Dragon Quest 8

[epmode]

sorry this is really a dumb questiong, im 15 hours into the game, and the only way i found to restore MP is by staying at an INN! *hides under desk*

i can't find a potion to restore MP

They do exist, but they're in very short supply. I don't think you're actually able to purchase them til much later in the game.

Anyway, the trick is to get abilities that restore MP during combat.

[Giga Power]

I had to put off getting this because of the 360 and this thread is just killing me.

How long is the game, btw?

[epmode]

If you tear through it, ignoring all sidequests (of which there are many,) I'd say about 40 hours, maybe more. ~90 otherwise.

[Melf]

well, DQ8 is relaxing in that the game isn't so instantly dramatic as others. i think that's why i waited to play the FFXII demo....i didn't want any DRAMA. i got home and wanted to relax...so i just started playing dq. the game is challenging, and you have to think/strategize in order to succeed....and the alchemy takes time...but it's all easy to deal with 'cause buildings aren't falling over and casltes aren't blowing up and no one's screaming for their lives while giant espers/eidelons whatever they're called are ripping out of the ground yelling and trowing giant rocks while playing the sadest song in the world.

Word. I don't the time or patience for all the detailed customization most modern RPGs require. A nice, simple, old school game like DQ 8 is good for the ADD-afflicted gamer like me.

As for the magic-restoring potions, I think you can use the alchemy pot to make some, can't you?

[Finch]

http://www.classicgaming.com/reviews/dq8.html <- Wow. Someone writes a hateview on DQVIII.
I kind of agree, though i still enjoy this kind of thing. I really don't think any of the Japanese people i know would like me more because of a video game. They usually get annoyed with that type of thing. It's like telling a man with no legs you know what it's like because you sprained your ankle.

[epmode]

I hate Japanese people.
But still: <3 Dragon Quest 8 <3

[Rocca]

http://www.classicgaming.com/reviews/dq8.html <- Wow. Someone writes a hateview on DQVIII.
I kind of agree, though i still enjoy this kind of thing. I really don't think any of the Japanese people i know would like me more because of a video game. They usually get annoyed with that type of thing. It's like telling a man with no legs you know what it's like because you sprained your ankle.

From that reviewer:

This is because the battle system is very, stiflingly, unapologetically boring. As mentioned before, very little has changed from the old days.

Ha, so true.

[Salsashark]

Haha, I thought that review was pretty spot-on. I'm still having fun with the game too, but I decided early on that it was because of the graphics and music. And again, even though "the grind" is totally archaic I do think it's kind of relaxing to play, especially with the huge, pretty overworld to explore while leveling. I guess when it's done, viva FFXII, or something.

Also, this made me laugh: "Man, I remember when I was ten and I had to slog to the inn and then slog to the church, I used to love that!"

[Dyne]

I had to put off getting this because of the 360 and this thread is just killing me.

How long is the game, btw?

people are saying about 60-90 hours.

[Melf]

God, there's a lot of contradictions in this review.

The Dragon Quest (formerly Dragon Warrior) series has never really been popular outside of Japan. This is because they have all been terrible. Nintendo took a chance in releasing the first game for the NES back in 1989, in attempt to capitalize on the RPG trend that was so popular in the East. The game sucked, even back then, but a good majority of NES players are familiar with it, since Nintendo literally gave them away with Nintendo Power subscriptions. The second, third and fourth installments were translated, but they all flopped to varying degrees, and now maintain quite a bit of value in the aftermarket due to their limited print runs.

Yeah, they were so unpopular that only four were released for the NES.

Anyway, Dragon Quest V and VI for the Super Famicom was never localized, and the series didn't hit American shores until Enix opened up shop and translated Dragon Quest VII for the Playstation.

Um, didn't he just talk about the first four games being localized?

Because you're supposed to feel nostalgic. Because you're supposed to slog to the inn and then slog to the church, and think to yourself, "Man, I remember when I was ten and I had to slog to the inn and then slog to the church, I used to love that!" And maybe it will trigger some pleasant memory about simpler times and you'll feel good about yourself. Except most of us Americans have nothing to be nostalgic about. Most of us never experienced this to begin with. At this point, several years down the road, such a belabored task is just an extended chore.

Boo-hoo! I have to go to two buildings instead of one! The mere fact that he admits to never having played through any of these games makes his opinion useless. RPGs did not begin with FF VII, and to whine about something like this is just stupid.

Remember when you used to spend hours outside town Fighting until you had enough gold to buy the copper sword? Well, you get to do that again, except now you're grown up and maybe have a job or kids or a family and don't have hours to spend Fighting until you have enough gold to buy a goddamned copper sword. This wasn't fun to begin with, and now that I'm older and smarter, it sure as hell isn't fun now.

Wait. I thought he had never had to experience this. Make up your mind! Another boo-hoo moment for short attention spans.

To be honest, I have nothing much against Yuji Horii. I mean, I hear rants from Chrono Trigger fanboys about how awesome the game is, and how much of that awesomeness can be attributed to the influence Horii and Enix, because Sakaguchi and his Square minions are far too incompetent to make such a majestic game.

He's never played Chrono Trigger? Pu-leeze.

Dragon Quest 8, similarly, shows a bit more invention than what usually comes out of him, but they're still filled with the same archetypical character design he's been doing for decades. The gorgeous graphics do an amazing job of bringing the artwork to life, but since the artwork is so daft, really, what's the point?

I suppose the spikey-haired characters from FF VII and IX or the gender bender weirdo designs of FF VIII-X are more original? Because, you know, those types of characters have never been done anywhere else.

In short, if anyone says they like Dragon Quest, they are only saying it to impress their Japanese friends. Avoid this game and please, please buy something better.

No, someone make him play all 8 DQ games in sequence!