RTTP: Dragon Warrior

First video game I ever played. Made me a Dragon Quest fan for life. Still one of my favorite franchises to this day.

And yes, the SNES/mobile versions have many QOL improvements made to them. It's still a bit grindy but the battles go a lot faster.

I can play the NES version just fine, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to someone who hasn't played DQ before.

I honestly return to the NES version every now and then, and, clunky menu aside, I find that it holds up amazingly well. Combat is slick and to the point, the visuals (at least with the US version's updates) still look nice due to Toriyama's simple but effective designs, the game's world is evenly spaced out to encourage exploration without getting hopelessly lost, and the length is just perfect for a scenario based around wandering from place to place getting stronger and collecting the right gear to enter the final dungeon.

cj_iwakura said:

Maybe it was better off staying in my memories, unless the newer versions improved it.

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The SNES version and especially the GBC remake are great to this day.

Personally I think DQ1 and FF1 both hold up well. Yes, they're archaic. Yes, the menu systems are clunky. Yes, the encounter rates are high.

However here's what they have that counts: well balanced game systems and content. You really have to learn and know the combat mechanics, formulas, and numbers. And when you do, it becomes a fun experience of balancing resources, reacting to misses/crits, and working your way towards the endgame/bosses.

What a lot of games miss, and what games like Cosmic Star Heroine are lauded for, is this well balanced state of the numbers.

It helps that, IMO, the art and music are still charming to this day. Just imo, IMO TBQH.

Replayed the NES game after 25 years and it was just as great as always. This game is the poster child for "grind", but that was part of the fun. My dad complained about hearing the overworld music all day long.

Edit: after posting, I noticed my avatar. Hah!

"But thou must!"

Replayed this with my wife twice. She knows the game inside and out. Fun and simple little game.

I've only played the mobile version but I loved it. Perfect length.

cj_iwakura said:

This was literally my first RPG, so it'll always have a place in my heart... and I haven't played it in more than two decades, so I finally grabbed a cartridge. (I'm playing on the same NES that originally played my free Nintendo Power copy.)

Time really hasn't been kind. :( I remembered loving the sense of exploration, challenge, and scraping my way up the progression ladder, but now it just feels frustrating.

Only one save point, limited means of recovery, and taking forever to save up any money unless you fight monsters that can possibly one-shot you.

Maybe it was better off staying in my memories, unless the newer versions improved it.

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This is why I don't replay games. I remember them fondly, why ruin that?

Probably the grindiest RPG I've ever played. My first DQ was DW3 which has aged much, much better, though I still do like DW1.

But heavy grinding is mandatory in this game. Both for gold and experience.

Everyone who complains about grinding in RPGs should be forced to play Dragon Warrior. Any other game is a cake walk in comparison.

DW1 doesn't play too bad, but I'd rather play the GBC version nowadays.

Torpedo Vegas said:

This is why I don't replay games. I remember them fondly, why ruin that?

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There are loads of NES games that still play well today.

cj_iwakura said:

Hey, sometimes they hold up. I still love Ninja Gaiden.

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God damn bird.

I really love this game. It's simple, but for the time, it's does a hell of a lot for the cartridge size (80 kb, up from 64kb on the JP version). It's obviously a smoother experience on the GBA remake but there is a specific feeling to that original.

thefro said:

Everyone who complains about grinding in RPGs should be forced to play Dragon Warrior. Any other game is a cake walk in comparison.

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Blanket denial. Breath of Fire 2 is the gold medallist.

thefro said:

Everyone who complains about grinding in RPGs should be forced to play Dragon Warrior. Any other game is a cake walk in comparison.

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Crazymoogle said:

Blanket denial. Breath of Fire 2 is the gold medallist.

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7th Saga US.

Played the GBC version when it was new, played the NES version ten years ago. Good game but yes, Grindy as hell. II and especially III were great games tonke as a kid when I didn't get many games per year and needed to get as many hours as possible out of them. I remember grinding to level 99 in DWIII. In the original I loved getting to max level (30?) and stomping everything. Silver Shield, Erdrick (Loto? lol) equipment... I still remember how obtuse it was to find some stuff; wander to the middle of nowhere; search near a tree, etc. At 12 years old I thought that stuff was awesome.

I gotta say, as much as I love FF/DQ I can't get myself to truly enjoy the NES titles (and FFIV SNES is a bit dated for me too regarding QoL) and just play them out of curiosity and completeness. Maybe I am too young :/

Funny timing OP, I've been playing the NES version myself lately and working on a little QoL rom hack that imports names and dialog from the official mobile version.



It certainly has its charms for sure! I never managed to play it for the LONGEST time, I had the NP issue with DW III and thoguht how amazing that game looked. When I eventually got a copy of DW, I ended up using the Alefgard part of the guide to beat DW1.

A Legendary JRPG.

Not much to do in DQ1 but grind, but there's a simplicity to it that's kinda beautiful. Still, I wouldn't got back to it again. Most of my fondness from it actually comes from Builders.

Ya grinding is a must in this game. Dq2 as well.

ssnick37 said:

Ya grinding is a must in this game. Dq2 as well.

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DQ2 gets brutal towards the end there, replayed it recently on mobile again and it was not too bad, those green dragon mobs can fuck right off though.

I love all of the DQ clones for NES too, a lot of little gems that have been translated.

I replayed the SNES version not too long ago and had a blast. I need to get around to finishing the second one.

I guess my biggest issue with them is how you get direction or are intended to stumble across things, but that was all games back then really.