Review for Dragon Quest VIII 3DS. Game for Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 2, the video game was released on 27/11/2004 The version for 3DS came out on 27/08/2015
Nothing to do, with a gift like Akira Toriyama's one can only be born. The ability to convey emotions and passion through drawing is in fact one of the most important peculiar characteristics recognized to the master creator of myths such as Dragonball or Dr. Slump & Arale. Bringing life to the characters is as much art as magic and Square-Enix, certainly agrees with this thought, has entrusted Master Toriyama with the task of designing the characters, monsters and settings of a JRPG series with great potential to transform it into a saga for sure. success.
Born over thirty years ago, Dragon Quest boasts more than ten episodes, if we take into account the eleventh upcoming release, all with common elements but with a distinct plot and not necessarily consequent to the previous chapter, while remaining in fact within of the same universe. Today we will consider Dragon Quest VIII: Odyssey of the Cursed King for Nintendo 3DS, developed by Square-Enix.
Originally released for PS2 in 2004 in Japan, and a couple of years later in Europe, Dragon Quest VIII was welcomed by fans and also by those who for the first time entered the world of JRPG. This was probably due both to the well-developed plot, to its solid gameplay or to the drawings and animations, clearly recognizable and attributable to a television series that at the time saw its peak in Europe: Dragonball.
In fact, it is impossible not to notice the striking similarity of the protagonist with Gohan, both for the traits and for the characterization of the character, reserved, disciplined and shy but always ready to engage in battle. Similarities like this appear in the eyes of fans all the time throughout the story, transforming an adventure that is played for the first time into something familiar, actually increasing the complicity between characters and player.
But the Nintendo 3DS version is more than just a port of the original title. Significant improvements have been made in the transposition: while maintaining substantially the same graphic level, the animations have been made more fluid, the backdrops enriched with details, as well as practically all the inaccuracies due to thin and not very harmonious polygonal models have been practically eliminated. The sound has remained unchanged as well as the basic gameplay: the latter, however, enjoys a rebalancing of skills and combat characteristics that makes the battle phases less angular and decidedly more balanced. But that is not all.
The years and previous chapters have allowed developers to implement interesting features and improve what could be improved. In fact, today the player will be able to benefit from quick saves even outside the churches, he will see his PV and PM bars regenerate as each level rises and he will be able to admire the panorama in freedom thanks to a fully controllable camera that is well congenial and functional.
Furthermore Side Quests have been added which further extend the over 100 hours it takes for the original title to be 100% completed, and some of them are really hilarious and fun. For example, after a few hours from the beginning of the adventure we will be hired as photographers and we will be given the opportunity to take pictures, (also wanting to put the protagonists in absurd poses).
The work on the restyling of Dragon Quest VIII The Odyssey of the Cursed King has left nothing to chance: everything that previously could have been considered a defect or an improved aspect has been sifted through and put into place. First of all the monsters appear on the map and then it will be up to the player to decide whether to face them or not: a holy hand for the tighter grinding.
In addition, some characters that were originally not usable in battle today will become our allies in the clashes thus varying the original party which saw only four playable characters. Finally we have a alternative ending that will be influenced by our style of play and which, combined with various cutscenes artfully introduced to give depth to the life of the protagonists, make the plot even richer and more complete.
As if it needed to be said, let's remember how the original plot was already interesting in its own right: the protagonist is the only royal guard left alive, as well as a bulwark erected to defend King Trode and Princess Medea, transformed respectively into a horrid green monster and a splendid purebred mare. The kingdom of Trodain has been attacked by the evil jester Dhoulmagus who has seized the magical scepter immediately used to transform the regents and throw the kingdom to the brambles and despondency. The story unfolds in a vast territory and sees us looking for the enemy jester to be able to defeat him flanked by our friends and companions who will join us in the course of the adventure.
The story is masterfully told and involves the player with an adult and playful plot at the same time, full of emotions and feelings, of courage and friendship, of fear and happiness. As we advance in history we will be involved in the events of the territories we will explore and we will make new friends - in some cases even new allies - and fragments of the past will clarify our history by providing a truly remarkable depth and level of involvement.
The gameplay is the classic turn-based one that JRPG lovers are accustomed to, it is a party made up of four characters at a time; each character has different characteristics and abilities and can specialize in the use of various weapons as well as in the use of magic. At each level up we will get skill points to distribute to increase our physical abilities or the competence in the use of specific weapons.
Upon reaching certain thresholds we will learn more and more powerful skills to use in battle. An interesting note worth noting is the ability to set, for each individual player or for the entire group, an automatic approach to battle based on unbridled, moderate attack, defense or escape, in order to speed up the clashes (you can also set the Fast Forward for the animation), and get a quick and effective grinding.
The transposition of Dragon Quest VIII: The Odyssey of the Cursed King on Nintendo 3DS is an example of how porting should be done. Light graphic restyling, fluidized animations, alternative cutscenes and endings, implementation of playable characters and additional Side Quests aimed at lengthening and enriching the plot, all served on a plot and a high gameplay inherited from the original title. A really well done, complete and pleasant job, further enriched by features such as 3D and the street pass. A truly valid longevity able to give the player many hours of guaranteed fun.
► Dragon Quest VIII 3DS is a JRPG type game for Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 2, the video game was released on 27/11/2004 The version for 3DS came out on 27/08/2015
