With Dragonkin: The Banished, publisher Nacon and developer Eko Software are diving headfirst into the action RPG genre with a dark fantasy twist. Currently in Early Access on PC, the game invites players into a world ravaged by draconic corruption, where humanity’s last hope lies in the hands of legendary warriors. We spent time with the latest build, including the freshly released Tracker Update, and came away with a clearer picture of what this ambitious title is shaping up to be.
What we know
Dragonkin: The Banished is an action RPG set in a world where the blood of dragons has tainted the land, spawning monstrous creatures and threatening the last remnants of civilization. Players choose from four distinct hero classes – Tracker, Barbarian, Oracle, and Knight – each with unique abilities and combat styles. The game’s central loop revolves around hunting down increasingly powerful draconic foes, culminating in battles against the elusive Dragon Lords.
Each character evolves through a system called the Ancestral Grid, a customizable skill board that lets players slot in abilities and modifiers earned through combat. This mechanic encourages experimentation and strategic planning, as each hero’s grid offers different paths to power. The game world itself is expansive and varied, featuring biomes like toxic swamps, volcanic plains, and icy tundras, each populated with elemental monsters and rich lore.
Players also manage a growing city that serves as humanity’s final refuge. This hub evolves based on player choices, unlocking new services, inhabitants, and upgrades. While the game is currently single-player, online multiplayer is planned for a future update. Dragonkin is available now in Early Access on PC, with console versions expected later.
What we saw
We’ve been hands-on with the Early Access version of Dragonkin: The Banished, diving into the latest Tracker Update. This major patch introduced Qara Tani, a new playable class from the Qhongirat clan, along with 17 unique skills. We explored new biomes like Erde-nòr, tackled fresh endgame content including Chaos Hunts and Champion enemies, and tested quality-of-life features like the loot filter and death recap system.
What we thought
From the outset, Dragonkin: The Banished impresses with its world-building. The premise of a land corrupted by dragon blood is compelling, and the game leans into this with a rich tapestry of lore and environmental storytelling. The city hub adds a layer of progression that feels meaningful, especially as it reflects your decisions and discoveries. The new Tracker class is a standout addition, offering a satisfying blend of stealth, ranged precision, and poison-based tactics that complement the existing roster well.
Combat is fast-paced and responsive, with each class feeling distinct thanks to their unique skill sets and elemental affinities. The Ancestral Grid system is a highlight, allowing for deep customization and rewarding experimentation. However, the interface can feel overwhelming at first, and some of the tooltips and tutorials could benefit from refinement. The addition of modifiers and the Draconic Tarot system adds strategic depth, especially in endgame hunts, though balancing remains a work in progress.
Visually, the game delivers a moody, atmospheric experience. The biomes are diverse and well-realized, with dynamic weather effects adding variety to repeat visits. Character models and animations are solid, though some environmental textures and UI elements still feel placeholder. Audio design is effective, with a stirring soundtrack and impactful combat effects, though voice acting is currently limited or absent and should add a lot to the immersion factor when it gets implemented.
Overall, Dragonkin: The Banished shows real promise. It’s clear that Eko Software is listening to community feedback, and the regular updates are steadily fleshing out the game’s systems and content. While there are rough edges typical of Early Access, the foundation is strong, and the game’s unique blend of class-based combat, evolving environments, and strategic progression systems make it one to watch as development continues.
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