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I think it's a testament to the series's formula that DQ8 managed to keep charming me despite how dark it got. There's a late game twist with a character that I still think about from time to time.
DQ5 is my favorite in the series by a mile--it's also rather popular in general--so that's an easy recommend for people that like the series. There's also Chrono Trigger if you haven't played it yet, as another in the lighthearted/JRPG/Akira Toriyama vein.
I played chrono trigger decently far into the story but ended up a bit bored with it.
As a fan of Chrono Trigger, how far did you get? There's a section that's noticeably duller than the rest before it picks up again.
This last thing I remember doing was this.
https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Chrono_Trigger/Magus%27s_Castle
I peaked at the next section and IT didn’t sound too familiar, so I don’t think I went any further.
I'd finish out Magus's Castle, because that does change things some. But if you're still not having fun after beating Magus, it's time to cut bait.
I’m sure I finished the castle. I can’t remember if I did the next part or not. I can’t really remember.
If you were bored after that cliffhanger in the plot, I can't see much point to continuing Chrono Trigger.
I don’t remember the plot much anymore to be honest. I should watch a story summary of the game.
Everyone says DQ5, for good reason, so I'm going to suggest some other options. Please keep in mind that these are 8-bit games, so their dialogue is less copious and their art style is more retro than anything else.
DQ4 is my favorite. Every version has its own problems, although the mobile version [sic] might have the fewest for someone who isn't comfortable playing in Japanese. It's broad rather than deep: it's got a big cast but doesn't go as deeply into each character as DQ8 does. If you like the Middle Ages parts of Chrono Trigger, DQ4 is a lot like that scenario at full game length.
If you're able to go even further back, DQ1 is calling. It's a simple and grindy game, but you will learn the basics of JRPGs and have a solid foundation for DQ2 and DQ3. (You don't have to play DQ2 before DQ3.)
It was the first RPG I ever played, and the game that made me a gamer! I have ~700 hours of playtime nowadays and still play it regularly
This was one of my favorite games on the ps2. I think I spent nearly 130 hours on it playing a few times through.
What are your thoughts on dq 7 and 9? I know 7 was just remade, but i have a 3ds, so I was considering that version.
I can't remember them. Doesn't mean they are good or bad, just didn't stick with me like 8 did.
Well, I guess I have plenty of time until I finish 8 before I consider playing another game in the series.
I could seriously consider adding dq11 back into my Steam wishlist. (My wife took control of my switch) 😂
I adore XI and highly recommend picking it up next time it drops to $20 on steam. My daughter is playing it now and I’ve been really enjoying watching her get into it, knowing what happens later to all the characters she’s meeting now in the early game.
Yeah, I will totally do that. I have about that much in steam credit anyway and it’s such a good game it’s totally worth the money tbh.
I adore 7. It had just the right balance of memorable party members, but the absolute flexibility of the job system. It is VERY long, and somewhat slower paced than 8 (in the original PSX version anyway), but once it gets rolling it had a sense of wonder and excitement for me that none of the others quite matched.
Having never played the 3ds version, I'm not sure what's different, but I imagine it's closer to the original than the new reimagined is in terms of content. Personally, I'd say emulate the PSX version if you can, but I'd just really rather look at sprites than that era of 3d graphics. If you prefer those graphics, or it's just substantially easier for you to play that version, go ahead. The point is you should definitely play it in some form or another.
I planed to either go psx or the newest one. I figure I’ll check out reviews once i finish playing 8.
I’m learning towards the psx version though.
It gets darker and more serious with its plot, but I always found Breath of Fire to share some of the same charm as Dragon Quest for reasons I can't quite quantify. 2 and 3 especially. 4 is also magnificent, but it's something of a a stylistic departure from the previous ones.
I really liked DQ5. I played a translation on SNES emulators way back, but it was unfinished so it was a sloppy experience.
Went back to it when the DS remake came out, and I loved it. When I think of Dragon Quest I think of 5. I understand it’s part of a trilogy 4, 5, 6 as well but I didn’t play the others.
I’ve also played DQ3 on gameboy colour. I only played it halfway, but it was a good portable rpg for sure. I’d only played Final Fantasy Legend 3 on gameboy and this was much better. I just didn’t have much time for playing games then.
Dq8 was fun, I didn't finish it but the pacing and adventures felt like playing an anime series, really cool experience
Octopath Traveller is another jrpg with a similar tempo and charm I liked
The mobile Zelda games always had a cozier feeling than the main line, Links awakening was my favorite
If it is anything like dq11, I don;t blame anyone for not finishing them. They seem like they are just huge long games.
Props to the dev team for putting the work in to make these massive games, but I kinda got burnt out of dq11 a while ago and picked it up, but burned out again and since lost my save file. I transferred it from switch to the PC.
Although, after playing dq8, I kind of want to play it again.
DQ8 is the only Dragon Quest game I've played and I enjoyed it a lot. The art direction, the music, everything about it just has this whimsical, pleasant quality that few games achieve. I've heard Dragon Quest XI is a good spiritual successor, but haven't tried it myself.
Good choice to start - DQ8 is my favorite of the mainline titles! 11 is a close second, though. I've been playing 7 reimagined, and an really enjoying it as well. I tried playing 7 back on the 3DS and couldn't finish it - it's really long - but now I've blown past where I stopped back then and am still invested, so it's shaping up to be a good choice, too!
Thanks! Maybe reimagined is the way to go.
I never really hear about dq9, do you know anything about?
It's somewhat divisive. Some people liked it a lot, but I thought it was a bit of a downgrade following DQ8. Since it's a 3D game on the original DS, it's a little bit low on the graphics side, and there's no voice acting or anything. You also get to create and customize your party members' looks and class, which is something it shares with other games in the franchise like DQ3; some people really like that, but I think it takes away from the interesting party banter like what you get in 8, since the customized characters don't have dialogue and end up feeling samey. The story is still on par with any other dragon quest game, though, so if you can look past all that, it's still pretty fun.
The customer characters are what made me want to pass on it. I’m not into that sort of thing in a game like this.
Yeah, if you're like me and like the fun dialogue the most, I'd just focus on DQ8 and see if you like it enough to finish it. If you do, I'd suggest giving 11 another go after that, since that's definitely the most similar title in the franchise. If you do want to try getting into the custom characters games down the line, 7 reimagined would probably be a decent starting point, since they have some customization while still having distinct characters with personality and voice acting.
I played DQVIII as a kid with my dad, and I loved it. If you've got a friend to play with, consider playing IX. It's the only one (other than X) which is truly multiplayer (though you can play through it solo), and I have so many good memories of playing it on the bus to school and helping my brother with dungeons. The art style is similar to VIII but a bit more cutesy/cartoony.
I've played all the main line games except VII and X, and I've cleared all except VI, VII, VIII, and X. I see lots of recommendations for XI. I did really enjoy it, but I feel like you get WAY more payoff if you've played through the original trilogy, since they're heavily referenced in the "postgame" arc.
V is my favorite because the story is immaculate, but it is more serious in tone compared to most of the series.
After hearing and reading more about ix, I think I’m more interested in viii and some of the older games.
11 was really great. It was my intro to the series and it’s just as charming as 8 is.
I pretty much played the mainline ones in order. I was using the Android apps, and I lost momentum and quit because my phone got crushed by an airplane seat when I was almost done with VI.
The really spicy suggestion is to play the first game, and then play Builders before you play II. Trust me, it'll make sense if you do it.
What even is builders? I thought it was just a Minecraft clone.
It's basically Minecraft with more of an RPG feeling. Without giving too much away, the plot of Builders takes place after the events of the first mainline Dragon Quest game. I can't comment on Builders 2 since I haven't played it. But as someone whose favorite games are Minecraft and the Dragon Quest series, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
That’s cool, i never really tried Minecraft, maybe I will give this a try instead as I have been curious about Minecraft somewhat.