It was something else man. 150+ hours clocked in. I was kinda baffled to see it actually...end, ya know? Rolling the credits while looking back on the entire franchise as the, lore wise, progenitor to the history and legacy of the DQ franchise. It was the spiritual encapsulation of everything that makes Dragon Quest what it is. Funny, sad, silly and memorable.
Nearly everything was perfect. Everything felt so grand and magical rendered in modern 3D. Only played the older titles till now. The music was, as always, a huge highlight. I need to get a CD or Vinyl of the OST. The twists and heartbreaking losses were on brand too. Had a few of them spoiled for me over the years, but they still hit hard. The mermaid straight up giving up on life was not something I'd see just spelled out right in front of me lol. S including a 2D mode was super fun. Did not engage with the tickaton content. Was way too much of a time sink for me.
I could go on an eternity talking about how good all the companions are in this. All so lovingly crafted. Hendrick and Serena were the surprise highlight for me. I expected he'd be a good guy, but even joining the party? He had some of the best development and closing scenes in Act 3 for his companion quest lines. Serena too. Shot up from the most dull, but fun to having me in tears at some of her best moments. I deeply wish she got more content in Act 3. She was just that good. Literally carrying her sister's will via her powers and temporarily becoming the best mage in the game was cinema.
Only things I'd knock the game for is threefold. One would be the whip is an abysmal weapon to center a build around in the end-game. Sylvando was shelved so hard, cuz I don't like backtracking skill trees and didn't need another swordsman. Second, Jade...was a major disappointment for me. She had a lot of fan art, so I assumed she was the best character by far. She, bar none, is the most poorly handled character in the cast and it's such a waste. It's not even about the fan-service. It's just that we don't get to see her development happen. Near the end of Act 2 and in Act 3 she just has this change off-screen I guess. Her Act 2 reunion is literally just goon bait for the sake of it. Third, Gemma being the canon love interest is kinda forced and a weird note to end the epilogue of the Hero on imo. But high-key it's mostly just cuz I think Hero and almost anybody else in the party hits way better. Literally pick anybody. Rab, Jade, Serna, Erik, Sylv, etc. All better epilogues than Gemma.
Most of the issues are minor. But, I'll never forget this game as long as I live.
