History VideoGame / DragonForceSega

A RealTimeStrategy game by Creator/{{Sega}} for the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn involving war among eight nations of the continent of Legendra. It was localized into English by Creator/WorkingDesigns.

A sequel, ''VideoGame/DragonForce2'', was made and released for the Saturn as well, but was never localized outside Japan. A Sega Ages remake of the first game was released in 2005 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2.

* BonusBoss: Inherently linked to the secret characters, in that they will only appear if the player makes an effort to unlock the secret characters in the first place.

* DeathByAThousandCuts: Using troops against generals typically works like this. Troops do very little damage to generals, and are often killed in one hit by them. However, if you have over fifty troops attacking the enemy general, chances are their individual attacks will eventually defeat the general, unless they run away first.
** Special mention goes to [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity Zanon]] and [[BonusBoss Zado]], who [[NighInvulnerable only take 1hp of damage per attack from mooks, and take drastically reduced damage from spells.]] The only way to defeat them soundly is with this trope. [[spoiler: At the final battle, Gaul and Scythe get in on this as well.]]

* {{Bishonen}}: The Archer troops (which are [[{{Elfeminate}} Elves]], so this is a given), and many, many male generals.

Not to be confused with [[Music/DragonForce the band]]. Fun fact, this game was the inspiration for their name.

* KilledOffForReal: See HeroicSacrifice above. Also, some [[MookLieutenant genereic Fighter and Knight generals]] may end up slain in combat instead of merely injured and captured.

On a side note, Masahiro Akishino, founder of developer J-Force and initial project lead, abruptly disappeared during the game's development, and has never emerged since. No one knows his whereabouts, or even if he is still alive.

* DoesNotLikeShoes: Many of the Beast-Men go barefoot.

* BladeOnAStick: Lance weapons, which can only be used by Knight generals.

* [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity Plus One Weapon]]: One of the three AncientArtifacts gets empowered near the end of each monarch's campaign (according to their class), and becomes stronger than the best weapon they can equip.

* RuleOfThree: Three AncientArtifacts hidden in three shrines across the continent? Yup. Three [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Apostles of Darkness]]? Yup. Three hidden side-plots yielding [[SecretCharacter secret characters]] (Vlad + Sierra, Hayate + Shirox, and Vangal)? Yup.

* FiveManBand: You start with one.
** Highland Kingdom:
*** TheHero: Wein
*** TheLancer: Galam
*** TheBigGuy: Rudger, who is also something of a ChivalrousPervert.
*** TheChick: Nina
*** TheSmartGuy / KidAppealCharacter: Link
** Fandaria Empire:
*** BigBad [[spoiler: (actually TheHero)]]: Goldark
*** TheDragon [[spoiler: (actually an EvilChancellor and TheManBehindTheMan)]]: Gaul
*** DarkActionGirl: Scythe
*** GeniusBruiser: Kharhaz
*** TokenGoodTeammate: arguably Lyria, with hints of MyMasterRightOrWrong
** Palemoon Kingdom:
*** TheHero: Teiris
*** TheLancer: Manoa
*** TheBigGuy: Gulen and Reiner
*** TheSmartGuy: Manoa, also Duran, who is a MagicKnight
** Bozack Nation:
*** TheHero: Gongos
*** TheLancer: Rygar
*** TheBigGuy: Baghib (also TheBerserker)
*** TheSmartGuy: Katt, notable for her intelligence among the Beast Men
*** TagalongKid / BrattyHalfPint: Yuni, oh so much...
** Topaz Kingdom:
*** TheHero: Leon
*** TheLancer: Garyus
*** TheChick: Yanna, though she's more of an ActionGirl and TheAce
*** TheSmartGuy: Shaia
*** TheBigGuy: Raizak, with hints of DumbMuscle
** Izumo Nation:
*** TheHero: Mikhal
*** TheLancer: Zagat
*** TheBigGuy: Jackal
*** TheSmartGuy: Shione
*** TagalongKid: Mistal, though he's quick to disagree with anyone who thinks of him that way.
** Tradnor Kingdom
*** TheHero: Reinhart
*** TheLancer: arguably Sophie
*** TheAce: Bardal
*** BloodKnight: Presto
*** CoolOldGuy: Tsugal
** Tristan Empire
*** TheHero: Junon
*** TheLancer: Ayrios. Also doubles as TheAce.
*** TheBigGuy: Ortega and Scar. Scar is also a ShellshockedVeteran, and has hints of [[spoiler: TheStarscream during gameplay if certain conditions are met, though he's not evil per se]]
*** TheSmartGuy: Cinna

* BareYourMidriff: the Spirit User generals.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: No matter who you play as, the other monarchs (and their armies) become subservient to you after you beat them. Yes, even Gongos. [[ButtMonkey Eventually.]]

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking/ OneManArmy: The monarchs. Leon, Gongos, Junon, and Goldark are known to hold their own relatively well in battle.

* VoiceOfTheLegion: Nicely done in the PS2 remake with Madruk, his dragonmen, and the two voiced Apostles of Darkness: [[spoiler: Gaul & Scythe (although only in her OneWingedAngel form).]]

* ArbitraryMinimumRange: Averted. Archer and Mage troops will continue pelting their foes even in melee range. Should this happen, prepare to see the melee troops tear their formation up like wet tissue paper.

* AnAxeToGrind: Fighter generals and male Beast generals can equip axes.

** Interestingly, Bastion will tend to side with whichever army has more female generals (including HornyDevils Uryll & Sierra). That's also a good way to keep him loyal to you. Make of that what you will.

* EvilLaugh: The [=PS2=] remake takes this UpToEleven.

* KnifeNut: Thief generals come armed with only a dagger, which they also use in their (very) limited repertoire of spells.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters

* OneSteveLimit: In full effect. LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters, all with unique names.

Not to be confused with [[Music/DragonForce the band]].

* TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon: Ruinlege, where the epic FinalBattle takes place.