Dragon Nest

Review

Common Sense Media says

Combat-heavy fantasy MMO with strong story but skimpy armor.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Dragon Nest is an online game that's free to download and play. Players use violence to defeat enemies and fight others. The game also has some sexually suggestive costumes. As with most Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG), this game has a quick reward system and fast action, cute graphics, voice overs, and cut scenes with plenty of storytelling. It is a compelling game that kids can get drawn into, thus losing track of time while playing. Parents also need to know that there is both Player versus Environment (PvE) as well as Player versus Player (PvP) combat in the game.

  • Positive messages2
    The storyline is all about becoming a better warrior, cleric, sorceress, or archer and helping the townsfolk.
  • Positive role models1
    Characters are a mixed bag with some being positive influences while others are rude and surly.
  • Ease of play2
    Controls may take some getting used to. The game uses the WASD movement, but also uses the mouse for camera direction and directing your character. Helpfully, the tutorial can be accessed from the character class trainer again and again.
  • Violence3
    Characters have to kill other characters to advance in this game using a wide array of weapons, including swords, bow and arrows, mallet, and magic. There is no blood when characters are defeated. There are also PvP (Player versus Player) combat arena matches available with players vying to be the best combatant.
  • Sex3
    Characters are cute in an anime style, but females stand in exaggerated hyper-sexual poses and have outfits with necklines that plunge to the waist, wear stockings with high heels and there are plenty of "panty shots" in combat animation.
  • Language1
    No use of swear words but there is plenty of facetiousness and sarcasm in the quest text.
  • Consumerism1
    The game is free to play but there are items to purchase for the game that cost real money. New cash shop items are advertised on the website but not in game. Kids may also be tempted to purchase convenience items like health potions or more storage space.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety3
    Some privacy concerns. As the game is rated for 13 and older, there aren't any kid safe privacy settings. The usual "ignore" lists, a default swear filter, and a function to report other players are available but other than that, players can add friends at will and send private messages to each other.
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What's it about?

Kids entering Altera, the world of DRAGON NEST, will immediately choose between four classes which have fixed genders, and then view a short movie tutorial before entering one of two starter towns which are pre-determined by the class choice. Players don't learn the backstory of the world; instead they learn the character's story, and the quests are very much story-driven, one leading to the next. Players learn how to play the game as they go forward in the story.

Is it any good?

 

Dragon Nest is a fast paced, combat heavy game in which success relies on knowledge of what each skill does and when to use them. Combat is a cross of positional and combo-based fighting which imparts a good deal of excitement. The quests combine story and cut-scenes that are closely linked to the character so that players are revisiting characters they have previously interacted before, creating a more immersive experience. Depth is provided with two sub-class choices as players progress, and access to Player vs Player combat at level 10 and further challenges at level 15. Further, like many other MMOs, raids of various "Nests" like Minotaur and the name-sake Dragon are available for teams of players to partake in.

What families can talk about

This review was written by Carolyn Koh

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This review was written by Carolyn Koh
Topics:magic and fantasy
Platforms:Windows
Available online?Available online
Genre:Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Developer:Nexon
Release date:September 28, 2011
Price:Free / Microtransaction
ESRB rating:NR for Not Rated
This review was written by Carolyn Koh
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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