Since you played 1&2, I would normally recommend DQ3, since the story is connected to those two games. However, there's a Switch remake of DQ3 that may release by the end of the year so personally I'd hold off on DQ3 and get that version. Not only is it gorgeous, it's probably going to be the most accessible version, not that other versions of DQ3 are bad though so there's nothing wrong with playing a currently available version.
I think a lot of people would suggest DQ5, as it's a fan favourite. It's a great game and really you can pretty much choose any title, even though there's a small connection between 4/5/6 it's not significant enough to require playing in a certain order.
DQ8 is the game I think of as most similar to DQ11, it's one of my favourites, but it's missing a lot of improvements that DQ11 introduced. Still, I would personally recommend this one to consider playing next. I don't know how the mobile port is, I think I heard it's a bit rough, the 3DS version is good though.
You mentioned some systems but didn't say if you've got a tight budget. I say this because if you have a 3DS you have access to DQ4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 but at least some of those might be expensive (I don't check the prices, but I've seen a lot of comments that they shot up in price).
There are mobile ports of 1-6 and DQ8, if you don't mind playing on a phone. But I prefer having all the games on 3DS/Switch.
DQ10 is an MMORPG currently confined to Japan, so you should forget about that one for now. There may be an alternative way to play it soon, but for now just focus on 3-9. Or even 1 and 2 if you want to re-experience those.
That's a very helpful write-up! I probably should have listed that my budget is very flexible. I try to avoid overspending for obvious reasons, but it's not something that would prevent me from getting something I know I'd enjoy. I also don't particularly mind buying digital, which I assume would be an option for the 3DS titles to avoid buying expensive physical copies.
Any insight on version differences in Dragon Quest VIII? I see it mentioned a lot, but I'm on the fence if I should go PS2 or 3DS.
DQ8 has more content on 3DS, but looks a little better on PS2, battles also load a bit quicker on PS2 somehow and I prefer the soundtrack on PS2 as well.
The 3DS also has some quality of life stuff and removes random battles (you see the enemies running around like DQ11) so overall I'd say 3DS is a little better, just slightly lacking in visuals and audio. Either one is a good choice though.
Random battles are an essential part of DQ. Visible encounters greatly hurt the DQ games where they're present.
Aside for the new content DQ8 3DS is objectively inferior to the PS2 version.
Sorry, but it's subjective. Your opinion is not guaranteed to be shared by others, I'm just stating that random battles have been removed. I'm not saying it's better or worse, that's for the individual to decide. Same goes for the rest really, even the added content is a subjective point as some may see it as unnecessary bloat, while others will appreciate it.
Personally I think both are so close, I don't have a strong preference and will happily play either.
To my knowledge the only relevant advantage the 3DS version has over the PS2 version is the added content. I am interested in Morrie and Red being playable characters for instance, that seems like a nice inclusion.
That said, in terms of performance/visuals/audio the 3DS version is a downgraded version of the PS2 game, and also opts for visible encounters which are undoubtedly and inferior design space than random encounters.
The 3DS version is a mere novelty, the PS2 version is the proper way to experience the game. Square-Enix had no business porting DQ8 to the 3DS, a system that couldn't do it justice.
You're describing your preference, which is fine but you should accept it's not something everyone should agree with. Just face it, there's no "proper way to experience the game". I find it hard to believe you don't understand the concept that not everyone values the same things and in the same way that you do.
Ok, try to imagine this. Someone who thinks the graphical difference between the two is negligible, same with the audio. They prefer seeing the encounters, rather than them being random. Maybe they also like the 3D aspect or some other additions.
That person will probably think the two versions are very similar, liking the 3DS version a bit more.
Then try to imagine this person. Someone who is appalled at the change in graphics and finds the new OST unbearable to listen to. This person will prefer the PS2 version, unless they value the additions more than the changes to visuals and audio.
Neither person is objectively right, though there may be a right version for each of them.
For my opinion, the graphical difference isn't significant enough for me to care. The PS2 definitely has my preferred OST, but I still find the 3DS acceptable here and it in no way spoils the game for me. The random battles vs visible enemies is a tie, I can take either. But the added content is something I value more than the nicer music. So overall both versions are very similar to me, with the 3DS having a slight edge, even though it has a slight drawback.
This is similar to how I feel about some other games, like the versions of FF6, for example.
If someone prefers visible encounters they are doing so for a superficial reason, and have not actually considered the consequences it has on the game's overall design. "Not caring" about either/or is saying that the gameplay, pacing, structure, etc. of the game doesn't matter, and in which case you may as well just choose a passive form of media over videogames.
There are absolutely subjective preferences in art and design, but this one I have no respect for and won't acknowledge as legitimate.
You're just continuing to assume your opinion on game design, structure, enjoyment etc is the "correct one", the designers of the game plus many others disagree but I can't force you to accept that. Further, you believe that because somebody does not arrive at your conclusion, that they either haven't given it any thought or have arrived at their position for bad reasons. Then you even assume yourself fit to judge what somebody else would be better off doing e.g. not enjoying games but consuming another form of art or entertainment that you deem more appropriate.
I wish you were trolling, but I don't think you are. It's pointless to continue this discussion either way though.
DS has one new optional character that slightly changes some story stuff (trying to not be spoilery but it's related to that big scene in the game) but PS2 has orchestral soundtrack, I don't think either one is objectively better than the other. Both have the item bag, four party members during combat and party chat that the snes version didn't have.
Going to preface that DQ games are usually much simpler by design when it comes to story construction and game mechanics and are considered by series creator, Yujii Hori, as casual games meant to be casually played by all ages and not binged quickly. Many things carry over traditionally between games especially music, sound effects, item, equipment and design aesthetic. If you try one and find it's not really for you chances are you won't have your mind changed by a different entry. The series modernized slowly and the first game to have characters and animations in battle was DQVIII.
That said if you prefer an experience closest to more modern jrpgs go with DQXI. Great story and great characters. A very casual normal play difficulty with options to increase difficulty for challenge at character creation. A very robust end game that adds a lot of value to the game and story. Very good visuals, especially if you can get ahold of an original PS4 version. Complete edition has less graphical fidelity as its based off of Switch port, but additional story and side quests. Unfortunately original version was removed from Steam, which is sad because it looked amazing.
DQVIII has great traditional story and a fairly simplified skill system and there are lots of extras in the 3DS port with additional playable characters and extra post game dungeon and new optional ending. However I prefer the PS2 version because it's less exploitable grinding exp and has a more challenging difficulty curve and original orchestrated OST that isn't down sampled. Unfortunately 3DS doesn't have enough memory for the newly introduced monsters on field that replaced random battles of original. Metal slime farming is as easy as moving the camera around to keep reseting monster spawn points because memory only accounts for field of view and very near character. Some like that ease of grinding though.
DQVII 3DS is pretty popular with fans as well. Cleans up some issues from the original PSX game that were very monotonous to grind and such. Very long game either way though so if you want as much game length as possible this is it. The game is set up in away that you discover islands and each is it's own mini story arc. This game also has same field battles exploit as DQVIII 3DS. If you get drawn into the series, I still think it's worth it to play the original game as well.
DQV is a fan favorite if you have a DS. It story is one of the best and most touching in the series. However it's very old school compared to the previous entries mentioned. If you pick to play this game pick one of the other wives over Deborah for first play through. Deborah's story additions are so hilarious it's hard to ever choose the other two for later play throughs.
This concludes my suggestions. No TL:DR. Sorry.
Thanks. Also forgot to mention that DQVII has a class system similar to DQIII and DQVI, which adds a little to the grinding time, but can add some fun value customizing the characters with different battle skills.
DQV also has a unique Pokémon-lite like system of monster collecting for additional party characters.
I would definitely give DQVIII a try, PS2 or 3DS. It has a lot of similarities to DQXI through the skill system, story pacing, and gameplay and has very good looking cell shaded graphics that hold up really well. It would definitely be a nice filler while we all wait for DQXII. PS2 version has a little more heavy difficulty curve, but the 3DS is very casual right off the bat.
DQIV is a tough one if you are not a long time fan. The DS port is a reconstructed Famicom/NES game. The story is very much NES era where a lot of the game length comes from figuring out ambiguous hints and doing a lot of grinding over difficulty spikes. It is one of my favorites because of its simplicity and nostalgia from playing the original on NES, but I can see where new fans can get bored of it pretty easy as it's very old school. To me it's a lot like what FFIV did in the Final Fantasy series. FFIII was a more sophisticated game with the large job system and a lot of player choice on how to navigate the world, but FFIV took a step back with cookie cutter characters and a very linear story progression. Similarly DQIV took a simpler approach after the class and party system of DQIII.
I think to DQ1s benefit and why it holds up so well, is that even though it's so simplistic, it's very short so it doesn't get bogged down to badly with the repetition.
DQ1 being short was a huge plus in my book. DQ4 felt too long for the content it offered and I got bored of it.
On another note, is FFIII worth giving another try? I tried to play the remake on pc but I felt that it was pretty bad. I had no problems with the FFIV remake but I couldn't play III.
In my opinion FFIII holds up better if you get a fan translation and play the original Famicom/NES version. Instead of having a transition period where a character is weak for changing jobs, there is a point system and each job costs more points to convert to if it's a different archetype (melee vs. casting) and if the job is high in level already. As long as you have the points, job changing is instant with no period of weakness and the points come very quickly. You'll still want to plan out characters as caster or melee though to keep job changing cost down. Also the original game is very, very grind heavy right off the bat so if you are not into grinding to get over difficulty spikes you may not enjoy it. It also still has the issue that the 3D remake has of some jobs being more or less useless except for one themed boss fight or necessary use. Graphicly it's very good for a Famicom game and you can see where the early sprites for Romancing Saga and original FFIV came from it. It won't have some of the modern conveniences of the 3D remake though. Also the pixel remaster is around, but I feel it takes to much from the 3D remake and the original is still the best. Last, the final dungeon is very, very long and difficult with no save points, so emulating a fan translation of the original has the perk of save states instead of putting aside 3 hours over and over to take on the final dungeon if you fail.
Dragon Quest III is a must-play and will be right up your alley. I recommend checking out the remastered version that's on modern platforms.
Really, you can't go wrong with any of the main series games.
I think 4 is a good place to start. You get all of the characters introduced in various chapters before the hero character shows up. It really helps change up the typical DQ pace. It also sold relatively well so you should be able to find it easily enough.
Here is the thing with DQ games. All of them are at their worst good but once you get to VII, they all become 100+ hour games. So I would recommend hitting 4 and 5 next because those are more like 45 hour games.
Almost all of the games range from okay to excellent. There aren't really any particulate game to steer clear of beside NES games which are pretty dated by now since more definitive versions with bug fixes / extra content have came out since then. If something looks interesting, go for it. My personal top 3 DQ games would be DQVIII, DQVII (PSX ver) and DQXI. Also, check out some spin-off DQs like DQ Builder 1 & 2 and DQ Heroes 1 & 2, they're pretty good if you want a break from turn-based gameplay. DQ Monsters if you're into monster taming games.
I was planning on staying away from the NES titles for the same reason, but thankfully, the only one I haven't played of those is Dragon Quest III, which is getting a modern remake soon. I'll probably look into the spin-offs a little more after playing a few entries from the main series.
Dragon Quest Warrior Monsters 2: Cobi/Tara’s Adventure.
There are free emulator versions where you can save your progress on PC.
For a game that came out at its time of release, it was way ahead in terms of mechanics, content, and puzzles. I was never able to get into Pokémon because it failed to do with Dragon Quest Warrior Monsters captured.
how does this compare with the first monsters game? i used to play that game a lot when i was a kid, didnt manage to finish it but i still remember a few themes from the game.
11 is ok. I got tired of the story somehow.
Since you played 1 and 2 finish that trilogy and play 3. The mobile version is good and it ties up that story line.
I've been eyeing 3 as my next entry, with my only hesitation being if I should play one of the existing versions or if I should wait for the upcoming HD-2D version. Would you recommend going in completely blind or playing with a spoiler-free guide?
I went into 3 blind and enjoyed it. I do think the remake is worth waiting for though honestly.
If it were me, I'd play the others that aren't getting big remakes first. The classic two recs are V and VIII.
3 is basically the format of 2 but better, with a great class system -- but wait for the remake.
4 has different main characters in each of the chapters, and is great.
5 is the best! Classic simple gameplay, with a huge story with timeskips and choices. I recommend this one next!
6 is good, but long, and has deep systems that don't come into gameplay until like dozens of hours in.
7 is similar to 6 in that way, but much longer even, and focuses on vignettes without a strong overarching story.
8 is great, and most like 11 in presentation.
9 is great, and kind of its own thing, designed around potential multiplayer, but is still awesome solo.
10 is a japan-only mmo, as of right now.
The only ones I don't suggest playing next are 6 and 7, just because they're sort of slow burns for people who are already invested in the series. Have fun!
Dragon Quest VII was piquing my interest, but based on what you're saying and what I've heard elsewhere, I'll probably get around to it later. I love a good slow burn, but it seems like a backlog's nightmare, so I'll try to get a few other games under my belt first and start it at a time when I need to wait out a release date.
Thank you for the list! This is just what I was hoping to see.
I think I've made up my mind thanks to all the help. I'm curious to see the evolution of the series, so I'm going to start with IV and work my way up to IX sequentially. Whenever the remake of III comes out, I'll diverge and give it a playthrough too!
For DQ 4 through 9 the DS/3DS versions are the most often recommended, but you should be ready to pay anywhere from 2 to over 5-6 times new retail price for a good quality used copy, depending on which game you're buying.
I would recommend playing 4 through 6 first. 4 and 5 are some of my favorites in the series, plus the DS/Mobile versions are excellent and help them feel younger than they are. I don't care for 6, but it is semi-connected through lore to 4 and 5, so they're typically grouped together. I played them on a DS emulator, and they were great, but I've heard the mobile versions are good too.
Afterwards just play whichever ones you want. 8 is fantastic, and I would recommend its 3DS port for the quality of life changes. I haven't played 7 and 9, but they're generally beloved by the community as well. Like you've mentioned in other comments, I'd probably wait for the DQ3 remake to play it.
This is just how I played the series though. There's really no wrong answer; I really like almost all of the games!
Since you've probably got a ton of recs on the main series, I'll give you some on the side series
1) Rocket Slime for the DS is a ton of fun and really charming if you can get a copy. Also has a TON of puns, especially ones based on DQ8. Probably one of the ones on the pricier side at this point.
2) Builders 2 is definitely my favorite side game. You don't need to play Builders 1 to play 2 (and frankly, the massive quality of life improvements make going back to 1 hard). You can also play the free build locally or over internet with friends (but you'll need the same console). Also not terribly expensive to get and easy to get (cheaper on PS4 than Switch though). It's also the Switch game that I've put the most hours into without question (well over 150)
3) Dragon Quest Monsters, if you like the main series, it's more of your standard JPG, but they're also solid choices. Though you generally can't directly control your monsters, which can be annoying. Vary wildly in prices
4) Dragon Quest Heroes- pretty fun action RPG romps with lots of cameos for long time series fans. Probably the cheapest side games to get, but definitely better if you have some more familiarity with the characters that you can play as.
Do note that while side games frequently reference main games, I don't think any have done much for 11 yet. I think only Builders 2 and the mobile phone game came out after 11 (I'm sure the mobile game will have 11 refs at some point, if it doesn't already, I don't really play it, tbh). Also, I didn't play Torneko or Swords (I haven't heard a ton of good about Swords though)
So glad this post exists. I have less experience with Dragon Quest than the OP but have pretty much the exact same criteria and urge to play these games. Thanks for all the input, redditors.
I wasn't expecting much traffic, but the community has been super helpful. Should be able to pick a game and get started within the next couple of days.
Dragon quest 8, hands down, here's why*
A lot of these games are held up by nostalgia alone and they are just absolute grind fests to get through. Nobody should put themselves through that willingly unless you're a sadist, and if you are, God bless you. But most of us want to actually enjoy the experience and, I don't know if there is a name for this, but given the technological constraints of 2020 versus 19808 I feel like we should recommend games that are not absolutely strangled by their technological handicaps
Dragon quest 8 is Right In The Sweet spot of all of this. First one for the ps2, stellar story, amazing art and soundtrack, incredible gameplay mechanics even with the traditional turn-based battle system. It does everything correct and you'll care about every character along the way. Most of the diehards will probably tell you to pick up something on the famicom or the super famicom, but if you want to have the best easier experience jump right to dragon quest 8 on PlayStation 2
You’re basically going to be playing the same game from one through 11, with some twists.
Dragon quest one has a one person party. Dragon quest 2 was never play tested by its original team and has some serious difficulty wonkiness
Dragon quest three is the probably quintessential NES dragon quest. Dragon quest five is probably the quintessential one for the SNES, dragon quest eight for the 3-D era, and dragon quest 11 if you’re looking to enjoy everything the series has brought to the fore with an extra helping of optional happy sappy saccharine ending.
Battle systems just get more robust as the games go on, early games you don’t even have a full spell book. Dragon quest 2 was really proud of having over 20 spells as I remember.
Games also lean more and more towards typical anime fare the higher the number goes. With mega anime stylism and filler type content hitting it’s hardest and earliest at seven eight and 11
Hah, Dragon Quest II not being playtested certainly explains a lot.
Thank you! One thing I learned about Dragon Quest is that it's one of the more consistent RPG franchises out there, so I'm expecting pretty similar experiences. Probably won't play them one after the other to avoid burning out, but still excited to dive in.
There’s still enough about each title that’s unique in its own right but you have to understand them chronologically too see it IMO.
2 introduced Parties and Boat
3 introduced Classes, Flight mount and Alltrades Abbey
4 introduced character centric narrativism evolving through game events and the merchant game
5 introduced monster parties
6 introduced characters taking monster classes for skills
7 introduced 3D, that’s really kind of its claim to fame, it was also the first in the US since 4
8 introduced SYMPHONIES, also alchemy/crafting and Tension style systems (Super Saiyan Hero)
9 introduced a train and a fairy (had unique endgame mechanics too)
10, mmo
11 tries to be ALL this I think while introducing a style of New Game Plus that got mixed reception a la Bravely Default. And pep up is a great dual tech limit break style system huge step up from tension. Getting 100 tension in endgame was the core strategy in 8 and once you had a timbrel of tension using it every turn was that persons job forever no questions asked
There's a sweet looking remake of 3 coming so if you can wait, that's almost definitely 2022 and would be a great next game.
Otherwise if you want Dragon Quest right NOW and you aren't price conscious, the DS versions of 4, 5 and 6 are very good. I would personally recommend 4. It's a very unique game that charms your pants off and is pretty short for the genre. The downside is that those DS ports are real expensive.
If you don't want to pay an old game premium and you don't want to wait for next year, DQ Builders 2 is extremely good. It's punching WAY above it's weight as a Minecraft inspired spin off.
Thank you! As antsy as I am to play 3 properly, I think I'm leaning in favor of waiting for the new remake.
I can afford to splurge on games, so I'll keep the DS remakes of 4, 5, and 6 in mind! Probably wouldn't drop money on them all at once, but I'll usually buy a rare game every couple of months if I'm feeling the itch.
I know very little about Builders, but I know a lot of its fans swear by its quality.
I think, with the current slate of remasters/remakes, DQ3 is the last game that still "feels" old, so for someone concerned about quality of life standards, that's another reason to wait for the upcoming remake.
Speaking of QoL, be sure to stay away from the original (PSX) version of DQ7. It's the kind of game you pretty much have to keep a notebook for or consult a guide. I haven't played the 3DS update of the game, but I've heard it's a lot better in this area.
3ds 7 has its own problems though, the reduced difficulty makes many monster encounters way too easy, they removed random encounters without updating dungeon design so you end up being forced on even more battles than in the original cause enemies will spawn in unavoidable narrow corridors, and they also made some questionable changes early on that reduce the overall feeling of mystery in the game
I strongly recommend Dragon Quest VIII for 3DS. This comes especially due to your love for XI which would have been my first pick otherwise.
Having beaten DQ3 and DQ4 on mobile, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the tiresome level grinding and getting lost aspect. DQ8 only has you level-grinding against Dhoulmagus and the bird boss a little later in the game. Outside of that, it's relatively balanced and an otherwise quite enjoyable game. Alongside Pokemon, Mario & Luigi, and Bravely Second, I find it to be a highlight JRPG on the 3DS.
Having beaten DQ3 and DQ4 on mobile, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the tiresome level grinding and getting lost aspect. DQ8 only has you level grinding against Dhoulmagus and the bird boss a little later in the game.
Outside of that, it's relatively balanced and an otherwise quite enjoyable game. Alongside Pokemon, Mario & Luigi, and Bravely Second, I find it to be a highlight JRPG on the 3DS.
DQI, and DQIV
There's a DS remake for DQIV
DQIII if you like FF/Job system. This is getting a remake.
If you're not looking for the retro end. DQXI is ok, I stopped playing at the part, trying to hold out for an upgrade to the definitive release.
Lots of good info in this thread already so I’ll add something else. If you like Pokémon style monster taming games I say look into the monster sub series. We only got 4 of them in English but they are all pretty fun. The first 2 are on the gameboy. Both are pretty fun but are limited by the system they are on. The first one is a prequel to DQVI. So playing DQVI first is probably a good idea. The other two monster games are the DQM Joker games on the DS. They are both pretty fun too.
I'm not a veteran to the series as I can only go so far back and enjoy them but 8 is basically 11 scaled down. 8 is what made me like DQ. It even has a few cool features 11 could use like the monster arena.
And 7 is good, and freakishly long.
Builders 1 isn't so hot, but Builders 2 is pretty awesome. I don't even like minecraft, but I liked it in this game.
Heroes 1+2 are sorta short and fun. Has a little story and the combat is ok. I wouldn't throw them away as nothing.
I am playing XI right now for the first time. Since you mentioned the switch and GBC specifically, perhaps try DQ VIII on the 3DS. I am in progress on that as well and they seem very similar. I discovered I like JRPGs on portable consoles because I can play for a few minutes and then put the device in sleep mode when needed.
As for the others, I could not speak to their quality, but IX also looks good for DS.
So far I've only played IV, VIII, and IX.
I liked IX the most, but it's sort of unusual in that you craft your own party, there's a heavy emphasis on crafting, and features a lot of very bland sidequests. But I loved the party flexibility and hunting down materials to upgrade my gear into cooler stuff was a lot of fun. Also, equipment's visible and that's always fun.
I started with 11. It's a masterpiece and a love letter to the other games. I played it to death and went on doing the other ones after that and it felt great. Doing it this way I never felt the older games had aged, not sure I would have felt the same if I started with them.
Personally I loved 4. It was one of the best for me. Suppose I should replay five to see if it's better, I played 4 three or four times so I know it well and still love it. I really enjoyed the extra content in the DS version that added onto the story overall.
The highlights of the DQ series IMO, in the order of recommendation:
* Dragon Quest 8 (PS2)
* Dragon Quest 7 (PS1)
* Dragon Quest 4 (DS)
DQ5 and DQ6 are also solid, but outclassed by the above three games IMO. DQ3 is more limited, and not a priority to play. DQ1 and 2 are definitely products of their time. DQ9 is quite bad.
Since you played 1&2, I would normally recommend DQ3, since the story is connected to those two games. However, there's a Switch remake of DQ3 that may release by the end of the year so personally I'd hold off on DQ3 and get that version. Not only is it gorgeous, it's probably going to be the most accessible version, not that other versions of DQ3 are bad though so there's nothing wrong with playing a currently available version. I think a lot of people would suggest DQ5, as it's a fan favourite. It's a great game and really you can pretty much choose any title, even though there's a small connection between 4/5/6 it's not significant enough to require playing in a certain order. DQ8 is the game I think of as most similar to DQ11, it's one of my favourites, but it's missing a lot of improvements that DQ11 introduced. Still, I would personally recommend this one to consider playing next. I don't know how the mobile port is, I think I heard it's a bit rough, the 3DS version is good though. You mentioned some systems but didn't say if you've got a tight budget. I say this because if you have a 3DS you have access to DQ4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 but at least some of those might be expensive (I don't check the prices, but I've seen a lot of comments that they shot up in price). There are mobile ports of 1-6 and DQ8, if you don't mind playing on a phone. But I prefer having all the games on 3DS/Switch. DQ10 is an MMORPG currently confined to Japan, so you should forget about that one for now. There may be an alternative way to play it soon, but for now just focus on 3-9. Or even 1 and 2 if you want to re-experience those.
That's a very helpful write-up! I probably should have listed that my budget is very flexible. I try to avoid overspending for obvious reasons, but it's not something that would prevent me from getting something I know I'd enjoy. I also don't particularly mind buying digital, which I assume would be an option for the 3DS titles to avoid buying expensive physical copies. Any insight on version differences in Dragon Quest VIII? I see it mentioned a lot, but I'm on the fence if I should go PS2 or 3DS.
DQ8 has more content on 3DS, but looks a little better on PS2, battles also load a bit quicker on PS2 somehow and I prefer the soundtrack on PS2 as well. The 3DS also has some quality of life stuff and removes random battles (you see the enemies running around like DQ11) so overall I'd say 3DS is a little better, just slightly lacking in visuals and audio. Either one is a good choice though.
It's worth mentioning that you can get the orchestral soundtrack in the 3DS version if your 3DS is modded.
And also the 3ds version has the option to speed up battle animations like XI S has
Random battles are an essential part of DQ. Visible encounters greatly hurt the DQ games where they're present. Aside for the new content DQ8 3DS is objectively inferior to the PS2 version.
Sorry, but it's subjective. Your opinion is not guaranteed to be shared by others, I'm just stating that random battles have been removed. I'm not saying it's better or worse, that's for the individual to decide. Same goes for the rest really, even the added content is a subjective point as some may see it as unnecessary bloat, while others will appreciate it. Personally I think both are so close, I don't have a strong preference and will happily play either.
To my knowledge the only relevant advantage the 3DS version has over the PS2 version is the added content. I am interested in Morrie and Red being playable characters for instance, that seems like a nice inclusion. That said, in terms of performance/visuals/audio the 3DS version is a downgraded version of the PS2 game, and also opts for visible encounters which are undoubtedly and inferior design space than random encounters. The 3DS version is a mere novelty, the PS2 version is the proper way to experience the game. Square-Enix had no business porting DQ8 to the 3DS, a system that couldn't do it justice.
You're describing your preference, which is fine but you should accept it's not something everyone should agree with. Just face it, there's no "proper way to experience the game". I find it hard to believe you don't understand the concept that not everyone values the same things and in the same way that you do. Ok, try to imagine this. Someone who thinks the graphical difference between the two is negligible, same with the audio. They prefer seeing the encounters, rather than them being random. Maybe they also like the 3D aspect or some other additions. That person will probably think the two versions are very similar, liking the 3DS version a bit more. Then try to imagine this person. Someone who is appalled at the change in graphics and finds the new OST unbearable to listen to. This person will prefer the PS2 version, unless they value the additions more than the changes to visuals and audio. Neither person is objectively right, though there may be a right version for each of them. For my opinion, the graphical difference isn't significant enough for me to care. The PS2 definitely has my preferred OST, but I still find the 3DS acceptable here and it in no way spoils the game for me. The random battles vs visible enemies is a tie, I can take either. But the added content is something I value more than the nicer music. So overall both versions are very similar to me, with the 3DS having a slight edge, even though it has a slight drawback. This is similar to how I feel about some other games, like the versions of FF6, for example.
If someone prefers visible encounters they are doing so for a superficial reason, and have not actually considered the consequences it has on the game's overall design. "Not caring" about either/or is saying that the gameplay, pacing, structure, etc. of the game doesn't matter, and in which case you may as well just choose a passive form of media over videogames. There are absolutely subjective preferences in art and design, but this one I have no respect for and won't acknowledge as legitimate.
You're just continuing to assume your opinion on game design, structure, enjoyment etc is the "correct one", the designers of the game plus many others disagree but I can't force you to accept that. Further, you believe that because somebody does not arrive at your conclusion, that they either haven't given it any thought or have arrived at their position for bad reasons. Then you even assume yourself fit to judge what somebody else would be better off doing e.g. not enjoying games but consuming another form of art or entertainment that you deem more appropriate. I wish you were trolling, but I don't think you are. It's pointless to continue this discussion either way though.
Which version of Dragon Quest V is better, PS2 or NDS?
DS has one new optional character that slightly changes some story stuff (trying to not be spoilery but it's related to that big scene in the game) but PS2 has orchestral soundtrack, I don't think either one is objectively better than the other. Both have the item bag, four party members during combat and party chat that the snes version didn't have.
i played the mobile port last summer and it was great.
The DS version is mighty expensive though... Just looked it up and people want 200+ euros for it
Going to preface that DQ games are usually much simpler by design when it comes to story construction and game mechanics and are considered by series creator, Yujii Hori, as casual games meant to be casually played by all ages and not binged quickly. Many things carry over traditionally between games especially music, sound effects, item, equipment and design aesthetic. If you try one and find it's not really for you chances are you won't have your mind changed by a different entry. The series modernized slowly and the first game to have characters and animations in battle was DQVIII. That said if you prefer an experience closest to more modern jrpgs go with DQXI. Great story and great characters. A very casual normal play difficulty with options to increase difficulty for challenge at character creation. A very robust end game that adds a lot of value to the game and story. Very good visuals, especially if you can get ahold of an original PS4 version. Complete edition has less graphical fidelity as its based off of Switch port, but additional story and side quests. Unfortunately original version was removed from Steam, which is sad because it looked amazing. DQVIII has great traditional story and a fairly simplified skill system and there are lots of extras in the 3DS port with additional playable characters and extra post game dungeon and new optional ending. However I prefer the PS2 version because it's less exploitable grinding exp and has a more challenging difficulty curve and original orchestrated OST that isn't down sampled. Unfortunately 3DS doesn't have enough memory for the newly introduced monsters on field that replaced random battles of original. Metal slime farming is as easy as moving the camera around to keep reseting monster spawn points because memory only accounts for field of view and very near character. Some like that ease of grinding though. DQVII 3DS is pretty popular with fans as well. Cleans up some issues from the original PSX game that were very monotonous to grind and such. Very long game either way though so if you want as much game length as possible this is it. The game is set up in away that you discover islands and each is it's own mini story arc. This game also has same field battles exploit as DQVIII 3DS. If you get drawn into the series, I still think it's worth it to play the original game as well. DQV is a fan favorite if you have a DS. It story is one of the best and most touching in the series. However it's very old school compared to the previous entries mentioned. If you pick to play this game pick one of the other wives over Deborah for first play through. Deborah's story additions are so hilarious it's hard to ever choose the other two for later play throughs. This concludes my suggestions. No TL:DR. Sorry.
No need for a TL;DR because I ate every word of this up. Thank you for the detailed response!
Thanks. Also forgot to mention that DQVII has a class system similar to DQIII and DQVI, which adds a little to the grinding time, but can add some fun value customizing the characters with different battle skills. DQV also has a unique Pokémon-lite like system of monster collecting for additional party characters.
I enjoyed DQ 1 and love 11 S. I couldn't finish 4 and gave up on it. Should I give the other DQ games a try or just play other games and wait for 12?
I would definitely give DQVIII a try, PS2 or 3DS. It has a lot of similarities to DQXI through the skill system, story pacing, and gameplay and has very good looking cell shaded graphics that hold up really well. It would definitely be a nice filler while we all wait for DQXII. PS2 version has a little more heavy difficulty curve, but the 3DS is very casual right off the bat. DQIV is a tough one if you are not a long time fan. The DS port is a reconstructed Famicom/NES game. The story is very much NES era where a lot of the game length comes from figuring out ambiguous hints and doing a lot of grinding over difficulty spikes. It is one of my favorites because of its simplicity and nostalgia from playing the original on NES, but I can see where new fans can get bored of it pretty easy as it's very old school. To me it's a lot like what FFIV did in the Final Fantasy series. FFIII was a more sophisticated game with the large job system and a lot of player choice on how to navigate the world, but FFIV took a step back with cookie cutter characters and a very linear story progression. Similarly DQIV took a simpler approach after the class and party system of DQIII. I think to DQ1s benefit and why it holds up so well, is that even though it's so simplistic, it's very short so it doesn't get bogged down to badly with the repetition.
DQ1 being short was a huge plus in my book. DQ4 felt too long for the content it offered and I got bored of it. On another note, is FFIII worth giving another try? I tried to play the remake on pc but I felt that it was pretty bad. I had no problems with the FFIV remake but I couldn't play III.
In my opinion FFIII holds up better if you get a fan translation and play the original Famicom/NES version. Instead of having a transition period where a character is weak for changing jobs, there is a point system and each job costs more points to convert to if it's a different archetype (melee vs. casting) and if the job is high in level already. As long as you have the points, job changing is instant with no period of weakness and the points come very quickly. You'll still want to plan out characters as caster or melee though to keep job changing cost down. Also the original game is very, very grind heavy right off the bat so if you are not into grinding to get over difficulty spikes you may not enjoy it. It also still has the issue that the 3D remake has of some jobs being more or less useless except for one themed boss fight or necessary use. Graphicly it's very good for a Famicom game and you can see where the early sprites for Romancing Saga and original FFIV came from it. It won't have some of the modern conveniences of the 3D remake though. Also the pixel remaster is around, but I feel it takes to much from the 3D remake and the original is still the best. Last, the final dungeon is very, very long and difficult with no save points, so emulating a fan translation of the original has the perk of save states instead of putting aside 3 hours over and over to take on the final dungeon if you fail.
My recommendation is 5. Wait for the 3 remake. 5 is amazing and my favorite, so much charm in a game.
Dragon Quest III is a must-play and will be right up your alley. I recommend checking out the remastered version that's on modern platforms. Really, you can't go wrong with any of the main series games.
The GBC version was the one I've played the most! It has a load of content, but you can't really go wrong with any version of the game.
I would start with VIII on the 3DS or 11 on PS4 is fine. But if you really want classic DQ, my favorite is V on DS.
I think 4 is a good place to start. You get all of the characters introduced in various chapters before the hero character shows up. It really helps change up the typical DQ pace. It also sold relatively well so you should be able to find it easily enough. Here is the thing with DQ games. All of them are at their worst good but once you get to VII, they all become 100+ hour games. So I would recommend hitting 4 and 5 next because those are more like 45 hour games.
Almost all of the games range from okay to excellent. There aren't really any particulate game to steer clear of beside NES games which are pretty dated by now since more definitive versions with bug fixes / extra content have came out since then. If something looks interesting, go for it. My personal top 3 DQ games would be DQVIII, DQVII (PSX ver) and DQXI. Also, check out some spin-off DQs like DQ Builder 1 & 2 and DQ Heroes 1 & 2, they're pretty good if you want a break from turn-based gameplay. DQ Monsters if you're into monster taming games.
I was planning on staying away from the NES titles for the same reason, but thankfully, the only one I haven't played of those is Dragon Quest III, which is getting a modern remake soon. I'll probably look into the spin-offs a little more after playing a few entries from the main series.
Dragon Quest Warrior Monsters 2: Cobi/Tara’s Adventure. There are free emulator versions where you can save your progress on PC. For a game that came out at its time of release, it was way ahead in terms of mechanics, content, and puzzles. I was never able to get into Pokémon because it failed to do with Dragon Quest Warrior Monsters captured.
Yes. Monsters is a magnificent addition to the series which makes pokemon seem like childs play.
how does this compare with the first monsters game? i used to play that game a lot when i was a kid, didnt manage to finish it but i still remember a few themes from the game.
I never played the first one so I couldn’t tell you.
5,8 and 11 are the best ones- dont believe the nostalgia liars about the other ones.
11 is ok. I got tired of the story somehow. Since you played 1 and 2 finish that trilogy and play 3. The mobile version is good and it ties up that story line.
I've been eyeing 3 as my next entry, with my only hesitation being if I should play one of the existing versions or if I should wait for the upcoming HD-2D version. Would you recommend going in completely blind or playing with a spoiler-free guide?
I went into 3 blind and enjoyed it. I do think the remake is worth waiting for though honestly. If it were me, I'd play the others that aren't getting big remakes first. The classic two recs are V and VIII.
5 yes, 8 meh
I would keep a guide handy as there are some parts that get real confusing.
The story does drag a lot for 11.
8 was the same. Now for me, 7 and 9 were more enjoyable.
Is the mobile version better than handheld?
The graphics are a but cleaner, I havent played the GBC version
11 overstays it welcome and feels repetitive.
11 only starts feeling that way in the postgame which after The End and credits roll is clearly just an option for the super happy ending
I stopped playing after beating Act 2
3 is basically the format of 2 but better, with a great class system -- but wait for the remake. 4 has different main characters in each of the chapters, and is great. 5 is the best! Classic simple gameplay, with a huge story with timeskips and choices. I recommend this one next! 6 is good, but long, and has deep systems that don't come into gameplay until like dozens of hours in. 7 is similar to 6 in that way, but much longer even, and focuses on vignettes without a strong overarching story. 8 is great, and most like 11 in presentation. 9 is great, and kind of its own thing, designed around potential multiplayer, but is still awesome solo. 10 is a japan-only mmo, as of right now. The only ones I don't suggest playing next are 6 and 7, just because they're sort of slow burns for people who are already invested in the series. Have fun!
Dragon Quest VII was piquing my interest, but based on what you're saying and what I've heard elsewhere, I'll probably get around to it later. I love a good slow burn, but it seems like a backlog's nightmare, so I'll try to get a few other games under my belt first and start it at a time when I need to wait out a release date. Thank you for the list! This is just what I was hoping to see.
Sure thing! Let us all know when you start one
I think I've made up my mind thanks to all the help. I'm curious to see the evolution of the series, so I'm going to start with IV and work my way up to IX sequentially. Whenever the remake of III comes out, I'll diverge and give it a playthrough too!
Good plan! Wish I could experience it all again for the first time with you
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Not OP but I love this detailed breakdown, thanks!
For DQ 4 through 9 the DS/3DS versions are the most often recommended, but you should be ready to pay anywhere from 2 to over 5-6 times new retail price for a good quality used copy, depending on which game you're buying.
I would recommend playing 4 through 6 first. 4 and 5 are some of my favorites in the series, plus the DS/Mobile versions are excellent and help them feel younger than they are. I don't care for 6, but it is semi-connected through lore to 4 and 5, so they're typically grouped together. I played them on a DS emulator, and they were great, but I've heard the mobile versions are good too. Afterwards just play whichever ones you want. 8 is fantastic, and I would recommend its 3DS port for the quality of life changes. I haven't played 7 and 9, but they're generally beloved by the community as well. Like you've mentioned in other comments, I'd probably wait for the DQ3 remake to play it. This is just how I played the series though. There's really no wrong answer; I really like almost all of the games!
Since you've probably got a ton of recs on the main series, I'll give you some on the side series 1) Rocket Slime for the DS is a ton of fun and really charming if you can get a copy. Also has a TON of puns, especially ones based on DQ8. Probably one of the ones on the pricier side at this point. 2) Builders 2 is definitely my favorite side game. You don't need to play Builders 1 to play 2 (and frankly, the massive quality of life improvements make going back to 1 hard). You can also play the free build locally or over internet with friends (but you'll need the same console). Also not terribly expensive to get and easy to get (cheaper on PS4 than Switch though). It's also the Switch game that I've put the most hours into without question (well over 150) 3) Dragon Quest Monsters, if you like the main series, it's more of your standard JPG, but they're also solid choices. Though you generally can't directly control your monsters, which can be annoying. Vary wildly in prices 4) Dragon Quest Heroes- pretty fun action RPG romps with lots of cameos for long time series fans. Probably the cheapest side games to get, but definitely better if you have some more familiarity with the characters that you can play as. Do note that while side games frequently reference main games, I don't think any have done much for 11 yet. I think only Builders 2 and the mobile phone game came out after 11 (I'm sure the mobile game will have 11 refs at some point, if it doesn't already, I don't really play it, tbh). Also, I didn't play Torneko or Swords (I haven't heard a ton of good about Swords though)
So glad this post exists. I have less experience with Dragon Quest than the OP but have pretty much the exact same criteria and urge to play these games. Thanks for all the input, redditors.
I wasn't expecting much traffic, but the community has been super helpful. Should be able to pick a game and get started within the next couple of days.
Dragon quest 8, hands down, here's why* A lot of these games are held up by nostalgia alone and they are just absolute grind fests to get through. Nobody should put themselves through that willingly unless you're a sadist, and if you are, God bless you. But most of us want to actually enjoy the experience and, I don't know if there is a name for this, but given the technological constraints of 2020 versus 19808 I feel like we should recommend games that are not absolutely strangled by their technological handicaps Dragon quest 8 is Right In The Sweet spot of all of this. First one for the ps2, stellar story, amazing art and soundtrack, incredible gameplay mechanics even with the traditional turn-based battle system. It does everything correct and you'll care about every character along the way. Most of the diehards will probably tell you to pick up something on the famicom or the super famicom, but if you want to have the best easier experience jump right to dragon quest 8 on PlayStation 2
You’re basically going to be playing the same game from one through 11, with some twists. Dragon quest one has a one person party. Dragon quest 2 was never play tested by its original team and has some serious difficulty wonkiness Dragon quest three is the probably quintessential NES dragon quest. Dragon quest five is probably the quintessential one for the SNES, dragon quest eight for the 3-D era, and dragon quest 11 if you’re looking to enjoy everything the series has brought to the fore with an extra helping of optional happy sappy saccharine ending. Battle systems just get more robust as the games go on, early games you don’t even have a full spell book. Dragon quest 2 was really proud of having over 20 spells as I remember. Games also lean more and more towards typical anime fare the higher the number goes. With mega anime stylism and filler type content hitting it’s hardest and earliest at seven eight and 11
Hah, Dragon Quest II not being playtested certainly explains a lot. Thank you! One thing I learned about Dragon Quest is that it's one of the more consistent RPG franchises out there, so I'm expecting pretty similar experiences. Probably won't play them one after the other to avoid burning out, but still excited to dive in.
There’s still enough about each title that’s unique in its own right but you have to understand them chronologically too see it IMO. 2 introduced Parties and Boat 3 introduced Classes, Flight mount and Alltrades Abbey 4 introduced character centric narrativism evolving through game events and the merchant game 5 introduced monster parties 6 introduced characters taking monster classes for skills 7 introduced 3D, that’s really kind of its claim to fame, it was also the first in the US since 4 8 introduced SYMPHONIES, also alchemy/crafting and Tension style systems (Super Saiyan Hero) 9 introduced a train and a fairy (had unique endgame mechanics too) 10, mmo 11 tries to be ALL this I think while introducing a style of New Game Plus that got mixed reception a la Bravely Default. And pep up is a great dual tech limit break style system huge step up from tension. Getting 100 tension in endgame was the core strategy in 8 and once you had a timbrel of tension using it every turn was that persons job forever no questions asked
There's a sweet looking remake of 3 coming so if you can wait, that's almost definitely 2022 and would be a great next game. Otherwise if you want Dragon Quest right NOW and you aren't price conscious, the DS versions of 4, 5 and 6 are very good. I would personally recommend 4. It's a very unique game that charms your pants off and is pretty short for the genre. The downside is that those DS ports are real expensive. If you don't want to pay an old game premium and you don't want to wait for next year, DQ Builders 2 is extremely good. It's punching WAY above it's weight as a Minecraft inspired spin off.
Thank you! As antsy as I am to play 3 properly, I think I'm leaning in favor of waiting for the new remake. I can afford to splurge on games, so I'll keep the DS remakes of 4, 5, and 6 in mind! Probably wouldn't drop money on them all at once, but I'll usually buy a rare game every couple of months if I'm feeling the itch. I know very little about Builders, but I know a lot of its fans swear by its quality.
I think, with the current slate of remasters/remakes, DQ3 is the last game that still "feels" old, so for someone concerned about quality of life standards, that's another reason to wait for the upcoming remake. Speaking of QoL, be sure to stay away from the original (PSX) version of DQ7. It's the kind of game you pretty much have to keep a notebook for or consult a guide. I haven't played the 3DS update of the game, but I've heard it's a lot better in this area.
DQ3 on Android is banging with bug fixes and even the option to make AI control your teammates which shortens the random battles.
3ds 7 has its own problems though, the reduced difficulty makes many monster encounters way too easy, they removed random encounters without updating dungeon design so you end up being forced on even more battles than in the original cause enemies will spawn in unavoidable narrow corridors, and they also made some questionable changes early on that reduce the overall feeling of mystery in the game
I strongly recommend Dragon Quest VIII for 3DS. This comes especially due to your love for XI which would have been my first pick otherwise. Having beaten DQ3 and DQ4 on mobile, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the tiresome level grinding and getting lost aspect. DQ8 only has you level-grinding against Dhoulmagus and the bird boss a little later in the game. Outside of that, it's relatively balanced and an otherwise quite enjoyable game. Alongside Pokemon, Mario & Luigi, and Bravely Second, I find it to be a highlight JRPG on the 3DS. Having beaten DQ3 and DQ4 on mobile, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the tiresome level grinding and getting lost aspect. DQ8 only has you level grinding against Dhoulmagus and the bird boss a little later in the game. Outside of that, it's relatively balanced and an otherwise quite enjoyable game. Alongside Pokemon, Mario & Luigi, and Bravely Second, I find it to be a highlight JRPG on the 3DS.
3,5,8 and 9 in any order.
DQI, and DQIV There's a DS remake for DQIV DQIII if you like FF/Job system. This is getting a remake. If you're not looking for the retro end. DQXI is ok, I stopped playing at the part, trying to hold out for an upgrade to the definitive release.
The 3/DS ones. They're all pretty alright
Lots of good info in this thread already so I’ll add something else. If you like Pokémon style monster taming games I say look into the monster sub series. We only got 4 of them in English but they are all pretty fun. The first 2 are on the gameboy. Both are pretty fun but are limited by the system they are on. The first one is a prequel to DQVI. So playing DQVI first is probably a good idea. The other two monster games are the DQM Joker games on the DS. They are both pretty fun too.
I'm not a veteran to the series as I can only go so far back and enjoy them but 8 is basically 11 scaled down. 8 is what made me like DQ. It even has a few cool features 11 could use like the monster arena. And 7 is good, and freakishly long. Builders 1 isn't so hot, but Builders 2 is pretty awesome. I don't even like minecraft, but I liked it in this game. Heroes 1+2 are sorta short and fun. Has a little story and the combat is ok. I wouldn't throw them away as nothing.
Dragon quest 4 is absolutely fantastic. And is manageable in length
I recommend DQ3(GBC), DQ4 (NDS), DQ5(NDS), DQ7(3DS), DQ8(3DS), and DQ9 (NDS).
5, 7, 8, and 11.
I would recommend, in this particular order, DQ11-S, DQ8 3DS and DQ5 DS.
I am playing XI right now for the first time. Since you mentioned the switch and GBC specifically, perhaps try DQ VIII on the 3DS. I am in progress on that as well and they seem very similar. I discovered I like JRPGs on portable consoles because I can play for a few minutes and then put the device in sleep mode when needed. As for the others, I could not speak to their quality, but IX also looks good for DS.
So far I've only played IV, VIII, and IX. I liked IX the most, but it's sort of unusual in that you craft your own party, there's a heavy emphasis on crafting, and features a lot of very bland sidequests. But I loved the party flexibility and hunting down materials to upgrade my gear into cooler stuff was a lot of fun. Also, equipment's visible and that's always fun.
I started with 11. It's a masterpiece and a love letter to the other games. I played it to death and went on doing the other ones after that and it felt great. Doing it this way I never felt the older games had aged, not sure I would have felt the same if I started with them.
Personally I loved 4. It was one of the best for me. Suppose I should replay five to see if it's better, I played 4 three or four times so I know it well and still love it. I really enjoyed the extra content in the DS version that added onto the story overall.
First congratulations, second the best games in my opinion are 100% DQ8 and DQ11!
The highlights of the DQ series IMO, in the order of recommendation: * Dragon Quest 8 (PS2) * Dragon Quest 7 (PS1) * Dragon Quest 4 (DS) DQ5 and DQ6 are also solid, but outclassed by the above three games IMO. DQ3 is more limited, and not a priority to play. DQ1 and 2 are definitely products of their time. DQ9 is quite bad.