Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

[Toaster]

J. Parish gave Dragon Quest V an A+. Tim Rogers even gushed all over it. So I'm really tempted to pick it up.

I was wondering though, if anyone around here other than Loki has experience with either of these games, and which one you would recommend over the other. Or, rather, should I hold out for Dragon Quest VI? (we're talking about the re-make trio, IX doesn't count)

[John Mora]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

I'd probably start out with DQIV. Then work your way to DQV! Then maybe DQVI!!!!

[IRC]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

The fourth one was a lot of fun. And six was pretty good too. I haven't played five but I want to check it out simply because I've got a Japanese version for the PS2 that I got from my host family when I was in Japan and I couldn't ever play it.

But if I had to pick one I'd probably wait for Six even though I can't really remember anything about it except for the opening.

[marcus]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

DQV has one of the more sophisticated stories in the series considering it takes place over a continuous time line (something like 10 years) and you can marry a girl.

Although saying Dragon Quest series has good plots is like saying Everybody Poops is the greatest piece of contemporary literature.

EDIT: Yeah, I'd go through them in order since IV, V, and VI are part of the same trilogy BUT you're not missing anything by not playing them. Square got lazy with DQIV and removed the party banter which was the best part about the game.

[IRC]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

Which one is the one where you can get Sword Dance rediculously early? I wanna say six but it might be seven.

[Biggie]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

The entire premise of DQV intrigues me. That's why I bought it! But I'm saving it for tech school.

[Toaster]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

Which one is the one where you can get Sword Dance rediculously early? I wanna say six but it might be seven.

Definitely not seven. That much I know.

My experience with DQ games:

• Loved I
• Liked II, but could never finish it. Got a little obscure towards the end.
• Played probably 200 hours of VII. File got trashed twice at the same spot. Realized that it wasn't worth it to invest another 100 hours just to get to the same spot and that the game felt like work. Sold it.
• Loved VIII.

[John Mora]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

The entire premise of DQV intrigues me. That's why I bought it! But I'm saving it for tech school.

It has the same premise as Phantasy Star III except PSIII came out before and you actually played through three generations instead of two.

[Toaster]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

It has the same premise as Phantasy Star III except PSIII came out before and you actually played through three generations instead of two.

PSIII is ****, though.

Really.

[John Mora]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

I didn't say it wasn't!!

[Magus]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

DQ5 sounds like the best bet.

But only cuz I'm interested in it too!! :V

[JLaCroix]

Re: Which DS Dragon Quest Game Should I Get?

Dragon Quest IV-VI form a trilogy. However, they are designed so that you don't have to play the previous game to understand the current one.

Dragon Quest IV is good, but it has the most NES feel of the three, which makes sense because it was originally an NES game. The NDS remake did a fairly decent job of bringing such an old game to the current age, but there are scenes that should have more dialogue and just don't, and the original didn't have dialogue in those scenes either so it's forgiven. DQIV is good but just know what you're getting in advance, it's an NES game with a 3D look given to it and more dialogue but not where it counts. Don't get me wrong, it's a good game. Another problem with DQIV is that it fleshes out the characters in the first few chapters, but once you get the hero in the final chapter, the story development for the other characters stops all of a sudden and the story just does nothing at that point. Again, the NES version was that way too.

Dragon Quest V has one of the more mature stories in the series as was already said. The story is good, but it's not something that's going to make your jaw drop. It's a standard cliche' "what happened to my parents" storyline, but what ends up saving the story is watching your character grow into a man. Don't misunderstand, it is a great game. It's probably my second favorite, but it is a bit overrated.

In my opinion Dragon Quest VI is the best game in the entire series. Many people will disagree with me because the storyline isn't as good as DQV, but the gameplay is a million times better with changeable job classes returning to the series for the first time since DQIII. I prefer gameplay a bit over story, yet that's just a personal preference. DQVI is also the second longest game in the series if my memory suits me correctly, so you're getting more of a bang for your buck. DQV is the second shortest game in the series so there is quite a difference between the two.

So my personal recommendation is that if you are going to only play one game, play DQVI. Everything about DQVI dwarfs the entire series other than the story in DQV and the overall greatness of DQVIII. (Just my personal view, mind you). If you can, play all three in order. It's more satisfying, as long as you don't mind the retro-ness of DQIV.