Gala Networks got me some preview code to check out for their upcoming 2D/3D side-scrolling MMO Dragonica. A lot of people are really hoping for this title to make a difference in the gaming space. It will certainly make its own space out there that’s for sure.

The game has a pretty cool look to it that’s for sure. The anime-style graphics lend themselves to the genre extremely well and the environments are well built and interesting.

Maybe I should back up a bit. Dragonica is not your normal free-to-play MMORPG. There is no 360 camera control and it’s basically a side-scroller. But even though you can move left and right, you can also move forward and back. Even up and down. So that’s where it gets the 3D aspect but many of the things in the environments are 3D as well.

Dragonica combines some platform action although I haven’t seen anywhere or anything that requires actually jumping to solve a level or to do something specific, it’s mostly just to make the levels more interesting I believe, adding a little variety.

The camera is in a fairly stationary position though you can zoom in quite close (almost uncomfortably so) and zoom out to a fairly reasonable 30 degree sort of isometric side view. So far there’s never been a time when I was displeased with where the camera was or how I was viewing the game experience, so kudos on doing very well in the respect guys!

The interface has a typical rounded button look and feel and doesn’t really stand out in any way. That’s exactly what it should do though right? Be useful, look decent and not detract from the actual gameplay. I did notice some minor annoyances like the need to close every window separately even if one action, like talking to a shop owner, opens multiple windows. It’s just some unnecessary mouse clicks or key presses.