Drakengard 2

Drakengard 2 is the direct sequel to the original Drakengard, taking elements from Ending A & B. You take control of Nowe, a new recruit of the Knights of the Seals who must protect the seals that keep the world safe with his blue dragon, Legna. However, this soon changes when he finds out the truth about Oror's death and meets the antagonist of the previous title, Manah.

Unused Models#

Torneko Taloon#

Torneko from the Dragon Quest series is in file1440_TMP1_CH.fpk. This is because Cavia was developing Dragon Quest: Shounen Yangus to Fushigi no Dungeon during this time, which Torneko makes an appearance in.

Silver Pawn#

A model of the enemy known as "Silver Pawn" exists in file1_H1.fpk. Due to the Empire being destroyed at the end of the previous entry, these soldiers ultimately go unused.

Black Pawn#

The stronger version of Silver Pawn, known as "Black Pawn", that's lurking within file395_H2.fpk. Like with its brethren, they go unused due to story reasons.

Arioch#

File683_ARIOSH.fpk contains everyone's favorite child cannibal, Arioch. While her weapon is in the game as a unlockable for Urick to use, Arioch never appears nor is mentioned in the story at all.

Verdelet#

file502_EVENT_VERDELET01.fpk, not shockingly, features Verdelet. While he is mentioned in the story by Seere, Verdelet never makes an actual appearance due to being killed by Caim before the events of Drakengard 2. His model is in a laying-down pose, reused from the previous title.

Unused Graphics#

Manah Wireframe Texture#

One of Manah's textures features white wireframes, likely left by accident during development.

Hanch Texture Text#

Hanch's model contains an unused texture that features what seems to be a early version of her face and some handwritten text that seems to comment about Hanch. It reads "レオンのナタリー ポートマン", translating to "Natalie Portman in Léon".

Bright Blue Sky#

A bright sky texture that's never seen in-game, although it does appear in some FMVs like the opening and all the endings.

Early Chapter 4 Sky Area#

Legna's model for his first form contains an unused texture that seems to show an early version of the sky section of Chapter 4.

New Breed Nowe Save Icon#

Nowe has an unused save icon featuring his New Breed form, which isn't normally seen as it's impossible to save the game once Nowe unlocks the form and using the costume orb doesn't show this icon.

Trial Version Leftovers#

Leftovers graphics from the trial version. The first shows the player how to play the game and the second is a coming soon message.

Original Drakengard Leftover Main Menu#

"FILE_955.zim" contains a leftover graphic of the main menu from the previous game.

Early Test Graphics#

'...But what does it mean?' This game has text or audio that needs to be translated. If you are fluent with this language, please read our translation guidelines and then submit a translation!

"File_80.fpk" is a file that only exists in the Japanese version of the game. Looking into this file reveals a trove of early graphics that were purely used for testing various things like text boxes and portraits. It also contains two portraits of Eris and a location from the previous entry.

Development-Related Text#

'...But what does it mean?' This game has text or audio that needs to be translated. If you are fluent with this language, please read our translation guidelines and then submit a translation!

file_19.kps#

This text file exists within "File_80.fpk". What's very notable is that it mentions a build date of February 2nd, 2004. This is over a year before Drakengard 2 released in Japan.

KPS_2004/02/04A
Line 102 |:| 現在の 剣 では と連続で入力すると すばやい連続コンボが発生します。

Line 103 |:|  現在の 剣 では と連続で入力すると すばやい連続コンボが発生します。

Line 104 |:| 現在の剣では と連続で入力すると 現在の剣では と連続で入力すると

Line 105 |:| 現在の剣では と連続で入力すると 現在の剣では と連続で入力すると
Line 106 |:|味方が襲われている！ 敵を倒し、味方を救え！

Line 107 |:| 足元が暖かい… 大地から何かの力を感じる。
Line 108 |:| 松明の下に文字が記されている。 『はじめに日の沈む方角を斬り…』

Line 109 |:| 松明の下に文字が記されている。『そして、最後に大地を斬れば光と共に道は開くだ…』 

Line 110 |:| 松明の下に文字が記されている。『そして、最後に大地を斬れば光と共に道は開くだろう…』

Line 111 |:| 松明の下に文字が記されている。『そして、最後に大地を斬れば光と共に道は開くだう…』 

Line 112 |:| 開くだろう

Line 113 |:| 開くだろう…

Line 114 |:|『そして、最後に大地を斬れば光と共に道は開くだろう…』

file_18.kps#

Another text file within "File_80.fpk" contains system messages taken from the previous entry.

KPS_2004/02/04A
Line 1 |:| モードを選んでください。

Line 2 |:| ポートを選択してください。 

Line 3 |:| このメモリーカード(PS2)はフォーマットされていません。 フォーマットしますか？

Line 4 |:| はい 

Line 5 |:| いいえ 

Line 6 |:| フォーマット中です。“PlayStation 2”本体の電源を切ったり、 コントローラやメモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しはしないでください。

Line 7 |:| フォーマットに成功しました。

Line 8 |:| フォーマットに失敗しました。

Line 9 |:| メモリーカード(PS2)がMEMORY CARD差込口１にセットされていません。

Line 10 |:| スロットを選択してください。

Line 11 |:| スロット１

Line 12 |:| スロット２

Line 13 |:| メモリーカード(PS2)にアクセス中です。PlayStation 2本体の電源を切ったり コントローラやメモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しはしないでください。

Line 14 |:| ゲームデータをセーブしますか？

Line 15 |:| はい 

Line 16 |:| いいえ

Line 17 |:| ゲームデータを上書きセーブしますか？ 

Line 18 |:| はい 

Line 19 |:| いいえ

Line 20 |:| ゲームデータをセーブ中です。“PlayStation 2”本体の電源を切ったり コントローラやメモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しはしないでください。 

Line 21 |:| ゲームデータのセーブに成功しました。

Line 22 |:| ゲームデータのセーブに失敗しました。

Line 23 |:| ゲームデータをロードしますか？

Line 24 |:| はい 

Line 25 |:| いいえ 

Line 26 |:| ゲームデータをロード中です。#01# #17# “PlayStation 2”本体の電源を切ったり コントローラやメモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しはしないでください。

Line 27 |:| ゲームデータのロードに成功しました。 

Line 28 |:| ゲームデータのロードに失敗しました。 

Line 29 |:| このメモリーカード(PS2)のゲームデータは破損しています。 

Line 30 |:| メモリーカード(PS2)の空き容量が不足しています。 データをセーブするには４１KB以上の空き容量が必要です。

Line 31 |:| DRAG-ON DRAGOONのゲームデータがありません。

Line 32 |:| このメモリーカード(PS2)はフォーマットされていません。 

Line 33 |:| メモリーカード(PS2)の空き容量が不足しています。 このゲームのデータをセーブするには４１KB以上の空き容量が必要です。このままゲームを開始してよろしいですか？

Line 34 |:| はい

Line 35 |:| いいえ

Line 36 |:| メモリーカード(PS2)がMEMORY CARD差込口１にセットされていません。

Line 37 |:| このゲームのデータをセーブするには４１KB以上の空き容量が必要です。 このままゲームを開始してよろしいですか？

Line 38 |:| はい

Line 39 |:| いいえ

Line 40 |:| 項目を選択してください。 

Line 41 |:| ロードを中止しますか？

Line 42 |:| メモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しがありました。 

Line 43 |:| セーブしてよろしいですか？ 

Line 44 |:| はい 

Line 45 |:| いいえ

Line 46 |:| オプションデータをロード中です。 “PlayStation 2”本体の電源を切ったり コントローラやメモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しはしないでください。 

Line 47 |:| オプションデータのオートロードに成功しました。

Line 48 |:| オプションデータのオートロードに失敗しました。

Line 49 |:| ゲームデータをオートセーブ中です。 “PlayStation 2”本体の電源を切ったり、 コントローラやメモリーカード(PS2)の抜き差しはしないでください。

Line 50 |:| ゲームデータのオートセーブに成功しました。 

Line 51 |:| ゲームデータのオートセーブに失敗しました。

Line 52 |:| 指定されているコントローラがポート１にありません#01# #17# ポート１にコントローラをさしください。 というようなメッセージを記入してください。

file_20.kps#

The third and final text file inside "File_80.fpk", which contains placeholder text for the shop menu.

KPS_2004/02/04A
Line 1 |:| →はい#01# #17# 　いいえ

Line 2 |:| ウィンドウデザイン案その１ プレートや背景のデザイン等は まだ決定ではありません。

Line 3 |:| 買いますか？ 

Line 4 |:| はい 

Line 5 |:| いいえ

Line 6 |:| 店を出ますか？ 

Line 7 |:| 買い物をする 

Line 8 |:| 店を出る

Line 9 |:| あんたいい買い物をしたね！

Line 11 |:| アイテムの詳しい説明。 アイテムの詳しい説明。 アイテムの詳しい説明。 アイテムの詳しい説明。 アイテムの詳しい説明。 アイテムの詳しい説明。 アイテムの詳しい説明。

Line 12 |:|  見えてきたな。あれが気炎の直轄区……。 エリス達は無事だろうか？ 

Line 13 |:|  尻に敷かれても懲りず尻を追う…… まったく見上げた根性であるぞ、小僧。

Line 14 |:|  ノウェ、これはただの霧ではありませんわ。 毒性を持っているのです。 短時間で片をつけなければ……。

Line 15 |:| 彼らのことなど、かまっている暇はありませんわ。 霧の吹き出ているところを潰して、先へ進みましょう。

Line 16 |:| 遺跡の入り口に着きましたわ。 この中に気炎の“鍵”があるそうです。

Line 17 |:| ……人の命を吸う“鍵”を、あのザンポ連隊長が# “守護者”として守ってるってわけか。 

Line 18 |:| そういえば、明命の直轄区では“守護者”らしき 人と会わなかったな。それは、なぜなんだ？ 

Line 19 |:| 明命の“守護者”は行方知れずと聞いていますわ。 その理由はわたくしも知らなくてよ さあ、お喋りはやめて先へ進まなくては。

FILE_764#

FILE_764 contains an variation meant of the "Ending A" dialogue seen in FILE_397, meant to check for any bugs.

Unused Weapons#

There are four unused weapons that can be only accessed with modifications or using cheat devices. Surprisingly enough, these weapons are mostly finished, can be leveled up, and even contain weapon stories.

Writheheart#

Weapon in the equipment menu	In-game model of the weapon

A short gray sword for Nowe to equip, taken from the original Drakengard. The weapon story reads as follows:

Once, there lived a girl, fair and pure. Born into a life of poverty, she was sent to work as a maid in the home of a noble family. There, she was treated like an animal. After months of hard labor and abuse, her mind and body began to fail her.

The only one who treated the girl with any kindness was her lord's youngest son. He comforted her, and soon they began an illicit affair. The doting girl lived for the short midnight meetings, alone with her lover.

Late one evening, she made her way to the meeting place at the usual time and found her love waiting for her. But he was not alone. With him were all of his brothers and sisters. Smiling like demons, they encircled her and forced her to the ground. She lost consciousness when she caught sight of the cruel grin on her lover's face...

The next morning, the girl limped back to the mansion. In her hands she held a beautiful sword. When she caught sight of her lover, she lunged for him without a word, and pierced his and her own heart. Steeped in their life blood, the fatal weapon took up the scorned girl's bitter hatred and had been cursed ever since. 

Sealaxe: Calamitous Rhythm#

Weapon in the equipment menu	In-game model of the weapon

This axe is actually unlockable in the final game, but only for Urick and not Nowe. It seems that at some point in development, Nowe would've been able to use Urick's weapons after he permanently leaves the party after chapter seven. The weapon story reads as follows:

A master blacksmith, embittered by the god's maltreatment of the world, vowed to forge a weapon with which to destroy them.

The power of the seal negates the power of the gods, and the seal derives its power from the goddess... So the blacksmith sealed the power of the goddess into his creation.

She was a legendary goddess who held the seeds within her body and saved mankind from ruin.

Sealed inside was time, the conqueror of space and all dimensions.

Widow's Death#

Weapon in the equipment menu	In-game model of the weapon

Another weapon taken from the original Drakengard, only usable for Eris. Unlike Writheheart and Sealaxe: Calamitous Rhythm, this one doesn't seem to be fully finished as the weapon model is completely different than what's seen in the equipment menu. The weapon story reads as follows:

Neustria's King Chilperich I ended the long confrontation with Astracia by agreeing to the marriage of his second son, Alfonstein, to Fonpadel, the third daughter of Sigibert I, king of Austracia.

All was peaceful between Neustria and Austracia until Sigibert I's heir Almabar, missing since his tour of the Western Gothic land of Aunatras, returned to claim the throne.

Almabar killed his mother, Brunhilda, then confronted King Chilperich's widow, Fredegunde, who had planned to assassinate him, and claimed that Fonpadel and Alsonstein's marriage was illegitimate. He then declared war against Fredegunde's eldest son, King Clotair II of Neustria.

The battle began in the northern Austracian land of Vyomar. Almabar led his Austracian army to victory over the Neustrians. Fredegunde was captured at the castle, and executed by the same axe used to behead Brunhilde.

Poisontongue#

Weapon in the equipment menu	In-game model of the weapon

Another weapon taken from the original Drakengard, only usable for Urick. Like with Widow's Death, the weapon model is completely different when compared to how it looks in the equipment menu. The weapon story reads as follows:

Long ago there was a vast kingdom surrounded with water and enclosed by mighty walls. Blessed with the gift of water, the people lived a life of happiness. An altar to the water goddess stood at the center of the kingdom. On it laid an axe, which radiated a calm blue light. Legends told that the goddess used the axe to slay the demon king of drought.

Beyond its walls, other nations schemed to steal the prosperous kingdom's wealth. Under the command of their king, the citizens fought bravely, but the peace-loving people of the water kingdom were no match for the invaders. Soon, their mighty walls lay in ruins and the war was on their doorstep.

When the flames of war reached the water goddess's altar, the axe came to life. Floating above its resting place, its blade gave off a blinding flash of light. The next moment, a tidal wave washed over the invading armies and continued past the kingdom's borders, drowning the land of the enemy.

Having served its purpose, the axe lost its luster and the waters subsided. Now, the ancient weapon looked as drained and lifeless as the desert.

Unused FMVs#

Early Japanese Opening#

An early opening of the Japanese version exists within "D_MOVIE.BIN" via "FILE_30.pss". It doesn't have the glitchy sound effect when young Manah speaks at the beginning, and it uses an early version of the musical track "Symphonic Poem Forbidden Prelude".

Drakengard Trailer#

A Japanese trailer for the original Drakengard exists inside of "FILE_23.pss". It doesn't have any audio at all, as it was used for placeholder purposes.

Dummy Data#

"FILE_25.pss" contains a rather simple dummy data video. It exists in every single version of Drakengard 2 except for the Japanese version.

Unused Audio#

Note: Despite not having an option to change the voice language, all of the Japanese dialogue still exists in the files for all regions (in D_VOICE.BIN). This is the reason why every non-Japanese version of the game has a larger data size than the Japanese version, with the U.S version in particular being a whopping 4.07 GB. For brevity, this article will only cover the actual unused lines from the game.

Drag-On Dragoon 2 Voice Clips#

Most major characters have an unused voice line where they call out the Japanese title. It's likely that this was meant to be used for when the title screen appears after the Square Enix and Cavia logos.

Nowe#

Eris#

Manah#

Urick#

Seere#

Young Manah#

Oror#

Gismor#

Legna#

Angelus#

Lalalala!#

Young Manah singing for when the Cavia logo appears.

_MASTE~1#

There's a empty folder named _MASTE~1 that only exists in the Japanese version. Given that "Maste" likely means "Master", this folder likely used to contain source code assets.

Regional Differences#

Possibly due to rights issues, the main theme, "Hitori" was replaced in the international versions with an alternate version of "Growing Wings", the credits theme for Ending B from the previous game.

References#