Questions about Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior series...

[isamu]

Hi. I have never played a Dragon Quest game and I would like to ask the following...

1)How many Dragon Warrior games are currently released in the US and for which consoles?

2)Which ones are the best and are worth playing?

3)Didn't DW 1 and 2 come out for GBA? How were those?

4)I would like to play the reprise version of DQ3 but DeJap has yet to translate it. Has it been released for the GBA? If so, how does it compare to the Super Famicom version?

5)I am also thinking of playing the translated rom of DQ6 which is supposed to be 99% done. Have any of you played all the way through it? Any problems/glitches?

6)Lastly, how well does the DQ/DW series compare to the FF series in terms of story/battle features and overall fun?

[NeoZeedeater]

The NES got 1-4.
The SNES didn't get any domestically.
The GBC got upgraded versions of 1-3. 1 and 2 were on one cartridge and 3 was on another.
The PS1 got DW7.

I'll leave the recommendations to fans of the series.

[isamu]

The NES got 1-4.
The SNES didn't get any domestically.
The GBC got upgraded versions of 1-3. 1 and 2 were on one cartridge and 3 was on another.
The PS1 got DW7.

I'll leave the recommendations to fans of the series.

thanks Neo

[Korian]

Too much leveling up IMO. My friend got a free copy with
Nintendo Power back in the day of the first one, graphics
weren't even good back in the day and the story was poor.
Haven't played the other ones. Saw part 4 for sale for $120
the other day it's super rare or something.

[Bisonian]

2)Which ones are the best and are worth playing?

They are all pretty much the same (with the exception of DW1 as the 1 person party really slows the game down IMHO. Hasn't dated real well)... where in if you like one of the games and like the feel in general of DW, you'll feel right at home with all of them. That being said, DW4 I remember being truly terrific and easily standing among one of the best RPGs of all time. DW7 is also really good if you can look past the graphics, as it has a whole, whole lot of gameplay.

3)Didn't DW 1 and 2 come out for GBA? How were those?

They came out on the GB on one cart... they are very good ports, and as a package deal, is worth looking into. The release of DW3 for GBC is excellent as well, and has enhancements that the NES one didn't have (such as moods for characters, a medal system that you can collect, a secret dungeon after the game ends, etc)... I actually just played through it again last month on the GB and was still again, very enjoyable. I'm not sure how it compares to the SNES JP reprise version, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are very similar.

6)Lastly, how well does the DQ/DW series compare to the FF series in terms of story/battle features and overall fun?

The key word here is very 'traditional' compared to FF. There are no flashy battle systems, or graphics (in fact DW8 will be the first game where you can see your party members attacking in battle). Sometimes you'll need to level on the side to keep up with the game, and the encounter rate is "decent", heh. Later on (starting with DW3) they've started adding lots of jobs to choose from, to keep characters as interesting as possible. The storylines are always excellent (esp DW4) but again are very "traditional". There are good plot twists and whatnot but no love scenes in space, summons from the Gods, or swords with guns on the end of them. A lot of times (esp DW7) you see the syndrome where every town you encounter will basically have it's own story and plot and problem to solve. Bottom line, they are different tastes and are both great series in their own ways.

Hope this helps for you.

-B.

[Giga Power]

Too much leveling up IMO. My friend got a free copy with
Nintendo Power back in the day of the first one, graphics
weren't even good back in the day and the story was poor.
Haven't played the other ones. Saw part 4 for sale for $120
the other day it's super rare or something.

This is how I got my copy, and thus fell in love with the series.
I think that 3 was the best, as I only like 1-4, and the GBC version of that is the way to go.

[dog$]

DQ6 is worth playing through -

I thought the entire cast of characters were pretty interesting, at least more so than 7. Everything else is typical DQ goodness in terms of game length, music, and so on.

I'd have to check but I think I put in 150 hours into DQ6. Not sure at the moment.

[OmegaFlareX]

A lot of times (esp DW7) you see the syndrome where every town you encounter will basically have it's own story and plot and problem to solve.

Yeah, that describes basically every DQ/DW game. 5, 6, and 7 added some elements of what could resemble as a "plot" or "story line", but the series is largely based on individual quests/scenarios, not progressing cinematic stories. To me, that makes them seem more like games, rather than interactive movies (which I also enjoy on occasion).

Since I have nothing better to do, I might as well give some comments on the games and what I think you, as DQ initiate, should play:

Dragon Warrior (NES, 1989) - For millions of gamers out there, this was their very first console RPG (no, Zelda is NOT a RPG). Very simple, you are the hero, and it's you against everything else. The game has not aged well, and is very very tedious and sometimes frustrating. I'd skip this version in favor of the remake, but at the very least try it out for at least a couple hours just to get the overall feel of the series. When you've had enough, move on to...

Dragon Warrior II (NES, 1990) - Much, much better than the first in all aspects. This time you get 2 allies to help out as you progress. The world is also huge, roughly 4 times the size of the first. It still has its problems, but I considered this one a much more enjoyable experience than DW1. Again, try the original for a little while, but the remake is what you want to play instead.

Dragon Warrior III (NES, 1991) - Very cool game. This one uses the job concept - you pick your own choice of allies to aid in your quest. Again, virtually everything has improved since last time (except for graphics and music, about the same in both). It also completes the "Edrick" trilogy with a nice surprise towards the end. However, I'd reccomend skipping the NES version and playing the GBC remake, which has so much more to it it's not even funny.

Dragon Warrior IV (NES, 1992) - I'm amazed this actually was released in the US. Good thing, too, for it's the best RPG on the system (in English, anyway). The chapter concept works wonderfully (although it sucks to start over at level 1 four times) and adds sense of community among the characters. This is the first DW game I can think of that actually has some character development, even if it's still miniscule by today's standards. You need to play this one.

Dragon Quest V (SFC, 1993?) - Not released in the US the first time, and I'm willing to bet the new remake for PS2 won't make it over here, either. However, the SFC version has been completely translated in English. Get the Dejap patch to keep the item/spell names consistent with the American games. This one features a monster-recruiting aspect, a generational timeline, and IMO some of the most beautiful music in the series. The only thing that sets it apart from the basic feel of DW4 is the monster allies. I liked it, but feel free to skip it, as you're not really missing much.

Dragon Quest VI (SFC, 1996?) - Here we go, the best in the series. Not released in the US, but the NoProgress patch is 90% complete, playable from beginning to end. Only some non-essential text strings have been left untranslated. There are a million good things about this game, one of which is the DW-style job system (which is easily on par with FF's), but I'll let you find out for yourself. This is a must-play.

Dragon Warrior VII (PS1, 2001) - This one would blow DQ6 away if it weren't for the awful, terrible, disgusting, grainy, choppy, nasty 32-bit 3D engine. Being able to rotate the environments is pretty neat, as it gives them much added depth, but last-gen 3D is so gross that I would much prefer it in sharp, colorful 2D that the PS1 is capable of. I loved the gameplay and scenarios of this one, enough to look past the graphics, but if I were you, I'd hold out for a remake. In the meantime you should play...

Dragon Quest VIII (PS2, 2005?) - They're still working on it. Maybe you've seen the trailers floating around teh intarweb. It looks incredible so far.

Dragon Quest I-II Reprise (SFC, 1992?; GBC 2000) - The first of the infamous DQ remakes. This one has the first two games on one cartridge (or rom, heh). It has also been fully translated to English, but I couldn't finish DQ2 because of some graphical glitches in one of the caves. Anyway, DQ1 has the most improvements - higher EXP and Gold rewards, some more items, and even a few completely revamped dungeons. Overall, it's a much quicker and easier game than the original. DQ2's improvements aren't so impressive; the Prince of Cannock can equip some things he couldn't in the original, there are a few extra items, and there's an extra scenario later in the game, but other than that it's the same as far as I could tell. The graphics in both are an improvement, but it uses the DQ5 engine, which isn't exactly advanced. The new soundtracks are amazing though, especially the new Alefgard theme. Get the GBC version if you don't mind a cut in graphics/sound to have a legitimate release.

Dragon Quest III Remix (SFC, 1996; GBC 2001) - The SFC version has yet to be translated, and it'll be likely years before it happens. Play the GBC version instead, which was released in the US and is a surprisingly competent port. The remake features a host of new stuff, like fully-animated monsters, the personality stat, TinyMedal collecting, Monster Medals, new weapons/armor/items, a brand new character class (Thief), two bonus dungeons, and the probably the best minigame I've ever played - Pachisi. Yeah, it fucking pwns the original.

Dragon Quest VR (PS2 2004) - Just released a month ago I think. It's already sold 1.5 million copies. Insanity. As stated above, no US release is planned at this time. Definitely pick it up if it makes it over here. The game looks really cool. In this version, you can recruit ANY monster into your party, as opposed to just certain ones in the original.

Dragon Quest IV Remix (PS1 2002?) - Import-only. There was a bit of controversy surrounding the US release of this game - it was going along, right on schedule, when Heartbeat (a team of programmers who worked on the original) severed ties with Enix. In quite the hostile fashion, as I understand. The American team needed them to complete the localization so the project had to be cancelled. I'm not that disappointed, since the game uses the DW7 engine. No thanks, my eyes bled enough during the 160 hours I spent in DW7.

So, you need to play the following (OMG LET'S RECAP!111)
- Dragon Warrior NES version (to get the basic idea)
- Dragon Warrior I-IIR
- Dragon Warrior III GBC
- Dragon Warrior IV
- Dragon Quest VI
- Dragon Quest VIII (when it comes out in the US, should be 2005 )

If you find out you like the series, check out the Dragon Warrior Monsters games. They're enjoyable Pokemon clones featuring craploads of DW/DQ fanservice.

[dog$]

All I can add is that if the DQ5 remake improves on the molasses-like character walking speed that the SFC game has, it might make the game worth playing.

I made the 'mistake' of finishing DQ6 before starting 5. After approximately 10 minutes I just couldn't get over the lack of speed and put the cart back on the shelf.

[Kidnemo]

IMO the DW series is just plain not fun.

I've tried many times to enjoy the series, but the snails pacing, over reliance on combat, and unexciting stories just do nothing for me.

I can't think of anything that Square-Enix could do that would make playing a DW game any less fun...

DQ6 is worth playing through

Except playing through a Dragon Quest game that hasn't been released in a language I can read, and therefore having to rely on a translation FAQ.

*shiver*