The Dark Queen of Krynn

The Dark Queen of Krynn closes SSI’s Dragonlance trilogy and is one of the last games to use the classic “Gold Box” engine. It’s a high-level finale that pits your veteran heroes against the forces of Takhisis herself, the Queen of Darkness, as she tries once again to gain a foothold in the world.

Gameplay

The familiar formula is back: first-person exploration, party management and turn-based tactical combat on an overhead grid. You can import your party from Death Knights of Krynn, and the game expects you to. Characters reach very high levels, and the enemies grow to match.

What sets this game apart:

• Updated presentation: VGA graphics and a refined interface make it the best-looking Krynn game.
• Epic-scale combat: Battles regularly include dragons, powerful spellcasters and large groups of enemies, so careful positioning and spell choice are crucial.
• A wider world: The campaign covers more varied ground than the earlier games, including areas beyond the familiar lands of Ansalon.
• Top-tier magic: High-level spells completely change how fights play out, which is a real reward for players who’ve been with the trilogy since the beginning.

As in the earlier games, the moons still affect wizards, clerics still depend on their gods, and the Dragonlance setting runs through every part of the game.

Verdict

The Dark Queen of Krynn is a fitting finale for players who have taken their party through all three games. It’s bigger, better-looking and more demanding than its predecessors, though the late-game battles can drag.