Mia and the Dragon Princess | Xbox Review

It’s safe to say that I’m a massive fan of FMV titles, and I’m always looking for a fresh title to dive into. Good Gate Media and Wales Interactive consistently hit it out of the park with their games, and their latest immersive experience is no exception. Mia and the Dragon Princess is a thrilling adventure that kept me hooked from start to finish. This was a unique spin on the FMV genre, and it’s safe to say this is my favorite title from these developers to date.

Surprise Attack

Mia and the Dragon Princess follows Mia, who works at a small bar in London. One day she comes across a woman who is huddled against the bar’s dumpster. The woman is clad in a hospital gown, wears an unusual compass on her wrist, and only speaks Indonesian and Mandarin. Mia decides to help her, assuming that this mysterious lady is homeless. After ushering her into the bar, all hell breaks loose.

You soon learn that this woman is named Marshanda, and she’s on a mission to find her long-lost friend Red Kat Morgan. Their backstory is told through beautifully animated segments. I adored these flashbacks, and I wouldn’t complain if these sections were turned into a full-fledged game of their own or even a cartoon series. They’re that captivating and gorgeous. 

Kill ‘Em With Kindness… If You Want

As is the usual with FMV games, gameplay is limited to making choices at certain story points. You can choose to be kind or assertive with Marshanda and the patrons of the bar, and whichever personality choice you make can alter your story significantly. When the action starts, you must decide who to help and what risks to take. The stakes are high, and it’s advised to not become too attached to any character in Mia and the Dragon Princess. 

Another wonderful treat is the ability to unlock “audio tours,” special segments that further flesh out the story. They’re wonderfully narrated by Michael Geary (Outlander, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide), who plays a tour guide named Sebastian in the main game. His cheery anecdotes and insertion of adult-oriented jokes make these an absolute pleasure to listen to. You can’t unlock all of these audio segments with just one playthrough, and the desire to hear more of the backstory is enough to warrant at least another run. My first playthrough took me about an hour and a half to complete, making this an easy game to spend a night with unlocking everything.

Full Throttle

This is an action/thriller title, and it hits all the right notes. The fight choreography and action is expertly handled and I almost forgot I was playing a game at points. It genuinely feels like watching a quality action film. The cast is uniformly excellent, but Noa Bleeker (Ted Lasso) and Dita Tantang (Chronicles of Syntax, Ren) have outstanding chemistry and bounce off of each other well as Mia and Marshanda, respectively. I was rooting for both of these women to achieve their individual goals. 

My only nitpick with Mia and the Dragon Princess is the fact that backgrounds frequently become pixelated during close-up shots. It took away slightly from the cinematic feeling of the game. It’s not a deal breaker by any means; this aspect just doesn’t feel as polished as the rest of the game. The rare use of CGI can also be cheesy, but I found these moments to be enjoyably campy rather than a negative feature. 

The Final Verdict

Mia and the Dragon Princess is an outstanding FMV game, and another winner from Good Gate Media and Wales Interactive. The story is fascinating and has high stakes, while the animated backstory segments are so gorgeous that I want more of them in any capacity. The excellent performances from the cast and the top-notch fight choreography are the icing on the cake. The cherry on top? The wonderful “audio tours” narrated by the character Sebastian that provide further information about the characters and backstory. This is a must-play title if you’re a fan of FMV titles, but I also highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great action/thriller experience.

To hear me talk more about Mia and the Dragon Princess, be sure to listen to the May 10, 2023 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast.

This review is based on an Xbox copy of Mia and the Dragon Princess provided by HomeRun PR for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Google Play, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.