is a 1999 action role-playing game developed by Now Production and published by Namco for the PlayStation. It is the second sequel to Dragon Buster.
In the Dragon Valor world, dragons are powerful monsters. The player's role as a Dragon Valor is to slay them with a magical sword passed down through successive generations.
Similar to Phantasy Star III, Dragon Valor differs from other platform action games of the time because who the protagonist marries changes future playable characters, plot events, and which ending the player receives.
Gameplay In each chapter of Dragon Valor the player character travels from one location to another, defeating a variety of enemies along the way, eventually ending the chapter by fighting a dragon. Players usually control one character per chapter, while some characters may be played twice. Basic commands remain almost the same with each character.
Players can collect items to boost their hit points, magic points, attack, and defense. Players can also obtain 'tomes' after defeating specific enemies which grant access to spells.
The game's in-world currency is called Val, which is used to buy recovery potions (which are used immediately upon purchase), status-improving items, or items that may be sold or traded. Items earned through trade are usually status-improving items.
There are three different paths based on player choices. The names of each path coincides with the three magic swords found on those paths: Azos, Soul, and Kadum.
Narrative Gameplay Example This decision is in Chapter One: Avenger Dragon Valor to encourage player's engagement with the narrative. This is the main type of decision players will make throughout the story.
Save or Abandon Princess Celia?
If Princess Celia is rescued the following chapter focuses on the heir to the throne of Raxis Arlen Barclay. If Princess Celia is not rescued the following chapter focuses on Kodel Barclay who makes a living stealing from pirates.
Plot
Background Lore Note: These events happen before the game story begins.
Dragons and gods waged war against each other at the cost of everyone else's lives. Four magic swords were created to both stop the war and prevent others. Azos, Kadum, and Soul were created from angels while Igunis was created from a god. Dragons lost the war and many were killed off.
Dragons found a way to survive through an unusual form of shape shifting. They can manifest themselves from the "evil in the human heart." When a person is consumed with hate this allows a dragon to manifest itself by turning that person into a dragon or dragon halfling, creating an internal struggle for humans which is only overcome by thinking of their loved ones. The most powerful dragon and main antagonist-Dahaka-could not be killed and was imprisoned behind the Gates of Gehenna. These Gates can only be unlocked using Azos, Kadum, and Soul together.
In-Game Plot Synopsis
Each generation of playable characters follows a similar plot. The protagonist has an external threat (either a human political rival or a dragon) where they use a magic sword to eradicate it. If they do not have a magic sword already, they must go out in search for one. If they already have one they will often search for additional magic swords.
As they travel from one location to another the protagonist will face a variety of enemies. Some enemies are one-offs (animal-, fungi-, humanoid- and plant-based in design) while others are re-occurring, such as the dragon halfling Halfas. Re-occurring enemies are after political power, the power of Dahaka, or both. Re-occurring enemies are working to get the magic swords for Dahaka's release from the Gates of Gehenna. Multiple protagonists struggle with their hatred from the harm several of the antagonists cause and have to fight against turning into a dragon themselves.
Once their goals are achieved, the protagonist goes home and puts into place who will be the next protagonist. Some protagonists will have the option to save a damsel-in-distress mid-adventure. If they choose to save her she will marry him and their child will be the next chapter's protagonist. If they choose not to, the protagonist will choose another woman from their chapter to marry or will adopt a child.
Introduction Note: These sections happen before the player is on a specific narrative path. Chapter 2: Kodel is the last chapter before a specific path is locked in.
Prologue: Dragon Valor The first player character is a young commoner living in the land of Jirat called Clovis Barclay. His sister, Elena, is killed by a dragon and is used as Clovis's motivation to venture out and become a Dragon Valor.
Dragon Valor provides a tutorial on player actions and its magic system. Clovis defeats the dragon only for it to come back to life in an alternate form. Clovis, in a fit of rage, swears to find and kill it again.
Chapter 1: Avenger Note: Clovis does not belong to any narrative path but his actions can decide whether the player embarks on the Azos, Soul, or Kadum paths.
Clovis arrives in the Raxis Kingdom during his search. Clovis speaks to Carolina, an inventor, who explains to Clovis what is happening. The Azale Knights, a military force of the Jirat Kingdom went rogue, attacked Raxis Castle, and took Princess Celia hostage (Clovis has the option to rescue her). Their leader is The Black Knight, Volef, who is aided by an alchemy practicing samurai called Raimun.
Clovis and Volef fight multiple times with Clovis winning each time. The last time Clovis re-defeats him Volef flees and ends up leading Clovis right to the dragon. The dragon burns Volef to death as Clovis arrives. Upon killing the dragon Clovis believes his life no longer has purpose. If Clovis saves Celia they have a son called Arlen (go to Soul Path Section).
Chapter 2: Kodel Clovis leaves for Kadeli City with Carolina. They settle down and have a son named Kodel. Until one day—unexplainably—Clovis leaves. Carolina waits for Clovis' return while Kodel earns money by stealing from pirates.
Kodel discovers that one of his pirate targets, Robere, has the sword Clovis wielded, Azos. Kodel takes the weapon as his own and rescues Fannah, Robere's daughter. They are attacked by a knight. Kodel kills the knight but then receives a message from its spirit. The message was for Robere from Clovis. The spirit then steals Fannah's soul and locks it away (Kodel is given the option to rescue her later).
Kodel travels to the abandoned fortress near the destroyed Linton City to look for his father. Kodel finds Clovis and they duel. After Kodel wins Clovis explains he left because there is evil growing in his heart. He is also trying to contain a dragon living within the volcano near Linton City. Kodel swears to Clovis that he will defeat the dragon, but his father must return home.
Kodel journeys to the volcano and faces a two-headed dragon. Once victorious he returns to the abandoned fortress to find Robere and Fannah also waiting for him. Clovis returns to Carolina. The ending depends on whether or not Kodel released Fannah's imprisoned soul. Fannah loves him for freeing her and have a son called Phillip (go Kadum Path Section) or she hates him and he goes out on his own to travel (go to Azos Path Section).
Soul Path
Chapter 2: Arlen The Raxis Kingdom split into two factions, the East and West. The East is ruled by the royal family. The West, named Alkemia, is led by Lodonya who is Volef's son and the commander of the Azale Knights. There is an organized resistance to Lodonya's rule called the West Raxis Liberation Army who want reunification.
During an attack on Raxis Castle Arlen is knocked off its battlements while trying to rescue Celia. Arlen is swept downstream to the Falayd Caverns where he is found (knocked out) by Shalya, the leader of the West Raxis Liberation Army, and her two lieutenants Simon and Franco. Arlen recovers and goes to Alkemia, being the unwitting decoy for Shalya's forces. He decimates the Alkemian garrison and fights through the guards while Shalya rescues Celia.
Arlen learns Lodonya intends to revive a dragon. Arlen faces Lodonya and bests him. Lodonya flees to the dragon's cavern where he asks it to consume his soul to combine their power. The dragon complies but Arlen prevails.
Because Lodonya's body was never recovered the civil war in the Raxis Kingdom ends. Arlen marries Shalya and they name their son Felippe.
Chapter 3: Felippe
Felippe disguises himself to enter a martial arts tournament in the neighboring Jirat Kingdom. Partway through a match between Felippe and Knight Vilherm Jirat Kingdom's prime minister Zomas takes Princess Jeanne hostage. He demands Felippe's Azos in exchange. Felippe surrenders the sword to Zomas who flees.
Felippe borrows Vilherm's sword and begins to hunt down Zomas. Zomas, now in his estate, presents Azos to Krassel. Krassel gives Zomas the power of a dragon halfling in exchange for Azos. When Felippe fights Krassel he learns Vilherm's sword is too fragile in comparison to Krassel's power and Azos and retreats.
When Felippe learns of the magic sword Soul sealed in the Jirat Ruins he decides to take it. On his journey back Jeanne reveals that Zomas has led a coup and Felippe explains he will save her kingdom. He encounters Zomas who is mentally deranged from his transformation. Felippe has multiple fights against Zomas who gradually degrades into a monster who cannot move or speak.
Krassel calls a dragon to kill Felippe and claim Soul. Felippe defeats the dragon but Krassel flees with Azos. He and Jeanne marry uniting the kingdoms of Jirat and Raxis into the Empire of Jirat. They have twin children, Anna and Mihael.
Chapter 4: Anna
The chapter opens with Anna journeying to the Saldo Ruins in search of a magic sword accompanied by a now elderly Vilherm. Vilherm instructs her to wait at the entrance, but she worries and goes in. Anna finds Vilherm battered but alive.
Halfas feels he has found a worthy opponent and decides to "strengthen" Anna through attempting to kill her. Vilherm sacrifices himself to save her life. Anna, filled with hatred, swears to attain vengeance. Before Halfas leaves he tells Anna he will be awaiting her arrival in Mount Verea—and offers a chance to claim the other two magic swords.
Anna journeys to the Demon's Lair inside of Mount Verea. Halfas mockingly offers to fully heal Anna when she finds him; she counters by saying his confidence will be his undoing. Anna defeats Halfas who awaits his death. He states only all three swords combined will kill him. Krassel appears before she can and steals Azos and Kadum. Anna rushes off in pursuit ignoring Halfas's pleas for death.
Anna then faces and defeats the dragon Talon (believing it to be Krassel) and lowers her guard. Krassel then steals Soul, unites the power of all three swords, and calls directly upon the magical powers of Dahaka. He sets off a violent explosion and Anna disappears. With no word from or about Anna, Mihael organizes the Azale Knights and heads off in search of his twin sister.
Chapter 5: Mihael
Mihael organizes the Azale Knights to rescue Anna. He gets separated from the Azale Knights but continues on alone to the now fallen Raxis Kingdom. Miheal fights his way through the Raxis City Ruins to the dilapidated Raxis Castle until he finds her. Anna assures Mihael she will be alright, but a dragon has stolen the swords. Mihael heads deeper into Raxis Castle where there is now a passage to the Underworld.
Upon entering the Underworld Mihael finds the guardian of the sword Igunis standing before him. Igunis entrusts itself to Mihael who ventures deeper into the Underworld. He arrives too late to stop Dahaka's release. Dahaka toys with Mihael to foster rage and transform him into a dragon. Mihael almost gives in when Anna's words snap him back to reality allowing him to fight.