A Soaring Masterpiece: Why Drakan: Order of the Flame Still Matters and How to Play It Today

Before dragons became a staple of every fantasy RPG, there was Drakan: Order of the Flame. Released in 1999 as a PC exclusive, this action-adventure game dared to do something revolutionary: it seamlessly blended third-person hack-and-slash combat with glorious, large-scale aerial dogfights on the back of a dragon. The game’s protagonist, Rynn, and her bonded dragon, Arokh, became a powerful duo, navigating a vast and dangerous world that was, for its time, breathtakingly open. While its sequel, Drakan: The Ancients’ Gates, made its way to the PlayStation 2, the original remains a cherished memory for many PC gamers, and its influence can be felt in modern dragon-riding games. However, a glorious reawakening of this classic is long overdue, and thankfully, the dedicated community has made it possible for you to take to the skies today.

A Groundbreaking Gameplay Loop

In a time when most games were either fully on-foot or exclusively in the air, Drakan created a fluid, dynamic gameplay loop that has rarely been replicated with such success. The game allowed players to transition from exploring dungeons and ruins on foot as Rynn to soaring across expansive, open-air landscapes on Arokh’s back with a single command. This created a sense of scale and freedom that was unmatched at the time. Rynn’s on-foot combat was a satisfying blend of hacking and slashing with a wide variety of melee and ranged weapons, while Arokh’s aerial combat was a thrilling mix of dogfighting with rival dragons and raining fire down on ground-based enemies. The bond between Rynn and Arokh was more than just a plot device; it was a core gameplay mechanic, as they shared a health bar, forcing players to protect both entities in combat.

The Undeservedly Forgotten Classic

Despite its critical acclaim and innovative design, Drakan: Order of the Flame never reached the level of mainstream popularity enjoyed by its contemporaries. The game was ahead of its time, pushing the graphical and technical capabilities of PCs in the late 90s, which may have limited its audience. The original developer, Surreal Software, was eventually absorbed into Monolith Productions, and the intellectual property has remained in a sort of legal limbo, a forgotten gem in the annals of gaming history. For years, this meant that playing the game on modern operating systems was a frustrating and often impossible task, leaving its legacy to fade into obscurity. However, a dedicated and passionate community has been working tirelessly to ensure that the flame of Drakan never truly dies out.

How to Take to the Skies in 2025

Today, thanks to the hard work of a committed fan base, you can play Drakan: Order of the Flame on a modern PC, often with enhanced visuals and improved compatibility. While the game is not available on digital storefronts like GOG or Steam, the community-run fan site, Arokh’s Lair, serves as the central hub for all things Drakan. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:

• Find the Game: The original game discs are considered abandonware, meaning they are no longer commercially sold or supported. As such, digital copies can be found on various abandonware websites. Once you have the game files, you’ll need to use them in conjunction with community patches.
• The Community Patch: The single most important step is to download and install the “All-in-One” community patch from the downloads section of Arokh’s Lair. This fan-made installer is an engineering marvel. It updates the game to work on modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11, fixes a myriad of bugs, adds support for widescreen resolutions, and even restores functionality for the now-defunct multiplayer.
• Follow the Instructions: The community patch comes with detailed instructions, and it’s crucial to follow them carefully. The installer will guide you through the process, but you should always run it outside of standard program files directories to avoid permission issues. The patch also often includes tools like DGvoodoo, which can help emulate the old 3dfx Voodoo graphics cards the game was originally designed for, ensuring a smooth visual experience.

The Enduring Legacy of Drakan

Even today, with modern games like Century: Age of Ashes and the upcoming Avowed featuring dragon companions, few titles have captured the unique sense of partnership and fluid combat that Drakan: Order of the Flame perfected. The game’s seamless transition between ground and air, its large-scale levels, and its deep, interconnected world make it a blueprint for what a dragon-riding game should be. It is a testament to the talent of Surreal Software that their 26-year-old game still feels fresh and compelling, and it’s a testament to its loyal community that it hasn’t been forgotten.

Conclusion: Time to Take to the Skies Again

For those who remember the thrill of flying on Arokh’s back, or for new players looking for an innovative and rewarding action-adventure title, Drakan: Order of the Flame is an experience not to be missed. It’s a powerful reminder that some of the greatest games are not always the most popular, and that a dedicated fan community can preserve a classic against all odds. It’s a game that deserves a proper, glorious reawakening, perhaps in the form of an official remaster or a brand new installment. Until then, thanks to the hard work of fans, the fires of Drakan burn brighter than ever. Get the community patch, prepare your sword, and get ready to join the Order of the Flame—the skies await.