45 hours deep into Dragon Quest 8, my party of four has just nudged past level 30, and I can feel the heat rising. Sure, so far I’ve been able to mow down enemies using team spell attacks and some seriously powerful weapons. But let me tell you, this game isn’t going to be a walk in the park. The boss battles are only getting tougher, which means it’s time for some serious grinding if I want my party to keep up.
Regardless of everything, I’m eagerly prepared to resume this journey and put in the effort. At the very least, until Dragon Quest 12 is released.
If you haven’t heard yet, Dragon Quest 8 was created by the well-known developer Level-5 for the PlayStation 2 and soon gained recognition as a fantastic role-playing game (RPG). The visuals, reminiscent of Akira Toriyama’s style, continue to be visually appealing, and the traditional turn-based gameplay remains just as engaging. Although it may not compare to Dragon Quest 11, this game is still one of the most visually impressive titles on the PlayStation 2.
The narrative is satisfactory for its type and easy to understand. A formidable sorcerer has transformed your monarch into a beast and his daughter into a horse, thus the onus falls upon an unnamed hero to restore them to their original forms. You’ll be accompanied by Yangus, a former outlaw-turned ally, Jessica, a well-endowed magic user, and Angelo, a playboy knight, each with personal grudges against this sorcerer.
You may be surprised to know that the party in this game consists of only four members, and you won’t find any additional characters joining throughout Dragon Quest 8. At first glance, it might seem restrictive, but it actually simplifies the gameplay and gives you the freedom to tailor these characters as you prefer. For instance, would you like the main character to excel with swords or spears? That decision is yours. As for Jessica, do you want her to wield a whip or a knife? The choice is all yours.
Unfortunately, reaching that level could prove tedious for some gamers, as the grueling process in Dragon Quest 8 can be rather challenging. The battles don’t yield much money or experience points, making the necessary grinds quite laborious. However, this aspect becomes less arduous once Yangus acquires the Whistle ability, allowing him to summon enemies during dungeons and exploration, albeit at a significant time investment.
Supervisors may require some time to defeat, as demonstrated by the notorious battle against Dhoulmagus. They can absorb a significant amount of damage and can deal out a substantial amount too. However, once Angelo masters Multi-Heal, these encounters become more manageable, albeit it takes longer than one would prefer.
Fortunately, the game’s vintage turn-based combat system is remarkably engaging and prolonged battles, if strategized beforehand, can be enjoyable. Those who have enjoyed the recent Dragon Quest 3 remake are aware of this, as casting team spells and attacks provides a satisfying sense, while timely healing from Angelo during challenging moments adds to the excitement. What’s more, the animations in every battle, from spell effects to monster movements, make each encounter an enjoyable spectacle.
It’s important to note that the 3DS edition addresses numerous issues significantly. For instance, enemies now drop more experience points and coins. Additionally, bosses have been slightly weakened, and the developers have replaced random encounters with visible enemies on the screen. Moreover, this version introduces new party members, but I personally favor the PS2 version’s party of four.
Dragon Quest VIII is definitely worth playing even with its flaws, as it retains an endearing charm from Akira Toriyama’s art style and continues to offer addictive turn-based battles reminiscent of the past. If you’ve completed Dragon Quest 3 or are currently waiting for the remake bundle of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 or an English version of X Offline, then give this RPG from the PS2 era a try.
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2025-02-14 20:12