Electronic Gaming Monthly: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

Greg S: The role-playing game genre has been searching so hard for a new identity the past few years that the traditional, straightforward RPG is almost an endangered species. The days of linear story lines, simple experience systems, and traditional turn-based battles are fading fast. So it’s weird that Dragon Quest VIII—publisher Square Enix’s major game this season—is actually a throwback to those simpler times.

Don’t be disappointed, though. While it’s not terribly innovative, DQ8 offers a traditional RPG experience that gets all the fundamentals absolutely right. It’s proof that perhaps the old-school RPG design philosophy that everyone’s trying so hard to leave behind isn’t really so broken after all.

Everything about Dragon Quest VIII is polished, from the traditional turn-based battles to the skill system that’s deep enough to allow decent character customization while still being accessible. The random battles in each new area are challenging at first, so each skirmish isn’t just a two-minute exercise in pressing the X button.

With its solid gameplay and epic quest, DQ8 saves the RPG genre this holiday season...and helps numb the sting of Final Fantasy XII’s seemingly endless development cycle and Zelda’s new 2006 release date.

Justin: While many role-playing games pay homage to tradition, Dragon Quest maintains tradition and basically pays homage to itself—not that it doesn’t deserve a few props. In addition to following its classic RPG formula almost to the letter, including text message play-by-play as you slay monsters in turn-based battles, DQ8 offers a beautifully realized world for your exploration. You won’t find much off the beaten path other than wonderful scenery, but seeing every individual tree in a sprawling forest provides a great sense of scale.

It’s still far too old-fashioned to call a must-play, but Dragon Quest VIII will definitely satisfy curiosity or nostalgia. Anyone new to the series can sample the biggest name in Japanese RPGs wrapped in a beautiful presentation, while series fans know just what they’re in for.

Official PS MAG—Scooter: DQ8 is so freaking big that it’s almost like the dandy RPG fan’s answer to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. And it’s proof that taking an old-school gaming formula and giving it a dazzling face-lift can actually work. DQ8 may play like it’s 1995 (well-refined 1995, but still 1995), but it’s also easily one of 2005’s best-looking PS2 games. On top of 60-plus hours of questing, you also get neat side quests like casino gambling, monster training, and item creation (via the alchemy pot). Even the game’s very, very British voices are a hoot.

Newer RPG fans may complain about its constant turn-based battles and slow-paced leveling, but no matter how you feel about the gameplay, Dragon Quest VIII will certainly be the longest RPG in your collection.

Slimy Hands

Game-peripheral maker Hori has announced that it will release the bizarre Dragon Quest slime controller Stateside when Dragon Quest VIII ships. For $39.99 you too can control the latest DQ adventure with a giant, blue, rather uncomfortable slime. And the ladies love it.

Good: Solid gameplay, interesting story, fantastic presentation

Bad: Linear quest might turn off some folks

Free: Final Fantasy XII demo bundled with every copy of DQ8

The verdicts (out of 10):

Greg S.: 9.0

Justin: 8.0

Scooter: 9.0

Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Square Enix/Level 5 Players: 1 ESRB: Teen www.dragonquest8.com