Dragon Quest VIII Review

[EvilBob46]

Gamespot has their review (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/dragonwarrior8/review.html?sid=6139759) for Dragon Quest VIII, awarding the game a score of 9.0. Their verdict is this:

The Good: Simple but engaging story; variety of charming and amusing people and creatures to meet; gorgeous world and visuals; wonderful music and great voice work really bring everything together.

The Bad: Tough random battles may try your patience; not as much story structure as other modern role-playing games.

The game's shipping date also happens to be today (Tuesday, November 15th).

[Borys]

I have to finish DQ7 before! Still collecting those shards and I forgot how FUN this game was. Can't wait for DQ8 the graphics alone is amazing for a DQ title.

[Captain Awesome]

It sucks that this is such a good game and its hindered by Akira Toriyama's shitty artwork. This is what's ruining that Blue Dragon game for me already...


:(

[Grimgrock]

Am I the only one who longs for the simplicity of Dragon Warrior 1? The game was straightforward, fun to play, not weighed with any kind of story, and had lots of monsters to fight. Still I'll give the review a read.

[Kelegacy]

Yet another must-buy. I hope this game sells well, because traditionally Americans have overlooked the franchise. Idiots.

[TheHulk]

The demo I got at Best Buy was less than stellar, but I'll probably still get it. Especially if I can't find a 360 next week.

[NoName]

From 1Up:
If you remember the Dragon Warrior series fondly from the NES days, this is your moment. But even if you never played one of the games before -- or, worse, if you tried Dragon Warrior VII on PS1 and hated it as much as I did -- this will still be well worth your time. It's hard to see how creator Yuji Horii is going to top himself after this, but now that VIII has made me a convert, I know I'll be there.
*purrs contently*

[Grimgrock]

After reading that review, I think I'll picking this one up. My original impression was not even close to what the reality is. Did I read that one of the party members is a horse?

[JazGalaxy]

I hate reviews that have "the good: and the bad:" in them because what they llist as "bad" is never really bad, but just their opinion.

The Bad:This game isn't like every other game.

I mean.. what is that about? Some people LIKE tough battles (easy battles are just wasting everyone's time) and if you want hardline linear story structure... why don't you just watch a cartoon?

[NELS]

I am so hyped for this that I actually dreamed about DQ8 last night. Been itching for a good old school RPG for some time.

[SynapseLapse]

Am I the only one who longs for the simplicity of Dragon Warrior 1? The game was straightforward, fun to play, not weighed with any kind of story, and had lots of monsters to fight. Still I'll give the review a read.

No, no you're not. I, for one, am quite looking forward to this title since it is such a simple story line. That and the fact that I haven't played a DQ game since the NES days. It's one of the most infuriating things about modern RPGs. Every single plot line does NOT need to be about saving the entire world from an army of 1,000,000 demons.

What's wrong with a good old fashioned bad guy steals magic item, causes problem, you fight to get it back? Or even just, there's a bad wizard in the beighborhood, take 'em out. The end-of-the-world scenario is a plot device, much like a companion dying plot device, has been used so much to the point it's lost any emotional significance.

Compared to other forms of fantasy mediums (i.e. other books, movies, etc) RPGs seems to have a much higher level of save-the-world than humbler There and Back Again stories.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I really want to try this title, but I have no PS2. I can therefor only wish that everyone who buys it enjoys it to the fullest. :)

[Rirath]

It sucks that this is such a good game and its hindered by Akira Toriyama's shitty artwork. This is what's ruining that Blue Dragon game for me already...

Rather like the artwork, myself.

[Kelegacy]

I really want to try this title, but I have no PS2. I can therefor only wish that everyone who buys it enjoys it to the fullest. :)
Spend the money on a PSTwo, especially when it hits 99 bucks. Then you can catch up on some great gaming from the past 6 feckin' years that you missed out on.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Spend the money on a PSTwo, especially when it hits 99 bucks. Then you can catch up on some great gaming from the past 6 feckin' years that you missed out on.


I've thought about doing that, but I'm trying to maintain some self control and not spend hundreds of dollars on gaming like I used to. It's work so far, so don't you dare tempt me with your ideas, or I'll be forced to poke you with a sharp object!! :mad:

[Kefkataran]

I'm definitely getting this. Considering picking it up tomorrow, but I'll probably wait until next week so I can play over Thanksgiving weekend.

[Chiron]

Rather like the artwork, myself.

The bashing of Mr. Toriyama's artwork is direct fallout from the popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise. He's a talented artist and has produced some great stuff, I've always enjoyed his style.

I've grown tired of the heavy-handed exposition of modern RPG's, something story-light would be refreshing.

[Mason]

I don't know. Lots of lengthy random battles, little plot or character development, and a character/equipment system which really can't stay interesting through 60+ hours of gameplay.

I like nothing about it. I might buy it when it gets cheaper just to try and understand what could possibly make it so popular.

I can live with plot-light games if they give you plenty of room to explore and interact with the world, like TES games. But a linear JRPG with little plot...that's just boring.

And Square understood how to keep adding new facets to a game system in order to keep it fresh (FFX=sphere grid+specialty spheres+equipment customization+aeon growth, added at different stages). DQ doesn't seem too hot on this. Lots of JRPGs suck at it. It makes games boring to only have linear growth and acquisition of skills (or better yet, higher versions of the same skills).

And the people trashing plot as a part of JRPGs...what the hell? A good plot gives your actions meaning in the game. Anyone willing to just walk from area to area, doing random fights constantly, for no narrative reason might as well just play a MMORPG. At least there you interact with others.

If someone can articulate what is worthwhile about these games, I'd really appreciate it. To me, they sound like the same MMORPG addiction/reward cycle, only offline.

[Talltale]

Mason, I think its a nostalgia thing. No shops over here have it yet.. but that demo was pure magic. The old memories washed over me like waves of joy.. Almost everything in the game has stayed pure. From the sound effects to the monsters, gameplay, and NPC's.. I laughed my ASS off when I saw the shirtless guys with the horned mask. I think Dragon Quest really is a series you have to have grown up with to truely appreciate.

Its basically the RPG that started it all in Japan, and Japan started it all over here. Its a game thats held onto its roots, not for the new people, but for the old people that were there at the begining. Go google up some history on the series. You'll be surprised about what you find.

Here I did it for you read this.. it's awesome:

History of Dragon Quest! (http://www.rpgland.com/specialfeatures/dqhistory/historyofdragonquest.html)

[Mason]

I played DW on the NES. Don't lecture me on history, boy.

But seriously, nostalgia is like the flimsiest justification for a gaming series. If I get nostalgic, I can bust out the original, not pay (by this point) $350 for remakes. Still waiting for a good articulation on how these games aren't just pointless grind treadmills.

[SMES]

I played DW on the NES. Don't lecture me on history, boy.

But seriously, nostalgia is like the flimsiest justification for a gaming series. If I get nostalgic, I can bust out the original, not pay (by this point) $350 for remakes. Still waiting for a good articulation on how these games aren't just pointless grind treadmills.

The charm of this game is in it's characters, the world, and the presentation. The pacing and exploration in this game especially is wonderful. The spirit and humor that comes through with the enemy designs (cat monsters that miss turns cleaning themselfs, child monsters that run away from battle when their mom calls them) and main character personalities accentuated by upbeat and well done, fun voicework.

To point to the sphere grid, however, as a good thing in RPGs baffles me. I can't relate to that at all, so maybe DQ8 just isn't meant for you.

I like the creative omages to the simplicity of prior DQ RPGs, and it's not as though there is NO plot. There is a great plot- it just isn't a soap opera of plot twists like FF. The plot is like a zelda plot- it's a way to get you into the adventuring. The game isn't a MMO because it is still a storyline that progresses with cutscenes and story progression like any traditional console RPG.

Read the some of the reviews, for example the one at RPGfan is good as I recall, as is 1up's. Even if my ability to convey the simple pleasure of this game is lacking, and even if the reviews don't convince you, you should try renting it.

It is of course possible you just won't like it, though. I certainly still don't like FFX despite many people trying to convince me it was good.

FFX=melodramatic voice acting which fits the angsty dragged-out story and setting

DQ8=lighthearted and fun voice acting in a lighthearted world that pays omage to previous games in a lot of ways.

Both games are what they are, DQ is the tropical vacation of RPGs, FF is the ropes course/rock climbing vacation of RPGs. The vibe is just different.

[JazGalaxy]

I played DW on the NES. Don't lecture me on history, boy.

But seriously, nostalgia is like the flimsiest justification for a gaming series. If I get nostalgic, I can bust out the original, not pay (by this point) $350 for remakes. Still waiting for a good articulation on how these games aren't just pointless grind treadmills.

Well, what is a pointless "grind treadmill"? Is any game less "pointless"? I would think not, since they all have the same purpose and social worth. They're not "pointless remakes" because they are all different games, the same as Final Fantasy. In fact, moreso than Final Fantasy.

The problem with Final Fantasy is that they're to the point where they're telling a story and the game is just an overlooked legacy that they can't quite get rid of yet. You mention how great these "systems" are, but the systems usually don't even fit into the game world. They just reduce teh gameplay to even more of a minigame status than it already was as a sidekick to the story. The whole time I'm watching a movie about how my charachters are stuck behind a big ice wall freezing to death, I'm sitting there thinking... okay.. didn't I just TWO SECONDS AGO call a massive FIRE DEMON from the DEPTHS OF HELL to do my bidding? why am I stuck here again?

It's just a bunch of disjointed nonsense. In Dragon Quest, as in pretty much all other older games, the game WAS the story. Now, for some silly reason, that's not enough and you have to do watch what you just did be dramatised for no reason. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into a room to fight a badguy in a videogame with a rocket launcher only for them to cut to a cut scene where I'm menaced by the villian while my charachter holds a handgun. What? what happened to my rocket launcher? Why am I running away from this guy when I just took out 10 of them earlier in the level?

Cutscenes suck. "Story" (story being melodramatic 'cinematic' drivel) sucks.

[Talltale]

Then might I sudgest you hit a library and read a book? Every RPG out there is a sub-par story wrapped around the same old tired treadmill. Guess its time to throw in the towel and be bitter about how everything hasn't lived up to how you think gameing should be.

Book 11 just came out.. and the hardcover is a heck of a lot cheaper than a videogame.

Seriously though, I explained my reasons for liking the game, and all the games before it, and those reasons "flimsy justification" or not is how I feel, and what makes me happy. You seem to have your heart set against it.. so how can you expect someone to come out and change your mind?

Shall I try show you the light and teach you about the great rubber chicken god Clucklor? You need saving my friend, and Clucklor will do it. Belive in him!

/wink

[Grimgrock]

Its basically the RPG that started it all in Japan, and Japan started it all over here.

Depending on what you mean by what Japan started, I'm really going to have to disagree. (C)RPGs were around long before 1988. D&D certainly didn't start in Japan. And if you are talking about computer RPGs (to be fair), Ultima started in 1981.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima

[Kelegacy]

This game is getting rave reviews all around. Despite a story that can be predictable at times, the game is still fun--even the random battles are fun. I personally haven't played it yet, but I haven't seen any reviews lower than a 9 yet. I'll have the game in a couple days (my landlord/videogame store owner just showed me the box it came in and I held it in my hands for a bit, trying not to salivate at the cover). I could have bought the game tonight, but I refrained. I still have too much on my plate, like beating Nocturne. I still have a couple weekends (at least) of that left, so I don't know WHEN I'll get around to it.

Oh, and 1UP says the game is about 90 hours, with sidequests and extras equaling well over 100. Goddamn! That's both good AND bad: Good because it's a lengthy AND fun adventure, bad because I was looking to score some vagina this weekend.

[Spigot]

I have only spent a few hours with DQ8 so far but I love it. Just having all of the throwback sounds from the original 8-bit Dragon Warrior for the menus and such is a treat.

And for those griping about the artwork, well, don't play it then. I have never been a big fan of the Dragon Ball Z style but I love the way this game looks. The environments and the various characters all look great. Sure, they do have the Toriyama style but since they're not all super sayan fighters, well, I think it looks gorgeous. But again, it's not for everyone. I'd suggest actually trying it though and seeing if you still hate it.

For me, being able to come home after a long day at work, fire up the game and smack some slimes around is a lot of fun. I'm just glad to have a JRPG that plays like an old-school JRPG as opposed to the various attempts at doing different things of late (Radiata Stories, I'm looking at you!). I've been longing for a game that I can just adventure in and so far DQ8 is satisfying it immensely. I think that once I finish DQ8, THEN I'll be able to get back to working on some of newer, different JRPG's that I have picked up. My RPG batteries just needed a Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior recharge.

[Kefkataran]

My RPG batteries just needed a Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior recharge.

Well said. I think that might be the case with me as well. It's one of the reasons I'm very excited about picking up DQ8.