Dragon Quest 8

[Chux]

While we're at it, the stupid ass vines make sense in the comercial now... but Joe Gamer is still going to think it's gay.

[Opaque]

I fucking love Alchemy.

You can make money with it constantly: any time you aren't in the process of making weapons or armor buy 8 Medicinal Herbs for 64 gold. Then combine them to make 4 Strong Medicine and combine those to make 2 Special Medicine and then lastly combine those to make one Lesser Panacea which sells for 550 gold. Now, for doing practically nothing, you've just made 500 gold.

I'm sure there's better ways to make money later, but for me, as early in the game as I am, I just got off the boat ride after recruiting Jessica, this is a really good money maker to have going on while I level.

Also, is it just me, or does this game have the most intuitive menu and combat system of any RPG this generation? I've never played a DQ before, but by the sounds of things I'm assuming this is how they all are.

[Jetman]

While we're at it, the stupid ass vines make sense in the comercial now... but Joe Gamer is still going to think it's gay.

I hate Joe Gamer. He's a total douchebag loser.

[Salsashark]

I think I know where Mech is coming from. This game is walking on a very fine line between wonderfully and painfully old school in just about every way. Silent heroes don't usually bother me, but here the presentation is so otherwise cinematic it just seems awkward, and they don't even make a joke out of it or anything (Mario in SMRPG has got to be the pinnacle of mute characters). I think that kind of situation comes up a lot in this game. That's probably part of the charm for most people though.

Having said that, I'm really having fun with it. It's weird because I haven't enjoyed a single RPG this generation, and was sure that I wouldn't play another one unless it was far-removed from the norm. But then this game comes along, is militantly traditional, and it's just what I needed. I think I'm just in the mood for something relaxing to play, and it's obviously amazingly well-made.

[Hero]

Radiata Stories was winning out as my fav RPG this year, until DQ8 came out. I'm already way into it, moreso than any RPG I've played in years. It is oldschool in playstyle and presentation. It's epic without being angsty and badass. It feels like...an adventure. And for once I'm playing an RPG where I don't mind traversing over the world map.

I'd go as far as saying it's game of the year, but Castlevania and Burnout are closer to that in my books.

[Salsashark]

I think the best thing about it is that it really feels like a classic RPG fully fleshed out like they were always supposed to be. There are still a couple little things, like your party not being visible, but for the most part it's perfect. So far making my way through the overworld has been amazing, and just how I used to imagine it.

[Opaque]

Yeah, the overworld is one of defining parts of this game.

It's just really well constructed, not to mention completely fucking huge.

[Chux]

game of the year + Castlevania

= END OF CREDABILITY!

[rama]

opaque - thanks for the alchemy tip. i'll try that when i get home. another way to make some extra money is to sell those monster coins you get from defeating "infamous" monsters on the world map. but you don't really run into them that often...

[Dyne]

= END OF CREDABILITY!

i think he meant the gameboy one.