Why did I wait so long to play Dragon Quest VII? (or, a few thoughts on the just-released 3DS port of Square Enix's mammoth RPG)

I have a strange history with the Dragon Quest series.

As a teenager, I devoured every piece of information about the first game's three-years-in-coming North American release I came across. My older brother and I bought it as soon as it hit store shelves and quickly beat it. (Actually, he beat it. Although I played the game, known here as Dragon Warrior at the time, through to the final boss, I never vanquished him. Later, my brother took care of it while I watched.)

You'd think that experience would've prompted us to buy and similarly burn our way through the second, third and fourth Dragon Quest--er, I mean Dragon Warrior--titles. For whatever reason, though, we didn't.



In fact, we (or, rather I) ignored every other Dragon Quest game that was released in English until Dragon Quest IX hit the streets in my neck of the woods in 2010. This time, I not only reached the end credits on my own but put more than 100 hours into it along the way.

I intended to follow up that experience my battling through the DS remakes of Dragon Quest IV, V and VI--or at least one of them--but you know what they say about best-laid plans.

Did I partially make up for the misgivings detailed above by pre-ordering the North American 3DS remakes of Dragon Quest VII (and Dragon Quest VIII) as soon as I was able to do so last year? I'd like to think so.



Even better, in my mind, is that I crammed the Dragon Quest VII cartridge into my trusty 3DS as soon as the former arrived on my doorstep a couple of weeks ago. Fast-forward to today, and I'm about seven hours into this portable adventure.

I'm enjoying the journey so much at the moment that I'm beating myself up for not playing the game sooner. That's mainly because of the characters and the story.

Actually, I think my favorite aspect of Dragon Quest VII right now is the little vignettes you have to complete while advancing the overarching saga. Some of them are silly, some of them are surprisingly poignant (the first one, especially)--and all of them enjoyable. Or at least that's been the case with the handful I've encountered up to this point.



Those aren't the only reasons I'm busy kicking myself for passing on Dragon Quest VII for so long. A few others include Akira Toriyama's adorable monster designs, Koichi Sugiyama's magnificent soundtrack and the stellar visual upgrade provided by ArtePiazza's crack team of artists and developers. In fact, this version's aesthetics make it the most appealing Dragon Quest to date as far as graphics are concerned--in my humble opinion, of course.

Anyway, I know I've got a long, long way to go before I see this game's credit roll, but I have absolutely no doubt I'll get there eventually.

How about you? Are any of you also playing the Dragon Quest VII 3DS remake? If so, what do you think of it so far?

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Nintendo DS' release: 10 of my favorite DS games

Rather than refer to the following titles "my 10 favorite DS games," I've decided to call them 10 of my favorites. That's because I love so many DS games that choosing absolute favorites would be like choosing a favorite ... beer? Candy? Diva?

Actually, I think I'd have a far easier time selecting and writing about a favorite candy than I would settling on 10 titles I consider to be my all-time favorite examples of the DS' wonderfully varied game catalog.

As such, you may want to take the following list with a giant grain of salt--or, rather, you may want to read it knowing that if I were to update this post tomorrow, and the next day, too, and then again the day after that, each iteration likely would include a few unique entries.

For this exact moment in time, though, I can somewhat confidently state that the games discussed below are 10 of my favorites for the now-10-year-old Nintendo DS system.

Daigasso! Band Brothers--You know how I mentioned in last Friday's post that I wasn't all that impressed with the early-2004 reveal of the DS? The one part of Nintendo's DS reveal that did impress me was this game. Sadly, it never made it to our shores, so I wasn't able to experience it until a good couple of years after its Japanese release. Was it worth the wait? I sure think so. Mind you, it's a very basic rhythm game--although calling it a "music" game may be more accurate. Regardless, I think Daigasso! Band Brothers' simplicity is a big part of why I enjoy it as much as I do.

Dragon Quest IX--I was pretty sure I was going to like this one before I ever got my hands on a copy of it. It just looked like something I would enjoy, if that makes sense. And you know what? Not only did I enjoy it, but I fell in love with it and played it until I'd wrung every last ounce of enjoyment out of it. (I believe I put just over 80 hours into it before calling it a day, but don't quote me on that.) I know some folks who are long-time fans of the series were a bit disappointed by this entry, but it captivated me completely with its engaging battles and touching storylines.

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime--Do you want to know why I ignored Rocket Slime, a game that's been called a classic from one end of the Internet to the other (whatever that means), until a couple of years ago? Because I didn't like how it looked, for starters. Also, I didn't much like the idea of its gameplay. I guess I wanted it to be a more traditional RPG, a la its "mainline" namesakes. Boy, was I an idiot. I know I suggested earlier that it would be impossible for me to set aside a single DS game as being my absolute favorite, but if I were forced to engage in that kind of tomfoolery, it's quite likely Rocket Slime would be one of the top contenders for that title.

Etrian Odyssey--I was a late comer to this DS title, too, although that had nothing to do with me initially finding it unappealing in any way. Instead, it had to do with the fact that for some time new copies of it were pretty pricey. It finally got a reprint a couple of years ago, though, which caused prices to drop to far more acceptable levels, and that's when I jumped on board. It quickly earned both my admiration and respect thanks to its demanding gameplay and delectable soundtrack.

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light--If I were forced to pick a favorite between this game and Dragon Quest IX, I'm honestly not sure which one I'd go with in the end. That said, I prefer most what's found in The 4 Heroes of Light--battles, graphics, overall art style, story, soundtrack (this last one's kind of a toss up, admittedly), chief among them--to the same elements that are showcased in Dragon Quest IX. Two noteworthy exceptions: the latter title's optional quests and visible-from-the-overworld enemies. So, I guess you could say I consider both games to be standouts in one way or another.

My sequel-laden 3DS wish list

We're less than a year into the 3DS' life, and already number of high-profile sequels have been announced (if not released) for Nintendo's latest handheld system. Among them: Animal Crossing 3DS, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario Kart 7, Monster Hunter 3G (and 4), Paper Mario 3DS and Resident Evil: Revelations.

Without sounding ungrateful, I want more. Specifically, I want the following sequels to be announced and released for the 3DS before the system expires, as game systems are wont to do, at the ripe old age of five or six.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dragon Quest XI looked a bit like this.

1. Dragon Quest XI--Having not played a Dragon Quest game since the first one, I picked up Dragon Quest IX with equal amounts of caution and curiosity. That won't be the case should the series' next entry be announced for the 3DS, though, since, in the end, the DS iteration completely blew me away. I can only imagine how great a portable part XI could be thanks to the 3DS' enhanced graphics and online capabilities.

Imagine experiencing Endless Ocean's cool waters in 3D.

2. Endless Ocean 3--I've said it before and I'll say it again: The original Endless Ocean is one of my favorite Wii titles thanks to its beautiful graphics, haunting soundtrack and immersive gameplay. (Sadly, I've yet to play the sequel.) As such, if the same team made a third Endless Ocean game for the 3DS, I'd not only order a copy for myself at the earliest opportunity but I'd also order a copy for every 3DS owner I know--or at least I would if I could afford it.

Dragon Quest IX: My favorite DS game of 2010

Before I bought Dragon Quest IX earlier this year I had played just one other game in this vaunted series: The NES original, published (as Dragon Warrior) by Nintendo of America in latter part of 1989.

That's worth noting because I barely played Yuji Horii's first foray into the world of console RPGs. (I was much more captivated at the time by its contemporary, Hironobu Sakaguchi's Final Fantasy.)

"Barely played" isn't a phrase I'd use to describe my experience with Horii's ninth Dragon Quest title. Instead, I'd probably say that I played it so much that I was worried my husband would kick me to the curb. (OK, so I'm exaggerating a bit. You get the idea, though, right?)

If I had to list the features that prompted me to play Dragon Quest IX for well over 100 hours--and prompted me to call it my favorite DS game of 2010--I'd likely include its alchemy, character-customization and vocation systems, its dynamic battle scenes and its optional quests.

The highlight of such a list, however, would be the title's randomly generated treasure maps--which were pretty much solely responsible for pushing me past the 100-hour mark (and for putting my marriage in danger).

Honestly, I'd probably consider Dragon Quest IX my favorite DS game of 2010 even if it had consisted of nothing more than the above-mentioned maps. That is how much I've played and enjoyed that portion of this title.

That's not meant to suggest there was a dearth of worthwhile releases for Nintendo's dual-screened system in 2010. On the contrary, there were oodles--Etrian Odyssey III, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future and Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey among them.

As great as each of the above were (and are), though, none of them topped Dragon Quest IX in my mind--which is why I consider Square Enix's latest RPG extravaganza to be my favorite DS game of 2010.

See also: 'Rhythm Heaven: My favorite DS game of 2009'

This may be the most annoying game-related ad I've ever seen

To everyone who thought Nintendo of America's Dragon Quest IX TV spots (starring Seth Green) were lame: Please watch Nintendo of Europe's latest effort (below).



(Via tinycartridge.com)

I don't know about you, but I don't think my mom would like Dragon Quest IX

According to gamesetwatch.com's Eric Caoili, the marketing folks at Nintendo of Europe are aiming some of their Dragon Quest IX TV spots at a rather unusual and unexpected audience: Soccer moms.



Apparently they believe--or at least fervently hope--that some of the DS-owning ladies who have enjoyed the company's Brain Age and Professor Layton titles will enjoy the latest entry in the Dragon Quest series, too.

I'm a bit doubtful the tactic will pay dividends, but I applaud them for giving it a go all the same.

(Via gamesetwatch.com)

Stick a fork (or maybe a spear) in me, I'm done

After putting more hours into it than I care to admit, I've decided to take a bit of a break from Dragon Quest IX.

This isn't the first time I've had to step away from a game with which I've become a tad obsessed. Most recently, I played Animal Crossing: City Folk to the point that it felt like I saw my in-game "friends" more than my flesh-and-blood ones.

Does this ever happen to any of you? Do you become so enamored with a particular game that you play it whenever you have a second to spare?

A slick haiku

I have to admit, I'm pretty amazed that I'm still playing Dragon Quest IX--despite the fact that I "beat" it last weekend.

I think the cute-as-buttons slime "enemies" have something to do with the cartridge's extended stay in my trusty DSlite. I'm a bit obsessed with the little suckers at the moment, to tell you the truth. Specifically, I'm obsessed with the Metal King Slimes that can be found on the ninth floor of the (level 58) "Gold Waterway of Dolour" grotto.

In fact, I'm so taken with Dragon Quest's oh-so-slippery mascot that I wrote a haiku about her/him/it:

You look so friendly
Welcoming eyes and wide grin
So why do you flee?

Yeah, I know--I won't quit my day job.

(By the way, go here to see the full version of the slime photo above.)

It ain't over 'til fatguts sings

Late last week, in this post, I mentioned that I'd either beat more of Dragon Quest IX's grottoes or tackle the game's final boss over the weekend. I ended up doing both.

The latter task was accomplished after playing the game for just over 82 hours (yes, 82 hours), by the way. In that time, I won 2,142 battles and completed 29 quests. Oh, and I performed alchemy a whopping one time.

What's next? Well, I conquer more grottoes and complete more quests, I guess. I probably should spend some quality time with the Krak Pot (right), too, don't you think?

See also: 'Slime dunk' and 'I don't want it to end'

Slime dunk

Until a few minutes ago, I thought that, in the world of Dragon Quest IX, a slime is a slime is a slime--i.e., all of the game's slime enemies (with the possible exception of those oh-so-slippery metallic ones) are easy-as-pie pushovers.

Then I came upon a Darkonium Slime (see image to the right)--after spending 30 minutes or so battling my way through the first nine levels of one of Dragon Quest IX's more difficult grottoes.

My first reaction upon seeing the shiny red beast: "Awww! It's so cute!" A few seconds later, all of my characters were laid out like Lindsay Lohan after her latest bender.

I guess that means I have to level up a bit more. Maybe I'll do that this weekend by beating, once again, some of the easier grottoes. Or maybe I'll, you know, tackle the final boss.

See also: 'I don't want it to end'

I don't want it to end

Do you ever find yourself procrastinating as you near the end of a game?

I do it all the time. I did it as I approached the finale of the first two Professor Layton titles, for instance, and I did it as I sauntered toward the finish line of Super Mario Galaxy, too.

Well, I’m doing it again as I edge ever closer to Dragon Quest IX's end credits.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm doing it, though, as it's pretty well known that the title features oodles (yes, oodles) of post-game content.

Oh, well, sometimes it's best to just go with the proverbial flow, wouldn't you agree?

See also: 'Daisy dukes, bikinis on top ...,' 'Sexy secretary,' 'But what about Beyonce's blue ball gown?' and 'The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever'

Daisy dukes, bikinis on top...

OK, so my main Dragon Quest IX character, Madonna, isn't currently sporting a bikini top and a pair of daisy dukes--à la Katy Perry's hit single, "California Gurls"--but one out of two isn't bad, right?

Actually, I'd take a "dangerous midriff wrap" (below) over a ratty pair of daisy dukes any day, but that's how I roll.

All that said, as awesome as I consider Madonna's girly getup to be, it's nothing compared to her cohort Utada's "malicious maid" costume:

I've just crossed the 60-hour mark in my playthrough of this horribly addictive game, by the way. I'm currently grinding my characters into shape so they can properly take on the boss of Gittingham Palace, King Godwyn.

After that, I'm off to the "Realm of the Mighty" to tackle ... well, whatever awaits me there.

Are any of you still spending time with Dragon Quest IX? If so, how far along are you?

See also: 'Sexy secretary,' 'But what about Beyonce's blue ball gown?' and 'The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever'

Sexy secretary

My main Dragon Quest IX character, Madonna, is sporting a "sexy secretary" (or should I say "sexy administrative assistant"?) look at the moment. (Check out the photo to the right for some rather crappy photographic evidence of said costume.)

Sorry, I just had to share.

I'm still (slowly but surely) working my way through this wonderful little game, by the way. In fact, I just found the seventh and final "fygg." I guess that means I'm nearing the end of the main quest?

I won't be finishing it anytime soon, though, as I've barely experimented with the title's alchemy or class systems. Also, I just found my first treasure map (yeah, I'm a little late to the party when it comes to those)--so I've got plenty of exploring to do before I move on to the final boss (or whatever I'm supposed to conquer to trigger the end credits).

See also: 'But what about Beyonce's blue ball gown?' and 'The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever'

But what about Beyonce's blue ball gown?

I've always been a bit obsessive--OK, a lot obsessive--when it comes to collecting loot (i.e., accessories, armor and weapons) in RPGs, but Dragon Quest IX has taken those obsessive tendencies to new heights by allowing me to actually see the accessories, armor and weapons my avatars are currently sporting.

The problem with this "feature" is that I tend to equip my party members based on how a particular accessory will make them look as opposed to how it will help them in battle. For instance, Beyonce, my martial artist, currently sports a silver tiara, a spangled dress, fishnet stockings, high heels--and a shiny pair of crow's claws.

Thankfully, the former Destiny's Child frontwoman--and her digitized Dragon Quest IX cohorts--are a bit over-leveled at the moment, so they're still holding their own rather handily despite the fact that they're all wearing less-than-desirable (from a defense standpoint) gear.

I don't suppose any of you fabulous Dragon Quest IX aficionados are experiencing this same, er, "issue"?

See also: 'The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever'

The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever

The only way my Dragon Quest IX party (below) could be any gayer is if it included Babs, Cher, Judy or Lady Gaga.

My diva-licious Dragon Quest IX party (clockwise from the upper-left corner):
Madonna, Utada, Beyonce and Janet.

Actually, I would have included the first three if I had thought of it--as any of them would be a worthwhile replacement for Utada, who I adore but who really isn't a gay icon.

I thought of including Lady Gaga but decided against it because without the ability to give her a big schnoz she'd look just like Madonna--and that ain't right.

I've got Dragon Quest on the brain

I know that's probably hard to believe considering two of my last three posts have been about Etrian Odyssey and not the latest entry in Yuji Horii's Dragon Quest saga.

The fact is, I am a bit obsessed with Etrian Odyssey these days. (You would be, too, if you gave it a go.) At the same time, though, I'm eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting my copy of Dragon Quest IX. It's going to be quite interesting to see which game ends up winning the battle for my affection and attention.

Anyway, in an attempt to make this post about more than my boring blatherings, here's a compilation Japanese Dragon Quest TV commercials:



I'm particularly fond of the Dragon Quest IV ads that show up around the 1:00 mark. The second one, featuring the guy with the Flock of Seagulls 'do, is my hands-down favorite, despite the fact that it doesn't make a lick of sense.

(Via tinycartridge.com/post)

'I battle monsters in a fur poncho'

Will Seth Green help Nintendo of America sell a few million copies of Dragon Quest IX? We'll find out soon enough, as the game hits store shelves in the States on Sunday.

In the meantime, enjoy the latest TV ad starring the Buffy the Vampire Killer actor:



See also: 'Is this one of the multiplayer options in Dragon Quest IX?'

Is this one of the multiplayer options in Dragon Quest IX?

In three short days, the latest entry in the Dragon Quest series will be unleashed upon the American public.

Although said game--full title: Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies--features a slew of multiplayer options, I kind of doubt the, er, "activity" depicted in the following NSFW-ish image is among them.

Buy: Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

(Via tinycartridge.com)

Seth Green, eh?

On the one hand, I think the following commercial, which the folks at Nintendo of America are using to promote the soon-to-be-released Dragon Quest IX, is funny. Hilarious even.

On the other hand, I'm not so sure it's actually going to push American gamers to buy the Level-5-developed RPG.



What do you think?

See also: 'Let's play: Which box art is better? (Dragon Quest IX edition)'

Let's play: 'Which box art is better?' (Dragon Quest IX edition)

The folks at Nintendo have announced (finally!) European and North American release dates for the eagerly anticipated Square Enix/Level-5 RPG, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies. North Americans will be able to get their grubby little hands on the DS title on July 11, while their European counterparts will be able to do so on July 23.

Although the European and North American versions of the game will retain most, if not all, of the features and qualities that made the Japanese original a mammoth hit, they will not retain that version's cover art (below).

Here's how the cover art will look on the European/North American versions of the game:

Which do I prefer? Eh, the Japanese version, I guess, although I can understand why the brass at Nintendo of America/Europe decided to change it (i.e., they probably considered the original art a bit too "Japanese" for Western audiences).

Anyway, if you want to know more about the European and North American versions of Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, head over to tinycartridge.com or toastyfrog.com. Or just click on this link to see the game's latest trailer.

See also: 'Let's play: 'Which box art is better?' (PaRappa The Rapper edition)'