Drakan’s combination of swords-and-sorcery shooter with a combat flight simulator sounded way too gimmicky to be true. Yet it is; Surreal and Psygnosis have done an excellent job with just about every aspect of this game. With the waning popularity of Lara Croft, Drakan has perfect timing, too.

That’s because the main character, Rynn, is a leather-clad beauty who really knows how to handle a broadsword. She lives in one of those worlds caught in the Dark Ages, so it’s not long before evil Wartoks (like Orcs, but bigger and meaner) pillage her hometown and capture her little brother.

Rynn can’t fight back on her own, but the local priest directs her to an abandoned stronghold of the Order of the Flame, an ancient race of dragonriders who kept the peace but were almost destroyed through treachery. Soon enough, Rynn has awakened Artokh, the last dragon, and the two are off to save her brother.

Of course, that’s not all that’s at stake, because it sure looks like the Wartoks and other forces of evil are gearing up for something big.

Everything about this game is gorgeous. The environments are lush and fully three-dimensional. Lighting effects are marvelous, though some areas are far too dark with certain video cards. Every location feels unique, and there are plenty of little touches to make the player really feel as if he or she is exploring this new world.

Enemy artifical intelligence is fantastic. These guys plan strategy as far as their respective races allow, and the lesser enemies will get frustrated and beat on each other if they can’t reach Rynn.

The player will need that, because it’s only logical a slender female wouldn’t be able to take on some of these monsters head-to-head. Hit-and-run tactics and outright avoidance are the only surefire ways to stay alive, even when the dragon’s around. It’s a refreshing change from the gung-ho damn-the-torpedoes mentality.

The game’s most glaring failing — and it’s a minor one at most — is the inventory system. Instead of the usual weapon hotkeys, to switch weapons or items the player must open the inventory, double-click the appropriate weapon and then close the inventory. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is when the bad guys are coming fast and furious.

In short: Lara Croft, it’s time to retire. Psygnosis now has the baddest mutha in town.