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Platform: PlayStation 2
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Publisher: Square Enix
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Developer: Level 5
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Medium: DVD-ROM
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Players: 1
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Online: No
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Also on: (n/a)
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Like RPGs? Snag this one.
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Speaking candidly, I have to admit that I'm not, on any level, a fan of Dragon Ball. Now, I know this may seem an odd way to begin an article meant to discuss the merits of Dragon Quest VIII, but stick with me. You see, the characters of Dragon Quest VIII were designed by Akira Toriyama, who is perhaps better known as the creator of Dragon Ball Z. And in bringing Mr. Toriyama's designs to 3D, developer Level 5 opted for a graphical technique known as cel-shading, which gives the characters a cartoon-esque look. Therefore, when Dragon Quest VIII opens with a shot of its main cast, including a squat, shriveled green monster, a bulky, spikey-helmeted fellow and the relatively normal-looking hero, all bearing the distinctive stylings of Akira Toriyama, you certainly wouldn't at fault for thinking that you've somehow found yourself in the midst of the latest Dragon Ball spinoff.
But fifteen minutes later, that feeling all but disappears. That's all the time it takes for Dragon Quest VIII to introduce what it has to offer, beginning with a bit of story, a smidgen of battle, some brief dialogue, a snippet of exploration, and finally throwing the first of many quests your way. At this point, thanks to some mystery regarding the importance of your party's horse, the persistence of your overbearing Yoda-esque boss, and the delightful British accent of a fellow party member, any qualms regarding the art style are pushed to the back of your mind, replaced instead by a desire to dig deeper into the game itself.
That's because the world of Dragon Quest VIII is a downright charming place. The overworld is a huge, beautiful environment just begging to be explored. I know that sounds trite and cliche, but it's genuinely true - I was frequently sidetracked from my quests just because I wanted to see if I could get up to that cliff or what was beyond that hill.
And though the overworld is marked by random enemy encounters, they strike the delicate balance that so many role-playing games often miss. These encounters aren't so frequent as to be annoying, but also aren't so rare that your characters become under-developed. Even better, the battles are also balanced in terms of difficulty - not so hard that they're needlessly frustrating, but not so easy that you're just tapping buttons to get through them. Of course, this is somewhat relative, as if you run from too many fights or wander into a particularly tough area, your party will face more of a challenge, but some may argue that's part of the fun.
It helps that even if your party is completely wiped out, it's not game over. Instead, you'll find your party revived at a nearby church, minus half of the gold they were carrying. Yes, it's a steep price to pay, but when it comes to losing some of your imaginary money versus losing hours of gameplay, it's a handy option to have.
As your characters level up, they'll gain skill points which are then be used to upgrade proficiencies. Even here, Level 5's attention to detail is present, as the effects of the skill categories are clearly explained. And though Level 5 didn't mess with the series' traditional turn-based battle system, the presentation is top notch, with the menus and status bars disappearing while the selected actions are carried out, giving each battle a cinematic feel. Even better, enemy designs are frequently amusing, such as the fuzzballs in giant boots known as "stompers."
Sadly, the story of Dragon Quest VIII doesn't quite live up to the lofty standards that define the rest of the game. Though the story is by no means bad, it's not the complex, twist-laden plot that one may expect, especially given the length of the main quest. Thankfully, a cast of richly developed characters help to soften the blow, and though the story may ultimately be very simple, it is well-told throughout the game’s multiple chapters.
With its expansive overworld and lengthy quest, Dragon Quest VIII will keep most busy for at least forty or fifty hours, and that's before all the exploration and sidequests. The entire game is filled with the little touches that show just how much care went into its making, such as the stat-tracking battle record, Yangus' idle nose picking, and in particular, the charming localization. Sure, the story may be a little weak, but that doesn't stop Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King from being among the best, not to mention most polished, role-playing games of the generation. If you’re at all a fan of the genre, don’t miss it.
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