- Release Year: 2006
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox
- Publisher: Sierra Entertainment, Inc., Vivendi Games, Inc.
- Developer: Stormfront Studios
- Genre: Action
- Perspective: Third-person
- Game Mode: Co-op, Single-player
- Gameplay: Dragon flying, Hack and Slash
- Setting: Fantasy
- Average Score: 48/100
Description
Eragon is a third-person action-adventure game set in the fantasy world of Alagaesia, based on the movie of the same name. Players take on the role of Eragon, engaging in hack-and-slash combat, magical attacks, and dragon-riding sequences as Saphira. The game features drop-in, drop-out co-op for one or two players, with additional levels and enemies in the Xbox 360 version.
Gameplay Videos
Where to Buy Eragon
PC
Eragon Free Download
Eragon Cracks & Fixes
Eragon Mods
Eragon Guides & Walkthroughs
Eragon Reviews & Reception
metacritic.com (48/100): Unless you’re a hardcore fan of the book series and film, I’d take a pass on Eragon.
imdb.com : It’s not a game. It’s a marketing product what’s made to promote the Book and the bad movie.
worthplaying.com : Eragon is the weaker game. It suffers from some problems right out of the gate, including a reliance on the now-dated engine Stormfront previously used for their Two Towers tie-in games.
gamefaqs.gamespot.com : It’s pathetic.
Eragon Cheats & Codes
PlayStation 2 (PS2)
Enter codes at the in-game pause menu or use with GameShark/Action Replay.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| Hold L1, L2, R1, R2 and press Square(2), Circle(2) | Fury Mode – increases magic cooldown speed |
| Hold L1, L2, R1, R2 and tap Triangle, Square, X, Circle | Invincibility – becomes immune to attacks |
| 76046A70 00000000 980B6D54 78D07672 (Master Code) | Master code required for other GameShark codes to work |
| 7606E430 00000000 280D215A 0CA57A65 | Infinite Magic |
| 760896A0 00000000 280D1D64 0CA57A65 | Infinite Fury |
| RYTN-K7FF-R4V40 5CGQ-9YKU-K1QFG | Infinite Magic (Action Replay MAX) |
| 4369-9HZR-ZAXVE R73U-XW9E-BRXXU | Infinite Fury (Action Replay MAX) |
Game Boy Advance (GBA)
Enter codes using CodeBreaker.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| 43005124 6363 0000002D 0001 33005123 0063 | Have All ‘Craft’ Items |
| 430050E4 FFFF 0000000B 0001 | Have All ‘Forge’ Items |
| 83004A08 270F | Infinite HP (Slot 1) |
| 3004A00 006E | Max HP (Slot 1) |
| 33004A20 00?? | Weapon Modifier (Slot 1) |
Xbox
Enter codes at the in-game pause menu.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| Hold L + R and press X(2), B(2) | Fury Mode |
| Hold L + R and press X(4), B(2) | Full Health |
Eragon: Review
Introduction
Eragon, a third-person action adventure game released in 2006, was developed by Stormfront Studios and published by Vivendi Games. Based on the movie of the same name, Eragon tasks players with guiding the young hero Eragon and his dragon Saphira through a quest filled with fantasy adventure. With its blend of hack and slash combat, magical spells, and dragon flight mechanics, Eragon aimed to deliver an engaging video game adaptation of this hit property.
Development History & Context
Stormfront Studios had prior success adapting movie properties with games like The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, which boosted expectations for Eragon. The game was rushed out to coincide with the movie’s release, resulting in a development cycle that prioritized hitting the holiday 2006 market over perfection. The timed exclusivity deals with seventh-generation consoles (like Xbox 360) added pressure, but the core mechanics never quite gelled.
Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive
The game follows the movie’s plot closely, but delivers a largely condensed version. Key scenes like the dragon egg hatching and major battles are present, but the game lacks the depth of characterization and world-building from the book. Voice acting, while featuring the movie’s cast, is serviceable but doesn’t elevate the emotive beats. The writing simplifies the original story, making it less compelling for those familiar with the source material.
Gameplay Mechanics & Systems
At its core, Eragon’s gameplay is a straightforward hack and slash system with some unique touches. The four basic combo attacks and three magic spells (Thrysta Vindr, Skölir, Brisingr) provide a solid foundation, but the combat quickly becomes repetitive. The magic selection is creative but limited in variety, leading to Elastic-man syndrome as players stretch enemies with telekinesis.
The dragon flight levels offer a welcome change of pace with Saphira, but some missions restrict when and how you can use her, leading to missed opportunities. The multiplayer co-op mode is a highlight, allowing two players to tackle the campaign together with solid team attacks and shared dragon controls. However, other design choices like the fixed camera angles and(but was fun when it worked) complicated combo system hamper the overall flow.
World-Building, Art & Sound
The game world draws from the Alagaesia setting with settings like Carvahall, Daret, and the Beor Mountains. Visuals veer between passable character designs and bland, repetitive environments that lack detail. The dragon Saphira is well-rendered, but other characters like Urgals and Kull have generic designs. The music by Robb Mills is competent and fitting but doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Sound effects are standard for the genre, with clashing swords and magical incantations.
Reception & Legacy
Eragon received mixed to negative reviews across platforms, averaging around 55% approval. Criticisms focused on short playtime, shallow combat, technical issues, and a weak narrative. Sales in North America exceeded 400,000 copies, indicating some market success despite critical backlash. The game’s legacy isn’t significant beyond being a movie tie-in, though it remains a cult favorite for those who enjoyed its cooperative gameplay and dragon riding aspects.
Conclusion
Eragon is a flawed but ultimately enjoyable entry in the hack and slash genre, particularly when experienced with a friend in co-op. Its charm lies in the dragon companion mechanics and the ability to slice through hordes of enemies. However, it’s held back by routine combat, simplistic story, and technical limitations. For those seeking a light-hearted fantasy adventure game, Eragon provides some worthwhile moments, though it doesn’t achieve the heights of its source material or gaming contemporaries.