WHO: Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
WHAT: Remake of a storied JRPG classic that's never seen Western shores until now
WHEN: US: February 17; EU: Feb. 20 (already out in JP)
WHERE: Nintendo DS, aka "The JRPG Sex Machine"
MY SLIMES: Let me show you them
I'm going to borrow lovingly from
the JRPG experts on GAF, because I've never played DQ5 since, well, it's never been released outside of Japan before.
Yes, party talk is in.
Dragon Quest 5 was originally released for the Super Famicom in September, 1992. It was the first Dragon Quest game to be released for Super Famicom, and is the second entry in the Zenithia trilogy, which includes 4, 5, and 6. After years of waiting, this DS version marks the game's first release outside of Japan.
Dragon Quest 5 differs from the earlier games in the series because it places a heavier emphasis on the plot, which some people may be relieved to hear. The story follows a young boy from the time of his birth, through his boyhood and on into manhood. Along the way, he'll have to choose a bride and have children of his own.
This game also brings monster recruitment to the series, which many believe was the inspiration for Pokèmon. Along his journey, the hero will come across many monsters who will want to join his group and fight alongside him. They can gain levels and wear equipment just like human party members. While extremely helpful, this system isn't completely required, but I do hope that those who are apprehensive about it will give it a fair shot.
This is my personal favorite game in the series, so I hope everyone trying it for the first time really enjoys it!
Some screens:
Extra content from fellow DQ whore KiTA:
K... Now, MOVIES!Telphador TussleA Return to ZoomSlime Attack!I want to know more!Dustin's Dragon Quest Shrine is probably your best bet, it being one of the oldest Dragon Quest English Fansites on the web. He's been doing some HUGE media updates on DQ5 lately, and if you want to see more, there's the place to go.
* I pinched the Youtube links and hotlinked images (temporarily, until I get to my server) from Dustin's site... Don't kill me!
A close second would be
Woodus' Dragon's Den, with the most active Dragon Quest forum around.
What about those Other Dragon Quest Games?
* Dragon Quest 6: Realms of Reverie (NDS) -- Not out in Japan yet. It is unlikely that we will see this title this year in the US, although a US release is confirmed. Another "Lost" Dragon Quest title!
* Dragon Quest 9: Guard of the Starry Night (NDS) -- Not out in Japan yet. Delayed until June. Unless they are doing a simultaneous release, we won't see this one this year -- it is confirmed for US release.
* Dragon Quest 10: In Search of a Subtitle (WII) -- Japan might see this in 2010, but it's more likely a 2011 release. We will probably see it in 2012, as it is a confirmed US release.
* Unknown Dragon Quest Monsters Title: Revenge of the Subtitle (Unknown) -- No clue. The sound artist who works on DQ games accidentally let it slip that this is in the works, but nothing else is known.
I am stupid excited for this, since I'm a certified DQ whore and this game's existence (and my inability to play it) has tormented me for the better part of 15 years. All aboard the Dragon Quest hype train!
Posts
Would get it release day, but money's a little tight.
And party talk being in is welcome, welcome news.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
i think i'm half way through Torneko's chapter in 4
so, that means i'll probably buy this, and never finish 4...
also, this: will ruin me.
i never beat DQ:Joker because i kept catching everything possible and fusing it - regardless of the fact that it was not changing my monsters notably.
Still crossing my fingers that they don't ugly up DQ6 when they port it.
Oh God I agree. None of that Final Fantasy IV graphics please, thanks!
I'm happy with it being used for VI.
That, I cannot agree with.
I mean, FFIV's wasn't great, but at least it's fully 3D, and not the combination of ugly sprites and mediocre 3D.
I'd much prefer DQ6 just be left alone, as it's one of the best looking SNES games.
So you hope that Dragon Quest VI DS doesn't use the same engine that Dragon Quest IV DS and Dragon Quest V DS use? Good luck with that!
Both the DQ DS treatment and the FF DS treatment are kind of heinous by today's console standards, but honestly I like both of them.
Yes, I know it's a foolish hope, but I can pretend. I guess I just hope that after two titles, that DQ6 at least looks *better* than 4 and 5.
But DQ4 DS is a good looking game so I think DQ6 DS will look fine in that 3D/2D hybrid style.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
Plenty of us, however, were impressed by how pretty DQIV looked.
I'm looking forward to this game so much it's ridiculous.
Edit: There's a person out there who thinks that the miserably blocky chibi-Japanese polygon models from FFIV DS look better than Akira Toriyama's artwork? Really? Really?
It was pretty much just a port of the PSX version, which was on the same engine as DQ7, which was the ugliest DQ game ever. That's my problem with it. They took my favorite DQ game and remade it to look like my least favorite one.
What are you talking about? Unless you're referring to the monster art, in which case I might agree. The characters look like shit in DQ4 DS.
I think the characters look fine in DQ4 DS and fit well in the theme of the game, and they certainly improve on the original NES sprites. On the other hand, since I played Final Fantasy 4 in 1991 (as Final Fantasy 2), it's been ingrained in my mind for about 17 years that these characters should look like their little deformed sprites. I like that style. Changing them to awkward 3D models didn't improve on that, to me. It's all a matter of opinion I suppose, but I don't think FF4 in 3D added anything to the game.
Getting fairly off topic here, so... I'm happy to see DQ5 in the style it's in and will be happy to see the same style used in DQ6. Can't wait!
Let's start the second page on a nicer note:
DQV "Hero's Path" trailer
And some more description from GAF on the game's monster collecting:
Still waiting for them to bring DQ7 to DS. Fuck you haters, I want it. It would be great because nobody would ever finish it.
Here you go.
wat
This
That's not exactly true. This is the first time the game is available in English legally and officially though.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
Sweepstakes entered! The site is looking great too. I've already played through the Japanese PS2 version of V, but am still really looking forward to playing the new DS translation, being the major DQ fanboy that I am.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/idolninja
Pah.
I too am a bit worried that SE will try and "improve" DQ6's graphics. If Chrono Trigger has good enough graphics for a straight port, I don't see what the problem with DQ6 is.
See? I'm not alone in feeling this way.
I'm not counting on it though.
edit: Also, still mad about not getting DQ5 PS2 in English.
Ugly Sprites?
Sir, i'm gonna have to ask you to step outside. Them thar's FIGHTIN' WORDS!