**This project is currently seeking help! To learn what coding help we need or to apply as a tester, tag @lordmonoxide in the #severed-chains channel of the LoD Discord server.
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Download Severed Chains
Devbuild: Windows | Mac Intel | Linux | Steam Deck
Devbuild for ARM Systems: Linux ARM | Mac M1 | Windows ARM (?)
Previous Stable Release (Old)
The latest stable release is no longer recommended. It is being phased out.
Stable Build 2.1: Windows | Mac M1 | Mac Intel | Linux | Steam Deck
Stable Build 2.1 for ARM Systems: Linux ARM | Windows ARM (?)
Press Kit for journalists – Coming Soon!
Project Summary
Severed Chains is an (unofficial) PC port of Legend of Dragoon; created by Monoxide. Unlike emulation, a native port removes the boundaries typically present. The game runs faster, leaner, and has breakout modding capabilities. Experience the game in 4K, 60FPS, and true widescreen for the first time. Try out a party that doesn’t include Dart! Get a feel for many quality-of-life improvements, as well as accessibility options.
Please note that Severed Chains only works with the North American release of the game at this time. After the next major release we will look into supporting the other regional releases.
Useful Links
Gallery
Features
Highlights
- 4K60FPS (Battle still retail FPS)
- True Widescreen (Battle, World Map)
- Restored Asset Quality (sound, models, animations, etc.)
- Fast Loading & Transitions
- Save Anywhere; Unlimited Slots
- Accessibility Options
**Click or tap to expand Full List of Features**
Core
- Fast loading speed
- Unlimited save slots
- Full mouse support in menus
- Keyboard and controller input (1800+ controllers supported)
- Campaigns
- Separate saves for different playthroughs
- Different settings and mods per campaign
- Lots of bug fixes
- Quit to Title
Visuals & Audio
- 4K+ Native Resolution
- 60 FPS (except Battle)
- Fullscreen (Borderless)
- True Widescreen (Battle, World Map)
- Improved Animations
- High-Quality Projection
- Expanded Submaps (BGs that are longways can sometimes fill a widescreen monitor)
- Improved Audio
- Volume Slider – Music (keeps other sounds including ambience active)
Accessibility & Quality-of-Life
- Save Anywhere
- Quick Text & Auto-Advance Dialog
- Increased Game Speed (fast-forward)
- Skip FMVs
- Battle
- Unlock Party – Dart Optional; Solo; Duo; Keep Lavitz/Shana
- Addition Select In Battle
- Transition Speed (normal, fast, instant)
- Dragoon XP – SP Tracker @ Post-Battle Screen
- HP Bars
Combat Difficulty Options
- Encounter Rate: Retail (bugged), Average (fixed), Intended (higher), or None
- 1-9999 item slots
- Bench EXP multiplier (0%-100% of active split, retail is 50%)
- Automatic Additions, D-attacks, Item Magic
- Tougher Additions (disable HUD)
- Disable Status Effects
- Custom stats for enemies, players, gear, and much more (via Dragoon Modifier)
- Custom gold/exp reward from battles (via Battle Rewards mod)
Modding API (Custom code, asset replacement, et cetera)
- Editable game files
Miscellaneous
- Change combat menu color
- Debuggers:
- Map teleporting
- Start any battle at any time
- Choose what battle stage you want to fight on
Upcoming Features
- Gamepad Remapping
- Lots more modding features
- More accessibility options
- Mogul Dabas restored (PocketStation Minigame)
Current Issues
- minor graphical bugs
- minor audio bugs
- Rumble not implemented (waiting on GLFW support)
Roadmap
The next version, Recommended Build 3, is expected to release ASAP following unforseen delays. It features a massive graphics overhaul: 4K native resolution, 60 frames per second, fullscreen, and optional widescreen support. There will also be many other improvements such as: Dart being an optional party member, accessibility improvements, and numerous bugfixes.
Build 4 will focus on the modding API, allowing more types of mods to be created.
Build 5 will focus on adding 60FPS support for battle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this available to download and play?
A: Yes. View the Setup Guide linked above.
Q: Does Severed Chains change the gameplay?
A: No, generally speaking. Apart from core improvements like bugfixes, better rendering, and reduced load times, changes to the game will only be present via mods and settings that a player must opt into.
Q: Can I bring over my savefiles from emulator, or an older version of SC?
A: Yes! Starting with RB3 and current devbuilds, emulator savefiles and PS1-ripped savefiles can be placed in the “/saves” directory. SC will convert them next time you open it. Old SC saves are forward compatible. However, saves from a newer version of SC won’t work with an older version of SC.
Q: Do I still need a PS1 bios file?
A: Nope! đ
Q: When can we expect a given feature or mod to be added?
A: It is hard to create predictable timelines for each component of Severed Chains, as the team is very small and it is a volunteer project. You can follow the latest updates in the LoD Discord serverâs #severed-chains channel or study the Issues section of our Github repository.
Q: Why isnât this considered emulation?
A: The general purpose of emulators is to act as a platform that imitates the original hardware â how it works, the processing power it can use, et cetera. This is why, although LoD can run with many improvements through Beetle or Duckstation, it still doesnât have faster loading times even with overkill processors and graphics cards. By contrast, Severed Chains doesnât try to imitate the PS1 at all. This allows for many enhancements that are either not feasible or borderline impossible with standard emulation.
Q: I’m a coder and I want to help. What do you need?
A: Generally speaking, it depends on the moment. Please check in with Monoxide in the #severed-chains channel of the LoD Discord server. Otherwise, the big-ticket task we need help with is Android development. If you are experienced and willing to do the work, check in on Discord first and we’ll go from there.
Q: How long has this project been in development? What is the history/timeline?
A: Monoxide began the decompilation process in December 2020. In August of 2022, the game was starting to be playable. At that time, development was opened up to the community and made open-source. The first Stable release came out some months later. Stable release #2 was deployed in July 2023 with almost all retail features in place. Stable release #3 has been in development since then, and is nearing completion.
Q: Is this project legal? Can I get in trouble for using it?
A: Yes, the project is legal. Illegality comes from rebuilding the game via leaked source code or making fan games that don’t rely on a legal copy to run. This project uses reverse-engineered assembly code and creates a new game engine out of it, but still relies on a legal copy of LoD to run. Therefore, you cannot get in trouble for downloading and using the Severed Chains platform. Your disc image files or âromsâ must be obtained by making legal backups of a physical copy that you own. We will not provide downloads of LoD disc images.