Still distinct in the strategy RPG space and interesting. It can be thrilling to direct 100v100 sprite army battles, issue commands, and chip away at opposing commander health. The story is generally good, though some threads and characters are underdeveloped.

Some aspects of the gameplay haven't aged well: general movement on the map is sloooooow, key actions during the domestic segments (fortifying / searching castles, captive / general interactions, etc.) are repetitive and cumbersome, and just choosing the right troop type can make many battles easy. The late game can also leave you hanging with no indication of what to do next for weeks at a time.

This game is rewarding if you make time to learn its ropes and rhythm. Once I got a feel for how Dragon Force plays, I couldn't put it down!