Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Pros:
+Updated visuals
+Fantastic soundtrack
+Plenty of things to do off the beaten path
+Fun gameplay
Cons:
-It's nice to have updated graphics, but there are some gameplay elements that might've benefited as well.
For many RPGers, Dragon Quest has a special place in their heart. Unfortunately, two Dragon Quest games never made it to the states. Those games are finally getting that chance to shine, with Dragon Quest V landing down now, and Dragon Quest VI landing down sometime in the near future. This is the first time many gamers have gotten to experience Dragon Quest V, and it turns out to be one of the better DS RPGs out there. Unfortunately, there's still a matter of how long it'll take for Square-Enix to update the Dragon Quest series.
As usual, there's not too much to expect from a story in Dragon Quest. It's a run of the mill story. Dragon Quest has primarily been about gameplay. Even after so many years, Dragon Quest is still an incredibly fun game to play, despite being dated. The series basic crux for battling hasn't changed since the first game. It's incredibly simplistic, looks incredibly dated, but still plays incredibly well.
You'll go exploring dungeons and getting into random battles. When in battle it takes place from a first person perspective where you select commands and watch them get acted out. While your enemies have more movements, which is a far better upgrade from the still life shots of the Super Famicom original, you won't actually see your character run up and physically strike the enemy. After so long, it would be nice if Dragon Quest really made it's battles come alive. This isn't in 16 bits, this is now on the Nintendo DS and has gotten a few notable upgrades. Unfortunately there are some upgrades that it didn't receive.
As much fun as battling is, the random encounter rate within the dungeons is through the roof. Dragon Quest has always been a series that has forced you to battle, but it can be annoying to be getting into a battle every few seconds. This is fun for many RPGers, but it's not quite as fun when you tire of battles. The dungeons aren't too big, at least, but they feel much longer. Along those lines, the game is not exactly easy. You'll have to do quite a bit of level grinding throughout the game. This can be a drag for those who began playing RPGs later on in the Playstation era where you could slog through just about anything at almost any level. Dragon Quest V doesn't let you get away with that. If you're having trouble in a dungeon... it's because your level isn't high enough. Level grinding can be fun, but it's also hard to deny that for some this will be a repetitive task.
More old school appeal that Dragon Quest V appeals to is the idea that the game rarely (if ever) tells you where to go next. In order to figure some things out, you'll have to talk to various NPCs in various towns. While this might annoy some gamers, it really opens things up to exploring. If you have a chance to jump a little further ahead, there's no real penalty for doing it. It's a little easy to get lost, but if you're willing to talk to a few NPCs, it becomes very easy to find your way.There are also several things to do off the beaten path, and even more to do after the game is completed.Dragon Quest V can easily keep you busy for several hours.
An update that the series could probably benefit from is making a much simpler menu to navigate. Dragon Quest has yet to make it's menu system simpler to navigate and manage. It's a little better on the DS, but interface in RPG menu systems have been more user friendly since the early 90's. It can take more time than it needs to equip and unequip a character.Dragon Quest V's menu system isn't that different from the first game in the series, and it would've been easier to navigate had it adopted some of the mechanics of Dragon Quest VIII's.It won't bother you that much, but with giving the visuals and sound such a huge update, it would've been nice had other dated areas gotten that same update.
In terms of the updates it did receive, however, they're overall very nice. There's some well written dialog in special dialects. It might annoy some gamers, but it really makes the world come alive. The music, as usual, sounds fantastic. It's been remastered and it sounds better than most other DS games out there. Among the most obvious of the updates are the visuals. It's very similar to how Dragon Quest VII looked on the original Playstation. You might see some denizens or objects that look a little pixelated, but it still looks good. The backgrounds in many of the dungeons or in the battles look divine.
Aside from a couple of things that didn't get updated, Dragon Quest V is still a solid RPG. It's got plenty of gameplay, and it has plenty of extra things to do off the beaten path. Not to mention that there are a few new goodies thrown in for good measure. If you're a Dragon Quest fan, Dragon Quest V is a fantastic experience. You'll quickly overcome some of the issues and settle in for a long and rewarding gameplay experience.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Product Description:
Beloved by role-playing game fans around the world, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is the second installment in the Dragon Quest, Zenithia Trilogy and has finally made its way to North America. Follow a journey that crosses three generations of a family's legacy in a classic Nintendo DS RPG brimming with new ideas, numerous lands to explore, multiple branches to enhance replayability, and dozens of your favorite Dragon Quest monsters.
Enjoy traditional RPG play.
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Explore rich environments.
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Jump in to mini-games.
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Follow easy in-game direction.
Viewlarger. Story
In Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, what begins as an innocent childhood voyage of a boy accompanying his father on a journey soon develops into an eye-opening adventure of a brave young man traveling the world as he faces life-altering decisions that transcend generations. You - a hero in the making - determine your own path, choose your wife, and befriend a wagonload of quirky monsters along the way.Indulge in the colorful Dragon Quest world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience. Characters
Although players will make the acquaintance of many characters and monstersthroughout during their travels, here are just a few of the faces they can hopeto see. Young Hero (You)
As a child you discover a world filled with bizarre creatures and fantasticalrealms while traveling with your father. The owner of a truly pure heart,you have an unusual affinity with monsters. Pankraz
Pankraz is your father, with whom you travel with as a boy. He has a hardened look and a talent for magic. What is the purpose of his quest? There is more to Pankraz than meets the eye. Young Bianca
You meet young Bianca in the town of Roundbeck while traveling with yourfather. Bianca is one of your oldest friends and has an animated personalityoverflowing with curiosity. Great Sabrecub
Saved from the hands of the town bullies as a cub by you (The Hero), this great sabrecub travels and fights by your side during his youth and will mature along with you.
Gameplay
Although Hand of the Heavenly Bride is based in standard turn-based RPG gameplay mechanics like character leveling through with increased experience points and armor and weapon equipping for use in combat, it does add something new to the Dragon Quest series, monster taming. Throughout your quests you will encounter monsters both known and new to the Dragon Quest universe. Once tamed, these can join your party, level up just like your other party members and provide valuable aid in combat. Key Game Features:
Journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual-screen presentation and newly animated monsters.
Recruit a unique cast of Dragon Quest monsters and create an indestructible party of your own.
Brace yourself for some life-altering decision making - a key decision will affect the outcome of the game, and change the course of the hero's life forever.
Take a breather from the main quest with addicting mini-games like Bruise the Ooze, T 'n' T, the Slurpodrome, and the Tombola.
Collect and customize knick-knacks from around the Dragon Quest world to create a personalized knick-knackatory.
Use the wireless capabilities of Nintendo DS to exchange in-game creations and one-of-a-kind collection of rare items with friends.
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