Mastering the Chaos of Drakengard 3
Drakengard 3, released for the PlayStation 3, is one of the most unique action-RPGs in gaming history. Directed by visionary creator Yoko Taro, the game serves as a narrative prequel to the original Drakengard and sets the foundation for the universe that later spawned Nier, Nier: Automata, and NieR Replicant. Players follow Zero, a formidable undead heroine wielding a magical flower in her eye, who embarks on a brutal campaign to slay her five powerful sisters—the Intoners.
While Drakengard 3 features intense hack-and-slash action combined with aerial dragon combat, its narrative structure can be complex for newcomers. Reaching the true conclusion requires collecting every single weapon in the game and surviving one of the most infamous rhythm-based final boss fights ever created. This comprehensive guide details combat fundamentals, unlocking all narrative branches, collecting weapons, and conquering Branch D.
Combat Fundamentals & Weapon Classes
Combat in Drakengard 3 is fast, fluid, and frantic. Zero can equip four distinct weapon types and switch between them instantly during combat. Mastering real-time weapon swapping is essential for maintaining combo chains and breaking enemy defenses.
1. Swords
Swords serve as Zero's primary balanced option. They offer moderate attack speed, respectable damage, and reliable crowd control. High-level swords feature broad sweeping attacks that comfortably clear out large formations of light foot soldiers.
2. Spears
Spears excel at single-target armor penetration. Heavily armored knights, shield bearers, and heavy commanders drop quickly under spear thrusts. While spears lack wide sweeping arcs, their high damage per hit makes them vital against elite enemies.
3. Combat Bracers
Combat Bracers offer extremely fast close-range martial attacks. They rapidly fill Zero's Intoner gauge and inflict heavy stagger on targeted foes. Although their reach is short, their fast hit-rate excels in 1v1 engagements.
4. Chakrams
Chakrams are thrown circular blades designed for mid-to-long-range engagements. They clear out flying enemies, archers, and spellcasters without forcing Zero to run across the battlefield. Keeping Chakrams active helps sustain combo meters safely from a distance.
Managing Intoner Mode and Dragon Combat
As Zero slays enemies and coats herself in blood, her Intoner gauge fills up. When activated, Intoner Mode renders Zero temporarily invulnerable, increases her movement speed, and drastically boosts attack power. It is best saved for intense mini-boss encounters, large crowds, or dire low-health situations.
In specific missions, Zero takes to the skies atop her dragon companion, Mikhail. Aerial battles require balancing lock-on fireball blasts with well-timed dodges. During select ground battles where Mikhail can be summoned, his breath attacks can decimate large enemies, though you must stay mindful of his prolonged attack recovery windows.
Unlocking All Timelines and Endings
Reaching the true ending in Drakengard 3 requires progressing through multiple alternate timeline pathways known as Branches. Each branch unlocks critical story details and unique boss encounters.
- Branch A: Played during your initial playthrough. Completing the main story chapters leads directly to Ending A.
- Branch B: Unlocked after completing Branch A. Reloading your finished save file exposes new divergent story paths in the mission select screen.
- Branch C: Unlocked after completing Branch B and following the newly made available mission routes.
- Branch D: To unlock the final branch and access the true ending, you must collect 100% of all 62 base-game weapons.
How to Collect All 62 Weapons for Branch D
Acquiring every weapon in Drakengard 3 requires thorough exploration and currency management. Weapons are gathered through four primary channels:
- Story Progression: Earned automatically as rewards for completing primary story chapters and verses.
- Hidden Chests: Discovered inside treasure chests scattered across story stages. Thorough exploration of side paths is required.
- Accord's Requests: Completing side quests offered by Accord rewards both exclusive weapons and substantial amounts of Gold.
- Shop Purchases: A large portion of weapons must be purchased directly from the shop using Gold accumulated from quests and selling excess materials.
Gold Farming Tip: Focus on Accord's Payday request missions to gather maximum currency quickly. Equipping weapons with gold-drop bonus passives will significantly reduce the grind needed to buy out the shop.
Branch D Final Boss Strategy: Surviving the Song
The final boss of Branch D is legendary for its sudden genre shift and high difficulty. Instead of standard action combat, Drakengard 3 transitions into a strict full-screen rhythm battle where timing must be precise. A single mistake results in an immediate failure state.
Tips for Clearing the Rhythm Boss:
- Focus on Audio Cues: The camera angles shift dramatically and visual distractions abound. Listen closely to the chime sound emitted when shockwaves expand to time your button presses accurately.
- Prepare for Hidden Beats: During the final phase, the screen fades to pitch black while the music continues. Keep tapping rhythmically to the steady pulse of the beat even when visual prompts disappear entirely.
- Practice Rhythm Timing: If visual timing trips you up, practicing along with a visual-audio reference guide can help build muscle memory for the exact sequence timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play Drakengard or Nier before playing Drakengard 3?
No. Drakengard 3 is a prequel set hundreds of years prior to the original Drakengard. You can fully understand and enjoy the narrative without playing previous titles in the franchise.
How long does it take to complete Drakengard 3?
A basic playthrough to reach Ending A takes approximately 12 to 15 hours. Unlocking all branches, collecting all 62 weapons, and completing Branch D usually takes between 30 and 40 hours.
Are the story DLC chapters required to unlock Branch D?
No. The DLC chapters detail the backstories of Zero's sisters (One, Two, Three, Four, and Five). While they provide rich narrative context and additional weapons, DLC weapons do not count toward the 62 base game weapons required for Branch D.
Final Thoughts
Drakengard 3 remains an iconic cult classic action-RPG filled with dark themes, sharp writing, and memorable character dynamics. Obtaining all weapons and clearing Branch D requires patience, but completing Zero's complete arc offers one of the most remarkable conclusions in action gaming history.
