Draglade primarily works as a simple fighting game. On top of that are the RPG elements of customizing your character and exploring a set of stories through talking with NPCs and fighting. In addition, there is a rhythm game element, being able to activate a customizable "Beat Combo", which does more damage the more accurate you are in pulling it off.
The good:
As a fighter, the hit detection is good, the combat is easy to understand, and the RPG elements help provide variety.
As a rhythm game, the hit detection is good, and you can make your own beats.
It has a simple anime style that is effective for the tone of the game.
The bad:
As a fighter, the lack of variety in normal attacks don't allow for much counter-attacking, strategy, or mind games. It mostly comes down to waiting for the computer to drop their guard, attack, then retreat and heal.
As a rhythm game, there are no real songs, the length of the beat combos is too short to be interesting, and they deal little damage, which makes them not particularly effective in the fighting game. Worst of all, there is little difference in strength between a well executed beat combo and simply mashing the beat button.
The story elements are bland.
Draglade's target audience appears to be young kids, and if got this when I was around ten, I would have enjoyed it. It might be worth rescuing from the bargain bin for a young kid, but the reality is that there are better fighting games and better rhythm games on the ds.
