The traditional Dragon Quest gameplay formula is still intact with a few twists here and there to shake things up. This brings up the point of the 3DS versions localization, which seems largely untouched from the original PS2 version. Some of the audio quality didn’t fair too well when being ported over from the PS2 to 3DS hardware, however, and while it is noticeable at times, it hardly detracts from the overall experience. The major characters and party members in particular are well-voiced and sound exactly how I’d imagined them to, and the voices overall add a sense of depth and whimsy that I wasn’t expecting when I first began playing. The voice acting can be hit or miss for some of the NPCs or minor characters, but is largely enjoyable. As the protagonist and his party travel from town to town in the hopes of finding the next lead to the elusive Dhoulmagus, or explore caves and ruins at the request of townsfolk, one can’t help but feel excited about where the party will end up next.ĭragon Quest VIII also features fully voiced cut-scenes throughout, and I was surprised at how many there actually were. The characters the protagonist meets along the way have fleshed-out backstories and rich personalities, and traveling across the map accompanied by the sounds of a horse-drawn carriage make the game feel like a medieval road trip of sorts. Compared to Dragon Quest VII, the plot is much more cohesive, and it’s easy to see each party member’s motivations for joining the protagonist’s search for Dhoulmagus. From the beginning it grabs hold of your attention and keeps you wondering where the adventure will end up next, and adventure is definitely the most fitting word to describe the game. The story is one of the strongest aspects of Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. Dragon Quest VIII starts at a comfortably brisk past and maintains that speed for the majority of the game. This was extremely refreshing in comparison to Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, which was almost painfully slow in its early hours. After getting just the right amount of backstory, the adventure begins and you quickly take control of the party and set out to investigate the first lead to Dhoulmagus’ whereabouts. The story quickly falls into place around you: the king, his daughter, their entire kingdom, and all its inhabitants have been cursed by an evil jester known as Dhoulmagus, with the sole survivors being the newly transformed royal family and the protagonist. After a brief cinematic, the game quickly introduces his traveling companions: Yangus, a burly yet surprisingly friendly ex-thief who’s friends with the protagonist, and King Trode and his daughter Princess Medea, who have been freshly cursed to appear as a monster and horse, respectively. Our story begins with the protagonist and his pet mouse, Munchie, taking a breather after a long trek with their party.
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March 2023
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