How to Train Your Dragon 2

The How To Train Your Dragon 2 video game is based on the DreamWorks movie by the same name that was launched in June 2014. Oddly enough this game was released even before the movie it is based on premiered locally. Just like the movie, the game is full of fantasy, adventure, action, and, of course, dragons. It launched simultaneously for the Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Wii U.

Developed by Torus Games, How To Train Your Dragon 2 was distributed by Bandai Namco. In the game, the players can choose between their favorite dragon riders, with their respective dragon of course. You can enter the dragon flight academy, take part in training, tournaments, and different challenges, as well as explore the Island of Berk. There’s a lot to discover and mysteries to solve in this fantasy world, so get ready for a great adventure.

Training and challenges

The game has different challenges, but most of them are quite simple and fun. Some Challenges revolve around picking up each dragon's tokens, learning to land, flame-throwing, long flying times without crashing with the obstacles, and much more. Of course, some of these challenges will be really useful when you take part in the tournaments, so be sure to complete as many as you can.

In the tournaments, you will compete against the other riders for the title of the best rider on the island. But these are not just friendly competitions, as you can attack the other riders, throw objects at them and defeat them. Overcome all your challengers and even ride their dragons. The more you win, the more titles you get, this will allow you to unlock new items, abilities, and even characters.

Characters and arenas

The challenges and training take place in many different locations. Depending on what the challenge’s about, the location can be in high places, plains, rocky places, over the sea, and many more. Berk is full of varied places and locations, some of them can be really dangerous and wild, while others are calm and open. While you can freely explore, you can never get too far from the island, and if you do the game automatically redirects you back into Berk.

As for the characters, you can choose from the teams you see in the movies: Hiccup and Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly, Fishlegs and Meatlug, Snotlout and Hookfang, and more. Not to mention that you'll also be able to unlock two new characters from the movie.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 is a light and casual game, simple and entertaining. The tournaments, with all the obstacles and competitors, are similar to the races you'd see in Mario Kart 64. And the training is just some basic mini-games. But the game really falls short by not being multiplayer in any way. This immediately takes points away, especially when you compare it to similar titles.

It feels like a warm-up for the movie, and since it was released before the premiere in many countries, this could actually make sense.

Pros:

• Varied characters
• Different challenges
• It’s on many platforms
• Excellent Soundtrack

Cons:

• No story
• Far too easy and simple
• Lacks all the emotion present in the movies
• Bland visuals