[Franky Family]

Are all the Dragon Quest games fairly similar or do they switch up the content considerably each game, kind of like Final Fantasy does? I have the first three DQ games on the Switch, but am not too sure where to begin once it's time to finally dive into the series

Is the first one the best place to start?

 

[p_banned]

Are all the Dragon Quest games fairly similar or do they switch up the content considerably each game, kind of like Final Fantasy does? I have the first three DQ games on the Switch, but am not too sure where to begin once it's time to finally dive into the series

Is the first one the best place to start?

Depends on the games, the first 6 follow a similar theme and follow an overarching story. Later ones are pretty much single story like Final Fantasy. I'm in no way a DQ expert though so many might disagree.

 

[Franky Family]

First six having an overarching story is great news, never knew that. I may end up starting with the first in the series after seeing that

 

[Zog]

First six having an overarching story is great news, never knew that. I may end up starting with the first in the series after seeing that

They are actually two different trilogies.

 

[Zeta Dragoon]

Dragon Quest XI S Echos of an Illusive Age is one of the best JRPGs and games ever made. Hell, I will go further and say XI usurped Zelda as my favorite franchise.

The contrast of not just Dragon Quest XI, but the entire series to all the depressing cynical shit thats infected much of entertainment is incredible. Really hope they don't fuck it up with XII. Both Dragon Quest XII: Flames of Fate and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake are among my most anticipated games.

In the meantime Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a monster collector spin-off of Dragon Quest IV releasing later this year. Infinity Strash: DRAGON QUEST The Adventure of Dai is another Dragon Quest spinoff, an adaptation of the first part of the recent 100 episode anime based off the manga. The anime is incredible, though it takes a while to get going.

Personally I think Adventure of Dai has enough content and story to have been Dragon Quest XII or XIII.

 

[HE1NZ]

I played DQ 1+2 GBC version. They were decent.

 

[bork]

@Erdrick
I'd say start with 8 myself.

 

[Rock And Roll]

I'd say start with 11. The series has been incredibly consistent but you might as well try the latest one and then work backwards if you like it. I think 4,5 and 8 are the best in the series, must plays if you are a fan of the genre.

That said DQ1 is fairly short and sweet, it is very unique as you only have one party member, and it will give you a point of reference for the story of @Erdrick

 

[Erdrick]

Play them in order of release. You'll appreciate them more and you can see how they, and the genre itself, evolved.

1-3 are a trilogy and 4-6 follow a different one but there are subtle references that hint at broader connections.

7 is close to Chrono Trigger in terms of plot and such except it had no editor and is a million times longer than it should be.

I'm also sadly not a fan of 6 too much but... Even a bad DQ game is still worth playing.

8 is awesome.

9 had a post game that I spent more on than the main game.

10... I hope to play via the offline version before I die.

11 though... Fucking phenomenal. Whether you play in the main mode or 2D, it's a love letter to the entire series, especially the original 3 games...

I'm not even getting into the spinoffs like DQ Monsters, Builders, Treasures... All fun offshoots.

Try the first one and see how you like it. Be aware, it's super basic compared to modern stuff but it's cool to see where it all began, plus you can beat the original fairly quickly these days.

Above all else: Enjoy them.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

they're all very similar in theme and the tone is very distinctly lighthearted (like @Zeta Dragoon mentioned) that is still kinda serious, it's hard to describe. The music and the consistent visuals and archetypes across all the games hits a nostalgia spot that will be familiar to any JRPG player.

I think the special balance of lightheartedness works. FF and most other JRPGs take themselves way too seriously, or not seriously at all (Super Mario RPG). Dragon Quest has plenty of story reveals that rival anything in Final Fantasy in terms of epicness or scope, but because of the cutesier graphics and "classic" tone, the series has never been taken very seriously by westeners.

Japan, obviously, already knows what's up when it comes to DQ.

as a Legend of Zelda fan @Franky Family I think you'd enjoy playing through various games in the DQ series, not because Zelda and DQ belong to the same genre, but because both franchises give the players a strong connection and theme to follow from game to game, and that connection only grows stronger the more of em you play. You'll hear familiar music show up across the games, you'll meet familiar characters (and the ancestors/grandchildren of characters in previous games), you'll see familiar tropes, you'll see some of the same jokes, etc

 

[Franky Family]

Thanks for the tips, these posts have me pretty excited to give them a try when the day comes. I'll work my way up most likely, starting with the very first Dragon Quest

 

[Mickmrly]

The first Dragon Quest has 1 playable character, Dragon Quest 2 adds a couple more, while Dragon Quest 3 gets to a party of 4. I think you should definitely start with Dragon Quest 1 first and the move forward. Seeing the series upgrade in game mechanics and scope over each iteration is a very fulfilling experience. I've only played 1,2,3 and 11 and by the time the series gets to 11 the game has become a lot more complicated, which is good and bad, but I prefer the more straightforward gameplay of the first 3 to be honest.

 

[Vyse]

I would recommend Dragon Quest III and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, as they are my personal favorites, particularly the PS2 version of Dragon Quest VIII. I'm gonna be completely honest, you can skip Dragon Quest I and II and still very much enjoy the third game which was always the real meat of the Loto trilogy.

 

[Vyse]

I had fun with Dragon Quest IX for the DS too. It has party customization (like Dragon Quest III) and it was also the first in the series to do away with random encounters in favor of seeing the monsters roam about the areas. Only played through the story once but it was interesting too.

 

[teezzy]

8 and 11

Pick one

 

[Bullet Club]

8 is great.

 

[Bakkus]

5 is the best one with the best story by far. Also, don't feel bad about checking walkhroughs from time to time in regards to how to progress. The games can all be really cryptic about that several times in every game I've played.

 

[Franky Family]

The games can all be really cryptic about that several times in every game I've played.

That sounds great. Even though it might sound odd, I'm a fan of getting lost in games and having to figure out how to advance. More games in today's market ought to be willing to throw a curveball and see how players respond. Or at least increase the difficulty. I'll always maintain that difficulty is a large factor in what keeps games fresh and sharp at every turn

 

[teezzy]

5 is the best one with the best story by far. Also, don't feel bad about checking walkhroughs from time to time in regards to how to progress. The games can all be really cryptic about that several times in every game I've played.

You officially have the second coolest avatar on the forum

I like you

Congrats

 

[Erdrick]

Dragon Quest 2 was the only game that caused me to phone Nintendo's game counsellor line to find a certain item.

But even the final boss was no match for my mom's rage when she got the phone bill later that month...

 

[Boss Mog]

Just start with 11, you can play it on PS or Switch.

 

[Ferdinand the Cowfish]

With DQV, if you can emulate it, there is a fully translated version of the previously Japan only PS2 remaster.

I'd argue that this is the best version of DQV to play at present.

 

[Dacon]

DQVIII was my first DQ game and I absolutely loved it.

 

[Franky Family]

Are the Dragon Quest games comparable to EarthBound or the Mother series? If they're lighthearted and serious then it sounds like they're a mix of what was great about EarthBound as well as Final Fantasy. Although, I doubt DQ gets as serious as FF with its themes and story

 

[Rock And Roll]

Are the Dragon Quest games comparable to EarthBound or the Mother series? If they're lighthearted and serious then it sounds like they're a mix of what was great about EarthBound as well as Final Fantasy. Although, I doubt DQ gets as serious as FF with its themes and story

Very similar in terms of the whimsical dialogue. One of the reasons I think you'll really enjoy playing DQ is because I remember you having a good time with Earthbound in your lttp thread. DQV is up there with the best RPGs on the SNES and I place it second only to Chronic Trigger.

Side note, I believe Itoi was inspired by DQ to start the Mother series

 

[Sean Mirrsen]

Dragon Quest Monsters for the GBA was my introduction to the series. From my perspective it's as good a starting point as any.

 

[Erdrick]

Are the Dragon Quest games comparable to EarthBound or the Mother series? If they're lighthearted and serious then it sounds like they're a mix of what was great about EarthBound as well as Final Fantasy. Although, I doubt DQ gets as serious as FF with its themes and story

They're generally light-hearted and such on the surface but there are some legitimately dark parts in all games that always caught me off-guard.

Definitely comparable on the gameplay side. Hell, the combat system in Mother is basically DQ's but tweaked slightly.

 

[teezzy]

Dragon Quest Monsters for the GBA was my introduction to the series. From my perspective it's as good a starting point as any.

Yeah Dragon Quest Monster and Dragon Quest Builders in general are

People sleep on builders but its like someone said "what if Minecraft was actually good?

 

[Mickmrly]

Yeah Dragon Quest Monster and Dragon Quest Builders in general are

People sleep on builders but its like someone said "what if Minecraft was actually good?

I loved Dragon Quest Builders 1, building the rooms and the little town up from nothing is very satisfying. It is also loosely based on the mainline Dragon Quest story as well, so it felt a lot more unique than minecraft. Number 2 though I thought tried to get a bit too complicated with the story, but the game mechanics were great as well. The first one is a nice game to chill out with.

 

[teezzy]

I loved Dragon Quest Builders 1, building the rooms and the little town up from nothing is very satisfying. It is also loosely based on the mainline Dragon Quest story as well, so it felt a lot more unique than minecraft. Number 2 though I thought tried to get a bit too complicated with the story, but the game mechanics were great as well. The first one is a nice game to chill out with.

I loved em both for different reasons but yeah

 

[Bolivar]

4-6 are not really connected but they are all wonderful with V being the best and VI being a step below the other two.

The other tied for the best is DQVIII, but the PS2 version. I haven't played the 3DS one but from what I know about it I'm staying away.

DQIII is incredible but I haven't beat it. I think the SNES remake is the optimal version. I'm sure all the mobile versions of the first 6 are great.

Could not get into DQVII 3DS at all.

So I'd recommend whatever the easiest to get ahold of from III-V and VIII, then VI, then maybe try the others.

 

[Zeta Dragoon]

4-6 are not really connected but they are all wonderful with V being the best and VI being a step below the other two.

The other tied for the best is DQVIII, but the PS2 version. I haven't played the 3DS one but from what I know about it I'm staying away.

DQIII is incredible but I haven't beat it. I think the SNES remake is the optimal version. I'm sure all the mobile versions of the first 6 are great.

Could not get into DQVII 3DS at all.

So I'd recommend whatever the easiest to get ahold of from III-V and VIII, then VI, then maybe try the others.

There is that saying that a RPG gets good 30 hours in.

I want to say Dragon Quest VII does that but around 60 hours in. Once the job system is unlocked it becomes an entire new game. You just

Spoiler: Ye Olden Spoilers

have to endure one of the worst blue balling moments in the history of videogames. I would say getting the Job System unlocked in Dragon Quest VII is actually far more ardious than attempting to get the Skell license in Xenoblade Chronicles X.

 

[Vyse]

4-6 are not really connected but they are all wonderful with V being the best and VI being a step below the other two.

The other tied for the best is DQVIII, but the PS2 version. I haven't played the 3DS one but from what I know about it I'm staying away.

DQIII is incredible but I haven't beat it. I think the SNES remake is the optimal version. I'm sure all the mobile versions of the first 6 are great.

Could not get into DQVII 3DS at all.

So I'd recommend whatever the easiest to get ahold of from III-V and VIII, then VI, then maybe try the others.

Dragon Quest III on Game Boy Color is great. It doesn't have the battle backgrounds but the monsters move when attacking and overall it looks and sounds just as good on the handheld. I even beat the secret boss Divinegon after a couple tries.

 

[p_banned]

4-6 are not really connected but they are all wonderful with V being the best and VI being a step below the other two.

The other tied for the best is DQVIII, but the PS2 version. I haven't played the 3DS one but from what I know about it I'm staying away.

DQIII is incredible but I haven't beat it. I think the SNES remake is the optimal version. I'm sure all the mobile versions of the first 6 are great.

Could not get into DQVII 3DS at all.

So I'd recommend whatever the easiest to get ahold of from III-V and VIII, then VI, then maybe try the others.

The most bloated game in existence. Plus tedious battles after a few chapters I just quit.

 

[teezzy]

The most bloated game in existence. Plus tedious battles after a few chapters I just quit.

Yeah DQ 7 on PS1 was brutal lol

My introduction to the series. Loved the graphics but never made much progress when i was young

 

[Ferdinand the Cowfish]

The other tied for the best is DQVIII, but the PS2 version. I haven't played the 3DS one but from what I know about it I'm staying away.

The 3DS version of DQVIII is considered the "definitive" edition by a lot of people, but I prefer the PS2 version.

The 3DS version gives you two new playable characters (who aren't that great) and a lack of random encounters. In exchange, you get worse graphics and music.

I personally prefer the random encounters and couldn't care less about the new playable characters.

Could not get into DQVII 3DS at all.

Despite my feelings about DQVIII on 3DS, the 3DS version of 7 is definitely an improvement over the PS1 version. The start/prologue is shortened by about 3 hours and the game actually tells you where you need to go and what you need to do next.

 

[Franky Family]

These posts make me want to play sooner rather than later than I had planned lol. And idk why but for some reason this thread has made me want to play Final Fantasy VIII as well even though after finishing Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, there will be a break before I step back into the series for another dosage of cream

 

[Mickmrly]

These posts make me want to play sooner rather than later than I had planned lol. And idk why but for some reason this thread has made me want to play Final Fantasy VIII as well even though after finishing Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, there will be a break before I step back into the series for another dosage of cream

Isn't Cream from the Sonic series though?

 

[Franky Family]

Isn't Cream from the Sonic series though?

Spoiler

 

[DonDonDonPata]

imo

5 is the culmination of the "old school" DQ style.

7 is the culmination of the PS1 JRPG, for better or worse.

8 is the culmination of the PS2 JRPG

12 sums the whole series up.