I only recently got into Dragon Quest about a couple years ago. DQ11 was my first game in the series (unless you count Builders), and it was exactly the sort of RPG I love. I had, however, bought DQ8 nearly three years ago, a few months after it released on the 3DS, but though I had every intention of playing it, I just never got around to it. Recently, I've been in the mood of a long, sweeping JRPG (Xenoblade DE, I know, I'll get to that too eventually). I was thinking of buying DQ11S and going through that game again, but then I figured I'd just play DQ8.
My impressions so far are very positive (to put it mildly) but let's begin with some not-so-positive stuff first (that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the game itself):
The moment I started playing it, I remembered why I had held off on giving it a go for so long- not because of the game, but because of the system I own it on. I've been playing DQ8 for over a week, and my hands have not stopped hurting. The console is small (I have an OG 3DS and returning to it after so long feels weird) and having to move the camera with the shoulder buttons is literally painful (it doesn't help that the L button on my 3DS doesn't always work).
But then as I played more and made myself come to terms with the hardware so that I could properly enjoy the software, I realized that I should not have waited so long to play this absolute gem. DQ8 is unbelievably good. Like DQ11 (which is the only watermark I have for DQ games right now), it never tries to reinvent the wheel, but it has a ridiculously expert understanding of the JRPG genre and what makes it tick. The combat is simple but addictive, and I really like the tension system. I especially love making use of it in conjunction with buffs and debuffs during boss fights; it allows me to actually strategize, and prevents battles from become the mindless "repeatedly press A to win" affair that turn-based battles can so easily become. Hell, I even love grinding (the sped up battles really help out on that front).
I'm also really, really enjoying the story. It's not taking itself too seriously, there's plenty of room for levity, the characters are great, and I'm surprised at how engaging I'm finding it. I love the little lore drops here and there, whether that's from NPCs or from reading books. I love what every character has to say. I love how the story tantalizingly hints at things to come but knows exactly when to stop and let the player hang (and for how long). I love how every new place I visit feels like it's bursting with identity and charm. Pickham in particular was great, and I just arrived at Baccarat, where I imagine I'll be spending a lot of time, thanks mostly to the casino (I ignored the casino in Pickham, because sketch). The towns don't seem to have the grandeur and flair of the towns in DQ11 (which are flat-out the best towns I've ever seen in any game), but they're still really good (and I'm hoping they'll continue to get better as I make progress).
I'm also really liking the more open world design of the game. Hunting for mini-medals is fun (not surprising, since that was one of my favourite things to do in 11), I love toying around with the alchemy pot, and even though the rewards I get from Cameron's Codex have all sucked without exception, I still open up the challenges every time I enter a new region to see what's next on the list. Outside of the open world, the dungeons have also been really good so far. The last couple of dungeons have been big and winding enough that exploring every cranny takes a while, and I'm hooked to finding every piece of treasure in every dungeon that I enter.
One thing I'm finding a little disappointing is how few party members there seem to be in the game. Since Angelo, there's been no one, and having just four party members has left me yearning for many more (especially since I subconsciously keep comparing the game to 11, which had only about eighteen gajillion party members). If there are more on the way, don't tell me who they are or when they will arrive- maybe just tell me "it'll get better" or something like that (if you want to tell me anything, that is).
So yep. 20 hours in, absolutely loving it, feels very much like DQ11 (or the other way around, which, from what I understand, was very much the point when SE were working on 11).
TLDR: Shouldn't have waited so long to play this gem, but glad I'm in it now, but the 3DS is bad and my hands hurt.
My impressions so far are very positive (to put it mildly) but let's begin with some not-so-positive stuff first (that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the game itself):
The moment I started playing it, I remembered why I had held off on giving it a go for so long- not because of the game, but because of the system I own it on. I've been playing DQ8 for over a week, and my hands have not stopped hurting. The console is small (I have an OG 3DS and returning to it after so long feels weird) and having to move the camera with the shoulder buttons is literally painful (it doesn't help that the L button on my 3DS doesn't always work).
But then as I played more and made myself come to terms with the hardware so that I could properly enjoy the software, I realized that I should not have waited so long to play this absolute gem. DQ8 is unbelievably good. Like DQ11 (which is the only watermark I have for DQ games right now), it never tries to reinvent the wheel, but it has a ridiculously expert understanding of the JRPG genre and what makes it tick. The combat is simple but addictive, and I really like the tension system. I especially love making use of it in conjunction with buffs and debuffs during boss fights; it allows me to actually strategize, and prevents battles from become the mindless "repeatedly press A to win" affair that turn-based battles can so easily become. Hell, I even love grinding (the sped up battles really help out on that front).
I'm also really, really enjoying the story. It's not taking itself too seriously, there's plenty of room for levity, the characters are great, and I'm surprised at how engaging I'm finding it. I love the little lore drops here and there, whether that's from NPCs or from reading books. I love what every character has to say. I love how the story tantalizingly hints at things to come but knows exactly when to stop and let the player hang (and for how long). I love how every new place I visit feels like it's bursting with identity and charm. Pickham in particular was great, and I just arrived at Baccarat, where I imagine I'll be spending a lot of time, thanks mostly to the casino (I ignored the casino in Pickham, because sketch). The towns don't seem to have the grandeur and flair of the towns in DQ11 (which are flat-out the best towns I've ever seen in any game), but they're still really good (and I'm hoping they'll continue to get better as I make progress).
I'm also really liking the more open world design of the game. Hunting for mini-medals is fun (not surprising, since that was one of my favourite things to do in 11), I love toying around with the alchemy pot, and even though the rewards I get from Cameron's Codex have all sucked without exception, I still open up the challenges every time I enter a new region to see what's next on the list. Outside of the open world, the dungeons have also been really good so far. The last couple of dungeons have been big and winding enough that exploring every cranny takes a while, and I'm hooked to finding every piece of treasure in every dungeon that I enter.
One thing I'm finding a little disappointing is how few party members there seem to be in the game. Since Angelo, there's been no one, and having just four party members has left me yearning for many more (especially since I subconsciously keep comparing the game to 11, which had only about eighteen gajillion party members). If there are more on the way, don't tell me who they are or when they will arrive- maybe just tell me "it'll get better" or something like that (if you want to tell me anything, that is).
So yep. 20 hours in, absolutely loving it, feels very much like DQ11 (or the other way around, which, from what I understand, was very much the point when SE were working on 11).
TLDR: Shouldn't have waited so long to play this gem, but glad I'm in it now, but the 3DS is bad and my hands hurt.
