Board 8 > What a good DQ game to play besides XI?

(+) Yeah! (+)

DQXI is the only mainline entry I've ever played (hundreds of hours into Dragon Warrior Monsters in elementary school), and I'm thinking of trying to get into the series. I do actually want to start with a bang, even if it sets the bar high (I did already play XI afterall and people seem to consider that a pretty high bar).

Only things of note:

Platform doesn't matter.

I did play a few hours of VIII back when it came out and bounces off pretty hard, but that was so long ago.

Also I'd prefer something with an at least somewhat narrative focus. I know DQ is not known for being a
story heavy franchise, but I'd at least like some decent plot threads.

Based on your criteria, I'd recommend V. It's pretty narrative focused as far as DQ goes iirc and if you enjoyed DQM you'll probably enjoy V, and it is one of the more highly regarded entries.

Personally I like VIII and VI though

The only DQ games I really like a lot personally are 5, 8, and 11. The rest are either too dated or have pretty severe issues to me. So I guess either play 5 or try 8 again imo.

V

V

That seems pretty unanimous so far!

Which version is the one to go for for V? I would assume PS2, unless it was a step down from the SNES version for sown reason? Mobile seems to be locked to vomit inducing portrait mode.

III and VI are good

I've only played the SNES and DS versions. DS version is a clear upgrade, although both are still great.

Oh I didn't even see it listed for DS.

4 and 5

I've only played the original 4 on NES. Of them, 3 is my favorite, but that's going to be very dependent on preference. 2 is very freeform discover-it-for-yourself, 3 is a traditional pick-your-party JRPG, and 4 is story-focused and in chapters where you control different characters.

DS has 3rd waifu options

PS2 version is Japan only so you'll need to fan patch it if you go that route

Agree with V as the rec, though I personally think VII is the best. Its pretty divisive, though (its pacing is quite slow).

Honestly from my understanding the phone ports for Dragon Quest are generally excellent

and V (which I played this year and is great)

LiquidOshawott posted...

Honestly from my understanding the phone ports for Dragon Quest are generally excellent

and V (which I played this year and is great)

The mobile versions of IV-VI are the same as the DS versions, except IVs also has party chat added back in (which was missing from the western DS release for some reason). I-III mobile are also good ports.

In terms of original versions, III is the earliest one you'd want to play at all.

I/II/III are also available for Switch and run fine there.

I would recommend IV and V as the best otherwise. Didn't like much of VI or IX.

DQ3 is getting a remake anyway.

LiquidOshawott posted...

Honestly from my understanding the phone ports for Dragon Quest are generally excellent

and V (which I played this year and is great)

The posts about it being locked to portrait are pretty old, have they patched that? I'd be playing with an actual attached Android controller so even if I could get over it being portrait only I functionally couldn't play it.

8's probably the closest to 11.

5, 8, and 11 are probably the most popular overall, with 3 and 4 on a tier a hair below that

2's probably the most widely disliked, due to the massive difficulty spike at the endgame (although it's not quite as bad in the remake, and when you know how to handle certain enemies)

6 kind of gets forgotten about, being sandwiched in between the much better entries (4/5 and the remake of 3). I wouldn't say it's bad, but it's probably my least favorite main entry.

7 is pretty easily a 100+ hour marathon, and is relatively slowly/leisurely paced with you exploring the same areas multiple times (going back in time to save a region, then exploring it again in the present day to see how it's changed).

9 tried to revamp the series as a portable, multiplayer oriented game for the post Monster Hunter era. There's still a single player campaign, but a lot of the game's content is postgame - farming rare drops to finish quests and grinding levels in order to fight legacy bosses in randomized dungeons.

despite the series reputation for being grindy, it's probably not too bad if you're playing any of the games 4 or after. Well, with the exception of the job system in 6 and 7 being completely fucking terrible since you only get 1 job exp point per battle (and only if you aren't over the area's level cap to get job experience) and need like 200 or 300 job exp to master a job and need to master multiple jobs before you can get to some of the skills that you'd actually use, and postgame content like the monster medal dungeon in 3 GBC or aforementioned stuff with 9.

Also, I feel I should point out that the translation patch that I used for SNES 1+2 was super glitchy (I think a newer version got released more recently, naturally after I finished both games, but IDK how much better it actually works), and the patch for 6 SNES is also a bit incomplete/glitchy too.

DQ1 is a nice and short 5 hour game everyone should play it

FWIW I really like VI. Its my second favorite after VII.

V, VIII, and XI are definitely the best regarded, though.

I honestly wasn't all that impressed by XI compared to V and VIII.

I never got hooked on VI at all.

Oh and 2's remakes are actually playable and not totally broken. For one, the final boss doesn't have access to infinite use fullheal.

LordoftheMorons posted...

FWIW I really like VI. Its my second favorite after VII.

V, VIII, and XI are definitely the best regarded, though.

These are the 2 with the biggest pacing issues of the ones Ive beaten (1-7). Especially VII omg

Only played about 5 hours each of VIII and IX, and almost finished with XI I think.

All that said I think III, IV, and V are the best. V is just a masterpiece, III and IV are a tier below that for me but are probably required playing for jrpg fans that havent played them before

LockesRagnarok posted...

These are the 2 with the biggest pacing issues of the ones Ive beaten (1-7). Especially VII omg

Only played about 5 hours each of VIII and IX, and almost finished with XI I think.

All that said I think III, IV, and V are the best. V is just a masterpiece, III and IV are a tier below that for me but are probably required playing for jrpg fans that havent played them before

I can understand the complaint, but I love how VII builds up the world and the connections that develop between restored regions. No other game like it!

Watched some PS2 footage of V, and you have to select search and talk from a menu instead of just clicking something/someone, which may be enough to completely veto that version lol.

Unless that's how they all work, which may be enough to veto the game altogether.

Most of the remakes I think put that all on one of the shoulder buttons as like a smart key

Although I like the old menu style let me hit the stairs button to go down stairs

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Watched some PS2 footage of V, and you have to select search and talk from a menu instead of just clicking something/someone, which may be enough to completely veto that version lol.

Unless that's how they all work, which may be enough to veto the game altogether.

This definitely isn't a thing in the DS version that I played.

X (online) is the best and it's a crime it's not available

V

Wouldn't shock me if even the PS2 version puts that on a shortcut shoulder button and the person playing in the video just wasn't using it. I'm pretty sure the SNES remakes did the same thing

(XI) > VIII > V > III > VII > VI > IV > I > IX > II

VII is a really really long game. My PS1 save file was something like 220 hours. The 3DS version is faster and better (from what I have seen) but I haven't completed it.

I really loved 8

SHINE_GET_64 posted...

DQ1 is a nice and short 5 hour game everyone should play it

Surely you aren't talking about the NES version.

I play it once a year!

I'd go with 5 and 7.

No one ever recommends 7 and its a shame because its quite good. The 3ds version fixed most things people complained about the PS version.

5 hours is how long it takes for speedrunners to beat DQ1 without RNG manipulation (with manipulation its like 20 minutes)

Id say 7-10 is more realistic for most people

Play V

I'll add V to the queue! Won't be right away but thanks for all the input. Obviously I'll give the other ones a shot as well if I latch on.

Got the PS2 version up and running and Y/Triangle does indeed function as talk/search.

Play DQIII and make sure to bring a hot plate and an ice pack.

https://kotaku.com/dragon-quest-speedrunners-are-roasting-their-classic-co-1845958614

They found a faster method that doesn't require the temperature manipulation, but does require you to also own Kirby's Adventure, Final Fantasy, and Dr. Mario, and you swap the cartridges in and out at certain times.
https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm38547442

I quite like VI though that may be a fair bit of nostalgia since it was my first DQ after 9 (And I didn't really like 9)

My recommendation would be to play V as you already plan to, then branch out if you like it. The other DS/3DS ones are a good choice if you want more, with the caveats about 7 already mentioned.

Does the PS2 version have Party Talk? Cause that's essential.

swirIdude posted...

Play DQIII and make sure to bring a hot plate and an ice pack.

https://kotaku.com/dragon-quest-speedrunners-are-roasting-their-classic-co-1845958614

Like

I feel like the only word I can feel describes this is "pathetic".

Good lord.

V

the only good dragon quest games are the builders ones

Steiner posted...

the only good dragon quest games are the builders ones

in fairness i haven't played the other numbered ones but i thought XI was the most middling, basic, bland ass game i ever played in my life and apparently that's the good one