Dragon Quest Megoothread

[Tonberry]

I'm still surprised Squenix never got to just make an HD port of Dragon Quest VIII with the FFX/X-2 HD remaster QoL (such as faster battles).

Even a fresh coat of paint over the PS2 assets rather than remaking everything could've still bbeen good.


Err... DQ was fine imo, there should be a "danger meter" like in SMT because visible enemies on the map worked better for Tales of games.

7 3DS, 8 3DS, 9, 10 and 11 have visible monsters. It’s nice to be able to pick your battles, but it can also punish you if you evade too many, so there are both pros and cons.
Also just tends to look nice in general, though it diminishes those elite monsters you see on the field in 8 I guess.

Though generally I’m in the ”random encounters make it more suspenseful” team so it’s whatever :)

 

[Zeo]

At least Dragon Quest doesnt use the random encounter with the surprise monster that can give you a game over if not careful or if taken by surprise attack to be too worry about them

Is more that if you see the monsters in the map you can abuse it to fight the ones that you want

Like the metal slimes family

The only real punishment is if you want to complete the monster list of that game and some of them wont show up in the map but be part of the team of said encounter

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

if you have a 3DS you can play Dragon Quest 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 thanks to backward compatibility.

That's how I've been playing them. Thankfully, I was in a position during the 2020 times where I could afford to stock up on all of those physical versions. I'd be much more hesitant today to pay what I did back then, and they're probably more expensive now

Post automatically merged: Sep 19, 2025

Though generally I’m in the ”random encounters make it more suspenseful” team so it’s whatever :)

I'll also take either, but I do see more convenience in visible enemies you can interact with at will.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

At least Dragon Quest doesnt use the random encounter with the surprise monster that can give you a game over if not careful or if taken by surprise attack to be too worry about them

There's no "game over" per se in DQ.

Getting killed by an unexpected encounter is the basis of old school RPGs (ie: SMT).

 

[Don Patch]

Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time playing DQ3 on the GBC... like more than any other game in the series?

This joint bopped, IMO.

 

[Tonberry]

There's no "game over" per se in DQ.

Getting killed by an unexpected encounter is the basis of old school RPGs (ie: SMT).

Ironically NOTHING stings harder for me than losing half of your hard earned cash for me. At least if you save in games with game overs.

 

[Zeo]

There's no "game over" per se in DQ.

Getting killed by an unexpected encounter is the basis of old school RPGs (ie: SMT).

And Final Fantasy, at least the classic era

Still salty for that stupid Behemoth on FFIV DS that did me dirty with a back attack + Counter Maelstorm + Counter attack every single time..... just when i was about to reach the final boss

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time playing DQ3 on the GBC... like more than any other game in the series?
View attachment 112113
This joint bopped, IMO.

It was also impressive for its hardware.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

So what’s the current memo on DQ7R? Anyone else is eager about it? I’d’ve been happy with any DQ stuff at all but this one has incredibly cute artstyle. I love how flexible the series gets with Toriyama-san’s artstyle <3.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

So what’s the current memo on DQ7R? Anyone else is eager about it? I’d’ve been happy with any DQ stuff at all but this one has incredibly cute artstyle. I love how flexible the series gets with Toriyama-san’s artstyle <3.

Yeah, pretty much. I think some of the character's heads look a little off, but that's something I can get used to or just forget about. It's only a minor nitpick

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time playing DQ3 on the GBC... like more than any other game in the series?
View attachment 112113
This joint bopped, IMO.

I did. <3
It’s currently my most played game as of the time I’m writing this haha.

 

[Tonberry]

Anyone else spend an inordinate amount of time playing DQ3 on the GBC... like more than any other game in the series?
View attachment 112113
This joint bopped, IMO.

I tried playing this after I played the GBC version of DQ1 a decade ago, but I could never get into it very much. I don’t know why, but that’s been my experience with most versions of DQ3 for some reason and I can’t really get why it happens.
I usually run out of steam at not-India (the town before the abbey iirc), but I’m determined to finish the HD2D remake at least.

Not falling head over heels for Dragon Quest 3 feels like something’s wrong with me…

 

[Don Patch]

I tried playing this after I played the GBC version of DQ1 a decade ago, but I could never get into it very much. I don’t know why, but that’s been my experience with most versions of DQ3 for some reason and I can’t really get why it happens.
I usually run out of steam at not-India (the town before the abbey iirc), but I’m determined to finish the HD2D remake at least.

Not falling head over heels for Dragon Quest 3 feels like something’s wrong with me…

Things either click, or they don't . Ain't no fault of yours.
Off hand, did you like DQ9 at all?

 

[Tonberry]

Things either click, or they don't . Ain't no fault of yours.
Off hand, did you like DQ9 at all?

Yeah, but not as much as most of the others.
I’ve actually wondered if it has to do with them (3 and 9) only having player-generated characters makes me stick to them less.

That being said, I like all mainline DQs, but it’s interesting you mention it in that context.

 

[Don Patch]

Yeah, but not as much as most of the others.
I’ve actually wondered if it has to do with them (3 and 9) only having player-generated characters makes me stick to them less.

That being said, I like all mainline DQs, but it’s interesting you mention it in that context.

Yeah, that's why I asked, they're kinda "spiritual-brethren" in that sense, 3 and 9.
Makes sense. There is something a tad more interesting about an enable cast of characters, especially withhow wacky and well writte nthe DQ games can be.

 

[Zeo]

DQ9 story around the player character was ok. What really is a mix is how long the post-game can be, hands down one can spend more than 200+ hours even if you know what to do

Special mention goes to the RNG of the maps, some of them needed to finish sidequest and the very long path that is leveling up the legacy bosses to 99 and get the cameo items/orbs from them

Some will find it fun, others not much

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

I was gooing through my storage today and had completely forgotten I had this:

The "Slime Collector's Edition" of Dragon Quest Heroes 1.
Even has some nifty @TacoMeister merch

 

[Pickle surprise]

IX was my first ever Dragon Quest as I remembered wanting a meaty experience to play on my DS and all I knew about DQ was it's reputation as a old school RPG series so I gave it a go. While I liked how cusomisable your party was, I was also disappointed that your protagonist and party did not have any personality. But that was really my only issue with this game as the base game was very enjoyable. Just solid turn based battling with a nice steady progression of new equipment, skills and spells made this game stuck in my DS for months on end. I enjoyed the silly, lighthearted nature of the game and was immediately charmed by the music and monster designs. Akira Toriyama's work on the monster designs specifically give so much personality to the Dragon Quest games. I always wonder which character of his is most popular in Japan, Goku or the Slime? So DQ IX was great but it did not make me become a big fan of the series, mind you JRPGS were not a genre I touched much at this stage.

It was DQ XI S that fully converted me to a full on fan. This is because it addressed my big complaint with IX, you have a party with actual characters. I enjoyed all the members of this bunch and they made me so much more invested in the adventure. My particular favourites were Sylvando, Veronica and Rab and Jade was also amazing with her martial arts abilities. It was this along with all the other stuff I loved about IX layered on top. DQ XI has such a charming, old school feel to it which really gives off the feel of you are going on an epic adventure which I have not felt from games in a very long time. It honestly is up there as one of my all time favourites and definitely gave em the shot in the arm to try other games in the series.

So far I have tried out DQ IV (DS remake) and VIII for the 3DS and thought they were both fantastic experiences. Really want to try out DQ V and III at some point in the future too. Annoyed that the HD-2D remake of III never made it to PS4, especially as newer Square Enix games are still coming out for the console!

But yeah, it took me a while but I now consider Dragon Quest one of my favourite series now.

 

[Nickakyoin]

I started much later the series. Always had the DS Dragon Quest games thrown in my face by videogame magazines (mainly IV and V) and ofc VIII on PS2 was everywhere, but sadly never properly started. I think I actually quickly tried the latter, got confused by orientation and gave up after barely done a single fight.

Years later, I get Dragon Quest XI trailers and see how amazing and beautiful it looked. Purchased day one and it confirmed an immense love towards the series. 80 hours of magical experience that I priored to Persona 5. Just to tell how much I was into.

I did recovered other games and managed to beat IV on DS, VIII on 3DS, the first 3 in those horrible phone versions...and started everything else (I'm 3/4 of DQ V on PS2, started VI and IX but kinda dropped VII since there's the remake...and uh, I'm unsure about that one since it's gonna cut story content).

 

[lytrid]

Really excited for DQ 1&2 HD. I'm one of the few people who loved the originals.
I feel like playing a (J)RPG but with these two right around the corner I'm holding off until then.

Yeah, but not as much as most of the others.
I’ve actually wondered if it has to do with them (3 and 9) only having player-generated characters makes me stick to them less.

That being said, I like all mainline DQs, but it’s interesting you mention it in that context.

I am exactly like you. 3 and 9 appeal to me the least because of the undefined party. With such a simple plot and an already familiar setting, you sort of depend on the characters to add some flavour. Maybe if I went into them with a different mindset I'd enjoy them more.

 

[Nickakyoin]

Really excited for DQ 1&2 HD. I'm one of the few people who loved the originals.
I feel like playing a (J)RPG but with these two right around the corner I'm holding off until then.


I am exactly like you. 3 and 9 appeal to me the least because of the undefined party. With such a simple plot and an already familiar setting, you sort of depend on the characters to add some flavour. Maybe if I went into them with a different mindset I'd enjoy them more.

DQ 1 is well appreciated last time I knew, it's DQ 2 that has definitely mixed receptions (not in Japan obviously. DQ in there is the ultimate holy grail). And yeah, I'm happy for these games as well, even if before deciding to buy them I have to beat the DQ 3 remake first.

 

[lytrid]

DQ 1 is well appreciated last time I knew, it's DQ 2 that has definitely mixed receptions (not in Japan obviously. DQ in there is the ultimate holy grail). And yeah, I'm happy for these games as well, even if before deciding to buy them I have to beat the DQ 3 remake first.

I recommend DQ1 and 2 before 3, so you can appreciate how the latter games added new things on top of what DQ1 did. With the remakes I expect the games to be a somewhat more uniform experience though so I can't say for sure if it's worth it. At the very least you'll still feel how the overworld gets larger and you go from one single party member to multiple.

 

[Nickakyoin]

I recommend DQ1 and 2 before 3, so you can appreciate how the latter games added new things on top of what DQ1 did. With the remakes I expect the games to be a somewhat more uniform experience though so I can't say for sure if it's worth it. At the very least you'll still feel how the overworld gets larger and you go from one single party member to multiple.

I already mentioned previously that I did beat the Erdrick trilogy (even if, unfortunately, with those crappy mobile versions. But I also played the SNES DQ I & II. I was pretty good, II felt unbalanced and with glitches in the fan-translation that could ruin the experience. That Inn glitch with the Prince of Cannock definitely did...).

But sure, I can always think to get into those two since I did liked them, even if I had gripes with II.

 

[Doctor Squats]

I love the DQ series but some of them take me forever to beat. I think I played DQ7 on 3ds off and on for about a year before I beat it. I finally finished Act II of DQ XI after owning that for a super long time. I dont' know what it is about these games, I just seem to play these for a bit then come back to them at a later date to finish them. But I do enjoy them.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

I've been messing around in a 2nd playthrough of Dragon Quest XI S. I love how vibrant some of the title cards are

Bonus points for telling me to adjust brightness to my preference, as opposed to trying to match it to some random image I can never quite see no matter the setting