Bakkus
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What are the best Dragon Quest games to play as a newcomer?
- Thread starter Franky Family
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Thread: What are the best Dragon Quest games to play as a newcomer?
DonDonDonPata
Bridge Burn Man
Sorry I meant 11, the recent one that got ported to everything
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Does Dragon Quest XI use a little bit from every previous Dragon Quest and then on top of that have a great story as well? Also, which Dragon Quest games have the best character arcs and settings in your opinion? Want to ask the same questions to @Erdrick if there is time to list the games that boast the most impressive characters and areas in the game as well
DonDonDonPata
Bridge Burn Man
I liked the story. The characters aren't my favorites but they're good. There's a cool "old school pixel mode" so it's almost like two full games in one.
5 and 7 have the biggest character arcs in terms of scope in a single game. Arguably 1-3 (1-5?) has a full character arc regarding the Legendary Hero. When I finally played DQ6, I was surprised that it broke the continuity of the previous 5 but I dunno, it's probably still connected to the overall DQ world.
@Edrick is literally named after the main Hero's bloodline so Imma go out on a limb that he knows more about this than me
Erdrick
Hero of Alefgard
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11 is a love letter to the entire series to this point. It's especially relevant to the original trilogy, and if you notice the logo of 11, it's a literal reverse image of the original game's logo. I absolutely loved it and the S or Definitive editions are absolutely worth getting over the original release for the bonus content alone. The game is so full of things to do and the world is so beautiful to just wander around and explore. Also when you beat the game, I utterly implore you to continue with post game as there is soooo much more to do and the true ending was one of the most satisfying I've ever had the pleasure to go through. Did I mention that it basically has an entire 2D sprite version in as well that you can switch and play if you so desire? Because it does and it's mostly awesome. Like playing a SNES game with a CD soundtrack.
I'm also partial to the original trilogy, especially 3. 4 was the first with great characters and an innovative story delivery unique for the time, especially on the NES. Also the first sympathetic villain who also seems to have a long sword and silver hair... (He's actually the star of the new Monsters game coming... So that should give an indication of the enduring popularity of 4 as a whole.)
5 is a more personal game and isn't as grandiose in ways but in others... It's one of the most ambitious of the series. It takes the generational concept Sega first showed me from PS3 (Phantasy Star 3) but refines it in a way that... Well, there is a reason why it's on so many favourite lists. It also has repayable stuff due to choices you make and hey, the first JRPG that I know of that you catch monsters... Superb game.
6... Very unique story concept and a beautiful looking SNES game compared to 5 but I really struggled to go through this one, much to my chagrin. I view it lesser but it's still a very good game overall.
7... Imagine if Chrono Trigger was never edited and dragged for 120 hours. The 3DS version is a bit of a salve to the absolutely rough PS1 original. It's an interesting story with a lot of smaller ones tossed in that are actually very touching. It's also got a few twists that you wouldn't expect. I was just so tired of it by the end that when I saw there was bonus content post game, I was like NOPE. As someone who waited the moment I beat DQ4 on the NES in December 1992 until November 5th, 2001 for a new mainline DQ game in English... I was incredibly let down by it. It also didn't help that FFX and MGS2 hit a week later from the initial release... That said, give it a try on 3DS as there is still worth to the game.
8? Now we're fucking talking. This is how I always wanted the series to look when I first turned on DQ1 back in January 1990 one cold day. 8 is like night and day from 7. Beautiful in all aspects, wonderful soundtrack, superb voice acting, actually good character designs (Fuck you, 7) and a story that is long yes, but never feels boring. Pacing is much better. I'd recommend this for an entry point as it isn't as retro looking as the previous ones. It also had some nice nods to past games, and the post game stuff especially is nearly perfect. Highly recommended. I'd go for the 3DS version for all the improvements and such. Yes, visuals and sound are a little lesser than the PS2 version but the tradeoff is more than worth it. Either way, the core of the game is great however you go.
Then there is 9. It's very akin to DQ3 in the sense that you make your own party and can customize up the wazoo. Don't be put off by its shackled status to the DS, or its seemingly step back in terms of visuals compared to 8. Story is kind of Similar to 7 in the mini story aspects and it's an excuse to move on and about. The real gem is the post game stuff and the downloadable quests. I beat the main game in 85 hours. My final timer was close to 300 since the post game stuff is so bountiful and numerous... Even when you max out character levels, you can flip them over with permanent stat bonuses to continue getting stronger. There is also legacy bosses... And I've not even mentioned it's got local multiplayer with friends. Having trouble with a boss? Let me come and join with my level 99 character and help out. It's super fun and made excellent use of the DS hardware.
10... I've never played minus some bits in 11 (Get the definitive edition of 11, trust me.) it's looking like we'll be limited to the offline version of 10 maybe next year for us English speakers. Be patient. It will come for us to play.
I liked the story. The characters aren't my favorites but they're good. There's a cool "old school pixel mode" so it's almost like two full games in one.
5 and 7 have the biggest character arcs in terms of scope in a single game. Arguably 1-3 (1-5?) has a full character arc regarding the Legendary Hero. When I finally played DQ6, I was surprised that it broke the continuity of the previous 5 but I dunno, it's probably still connected to the overall DQ world.
@Edrick is literally named after the main Hero's bloodline so Imma go out on a limb that he knows more about this than me
6 is connected... 4-5-6 all revolve around Zenithia and it's history. As opposed to 1-2-3 who focus on my namesake and their lineage. There are connections in other games to the originals as well, but I don't want to spoil things.
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One of my biggest regrets in gaming was not getting into Dragon Quest sooner, especially when Dragon IX was still being sold in stores. At least VII and VIII were until recently available on the 3DS eShop.
I see IX for sale on Amazon from 90-200 dollar range and have no idea if the item is genuine given the rampant fraud with DS/ 3DS cartridges.
Frustrating that 1-3 on Switch are not definitive versions, 4-8 are only on mobile and no sign of 9 Remaster or 10 ever getting released in the West. Square Enix has already slated 3 spin offs with Treasures, Monsters: The Dark Prince and Adventure of Dai without any mention of 3 HD-2D Remake while multiple HD-2D titles have released since it's first and only reveal several years ago and even less on 12.
I see IX for sale on Amazon from 90-200 dollar range and have no idea if the item is genuine given the rampant fraud with DS/ 3DS cartridges.
Frustrating that 1-3 on Switch are not definitive versions, 4-8 are only on mobile and no sign of 9 Remaster or 10 ever getting released in the West. Square Enix has already slated 3 spin offs with Treasures, Monsters: The Dark Prince and Adventure of Dai without any mention of 3 HD-2D Remake while multiple HD-2D titles have released since it's first and only reveal several years ago and even less on 12.
Erdrick
Hero of Alefgard
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I'd love for them to do something like the Pixel Remasters on modern consoles. Which I guess the 3 remake will sate that for me in a sense. I've been keeping an eye out for 8 on 3DS for my brother but good God, $200 bucks used at my local store. I still might buy it for him for Xmas but damn.
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teezzy
Let me have my wanks
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Ferdinand the Cowfish
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Erdrick
Hero of Alefgard
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Sadly no. I'm fairly adverse to online games however I would definitely give it a shot if it came here. I've watched some videos of it and I'm envious. I believe we'll have to settle for the offline version only.
Erdrick
Hero of Alefgard
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On that note, I'm so happy that the series has managed to carve a niche here in the west that's big enough for Square Enix (Nintendo too.) to give a damn. It absolutely ruined me when Enix America shut down in 95 or so. Being denied DQ5 and 6, not to mention the remakes of the original 3... I was not happy back then. I rejoiced in 1999-2000 when they returned to us but I think by 2003 or so, they were already done again. That ad on the back of the manual for DQ7 for DQ4 on PS1 haunts me...
So when Enix bought Square... I was happy since I knew Square could help them market DQ more for us again.
From DQ8 onward, I've loved the current style of localization that they've used. Loto is once again Erdrick.
Aw hell, I'm too stoned to continue this post but did you know that in FF12, Gilgamesh has a bunch of weapons, one of them being a fake Sword of Erdrick. Called the "Tolo Sword" (Loto, reversed.)
I'm just happy I still get to play them all, after all this time.
The future is still bright for the series. RIP Sugiyama though. DQ12 will be the first DQ game with music other than his own, like, ever. I'm excited to see how it all ends up!
So when Enix bought Square... I was happy since I knew Square could help them market DQ more for us again.
From DQ8 onward, I've loved the current style of localization that they've used. Loto is once again Erdrick.
Aw hell, I'm too stoned to continue this post but did you know that in FF12, Gilgamesh has a bunch of weapons, one of them being a fake Sword of Erdrick. Called the "Tolo Sword" (Loto, reversed.)
I'm just happy I still get to play them all, after all this time.
The future is still bright for the series. RIP Sugiyama though. DQ12 will be the first DQ game with music other than his own, like, ever. I'm excited to see how it all ends up!