Dragon Quest Megoothread

[Mopeybloke]

I went into a big Dragon Quest kick after playing EarthBound circa 2011. I also played XI when it came out. My outlook on the series is not hopeful. My long standing issues with the series are probably here to stay such as casino games gating off good equipment, and low experience wins from enemies that aren't metal slimes, which may as well be another casino mechanic. Also silent protagonists with no personality, and their games rarely come to PC.

The things I do like about the series seem to be "modernising". We'll probably switch to real time combat, the new limit break system is bad, and since IX the series switched to the quest slop strategy, with most of the time being taken away from the main campaign and diverted into shit quests.

 

[qw90700]

I love DQ very much, I`m hug fan of the series and my favorite game are Dragon Quest Journey of cursed king and Dragon Quest XI S:-)
I remember playing my first DQ game and that was Dragon Quest Journey of cursed king on PS2, I used to own PS2 and really enjoy playing it, that was before 3DS come out.
After that I played many DQ games and I just feel in love with DQ XI S, it have beautiful artwork and story are amazing. I love the soundtrack aswell.

My favourite is DQIX despite so many people bash it for "bad graphics", "bad trivial handheld console game, it can't be the main game in the series", "dual screens are not how you play DQ", "it's too grindy" and some shit I heard a lot but the game's story is solid, whatever you do in the game is meaningful, it has fun situations and most importantly you can create your character + your whole party even in decent detail. It really doesn't have simple "bad guy being bad for being bad" generic shit nor just a generic revenge story which is very unusual in good way in the context of a DQ game. Each step in the story was like standalone video game idea of its own. People underestimate my beloved DQIX too much me angry I wanna kill them with coin shower while I spin like Michael Jackson under magical spotlights heee heeeeeee!!!! lolol

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

I went into a big Dragon Quest kick after playing EarthBound circa 2011. I also played XI when it came out. My outlook on the series is not hopeful. My long standing issues with the series are probably here to stay such as casino games gating off good equipment, and low experience wins from enemies that aren't metal slimes, which may as well be another casino mechanic. Also silent protagonists with no personality, and their games rarely come to PC.

The things I do like about the series seem to be "modernising". We'll probably switch to real time combat, the new limit break system is bad, and since IX the series switched to the quest slop strategy, with most of the time being taken away from the main campaign and diverted into shit quests.

I'm not super hopeful just because there hasn't been much of any information about DQ XII since that got announced ages ago. There've really only been spin-offs & remakes since then. I wonder if a switch to real-time combat would make it feel too much like DQ Heroes?

My favourite is DQIX despite so many people bash it for "bad graphics", "bad trivial handheld console game, it can't be the main game in the series

The DS was great for RPGs. Especially DQ IX. Even my favourite Dragon Ball game, Attack of the Saiyans, was on the OG DS. It's a shame that people do dismiss games with older art styles, but what can ya do?

 

[qw90700]

The DS was great for RPGs. Especially DQ IX. Even my favourite Dragon Ball game, Attack of the Saiyans, was on the OG DS. It's a shame that people do dismiss games with older art styles, but what can ya do?

Even I stand corrected that NDS shouldn't be underestimated when I initially thought it's a trvial BS device. Lots of my favourite RPGs are on NDS:

- DQIX
- Radiant Historia
- Ni no Kuni
- Metal Max 3

These days I play these 2 games and they seem to be solid RPGs that I may add to my favourite RPGs list:

Sands of Destruction (UNDUB) DS ROM – RGT Repository

Sands of Destruction (UNDUB) DS ROM Languages: English, Undub. For the NDS.

retrogametalk.com

Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled (USA) DS ROM – RGT Repository

Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled (USA) DS ROM Languages: English. For the NDS.

retrogametalk.com

I especially liked Black Sigil so far.

 

[solnK!]

My favourite is DQIX despite so many people bash it for "bad graphics", "bad trivial handheld console game, it can't be the main game in the series", "dual screens are not how you play DQ", "it's too grindy" and some shit I heard a lot but the game's story is solid, whatever you do in the game is meaningful, it has fun situations and most importantly you can create your character + your whole party even in decent detail. It really doesn't have simple "bad guy being bad for being bad" generic shit nor just a generic revenge story which is very unusual in good way in the context of a DQ game. Each step in the story was like standalone video game idea of its own. People underestimate my beloved DQIX too much me angry I wanna kill them with coin shower while I spin like Michael Jackson under magical spotlights heee heeeeeee!!!! lolol

From a DQ IX lover to another:

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Even I stand corrected that NDS shouldn't be underestimated when I initially thought it's a trvial BS device. Lots of my favourite RPGs are on NDS:

- DQIX
- Radiant Historia
- Ni no Kuni
- Metal Max 3

These days I play these 2 games and they seem to be solid RPGs that I may add to my favourite RPGs list:

Sands of Destruction (UNDUB) DS ROM – RGT Repository

Sands of Destruction (UNDUB) DS ROM Languages: English, Undub. For the NDS.

retrogametalk.com

Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled (USA) DS ROM – RGT Repository

Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled (USA) DS ROM Languages: English. For the NDS.

retrogametalk.com

I especially liked Black Sigil so far.

Interesting. How have I not played the DS Ni No Kuni? The DS/3DS is also how I've been playing most Dragon Quest games. I have IV through to IX on DS/3DS

 

[Rocket2049]

strange i thought FF and DQ are pretty much the same, but DQ sticks to the classic gameplay
in other words if you hate FF1,2,3 you'd have a hard time playing old DQ games and maybe newer ones.

I always think DQ3 is the best game, i've played many versions of it from NES, GB, SNES, android, and it's 2DHD version.
this game is what i use to measure who's a DQ fan or not
2DHD definitely became my new measurement, as it's much more modern with voice acting, autosaves, and waypoints.

i highly recommend Dragon Quest 11 if you don't like the older games (1-7)
and absolutely the S definitive version, its hugely better than the original
it's what a real modern DQ game is to me.
even non-DQ fans should enjoy it (if they like RPGS in the first place, including FF)
i feel like if someone does not like DQ11, they aren't JRPG fans at all
it's mostly casual (at the start) and also leaves enough challenge to make it just right by the end.
but also feature the HARDEST postgame of the entire series! especially on S definitive

DQ7 is the test of "how much do you like DQ" it's both the longest and most difficult (on ps1)
even the 3ds remake being much easier and shorter (they cut so much time wasting crap)
took me past 100 hours to beat everything including the post game boss
i don't hate it, its just ... LONG to where you prob not finish it due to its length.

this is all incredibly Biased as i like old classic JRPGS, and class changing a WHOLE lot (i love FF5, DQ3, all the bravely default games for example)

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 4:46 PM

No, 3ds dq11 had a really unique, distinct and more chibi artstyle. It’s Japan only too.
View attachment 107588

has this ever been translated to english in any way?
i've already played DQ11, 11 definitive S, both 2d and 3d full playthroughs, and didn't realize it's that different on 3ds!

 

[qw90700]

Interesting. How have I not played the DS Ni No Kuni? The DS/3DS is also how I've been playing most Dragon Quest games. I have IV through to IX on DS/3DS

Despite Ni no Kuni has a remake I would still prefer NDS version for these 2 reasons alone:

- The whole game developed upon the idea of the player using a physical wizard book to learn how to cast spells that player draws on NDS to perform so it does add immersion, while remake version doesn't even have Arx Fatalis' way to draw shapes via your mouse or analog, you just select the spell.

- Remake version is a huge cut content version because a significant aspect of the content is absent. It also means huge story changes.

In the end remake is ok as a game but not the intended Ni no Kuni experience at all.

 

[Romance90]

My favourite is DQIX despite so many people bash it for "bad graphics", "bad trivial handheld console game, it can't be the main game in the series", "dual screens are not how you play DQ", "it's too grindy" and some shit I heard a lot but the game's story is solid, whatever you do in the game is meaningful, it has fun situations and most importantly you can create your character + your whole party even in decent detail. It really doesn't have simple "bad guy being bad for being bad" generic shit nor just a generic revenge story which is very unusual in good way in the context of a DQ game. Each step in the story was like standalone video game idea of its own. People underestimate my beloved DQIX too much me angry I wanna kill them with coin shower while I spin like Michael Jackson under magical spotlights heee heeeeeee!!!! lolol

I don`t understand why people have to give negative come backs when it comes to DQ XI since it`s wonderfull game and I agree with you. game can be easy or not easy it comes how you want to play the game.

 

[Mopeybloke]

My favourite is DQIX despite so many people bash it for "bad graphics", "bad trivial handheld console game, it can't be the main game in the series"

I don't think IX needs all that defence. It was highly successful and level 5 did a great job on visuals. Level 5 I think made the first games in the series that were actually good looking for when they came out. DQ8 has proper shadows while Final Fantasy XII still uses circle shadows for one. It held its own when compared to FF.

What I dislike about it is the removal of party members with personality and the switch to quest content. I'm honestly surprised people complained about the graphics though.

 

[RandomHajile]

Happy to see some DQ11 love in this thread. My first JRPG was the original Dragon Warrior (I have it in its CIB format on my shelf in my game room even) and though I've played ever DW/DQ game, even the spinoffs, my favorite is, remarkably, DQ11. It was so perfect in every way. Had one of my favorite stories too. What happens to you-know-who and how it sets up the post-game content really moved me.

I also like DQ6, whereas a lot of folks in DQ communities seem to think is the black sheep of the series. It had one of the best soundtracks imo, and a very interesting premise. Confusing, yes, but also original.

Here's hoping we get some new news about DQ12!!!

 

[qw90700]

I also like DQ6, whereas a lot of folks in DQ communities seem to think is the black sheep of the series. It had one of the best soundtracks imo, and a very interesting premise. Confusing, yes, but also original.

Damn, DQ6 is my 2nd favourite DQ game. I guess it was too confusing for people because it broke free from simple JRPGs they got used to but for me that was a welcome change. It would be the DQ I would defend the most lol.

 

[Rocket2049]

I don`t understand why people have to give negative come backs when it comes to DQ XI since it`s wonderfull game and I agree with you. game can be easy or not easy it comes how you want to play the game.

they said IX (9) not XI (11)
but agreed on both points, on DQ9 i ran a bard, mage, priest, and thief, everyone said "NO magic sucks, use 4 warriors!" and i was like... huh i had no troubles and my mage was doing fine damage especially multi targetting. and bard was a very good buffer class, and thief well you'd know why lol

11 is definitely not easy in POST game, its actually the hardest postgame of the series.
i thought it was just fine and had to grind exp and money as usual and did all the side stuff,

and when i played definitive S version, trying to rush the game skipping steps and backtracking and such, i had hard time and ended up having to grind anyways what i ended up doing was, switch 2d mode and 3d mode here and there (which respawns every chest and item to re-loot! and bosses to re-kill!)
2d more is 'harder' btw, somehow, the game balance actually changes not just graphics.

11 S has more postgame, and the new final postgame boss is super hard!

 

[qw90700]

they said IX (9) not XI (11)

Damn I didn't notice they wrote XI, we should give up on Roman numerals!!! lol

 

[Mal]

oh! just in time, i was looking on starting one of the old school dragon quest games, for someone that is into jrpg but hasnt played a dragon quest game, which one you recommend and which version/romhack version of it?

 

[solnK!]

oh! just in time, i was looking on starting one of the old school dragon quest games, for someone that is into jrpg but hasnt played a dragon quest game, which one you recommend and which version/romhack version of it?

Start with 11 or 8, don´t play 7 if it´s your first time.
If you are into retro-er stuff you can also try the DS Zenithia trilogy (4, 5 and 6), after that you could play any other game on this fantastic series.

 

[qw90700]

oh! just in time, i was looking on starting one of the old school dragon quest games, for someone that is into jrpg but hasnt played a dragon quest game, which one you recommend and which version/romhack version of it?

DQ11 on PC and DQ9 on NDS are good choices IMO. And then there is DQ8 on PS2 and its 3DS version which is first DQ of many people. Each DQ game may be your first game for there is no direct contination logic in the series but the DQ games I listed are "safer to be starter DQ" for first time players. On the other hand there are 2 "loosely related trilogy logic" that can be part of a trilogy in their own context like Zenithian Trilogy that have remakes on NDS (DQ 4-5-6) and Erdrick Trilogy (DQ 1-2-3) which started to have remakes on PC starting from 3rd game and 1st and 2nd games' remakes are on their way.

This trilogy thing is not confusing as it sounds and it doesn't matter unless you are die hard DQ player. People played DQ without even caring or noticing about some games are related and there is actually timelines within these "trilogies". In the end you may simply check what each game is about and what features they may have before starting one of them it doesn't really matter. But if you insist on some old school DQ to start from I would say DQ6 on SNES especially if you know Japanese because despite it has a fan patch for English I never heard it's a decent translation they may butcher your experience, but then you may start from NDS version of DQ6 just fine I guess.

 

[Tonberry]

oh! just in time, i was looking on starting one of the old school dragon quest games, for someone that is into jrpg but hasnt played a dragon quest game, which one you recommend and which version/romhack version of it?

I would recommend any version of 11, 3 or 4/5 as they’re all equally good starting points, depending on what feel/style you’re after.

11 is the most accesible, but as far as ”modern” DQ games go, I personally think 8 is a thousand times better, but it’s difficult to explain why without revealing too much about the games.

The remake of 3 is also a great jumping-in point of you want to play something modern while retaining much of the classic feel, but as I said, any version is good.

The DS remakes of 4 and 5 are probably the peak of the series, imo.


5 is my #1 favorite in the series.

 

[TacoMeister]

This might be surprising a lot of you but I love Dragon Quest!
I only discovered the series with XI then played the rest and I fell in love with the series.
My two favorites are the SNES versions of the first one and III.

 

[Badseed]

Finally sitting down to play the OG Dragon Warrior VII on PSX (upscaled to 4K of course), I guess I can kiss like 200 hours of my life gone.

 

[momouchi]

Agreed on DQ IX being underrated. Probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite in the series behind 8 and 11. The older games were great but they really nailed it later in the series.

 

[qw90700]

Finally sitting down to play the OG Dragon Warrior VII on PSX (upscaled to 4K of course), I guess I can kiss like 200 hours of my life gone.

View attachment 107678

Shit I keep forgetting 7th game exist lol and if I had to replay it again I would pick the 3DS version despite I liked the theme of the game but PS1 version drags too long and long damn.

 

[Tonberry]

@TacoMeister (I messed up the post and idk how to quote in an edit lol)
Fellow DQ1 enjoyer!!!

DQ1 has such a unique feel and atmosphere, I love it to bits.

 

[TacoMeister]

@TacoMeister (I messed up the post and idk how to quote in an edit lol)
Fellow DQ1 enjoyer!!!
View attachment 107683
DQ1 has such a unique feel and atmosphere, I love it to bits.

I don't want to post any spoiler but the story is simple but highly enjoyable to me.

 

[Numubunde]

Let's goooo we love DQ :)
My first contact with the series was through Dragon Quest VIII, whose demo was included in a demo disc I had for the PS2 (a couple of them actually). I didn't really have experience with turn-based rpgs at the time and the combat felt weird and difficult to me, but I loved the artsyle and the exploration so much. Years later, on one of the rare occasions we went to the mall, my mom and I stepped at the video game store we have over here, named Game, and I found it among the second hand games and my mom bought it for me. I still remember how excited I was that day and honestly I'd say it's one of my best memories ever. DQVIII was such an special journey for me. I would get stuck at bosses and then get such a satisfaction after beating them like no Dark Souls player has ever felt, I would tell my parents about how I'd find a bird npc in the middle of the forest lol...