducing buffs and debuffs that dramatically alter each run. Experimenting with these combinations leads to fascinating tactical decisions, as powerful artifacts can be equally beneficial and dangerous. It’s this constant tension between risk and reward that makes Dragon is Dead consistently engaging, compelling players to experiment with new builds and approaches.

Overall, the gameplay mechanics are expertly executed, demanding precision without feeling unfair, and providing enough depth to reward mastery over time. Players who thrive on strategic planning, quick reflexes, and meaningful progression will find themselves utterly absorbed.

Endless Cycles and Compulsive Runs, Multiplayer and Replayability

Though Dragon is Dead does not feature traditional multiplayer, it does cleverly leverage the rogue-lite formula to ensure robust replayability. Each procedurally generated run feels fresh and distinct, with changing enemy placements, item distributions, and environmental layouts ensuring players never experience the same run twice.

The permanent gear upgrades, character enhancements, and rune system offer players extensive freedom to experiment, encouraging diverse strategies and playstyles. This layered progression creates a compelling loop of incremental growth, enticing players to return repeatedly, each time stronger and more prepared than before.

Additionally, planned developer updates promise new content, including additional bosses, artifacts, and gear to further incentivize replay. Given the game’s deep strategic elements and addictively challenging structure, dedicated players will find countless hours of entertainment and ample incentive to continue exploring every dark corner.

Though a direct co-op or multiplayer mode might have further enriched the experience, the game compensates admirably with its strategic depth, dynamic gameplay loop, and constant surprises, ensuring players stay thoroughly engaged over numerous runs.

A Dark Symphony of Pixels, Graphics and Sound

Dragon is Dead features striking pixel art that beautifully captures the grim, mysterious atmosphere of its corrupted world. Each environment brims with detail and depth, from moody, dimly-lit dungeons to sprawling, vertically layered regions. The visual style combines retro nostalgia with sophisticated, modern animation, creating a memorable and distinctive aesthetic.

Enemy designs are grotesquely creative, highlighting the twisted nature of the corruption plaguing the land. Boss encounters are especially memorable, visually imposing, and meticulously animated to convey a sense of grand scale and danger. Every pixel feels carefully considered, contributing to an atmosphere that’s consistently immersive and engaging.

The game’s audio design further heightens this immersion, delivering crisp, impactful sound effects and an atmospheric soundtrack that expertly builds tension during exploration and combat. The haunting score perfectly matches the game’s dark themes, amplifying emotional engagement at critical moments.

Together, the graphics and sound design form a powerful partnership, significantly enhancing the overall experience. TeamSuneat has masterfully ensured that every aspect of Dragon is Dead contributes meaningfully to its compelling atmosphere.

Resurrection Complete, Final Thoughts

Dragon is Dead stands out impressively in a crowded genre, offering challenging gameplay, a gripping narrative, and expertly balanced progression. TeamSuneat has successfully crafted a rogue-lite that feels rewarding and addictive, enticing players to return repeatedly through its clever mechanics, rich lore, and captivating presentation.

Its atmospheric visuals and evocative soundscape only deepen the immersive experience, delivering a game that’s both satisfying and stylish. While traditional multiplayer might have added additional appeal, the compelling gameplay and significant replay value more than make up for this omission.

Ultimately, Dragon is Dead offers exactly what fans of challenging, strategic, and lore-rich games desire, making it a must-play for anyone eager to test their skills against relentless odds.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of Dragon is Dead for the PS5 version provided by PM Studios PR.