Mia and the Dragon Princess demonstrates how good the FMV genre can be. Furthermore, its dramatic plot and witty moments create a lighthearted and unforgettable experience. As such, this will entertain you from beginning to end. The Quarry, Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Marcus?, and Not for Broadcast were great. However, Mia and the Dragon Princess caught my attention immediately.
Developed by Dead Pixel Productions, Good Gate Media, and Wales Interactive and published by the latter, this is an FMV title. What’s more, it takes you on an action-packed adventure full of betrayal, lies, and secrets. Accordingly, there are many twists and turns as you unravel the mystery of the female protagonist.
Mia and the Dragon Princess tells a silly but captivating story.
I love an absurd plot and thankfully, Mia and the Dragon Princess is as crazy as they come. With interesting characters, strange locations, and a fantasy storyline, you’ll take every poignant moment with a pinch of salt. However, even though the plot is silly, I couldn’t put down this captivating adventure.
You play the part of Mia, a barmaid that is down on her luck. She wants to travel the world, but cannot escape from her surrogate family. Consequently, she feels obliged to help her boss when the going gets tough. Yet, to make matters worse, a mysterious woman stumbles into her life. Unable to speak English, the pair must work together as best they can. Unbeknownst to Mia, Mashanda has a secretive past that is about to catch up with her.
Plenty of decisions, but no QTEs.
Some people hate the voyeuristic nature of this genre. I, on the other hand, adore the cinematic gameplay and the split-second decisions. This title takes that idea to the extreme, as there are plenty of key moments that require your intervention. Moreover, each choice has serious ramifications for yourself and those around you. Yet, if you get things right, you’ll escape your terrible fate and potentially get rich in the process.
Though there are plenty of game-changing decisions, there isn’t a QTE in sight. This approach was extremely bizarre, as many of its peers are laced with challenging moments. Furthermore, this decision will enhance the voyeuristic nature of the game and enrage the haters further still. Despite this missing mechanic, the action is still tense and the dramatic plot thrives as a consequence. What’s more, the short timeframe between question and answer puts you under extreme pressure.
You’ll be asked to help Mashanda or find an escape route. Alternatively, you may try to solve a puzzle or protect a friend from danger. Whatever you decide, you must live with the outcome. Sadly, many of the options lead to devastating results, so be prepared for some uncomfortable and unfair cinematic.
Mia and the Dragon Princess suffers some hiccups.
FMV titles are often seamless in their presentation. Disappointingly, Mia and the Dragon Princess isn’t as polished. Not only are there some minor continuity issues, but there are also distinct breaks in the cinematic. Whenever you are asked to decide your path, the game takes a lifetime to progress. This was annoying as it broke up the immersive nature of the action.
Besides this issue, I adored the cartoon art style that opens the story. Furthermore, the filming and locations are of a good standard. Subsequently, the developers should be applauded for the varied backdrops and excellent casting.
The cinematic was complemented by excellent audio and decent acting. Though the actors won’t win any awards for their performances, I enjoyed every moment. Moreover, there was a pleasant blend of clichéd characters as well as some genuinely amusing moments. Alongside this, the music enhanced both the atmosphere and the drama and the sound effects were realistic and well-delivered.
Loads of replay value.
Other than a rapid choice of two answers, you have little else to worry about. As such, the control setup is understandably simple and easy to understand. Yet, the developers have done a great job with their UI. The stripped-back interface is clean, and each option is clearly highlighted before you choose. Accordingly, you won’t make any unnecessary mistakes.
There are so many twists and turns that it can be hard to keep up. Luckily, though, there is a story chart that highlights your previous journey. Therefore, when you revisit the game, you can select a new route without treading over old ground. My only complaint is that there is no way to skip ahead. Subsequently, you may have to watch a core scene multiple times if you want to experience every ending.
Mia and the Dragon Princess is a short but wonderful title.
Mia and the Dragon Princess is one of the shorter FMV games I’ve played. However, this was good, as it never outstays its welcome. Additionally, it mitigates the repetitive nature of the key scenes. On top of this, the captivating story may be absurd, but the interesting dialogue and often cruel decisions keep you playing. Accordingly, I loved this title despite its lack of QTEs and its short playtime. Therefore, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you help a stranger and fulfil your dreams? Be kind, solve the problems, and potentially get rich as a consequence.
