The Dark Secrets of De-Evolved Dragons Unveiled!

Dragons, beloved mythological creatures throughout history, continue to captivate audiences today in various franchises like Dragon Age and Game of Thrones. One upcoming action-adventure game, Criminals Within, promises a medieval fantasy kingdom teeming with dragons. However, there's a unique twist – these dragons are de-evolved. This intriguing premise sets the stage for an exciting take on these magical creatures. Recently, Game Rant interviewed Zsombor Pirok, the Managing Director of Space Rock Games, to shed light on the concept of de-evolved dragons in Criminals Within. Pirok also shared exclusive screenshots of the game's dragons and discussed the development team's process, including the creation of the adorable pug dragon.

What Are De-Evolved Dragons In Criminals Within?

According to Space Rock Games' Twitter account, the de-evolved dragons in Criminals Within are essentially dragons who are not proficient in their dragon abilities. Pirok further discussed the implications of this for the game's narrative and setting, highlighting the connection between de-evolved dragons and the waning presence of magic.

Within the Criminals Within universe, there were once formidable dragons known as primordial (or prime) dragons that roamed the lands. These were the iconic, colossal dragons reminiscent of those seen in Game of Thrones, possessing immense power. However, as magic gradually vanished, these dragons began to lose their strength and gradually diminished in size and hostility over time.

Criminals Within's dragons, as described by Pirok, can often be seen as "silly, unintelligent, and sometimes more of a hindrance than a boon to their human keepers." These creatures serve various purposes, ranging from being kept as pets to acting as "beasts of burden" or freely roaming in the wild. Within this diverse range, there exists the intriguing example of a de-evolved dragon known as the pug dragon. Despite its adorable and miniature appearance, this dragon offers a delightful twist on the traditional portrayal of dangerous dragons often seen in video games and movies. However, not all dragons in Criminals Within are friendly, as demonstrated in the game's reveal trailer. Pirok goes on to describe certain dragons as "extremely dangerous," posing a challenge that players must face. Even when de-evolved, some dragons should not be taken lightly, such as the fierce purple dragon encountered in the trailer, fiercely guarding its valuable treasure.

Criminals Within's Dragon Designs And Their Role In The Game

Apart from the pug dragon, which Pirok confirmed players can interact with, Criminals Within introduces other dragon variations. One of these is the Scrap dragon, described on the Studio's Twitter as "the uninvited resident of Jarel's camp, surviving on his belongings." Additionally, Pirok mentioned that these dragon designs are based on real-world animals and have a distinctive stylized appearance, thanks to the expertise of Concept Artist Simone Giovanardi in zoology. However, the specific types of dragon interactions have not been finalized yet. With some games allowing players to assume the role of a dragon or even ride them, it will be intriguing to observe the dragon dynamics that Space Rock Games creates.

Pirok, confirming the importance of dragons to the story, has set up an intriguing premise for a game that utilizes Unreal Engine 5. This exciting detail may attract fans of games such as Dragon Age, sparking their interest. With Criminals Within currently in development, it will be fascinating to explore the dynamics of the dragons, their impact on the narrative, and the choices made by the developers.