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Posted By ClanoftheGrayWolf about 6 months, 3 weeks ago
16-Bit Gems: Dragon Quest I & II,
16-Bit Gems is back! After a short hiatus, Roo continues his mini-retrospective on the Dragon Quest series. This time, he looks at the definitive versions of the first two games, and examines how they influenced dozens of console RPGs to come. So grab your horned hat and watch the slimes draw near – the Dragonlord’s not going to leave Tantegel Castle alone without a fight!
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The thing that turned me off back in the day was that I never had any idea where to go. I’d just wander around, grind, die, come back, grind, etc, all without ever getting anywhere. I think I once found another town. That’s it.
I hate games that don’t tell you where to go at first. Open world does not mean no instructions. It’s why I hated Zelda 1 as well (well, that and the crappy sword mechanic where you could only stab straight in front and had to be like two pixels, close enough that more often than not, they’d touch you first.)
Welcome back Roo. I’m glad you’re back, missed your awesome 16-bit gems
It’s funny you should bring up the grinding that has become synonymous with Japanese rpgs. Yuji Horii might say that the harder work you do makes the reward you get that much sweeter, but there is also a cultural reason for why grinding is more popular in Japan than it is in America. You know how Americans are. They’re always under severe time restrains. Got to get everything done in a certain amount of time because they have so much to do before they kick the bucket. In Japan, it’s entirely different. You’re supposed to slow down and appreciate the beauty in your surroundings. That and make everything as perfect as you can make it. You can’t do everything half-assed. But to enjoy things and to make them perfect, you have to take the time to do it. It kind of ties in with Horii’s saying about enjoying rewards because you worked your ass off to get them, but it’s also a cultural thing just as much as it is an emotionally aesthetic thing. In Japan, people like to slow down, stop and smell the roses. But in America, you gotta hurry the hell up because you have oats to plow and cheeseburgers to eat. Don’t have time for no grinding!
Upon seeing the older DQ/DW games, I really lament my introduction to the series was 8 which I found to be a completely un-enjoyable experience.
Temple of Doom is the best, yo.
Long time watcher, first time writer…
or…
Hm.
Happy to have you back Roo.
O.O SNES REMAKES NEVER MADE IT TO THE USA? FUUUUUUUUUU*****!
anyways I wouldn’t be able to accept the changes to the SNES versions even if I did have the english translation, because I grew up on the NES port and it is imbedded into my soul. I enjoyed the challenges of the nes version and I wouldn’t like to play it any other way (even if its flawed or tedious). I will give it a try though. and also, welcome back!
Also, wise words from the wise Yuji Horii. I also felt that way when I was playing FF11, all the work I did I knew there would be a reward awaiting me at the end I just had to keep trying. I’m glad I did, I will never forget my very first MMO experience, and my very first character.
Dragon Quest started me on RPGs. Talk about a ridiculously hard game because of its solo aspect. The last castle was so hard you needed to run from most of the enemies just to have enough HP and MP to face the final boss. DQ2 brought in the party aspect, with the fighter, cleric, and mage. DQ3 was amazing bringing in both classes and multi-classing (since you could restart in a different profession at L1, sort of like old school DnD). This feature was a lot like Final Fantasy I. And you can start to see the two series influencing each other at that point. Final Fantasy II brought characters with actual character into the mix, with Dragon Warrior IV having set characters with set classes. I have DQ V, VI, and IX to play on DS, but small screens usually get played elsewhere. VII was a disaster, seemed like the class system was years behind by that point on top of one of the more dreary and depressing stories I ever played through. DQ VIII on PS2 was a total redemption, from an orchestral score that was phenomenal, cel-shaded graphics that were a joy to behold, connections to the oldest DQ games, and the characters and their plights were truly memorable, and the ability to interact with your party through the talk system really made them come to life. The skill system was brilliant and combined with the much better class system, the game was a joy to play. Wish I had more time to play my DS sometimes.
Dragon Quest Never played any of the games I just watched the anime when I was a child
I watched the show first so when I played the games, I was like, “Huh. Baramos really let himself go.”
Awesome retrospective. I’m excited to see the next episode. Thanks for signing my Dragon Quest VIII at ConBravo Roo. I still wish we had the Dragon Quest Anniversary released in US and Canada.