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SereneCrimson
Oct 10, 2007

I am the morning sun, come to vanquish this horrible night!

Welcome to the Dragon Quest Megathread. As a common courtesy, please mark all your spoilers!

What IS Dragon Quest?
Started in 1986 on the famicom system, Dragon Quest has has easily cemented itself as one of Japan's most popular series of all time.
In the early days it was known as Dragon Warrior outside of Japan, however, with the release of Dragon Quest VIII on PS2, it has returned to it's original name.

Dragon Quest is (for most releases) a traditional turn based jRPG. Battles are randomly encountered while walking through the world map and dungeons. Winning battles nets the player EXP to gain more levels and skills, and money to buy new equipment.

It's well known for having difficulty ramp up once you reach a new area, causing you to return to the previous area to grind easier monsters for EXP to gain the necessary levels to survive the next section. Some don't mind this, some think its the worst thing ever! If you can't stand the thought of level grinding, this might not be the series for you.


The games!

With so many to list, it's easier to just link to the Wikipedia page on Dragon Quest to get all the in depth details on the games.
This thread is for discussion of the entire series, however, there is a Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies thread available for players that want to discuss only that title.


Who is this happy fellow?
This is the Slime! The most common enemy in the series, and the star of one of the spin-off games!
This guy is practically the mascot of Japan.


With Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation, in stores for the first time outside of Japan, just hitting store shelves on the Nintendo DS, I'm sure much of the discussion will focus on that title.
Happy grinding!

SereneCrimson fucked around with this message at 00:56 on Feb 16, 2011

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MMF Freeway
Sep 15, 2010

Later!
Oh sweet a megathread. Well to start us off I have a question for some DQ vets. I'm about to finish DQ8 and I really, really liked it. It's the first DQ game I've played and I heard that its the most accessible in the series. So now I'm thinking of picking up 6 but I'm wondering if someone could gimme the low down on how it compares to 8, or perhaps recommend other games in the series that are most similar to 8. I'd assume that 9 is the closest mechanics wise, but I've read some reviews and it doesn't really seem like its for me. I could be convinced otherwise though.

CitizenKain
May 27, 2001

That was Gary Cooper, asshole.

Nap Ghost

Volitaire posted:

Oh sweet a megathread. Well to start us off I have a question for some DQ vets. I'm about to finish DQ8 and I really, really liked it. It's the first DQ game I've played and I heard that its the most accessible in the series. So now I'm thinking of picking up 6 but I'm wondering if someone could gimme the low down on how it compares to 8, or perhaps recommend other games in the series that are most similar to 8. I'd assume that 9 is the closest mechanics wise, but I've read some reviews and it doesn't really seem like its for me. I could be convinced otherwise though.

DQ9 is really good and closest to how DQ8 works then others. You have a similar skill up system, except its based on classes rather then characters, and its only 5ish hours into the game you can change character classes whenever you want. The only downside is that you have a custom party of nobodies, so there isn't much for character interaction with your party.

BabyRyoga
May 21, 2001

THUNDERDOME LOSER 2021

Volitaire posted:

Oh sweet a megathread. Well to start us off I have a question for some DQ vets. I'm about to finish DQ8 and I really, really liked it. It's the first DQ game I've played and I heard that its the most accessible in the series. So now I'm thinking of picking up 6 but I'm wondering if someone could gimme the low down on how it compares to 8, or perhaps recommend other games in the series that are most similar to 8. I'd assume that 9 is the closest mechanics wise, but I've read some reviews and it doesn't really seem like its for me. I could be convinced otherwise though.

6 is most similar to 7, which is basically the same system (which is rather grindy) but drawn out to take twice as much time to complete. A lot of people didn't like 7 as a result, because they didn't want to spend 100+ hours to finish the game. I liked 6 the most in the series, but most would probably disagree. I don't know what changes there are to the DS version, yet.

5 is somewhat similar to 8, but with less character customization.

Adam Bowen
Jan 6, 2003

This post probably contains a Rickroll link!
9 is probably one of the weakest in the series. It's not terrible or anything but it lacked the charm of the older games in my opinion. Other than the last couple of bosses, it was way too easy too. If I were you I'd probably suggest playing DQ5 next. If you like that too, then check out 4 and 6 on the DS. If you still want more, play whatever. I wouldn't recommend the first two unless you play all the others and still want more, I still enjoy them from time to time but I can understand that they're not very accessible by today's standards. 3 is probably the best in the series but again accessibility is an issue. It's not been remade for anything newer than the GBC so it still plays very much like an NES game, whereas the remakes all play more like a PS2 game.

Silhouette
Nov 16, 2002

SONIC BOOM!!!

Adam Bowen posted:

9 is probably one of the weakest in the series. It's not terrible or anything but it lacked the charm of the older games in my opinion. Other than the last couple of bosses, it was way too easy too.

Definitely agree with this. 9 was basically a rehash of 3, except they replaced the casino with endless random dungeon grinding and item farming.


BabyRyoga posted:

A lot of people didn't like 7 as a result, because they didn't want to spend 100+ hours to finish the game.

You know what those people are called? Wrong.

DQ7 is the best, followed by 8, 5, 4 and 3.

I'm looking forward to playing the gently caress out of 6.

goldjas
Feb 22, 2009

I HATE ALL FORMS OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT. I HATE BEAUTY. I AM GOLDJAS.
Looking forward to 6s remake as well, although like every other DQ fan ever I did play it translated by whoever it was ages ago (and it was a really crappy translation too).

My order is probably 8>9>4>5=6 then after that I didn't like 7 and 1-3 are kind of to old to rate on any fair scale as they obviously haven't aged well.

All I can really remember about 6 is the flying bed shenanigans, fucktons of metal slime grinding that I abused save states and fast forwards to make it easier on myself and it still took forever (god I hope they reduce that in the remake) and the final boss being crazy hard.

Lowclock
Oct 26, 2005
Supposedly there was an early fake scene release of Dragon Quest IX that showed an anime porn slide show and bricked your DS. If that is true, then yeah, Dragon quest is the best.

Cool Cool Cool
Apr 17, 2008

by T. Finn
Is the tenth one still supposed to come out on Wii, or has gone back to the drawing boards or whatever?

Mercury Crusader
Apr 20, 2005

You know they say that all demons are created equal, but you look at me and you look at Pyro Jack and you can see that statement is not true, hee-ho!
Dragon Warrior III will always be my favorite, as it was the console RPG to get me interested in console RPGs. Granted, I don't really play them much anymore, but at the time it sure was fun. Grinding a Goof-Off up to 20 to get a Sage sure was awesome.

thetrin
May 4, 2009

I pull down the curtain, wantin to do me some dirtin aint nuthin better then jerkin my gerkin so I start with some flirtin

But my magic find aint working so I can't do no spurtin its got Wirt's feelins all hurtin, and his wooden leg stops all perking

goldjas posted:

Looking forward to 6s remake as well, although like every other DQ fan ever I did play it translated by whoever it was ages ago (and it was a really crappy translation too).

My order is probably 8>9>4>5=6 then after that I didn't like 7 and 1-3 are kind of to old to rate on any fair scale as they obviously haven't aged well.

All I can really remember about 6 is the flying bed shenanigans, fucktons of metal slime grinding that I abused save states and fast forwards to make it easier on myself and it still took forever (god I hope they reduce that in the remake) and the final boss being crazy hard.

Wow, that is the exact opposite of how I would rate them.

DQV is easily the best in the series, by a huge margin. How anyone could disagree with that blows my mind.

(People who think 3 is the best are a-okay in my book)

Silhouette posted:

DQ7 is the best, followed by 8, 5, 4 and 3.

I'm looking forward to playing the gently caress out of 6.

I love DQ7, but I still think 5 is a better game. 8 was fun and all, but the sweeping camera and the third person camera slowed down battles IMMENSELY.

thetrin fucked around with this message at 02:16 on Feb 16, 2011

Studio
Jan 15, 2008



The only DQ game I played was I think Monsters, maybe Monsters 2? Someone lent it to me under the premise that "it's like Pokemon but different." He was right and it ruled for that reason.

Lowclock posted:

Supposedly there was an early fake scene release of Dragon Quest IX that showed an anime porn slide show and bricked your DS. If that is true, then yeah, Dragon quest is the best.

Please don't call it anime porn just call it hentai SHEESH :japan:.

MMF Freeway
Sep 15, 2010

Later!
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I think I'll check out 5 before getting 6 as it seems to be held in high regard.

thetrin posted:

Wow, that is the exact opposite of how I would rate them.

Are you saying that you think 8 is the worst? If so then drat these other games must be pretty stellar.

SereneCrimson
Oct 10, 2007

I am the morning sun, come to vanquish this horrible night!
5 is pretty incredible. There's no doubt it's my absolute favourite.

I've never played 8, but a friend has it, so I could probably borrow it if I wanted to. (Though I'd like to buy a copy for myself)

iastudent
Apr 22, 2008

Studio posted:

The only DQ game I played was I think Monsters, maybe Monsters 2? Someone lent it to me under the premise that "it's like Pokemon but different." He was right and it ruled for that reason.

DQM 1&2 were amazing and ruined me on Pokemon and other games of that ilk. Joker I tried but couldn't really stay with for some reason. I suppose I should give Caravan Hearts a try at some point.

Pureauthor
Jul 8, 2010

ASK ME ABOUT KISSING A GHOST
From a technical standpoint, 8's menus are a lot slower than any other DQ that comes to mind. I didn't like that.

Adam Bowen
Jan 6, 2003

This post probably contains a Rickroll link!

thetrin posted:

Wow, that is the exact opposite of how I would rate them.

DQV is easily the best in the series, by a huge margin. How anyone could disagree with that blows my mind.

(People who think 3 is the best are a-okay in my book)


When I make my list, I generally just leave 5 and 6 out. I've played 5 twice now, but I never played it until a few years ago so I haven't really had a chance to look at it from a long-term point of view as I have the rest of the games. It's definitely a contender for the best in the series.

SpaceDrake
Dec 22, 2006

I can't avoid filling a game with awful memes, even if I want to. It's in my bones...!
5 is my favorite too, but once you get to around 5 and "below" you start hitting a lot of very old mechanics that I think a lot of modern gamers wouldn't really have the patience for, which is why I'd be hesitant to suggest it.

DQ5 is definitely the most clever game in the franchise, though, no question about that. Can't wait to pick up DQ6 and my ~slime plush~ tomorrow. I've wanted one of those drat things forever.

Thwack!
Aug 14, 2010

Ability: Shadow Tag
I've played through all of the Dragon Quest games up until the 5th game. The first two were ok though like most early RPGs I don't feel like playing them now. III was pretty good, IV is my favourite, V is my second favourite, and for VI, I plan to play when I get it. I tried to get into IX, but somehow it didn't grab me in as well as the other games (could be that fairy companion that's keeping me from playing it), and 7/8 and the Monster spinoff games I never played and I will intend to after I finish VI.

Hell, my username is named after the mass insta-death spell that made random encounters that weren't immune to magic fall to Kiryl, the team healer I used in IV. Sucks that I chose Bianca as my wife in V; she had the spell, but other than that she was overshadowed by her children (particularly her daughter as the caster) and the SlimeKnight I had since the beginning of the game.

Selenephos
Jul 9, 2010

I've only really played the main series except 6, 7 and 9. Haven't played Joker or Caravan Hearts or anything like that. Having said that 5 is my personal favourite. It just seemed really fresh to me which is funny as Dragon Quest games are about as traditional as you can get. I really liked 3 too, I liked the customization and I've heard Dragon Quest 9 is very similar to 3 in a lot of respects.

Did anyone here like 2? I tried to like it but I wasn't really having much fun with it and by the time I got to the last few dungeons (it was in some kind of cavern I think), I just gave up. gently caress that dungeon.

Manos del Sino
Apr 12, 2004

Original Pony
Soiled Meat
I honestly can't remember the first three games because I played them so long ago.

I really enjoyed IV's introductory chapters and that helps push it over V on my list.

VII was great if you like grinding like I do, otherwise definitely not the strongest of the series. The vocation system is my favorite.

I haven't played VIII, but I thought IX was exceptional, mostly for the post-game content. They found a beautiful system for doubling or tripling the numbers of hours a player might put into the game without making it feel like you have to do it.

Azubah
Jun 5, 2007

5 is pretty drat hard to find for the DS for a good price, I only lucked out by finding it at a Kmart no one goes to. I was going to save it until I beat 4, good idea or bad idea?

Terpfen
Jul 27, 2006
Objection!

:dukedog:

Azubah posted:

5 is pretty drat hard to find for the DS for a good price, I only lucked out by finding it at a Kmart no one goes to. I was going to save it until I beat 4, good idea or bad idea?

Good idea. 5 is vastly better than 4. Not to say 4 is bad.

Hell, 6 might not be as good as 5. That’s debatable, though.

GreenBuckanneer
Sep 15, 2007

I want a DQ7 remake on the 360 or PC :(

Pureauthor
Jul 8, 2010

ASK ME ABOUT KISSING A GHOST

GreenBuckanneer posted:

I want a DQ7 remake on the 360 or PC :(

In the interests of not disappointing yourself, I'd suggest you give up on those dreams ASAP.

Adam Bowen
Jan 6, 2003

This post probably contains a Rickroll link!

Mr. Fortitude posted:

Did anyone here like 2? I tried to like it but I wasn't really having much fun with it and by the time I got to the last few dungeons (it was in some kind of cavern I think), I just gave up. gently caress that dungeon.


I quite liked 2, but I understand why others don't. I basically learned to read playing DW1 and loved it to death, so when I read in Nintendo Power that you controlled three characters and the world was 4 times as large as the first game, I almost died of anticipation.

No other game has really made me feel like I was exploring a big world like DW2, especially when you got the loving boat and the whole world was just open to you. I understand why a lot of people got annoyed with how hard it was to find stuff, but that was kind of the point. You really needed to travel around the world and actually talk to people, instead of just being led by the nose from plot point to plot point. It was also pretty respectably difficult too, especially the Cave to Rhone, but I finished it legitly as an 8 year old and I've played it again in the last 5 years, so I don't think it was that bad.

It was also miles and miles ahead of Final Fantasy, which was really the only game that was comparable at the time.

rockinsaki
Feb 6, 2004

Skinless Half-Asian Wonder

..The Rider of a white horse. This rider wears a crown and will deceive many with talks of peace, but he will wage war against the saints.
^^^It's pretty interesting to look at the different ways the two series have evolved from their rather similar roots into completely different beasts. FF sort of represents what I don't like in RPGs, namely overemphasis on looks and style. I've always enjoyed getting lost in the depth of a game, which is why I've sort of moved on to roguelikes like Dungeon Crawl. It's like Final Fantasy does all of the imagining for you.

ConanThe3rd
Mar 27, 2009
Indeed. It's somewhat refreshing that a JRPG actually makes you do some work in the thinking up of characters in this day 'n age and (at least in the case of 9, I really of want to hope that it'll become a series mainstay, same with the DQ 8/9 Battle Estetics, at least for the mainline titles) Equipment makes a noticeable change to your character above the standard "+10 Defence, Lighting Resist".

I can remember plenty of moments where I could have accounted for exactly what my party would have thought a that moment.

And I've shat on where Final Fantasy has gone so many times that I'm out of utter vitriol to say about that series.

thetrin
May 4, 2009

I pull down the curtain, wantin to do me some dirtin aint nuthin better then jerkin my gerkin so I start with some flirtin

But my magic find aint working so I can't do no spurtin its got Wirt's feelins all hurtin, and his wooden leg stops all perking

Volitaire posted:

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I think I'll check out 5 before getting 6 as it seems to be held in high regard.


Are you saying that you think 8 is the worst? If so then drat these other games must be pretty stellar.


There are no bad DQ games, but 8 is not a patch on 3,5 or 6. So if you think 8 is awesome, get ready to understand why DQ is so beloved.

Terpfen
Jul 27, 2006
Objection!

:dukedog:

thetrin posted:

There are no bad DQ games, but 8 is not a patch on 3,5 or 6. So if you think 8 is awesome, get ready to understand why DQ is so beloved.

Huh? I’m a series vet since Dragon Warrior on the NES. 8 is among the best in the series. It’s a little different, but in a good way. I was disappointed to see 9 harken back to the style of 3, honestly.

dis astranagant
Dec 14, 2006

I've only ever played clear through 7, which I somehow finished 3 times in high school, but never managed to get into the bonus dungeons. It was decently fun, but I no longer have patience for that kind of grind unless I'm playing at many times normal speed, which makes menu jockeying for whistle rather difficult.

I've gotten a decent start on most of the others, but always wind up getting distracted and playing something else. 8 came around during my little crisis around the freshman year of college where suddenly I had access to everything I ever thought I wanted to play and had a backlog of rpgs that I'm not sure would have been feasible to finish in a human lifetime.

dis astranagant fucked around with this message at 08:18 on Feb 16, 2011

LooseChanj
Feb 17, 2006

Logicaaaaaaaaal!
The only times I've ever bought a console were to play Dragon Warrior/Quest. An NES for 1 & 2, and a PS2 for 8. I bought DW2 when it was released, and I have no loving clue how I finished it without the internet. Hints simply were not an option, I think I actually took notes. You drat kids today have no idea. :bahgawd:

Dragongem
Nov 9, 2009

Heroes of the Storm
Goon Tournament Champion
I really like 9 and I'm doing a lot of the post-game stuff. Does this make me a bad person????


I really liked 7 too but I couldn't play it now that I'm a 9-5 working guy with other responsibilities. It's one of those things I can never do again.

Asimo
Sep 23, 2007


LooseChanj posted:

The only times I've ever bought a console were to play Dragon Warrior/Quest. An NES for 1 & 2, and a PS2 for 8. I bought DW2 when it was released, and I have no loving clue how I finished it without the internet. Hints simply were not an option, I think I actually took notes. You drat kids today have no idea. :bahgawd:
Dragon Warrior 2 did come with a fairly comprehensive map and some spoiler-esque information on the trickier puzzle stuff, although I forget if that was on the map or in the guide. Nintendo Power went over a few of the other hidden things too, if I remember. Sure it's not gamefaqs or something, but that was enough to get through it.

And man, why don't games have maps and stuff packed in anymore? :smith:

Agnostic watermelon
Jul 1, 2009

I'm a lil' Brony!
Dragon quest swords is more fun than a rail shooter should be.

ImpAtom
May 24, 2007

Agnostic watermelon posted:

Dragon quest swords is more fun than a rail shooter should be.

I don't know. I wanted to like DQ:Swords, but after a while my wrist just basically told me to gently caress off or it was going to snap in half. Admittedly I probably would have done better if I played through only one stage and then took a break or something but still.

Vakal
May 11, 2008
I hope DQ Monsters: Joker 2 actually gets an gnglish release one day. I really enjoyed the original.

LooseChanj
Feb 17, 2006

Logicaaaaaaaaal!

Asimo posted:

trickier puzzle stuff

In the same vein, tricky puzzle poo poo is why you pretty much require a walkthrough for DW7. I know I would've given up on that thing if not for step by steps.

Alestrom
Jan 28, 2009

Don't dick me around bro
I can't even tell you how many hours I put into DW7, but holy poo poo that game is absolutely in my top 3 best PSX titles.

If I remember correctly, I'd just use Gabo's whistle (ALWAYS used Gabo's, because he was my favorite.) right outside of Dharma temple and kill the knight slimes and... I forget the other enemy that was real common there. Rinse, repeat, level the gently caress out of your classes.

I think the only thing I never did, aside from max out classes/hearts, was beat god and get all the different immigrant towns.

I loving loved that game.

LooseChanj posted:

In the same vein, tricky puzzle poo poo is why you pretty much require a walkthrough for DW7. I know I would've given up on that thing if not for step by steps.

I never used a guide but I also spent hours trying to figure out what the gently caress to do. So ridiculous.

Edit: gently caress it. I'm playing this game again. AFTER I play/beat 6.

Alestrom fucked around with this message at 17:43 on Feb 16, 2011

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Kikka
Feb 10, 2010

I POST STUPID STUFF ABOUT DOCTOR WHO
I loving love the translations they did for the DS releases. DQ has an awesome translation team.

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