Draco and the Seven Scales Tips for Beginners: What I Wish I Knew Before Setting Sail

When I was a kid, I used to play Link’s Awakening under my blanket with a little clip-on light, long after bedtime. That tiny island felt like a secret only I knew about.

The first time I sailed out of port in Draco and the Seven Scales, that exact feeling came rushing back. It’s been a long time since a new game made me feel eight years old again.

If you just picked it up, welcome aboard! Here are the tips I’d pass along to a friend before their very first voyage.

What is Draco and the Seven Scales about?

Draco and the Seven Scales is a pirate adventure from Ice Goat Games that launched on September 18, 2026 for PC on Steam and itch.io. It costs $15.99, and there’s a free demo on Steam if you’d like to try it first.

You play as the Captain, a pirate who made a deal with the Kraken to save his child. His end of the bargain is tracking down the Seven Scales hidden across the sea.

If you loved Link’s Awakening or the Oracle games, you’ll feel right at home. The crunchy Game Boy-style pixel art and the sea shanty soundtrack make it feel like a cartridge you found tucked in an old drawer.

It’s also a lovely companion to Isles of Sea and Sky, and the two are even sold together in a Steam bundle. You can find more small gems like these in our roundup of the best indie games of August 2026.

Update the game before your first voyage

The game got several quick patches in its first week, including version 1.0.5.0 on September 22. That update fixed problems with PlayStation controllers and added separate buttons for confirming and canceling in menus.

If your controller still feels strange, look for the Nintendo button layout setting and make sure it matches your pad. Turning off Steam Input for the game can help too.

Trust me, it’s much nicer to sort this out now than halfway through a dungeon.

Take your time picking your first parrot

Early on, you’ll choose your first parrot from three options, which gave me serious Pokémon starter vibes. Each parrot has its own abilities, so this isn’t only about which one is the cutest.

Read what each one does before you commit, then go with the one that fits how you like to play. There’s a whole parrot collection to work toward, so your first pick is only the beginning.

Think of your ship as a second pair of legs

Once your ship is ready, don’t treat it like a simple ferry between islands. Sailing is half the game, with its own enemies, puzzles, and secrets to find.

Your cannons fire from both sides of the ship, and each side can behave differently. They also have a cooldown, so aim with purpose instead of mashing the button.

Cannons aren’t only for sinking enemies, either. If a big rock is blocking your way at sea, try blasting it.

Stuck? Try the other half of the map

Land and sea are closely tied together here. Something you can’t reach on foot might connect to a spot you can only get to by ship, and the other way around.

So if you’ve circled the same island for twenty minutes, hop back on the boat. A fresh look from the water often shows you the way forward.

Let Cephalo Cave teach you the basics

Cephalo Cave is the first dungeon, and it quietly teaches habits you’ll use for the whole adventure. Pay attention here instead of rushing to the boss.

Lift pots and push rocks whenever you can, because keys love to hide under things. If a room seems empty, it probably isn’t.

You’ll also get used to putting items on your two action buttons, just like in Link’s Awakening. Swapping tools often is part of the fun.

Treat combat like a puzzle

You start with a trusty cutlass and a blackpowder pistol, and you’ll find more than 15 items for fighting, solving puzzles, and fishing along the way. Most rooms have a tool that makes the fight much easier.

If a group of enemies feels unfair, pause and think about what’s in your pack. Combat here rewards picking the right item more than swinging wildly.

Bosses are a little different. Big fights like the Great Macaw of Paradise ask you to watch their patterns and dodge before you strike back.

Spend your gold and buy the sea charts

If you’re anything like me, you hoard money in games “just in case.” You don’t need to worry about that here, since gold comes in steadily through normal play.

One of the best ways to spend it is on sea charts. They make the ocean much easier to find your way around, and collecting them earns the Master Navigator achievement.

Upgrade your ship whenever you can

Your ship and its cannons can be upgraded as you go, and some of the fancier cannons look like a total blast. (Sorry, I had to.)

Upgrades make sea battles against rival captains and Her Majesty’s Royal Armada far less stressful. Whenever you can improve your boat, take the chance.

Talk to everyone you meet

The islands are full of friendly faces, and many of them have side quests that reward you with treasure. Some are quick little errands, and some turn into sweet little stories.

It’s the kind of world where poking your head into every hut pays off. Say hello to everyone, even the grumpy-looking ones.

Enjoy fishing at your own pace

Fishing is one of those side activities I can never resist, and it even has its own cheerful tune. It’s a perfect little break after a tough dungeon.

The story only asks you to fish a little, so you won’t be forced into it. If you fall in love with it, catching every fish earns the Master Angler achievement.

Save often, and don’t rely on demo progress

The full game lets you save anytime and supports Steam Cloud. Use that freely, especially right before a boss.

If you played the demo, don’t count on that progress carrying over. Plan to start fresh, which is no hardship since the opening hours are so charming.

Accessibility options worth turning on

I love how many comfort settings are tucked into the options menu. There’s a color-blind mode, a keyboard-only option, and support for playing without timed inputs.

You can also adjust volume levels and camera comfort settings. If anything feels off, spend two minutes in the menu before pushing through.

How long is Draco and the Seven Scales?

This is a cozy-length adventure, not a hundred-hour epic. Most players can expect to wrap it up over a handful of evenings, with a bit more time if you chase every collectible.

With seven dungeons plus a grand finale, there’s plenty to do for the price. It’s just right for a rainy weekend and a big mug of tea.

One last thing before you set sail

My biggest tip is to slow down. Poke at odd-looking rocks and let yourself get a little lost at sea.

Draco and the Seven Scales made me feel like that kid under the blanket again, squinting at a tiny screen and grinning. I hope it gives you that same warm, happy glow.

If you’re looking for your next retro adventure after this one, our Aggelos 2 beginner’s guide and Lou’s Lagoon tips are wonderful places to start.

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Images in this article are from the Draco and the Seven Scales page on Steam and used under Fair Use.