Dragon Blaze is a fast-paced vertical scrolling shooter released in 2000 by Psikyo for the Arcade. Set in a fantasy world, you take control of one of four dragon ridersโQuaid, Sonia, Rob, or Ianโas they battle through intense waves of enemies and formidable bosses. The game is known for its signature “Dragon Shoot” mechanic, which allows you to detach from your dragon mount. Once separated, your dragon acts as a stationary turret dealing massive damage, while your rider remains highly mobile. As one of Psikyo’s final arcade shoot ’em ups, it features their classic high-speed bullet patterns, detailed sprite art, and a punishing second loop for advanced players.
How to Play
Your objective is to pilot your dragon rider through multiple stages, dodging dense bullet patterns and destroying enemies. The arcade controls are mapped to your keyboard: use the Arrow Keys for movement, press Z to fire your main weapon, X to use your screen-clearing magic bomb, and C to execute the Dragon Shoot. Holding down the fire key charges a powerful magic attack, while pressing the Dragon Shoot button separates your rider from your dragon mount.
Tips
- Master the Dragon Shoot: Detaching your dragon point-blank on a boss deals devastating damage. Use this technique to quickly eliminate tough enemies before the screen fills with bullets.
- Collect Silver Coins: Try to catch coins at the very top of the screen when they are sparkling silver. This awards a 2,000 point bonus compared to the standard 200 points.
- Use Your Magic Wisely: Magic bombs are limited and grant brief invincibility. Save them for tight situations or when you are trapped by complex boss patterns.
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