Rise of the Dragon

For the book, see The Rise of the Dragon. For the 2023 video game, see Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons.
Rise of the Dragon
Home computer cover art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Director(s)
Designer(s)Jeff Tunnell
Programmer(s)
  • Dariusz Lukaszuk
  • Richard Rayl
  • Kevin Ryan
Artist(s)
  • Randy Dersham (art director)
  • Robert Caracol (concept art)
Writer(s)
  • Jerry Luttrell
  • David Selle
Composer(s)
Platform(s)Amiga, DOS, Mac OS, Sega CD
Release
  • DOS
  • Q4 1990[1]
  • Amiga
  • 1991
  • Mac OS
  • September 1991[2]
  • Sega CD
Genre(s)Graphic adventure, action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Rise of the Dragon, released in 1990 by Dynamix, marks the company's venture into the cyberpunk genre, distinct from its usual portfolio of action and flight simulators. This graphic adventure game is set in a future dystopian version of Los Angeles, circa 2053, and follows the story of detective William 'Blade' Hunter as he investigates the death of the mayor's daughter, linked to a dangerous new drug, MTZ. The gameplay combines detective work, strategy, and action. Players must solve puzzles that influence the storyline, interact with characters who remember past choices, and tackle action sequences. If players fail these sequences multiple times, the game may offer to automatically complete them.

Originally launched for DOS, Rise of the Dragon was later ported to the Mac OS, Amiga, and Sega CD, with the Sega CD version introducing voice acting and making alterations for a MA-17 rating, including changes in content. The game's reception was generally positive, with critics noting its effective capture of a cyberpunk atmosphere, detailed graphics, and the non-linear approach to puzzle-solving. It garnered awards for artistic achievement but received some criticism for its control scheme and user interface.

  1. ^ "New software". The Fresno Bee. September 29, 1990. p. 15. Retrieved July 30, 2024. Sierra On-Line, the entertainment software company, said it and its subsidiary Dynamix will release 12 games for Christmas, with "King's Quest V" heading the list. Other games include...the action games "Rise of the Dragon"...also will be released.
  2. ^ Turian, Joseph (August 28, 1991). "'Rise of the Dragon'". Newsday. Retrieved July 30, 2024. [Rage of the Dragon]'s made for IBM, Amiga, and in September for Macintosh systems.
  3. ^ "MEGA-CDディスク（セガ発売）" [MEGA-CD disc (released by Sega)]. Sega. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2024.