This is the first of a series of blogs about dragon design in games, where I will have a look at the accuracy and overall design of the dragons. For this one, how good are the Century: Age of Ashes designs?

When I think of a Dragon, what I see is a winged reptile with Dinosaur aspects, there are many things you can do to make a design unique, but there is a line between what is a Dragon and what isn’t for me. In this daily series spanning 5 days I will be looking at Dragons in games and judging them on multiple factors, I mean no offence to the developers, I am only stating my opinion on the designs’ anatomical accuracy.

Century: Age of Ashes is a great game, but how accurate to biology are the Dragons themselves? There are 3 kinds of free playable dragons within the game, so let’s start with the Marauder class Dragons type.

BloodChasers

Wings

The wings of the BloodChaser are not very good. The wing size is ok, although it could definitely be bigger, with the design it looks as if it would have to beat its wings quite fast to fly, which is not the most energy-efficient flying method.

Keel

The Keel (bone extending from the sternum that creates more muscle attachment space) looks too small, especially for the power it would need to effectively use its wing size.

Miscellaneous Wing Anatomy

It also suffers from what I have nicknamed the “Elbow Finger Syndrome”, the name explains it pretty well, while it might seem like a good idea to add it for more wing surface area it isn’t seen on any real animal, suggesting it’s not very realistic (although it could very well work as a cartilaginous extension it looks a lot like the other bony fingers supporting the rest of the wing).

Although, with many inaccuracies it does have one good thing regarding wings, it is attached to the main body quite far back.

Body

While not very accurate with wings, the body is rather good. The neck is very muscled, which allows for carrying its rather big head, the tail is a nice length, and its head is suitably vicious-looking.

It has a lot fewer inaccuracies than the wings, the legs are a bit cartoonily thin at the ankles, which I don’t think would hold up very well for supporting its body, and the chest is a bit human.

Overview

While it is a cool design, it is not the most accurate I’ve seen. The wings leave much to be desired, but the body is alright. An average Dragon design is my opinion on this one.

Score

I would rate the BloodChaser a 5/10 anatomy-wise.

Favourite feature

The spines along the back and tail are very nice looking, and add a dangerous aesthetic to the Dragon.

Despised feature

Weak ankles.

IronWings

Wings

Wings are decent regarding size, this one has a better wing size than the previous BloodChaser. It could fly but needs to beat its wings often, like the BloodChaser. This one also suffers from “Elbow Finger Syndrome”, as well as possessing a claw at the knuckle of its elbow finger. The keel is nicely sized, meaning that flight is actually possible for this one (though not very energy-efficient flight).

Body

The body is very good on this one, its legs are still a little weak at the ankles, but it’s pretty great aside from that.

Overview

A decent design, the wings are still not very good, but at least it can fly.

Rating

I would rate the IronWing a 6/10 anatomy-wise.

Favourite Feature

The awesome long tail with webbing at the end.

Despised Feature

The 8 fingers (including the elbow fingers).

NightSnaggers

Wings

The worst wings we have reviewed so far, they are much too small for flight, requiring extremely fast wing beats to fly, like a hummingbird. Also suffering from “Elbow Finger Syndrome” like the other two. It also has a great many holes in its wings, though a good aesthetic for this Dragon, it is not the most efficient thing for flying…

Body

In short, it’s emaciated. Its head is very good, but the main body is extremely thin, and its ankles are somehow thinner than the BloodChaser’s ankles… its keel is the biggest yet, but that may be the effect of its emaciated appearance, and its chest is very human too.

Overview

The worst one out of the three, its wings are horrific and its body is thin to the point of looking malnourished. A below-average Dragon, its not possible as an animal, a shame for me since I main this one.

Rating

I would rate this one a 2/10 anatomy-wise.

Favourite Feature

The spiky tail is very cool.

Despised Feature

Extremely weak ankles.

Conclusion

And so we come to the end of my criticisms, and again I would like to say I mean no offence to the developers, your designs are very cool, I am only judging scientific accuracy.

Leave a like if you enjoyed, I hope you found this interesting, and I hope to see you again soon :>

Part two: Dragon designs part 2, specifically Dragons Life on Roblox

Part three: Dragon designs part 3, specifically Monster Hunter World

Part four: Dragon designs part 4, specifically Dragons Fire on Roblox

Part five: Dragon designs part 5, specifically How to Train your Dragon