Dragon Quest IV Nerfed: Official Thread

[Dead of Knight]

So yeah, I thought I'd start an official thread about this game since I've hyped it up so much. However, I will not be purchasing it at least until it is bargain-binned, if at all, and I want to tell you why.

The Party Talk feature has been removed from the English versions. This is 100% confirmed for Europe and 99% confirmed for NA (obviously the retail version is not out yet, but all signs point to yes).
Sources: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=942422&topic=45370556
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334126&page=6

For those who don't know, this is one of the most entertaining features of the game that GREATLY enhances the personalities and stories of the characters. It is similar to the Tales series feature where you talk to your party members about events, except you enable it and you can do it at ANY TIME. Speculation is that they removed it because they couldn't fit it on the Euro version with 5-language support, or that they were too cheap and/or lazy to translate it.

This means the ONLY way to get the COMPLETE version of this game, a game that Westerners have been yearning for ever since the fuckers at Enix proudly advertised in the back of the manual for DW7 for PSone as COMING SOON to America on PSone and then canceled, is to again to play the Japanese version. And for that, Square-Enix NA/Europe can go fuck themselves in my book, especially at the $40 MSRP, for giving us a nerfed version of one of the best games ever made. I hope that at least some other CAGs will join me in delaying their purchases. I do realize that CC and Amazon are both offering discounts, but I still do not think I should honor these assholes with a launch purchase.

[siderealshift]

If true, that's disappointing. I'll probably wait to pick this one up, but I can't see myself skipping it outright. I like the Dragon Quest series too much to do that.

[pete5883]

Disappointing? Yes. Enough to keep me away from the game? Not even close.

[Paco]

Fuck that. After making me wait eight years, I'll probably shoot someone if I don't get it next week. The original Dragon Warrior 4 didn't have it either so it won't phase me that much.

But I guess I'll have to do some LULZODRY to get this. Gamecrazy. Prepare to get copies of 50 cent bulletproof in.

[Moxio]

The JPN version has a partly translated script, right? Is the Party Talk in there translated?

[laaj]

I hope that at least some other CAGs will join me in delaying their purchases.

That's a terrible idea. There's a chance if initial sales of DQ4 tanks, Square-Enix could decide to cancel any future DQ titles to US (DQ 5,6,9). Sounds to me like you're trying to make an issue out of nothing.

[laaj]

The original Dragon Warrior 4 didn't have it either so it won't phase me that much.


Then I have no idea what the OP was fucking shitting about.

[Dead of Knight]

That's a terrible idea. There's a chance if initial sales of DQ4 tanks, Square-Enix could decide to cancel any future DQ titles to US (DQ 5,6,9). Sounds to me like you're trying to make an issue out of nothing.

They've already been confirmed to come out here (at least 5 and 6). If they're cutting out features in this day and age, they don't deserve our sales. This is 90s Atlus and Namco bullshit. Don't they remember the fan shitstorm that ensued when Atlus cut out a sizeable portion of Persona 1? Hell, Namco pulled pretty much the exact same bullshit with Tales of Destiny 1 and 2 (Eternia), removing the event talk features completely from those games..... back in fucking 1998 and 2001... on the PSone.

Then I have no idea what the OP was fucking shitting about.

They're in the Japanese versions (PSone and DS), Einstein, and add potentially hours to the game. :roll:

[laaj]

They've already been confirmed to come out here (at least 5 and 6). If they're cutting out features in this day and age, they don't deserve our sales. This is 90s Atlus and Namco bullshit. Don't they remember the fan shitstorm that ensued when Atlus cut out a sizeable portion of Persona 1? Hell, Namco pulled pretty much the exact same bullshit with Tales of Destiny 1 and 2 (Eternia), removing the event talk features completely from those games..... back in fucking 1998 and 2001... on the PSone.

They're in the Japanese versions (PSone and DS), Einstein. :roll:

Nothing is confirmed until it actually gets released. And buy the Japanese version if you like that feature so much. Problem solved.

[Dead of Knight]

Nothing is confirmed until it actually gets released. And buy the Japanese version if you like that feature so much. Problem solved.

I'm not fluent in Japanese. And my boyfriend already owns the Japanese PSone release anyway, so I'm covered there. I really was dying to play it, COMPLETELY in English, without needing my boyfriend by my side to translate it all.

Of course, if it turns out this wasn't removed in the NA version, and it was only removed in the European version, then of course I will purchase it, but will still feel some pain for the European gamers. My judgment remains one of anger until then though.

[zatos]

Sucks... but I really hope it does well... I really want the Dragon Quest series to catch on in NA and be a big franchise.

[Krymner]

While the unnecessary deletion of this aforementioned feature does contain anger-approved suckage, I cannot in good consciousness forgo my eminent purchase of Dragon Quest IV.

While the OP may have a boyfriend with the PS1 version that can always translate to her the Japanese bits, the rest of us do not have this luxury, so we'll take what we're given and swallow it with a bitter pill if necessary.

[whitereflection]

As you mentioned, the game was supposed to release for PSone in NA; the Japanese DS version already has an English translation in it, so if the party talk feature is that important to you, what's the problem?

[keithp]

I'm delaying my purchase--I'm with you, DoK!!!

...oh wait, I'm delaying my purchase 'cos it's overpriced to begin with, not because some feature has been left out...

[Poor2More]

I will stand with you dead of night on this fight (Because I dont have $40 at the moment for this game :))

but yea I would not by it anyhow for taking out an inportant feature, I enjoyed it in Tales

[botticus]

I survived the "nerfing" of support convos in Fire Emblem, I imagine I'll be okay with a game I've never played and want to.

[pete5883]

As you mentioned, the game was supposed to release for PSone in NA; the Japanese DS version already has an English translation in it, so if the party talk feature is that important to you, what's the problem?

The Japanese DS version does not have a complete English translation, it was still a work-in-progress.

They've already been confirmed to come out here (at least 5 and 6). If they're cutting out features in this day and age, they don't deserve our sales. This is 90s Atlus and Namco bullshit. Don't they remember the fan shitstorm that ensued when Atlus cut out a sizeable portion of Persona 1? Hell, Namco pulled pretty much the exact same bullshit with Tales of Destiny 1 and 2 (Eternia), removing the event talk features completely from those games..... back in fucking 1998 and 2001... on the PSone.

They're in the Japanese versions (PSone and DS), Einstein, and add potentially hours to the game. :roll:
If DQ4 sells 6 copies, do you really think they'll release 5 and 6 anyway? No, they won't. They have cut out a feature, but since it hasn't been determined that it was done due to laziness, and very well could be due to unavoidable space restrictions, you are assuming the worst.

Calling the reaction to Persona 1 a "shitstorm" is a bit of an exaggeration. I'd be surprised if Persona 1 sold 100,000 copies, making the number of people who cared very limited.

Finally, talk feature adding hours to the game? That's a little much If I remember VII well, you hit talk, and a character will say "Oh, let's get to the next town!" And that's it. It's not exactly involved character development like the Tales series. I'm about to pop in VII to make sure.

Edit: Hell, it's even worse than I remember. "Gabo was lost in thought." "Maribel was lost in thought."

OK, I'm sure it isn't always that bad. But it isn't that good either.

[whitereflection]

The Japanese DS version does not have a complete English translation, it was still a work-in-progress.

It has a 99% complete English translation. What it doesn't have is a polished translation, like in the other recent DS remakes. If you've played an RPG before the PS2, this translation is more than satisfactory.

[Dead of Knight]

Finally, talk feature adding hours to the game? That's a little much If I remember VII well, you hit talk, and a character will say "Oh, let's get to the next town!" And that's it. It's not exactly involved character development like the Tales series. I'm about to pop in VII to make sure.

Edit: Hell, it's even worse than I remember. "Gabo was lost in thought." "Maribel was lost in thought."

OK, I'm sure it isn't always that bad. But it isn't that good either.

The party talk feature is much more fleshed out in DQIVr than 7 or 8.

[JCAll]

First let me say that I hate it when American releases get heavily altered versions of the game or no apparent reason. I missed the old Talk menu from the other Dragon Warrior Games in Dragon Quest 8, but I didn't really care because I was glad to get the thing at all.

And that's it. I like the Dragon Quest game, and there are a good number of them that didn't make it to this side of the Pacific. And I don't want them to stop releasing them here. So wild Dragons are going to have to drop out of the sky and attack me on the way to the Wal-Mart to even begin to stop me from getting the remake of one of the greatest games ever made, expecially since I was screwed out of one remake already.

[Astinus Majere]

First let me say that I hate it when American releases get heavily altered versions of the game or no apparent reason. I missed the old Talk menu from the other Dragon Warrior Games in Dragon Quest 8, but I didn't really care because I was glad to get the thing at all.

And that's it. I like the Dragon Quest game, and there are a good number of them that didn't make it to this side of the Pacific. And I don't want them to stop releasing them here. So wild Dragons are going to have to drop out of the sky and attack me on the way to the Wal-Mart to even begin to stop me from getting the remake of one of the greatest games ever made, expecially since I was screwed out of one remake already.

I feel pretty much the same way. It would have been nice for them to include all of the extra features, but I'm just glad to be actually getting the game. There are a lot of games that were never released in america, and I would be glad to take them, even with some of the features cut.

[Chacrana]

It's disappointing, but I'm not going to boycott the game because it's been excised. Unless I'm mistaken, this is the only way I'll get to play the remade DQIV in English, so I'll take what I can get.

[The n00b Avenger]

It's not a space issue, there's over 20 MBs of free space left on the cart to use. It's just laziness. People seem to be brushing off this feature as "well it's cool if you forgot where to go" as if it telling you where to go next is its only application. That only comprises up of like, 1/5 of its novelty

[johnnypark]

I'm disappointed, but I have to say I won't be canceling my preorder. Way too stoked on this game, no matter what, and I'd like to reflect that by getting it when it comes out.

[JEKKI]

yah this seems real awful imo...

I definitely would like to hear confirmation coz these events seem to be a pretty significant factor in the overall enjoyment of the game

[rainking187]

WTF guys? I thought Square Enix was better then this. Normally we don't get screwed out of content until there's an international edition.

[laaj]

IMO they took out the party talk feature on purpose. Japanese gamers might not have any problems with obsessively checking for bits of extra story but that won't fly with Western gamers. And NOBODY plays DQ games for story. Is all about simple RPG gameplay.

[jer7583]

I was already on the fence about this one at $40 and this just makes it easier to put off a purchase. Especially before the holiday rush arrives.

Laaj is wrong, this is a bad thing. I read about it in previews and I thought it was an interesting bit to the game that made it a little different than the standard NES jRPG remake. Having something removed for the US market shouldn't still be happening these days. ESPECIALLY when they're charging a $10 premium on the game.

Gonna go with DoK on this one. She IS the super bitch, after all.

[Dead of Knight]

I was already on the fence about this one at $40 and this just makes it easier to put off a purchase. Especially before the holiday rush arrives.

Laaj is wrong, this is a bad thing. I read about it in previews and I thought it was an interesting bit to the game that made it a little different than the standard NES jRPG remake. Having something removed for the US market shouldn't still be happening these days. ESPECIALLY when they're charging a $10 premium on the game.

Gonna go with DoK on this one. She IS the super bitch, after all.
Thank you. Just changed my preorder to Valkyria Chronicles yesterday at Lamestop, no hassle at all.

Here's some decent confirmation it's not in the NA version, courtesy of Gamefaqs. Additionally, the RPGamer review was released today and makes no mention of it at all:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=942422&topic=45370556
I just got a copy of the strategy guide today (Bradygames). The 'how to not get lost section' suggests look everywhere, talk to everybody, rotate the camera, etc... but doesn't say anything about 'ask your party.' I would think that would be an obvious pointer if it were an option, since that has been the primary purpose of the party talk function since it's inception.

I suspect this is final confirmation that the US version was also dumbed down.
Took a look into the rom, and party chat is definitely missing. The full english script is around 800k, which is missing around 1meg of text from what the Japanese script has. Crazy that the party chat is more than the entire regular script... but yes, it's completely and utterly missing.

To people who said this isn't a big deal... OVER HALF the dialogue of the game is gone. Like I said, this is a MASSIVE deal. It's NOT half-assed like the DQ7/8 Party Talk features; it is a significant part of the game that has been cut.

[jer7583]

That's disappointing.

[Paco]

I remember beating the original Dragon Warrior 4. That game had a huge amount of text. And the remake supposedly adds a ton more text on story alone. But the party chat being more then the actual game dialogue? HOLY SHIT that's just fucking lazy. And they want us to support them? They want to get moar headway in America while pulling this shit off? Hell I might as well just buy the game used, then write a letter telling them I bought it used so they wouldn't make any profit off of it. That and then write and tell them that the 360 games will not see profit too because of easy piracy.

[pete5883]

To people who said this isn't a big deal... OVER HALF the dialogue of the game is gone. Like I said, this is a MASSIVE deal. It's NOT half-assed like the DQ7/8 Party Talk features; it is a significant part of the game that has been cut.
A big deal if you were actually going to talk to your party after every plot point. For everyone else, it's not really half the script. But I have to admit, the more I read, the more it looks like pure cheapness on S-E's part (if random GameFAQs users are really to be believed.)

[laaj]

the RPGamer review was released today and makes no mention of it at all

To people who said this isn't a big deal... OVER HALF the dialogue of the game is gone. Like I said, this is a MASSIVE deal. It's NOT half-assed like the DQ7/8 Party Talk features; it is a significant part of the game that has been cut.Probably because RPGamer reviewer didn't think this feature was notable to even mention. You keep mentioning how much dialogue the party talk feature has on Japanese DS version without any proof. Some screen caps would be nice.

I personally find all this amusing. A feature almost nobody on US has ever seen or heard of is worth mentioning. All this are minor issues compared to why Square-Enix changed the perfectly fine Japanese scripts to English. How dare they change that! :roll:

[bigl523]

In regards to the ROM script size, it may be smaller due to the fact that it only includes English and not Japanese+English. Just a thought.

[detectiveconan16]

Pah... It's still not going to stop me from playing this awesome game. Yes, a good deal of party dialogue is taken out. But a rabid fan community will help fill in the blanks of the characters if I wish to learn more about them.

[Magic Pink]

I absolutely loathe all the excess party cut scenes in the Tales series and if they cut out HOURS of boring text not only could I care less but I applaud them for it.

[pete5883]

In regards to the ROM script size, it may be smaller due to the fact that it only includes English and not Japanese+English. Just a thought.
This is a good point.

Not to mention that the game is only really $30, as long as you have access to a Circuit City.

[Dead of Knight]

Probably because RPGamer reviewer didn't think this feature was notable to even mention. You keep mentioning how much dialogue the party talk feature has on Japanese DS version without any proof. Some screen caps would be nice.

I personally find all this amusing. A feature almost nobody on US has ever seen or heard of is worth mentioning. All this are minor issues compared to why Square-Enix changed the perfectly fine Japanese scripts to English. How dare they change that! :roll:

Proof? Go fuck yourself. I've posted several threads regarding the issue from third-party sources about how much has been cut. My boyfriend has played the remake and has constantly been telling me how awesome and complete this feature is. I've posted more than enough proof; it's obvious you're just trolling by now. I'm sure if I showed screen caps you'd be like, "Oh they're in Japanese, how am I supposed to know if this is really what you're talking about?" :roll: Everyone else has posted their opinions in a decent manner, whether they're still getting the game or not, but you're the only one who's really being an ass about it, and I'm sick of it.

And the RPGamer reviewer is a noob to the series and probably didn't even know the feature existed in the first place. Thanks for playing, try again.

[lilboo]

^ <3 :applause:

[Lord_Kefka]

Meh. Beat the game on NES back in the day. That's a major disappointment since I absolutely love a good story and character development. But honestly, it probably won't make playing the game again a less enjoyable experience. The game was great even with limited story the first go-round here in the U.S.

I think this will keep me from picking it up until at least the Black Friday sales. But I'm with the people who won't condemn the entire company/series due to this. I enjoy the games too much and want to see more come out here. And that will only happen with sales. Confirmed for U.S. or not doesn't matter. Just like taking features out, things can be cancelled at the last minute. It's simple business; cutting your losses if the project won't be profitable. If OP wanted to start an email/web petition thing to NOT nerf features then sign my ass up.

[Jesus_S_Preston]

I'd rather have a game with less conversations than no game?

[Dead of Knight]

Meh. Beat the game on NES back in the day. That's a major disappointment since I absolutely love a good story and character development. But honestly, it probably won't make playing the game again a less enjoyable experience. The game was great even with limited story the first go-round here in the U.S.

I think this will keep me from picking it up until at least the Black Friday sales. But I'm with the people who won't condemn the entire company/series due to this. I enjoy the games too much and want to see more come out here. And that will only happen with sales. Confirmed for U.S. or not doesn't matter. Just like taking features out, things can be cancelled at the last minute. It's simple business; cutting your losses if the project won't be profitable. If OP wanted to start an email/web petition thing to NOT nerf features then sign my ass up.

Good post. I definitely still want to play the game, but I don't really want to give Square any money for it. I have decided to plan on buying it used when the price goes down. I'd rather give my money to eBay or Shitstop than Square. I'm not going to condemn the entire company or series, as I love DQ and some other of their franchises too much to do that, but I'm not going to give them money for fucking this up. And yes, it was likely a business decision to remove this. I'm an accountant and I know all too well how bean counters are about stuff like this. As you can see from this thread and the others I've linked to, a lot of people don't care that the feature is gone, and that's what Square was hoping for when they decided not to translate half the game to save money. I'm not going to give them my business, though, even though I desperately want to play the game even without the Party Talk (despite the lack of characterization without it) . It's the principle of the thing.

I'd rather have a game with less conversations than no game?

Agreed. But I'm not going to pay Square $40 for it. Maybe if they charged half the price for half the game.

[Moxio]

I'm disappointed mostly that the lack of the Party Talk means less development for the characters, who are already pretty shallow as it is.

[Chacrana]

Hopefully they'll keep the convos in Dragon Quest V if this game sells well enough... though obviously, if they were willing to cut it here, I suppose there's no stoppin' them with that game, either.

[Dead of Knight]

I'm disappointed mostly that the lack of the Party Talk means less development for the characters, who are already pretty shallow as it is.

Same here. If it were as shitty as the Party Talk in 7 or 8, I wouldn't care as much. But it really adds a lot to the game and its characters. Someone on Gamefaqs was bitching about how the characters are very shallow. This wouldn't have been nearly as much of an issue if they kept Party Talk in.

[yayece]

Man, how disappointing. Square-Enix really has a stranglehold on these things. I find it unfortunate that they have such a loyal fanbase. S-E can do whatever it wants and the fans will eat it up, thinking "OMG, we're getting DQ!!!11!one!!" $40, blah. Removed content, blah. I really don't have much time or patience for RPGs anymore, (FF4,5,6 for GBA are still sitting in my queue, unopened) so I think I'll pass on DQ4 for now.

[Paco]

I'm still buying it, but with EA dollars. I'm going to give them EA sports until they choke on em.

[laaj]

Proof? Go fuck yourself. I've posted several threads regarding the issue from third-party sources about how much has been cut. My boyfriend has played the remake and has constantly been telling me how awesome and complete this feature is. I've posted more than enough proof


No you haven't. On previous posts on this thread you stated that party talk had more than half of text in the game. Which goes to show how you tend to exaggerate.

[Kerig]

how about this "inferior version" for $29.99? Pick it up this week at CC and get a $10 gift card. I just really hope they do that with Chrono Trigger as well, I'm not paying $40 for any DS game that doesn't come with a personal massage peripheral.

[pete5883]

No you haven't. On previous posts on this thread you stated that party talk had more than half of text in the game. Which goes to show how you tend to exaggerate.
How do you suggest she prove it?

[laaj]

How do you suggest she prove it?

Show us how much text Japanese version's party talk feature has. There are entire game scripts on gamefaqs and there has to be something like that for DQ4 somewhere. Even if we wouldn't be able to understand it, we'll know how much we'll be missing.

Edit>If script for entire game is unreasonable, 1 chapter length or even half or third of a chapter if party feature really contain that much texts.

[pete5883]

Show us how much text Japanese version's party talk feature has. There are entire game scripts on gamefaqs and there has to be something like that for DQ4 somewhere. Even if we wouldn't be able to understand it, we'll know how much we'll be missing.

Edit>If script for entire game is unreasonable, 1 chapter length or even half or third of a chapter if party feature really contain that much texts.

:roll: Yes, people put game scripts on GameFAQs, but those are taken from cutscenes. No one ever takes every piece of NPC dialog from the game and puts it on GameFAQs. The party talk is essentially an entire game's worth of NPC dialog. Obviously, no one does it for just half a chapter, either. Which would be inconsistent anyway, since 1-4 are so short, and 5 is so long.

[botticus]

Is this supposed to be in stores tomorrow or Wednesday?

[nectarsis1]

Many places look to SHIP today...in stores Tues/Wed. depending on store.

[eastx]

Proof? Go fuck yourself. I've posted several threads regarding the issue from third-party sources about how much has been cut. My boyfriend has played the remake and has constantly been telling me how awesome and complete this feature is. I've posted more than enough proof; it's obvious you're just trolling by now.

Wow, I feel sorry for your boyfriend. The lack of social skills you're displaying here means you can't be very pleasant to be around. Nobody is trolling here, and your attempts at getting everyone riled up about this change in the game have obviously met with very limited success. Still buying.

[Axersia]

Why do people care so much about the removal of this one mechanic?

You actually have to activate it yourself, right? Well, chances are I would've gone through the whole game without even knowing about it. I think I only used the party talk function twice in DQVIII. Did DQV (PS2) and VI (SNES) have a party talk function? Because I've played through most of them and never came across it.

I really couldn't care less, and I'm still looking forward to this game. In fact, I've already pre-ordered this game (the US version) a few days ago and have absolutely no regrets.

[johnnypark]

Damn, guys, people are getting a little hostile, don't you think? Sure, DoK is being a little more outspoken on the issue than most of us seem to think is necessary, but I support her decision and I think it freakin' sucks they got rid of it. I'm just too excited about it to let it alter my purchase.

Considering DoK has been talking about this game since the JP version was announced and nothing more than 1 or 2 small scans from Famitsu (and sharing in my excitement for it!), I think she has every right to feel slighted by this move, especially since she's the only one in this thread (as far as I know, if not please correct me) who's had a chance to see the Party Talk 1st-hand in the original version and knows what kind of value it put in the game for her.

It's easy to say we don't care enough about something we never had. But for someone who's had a chance to enjoy it (albeit through a translator, in bits and pieces) it sucks to know they got rid of it.

So how about we have a lot less of this :argue:, and a whole lot more of this :grouphug:

And if that's too much for you, then kindly :ziplip:!

[eastx]

Damn, guys, people are getting a little hostile, don't you think? Sure, DoK is being a little more outspoken on the issue than most of us seem to think is necessary, but I support her decision and I think it freakin' sucks they got rid of it. I'm just too excited about it to let it alter my purchase.

Considering DoK has been talking about this game since the JP version was announced and nothing more than 1 or 2 small scans from Famitsu (and sharing in my excitement for it!), I think she has every right to feel slighted by this move, especially since she's the only one in this thread (as far as I know, if not please correct me) who's had a chance to see the Party Talk 1st-hand in the original version and knows what kind of value it put in the game for her.


Firstly, she's being really nerdy. That's okay, I can live with it. But she insulted someone who asked for proof of her outlandish and exaggerated claims. That's rude and illogical. It kinda ties back to the nerdiness thing. The idea that someone wouldn't care about that feature's removal seems to make her angry. I just jumped in because I didn't like Laaj being treated so badly.

[Dufus]

I agree that it sucks that Japan gets a more complete version. But the game is long enough on its own and I am sure most people would not spend several additional hours ready text.

It also may have delayed the release longer if Square took the time to translate the party talk feature.

[whitereflection]

Considering DoK has been talking about this game since the JP version was announced and nothing more than 1 or 2 small scans from Famitsu (and sharing in my excitement for it!), I think she has every right to feel slighted by this move, especially since she's the only one in this thread (as far as I know, if not please correct me) who's had a chance to see the Party Talk 1st-hand in the original version and knows what kind of value it put in the game for her.

No one in this thread has actually seen the Party Talk feature firsthand, not even DoK: "My boyfriend has played the remake and has constantly been telling me how awesome and complete this feature is". I guess it does mean more to her, but as far as I'm concerned, that's just another person on the Internet telling us how American gamers get ripped off.

Japanese gamers have always paid to pay more for their games than us. Period. I'm not even talking about the Final Fantasy International or Kingdom Hearts Final Mix kind of editions - their standard releases usually cost more than ours, even for domestic titles. Dragon Quest is probably the most popular series there, so it makes sense that they'd want to do things right. Personally, I would've still been peeved to pay $40 for Dragon Quest even if it had the Party Talk feature, so $30 for it without is a fair compromise.

[slidecage]

i hope CC gets this tuesday

[Dead of Knight]

No one in this thread has actually seen the Party Talk feature firsthand, not even DoK: "My boyfriend has played the remake and has constantly been telling me how awesome and complete this feature is". I guess it does mean more to her, but as far as I'm concerned, that's just another person on the Internet telling us how American gamers get ripped off.


He has played the game in front of me. I have even seen the final boss in the remake if you would like me to spoil that for you.

Thank you, johnnypark, for your thoughtful posts. I'm not trying to make any enemies here, but I will defend myself.

[pete5883]

For reference, DQIV in Japan started at 5490 yen. Which is about $53.

[ZForce915]

Question. Is the party talk feature in the NES (US) version of DW/DQ IV? If it is, then I'm bummed about it being removed. If not, then I'd never know it was gone and I couldn't care less.

[Paco]

No, it was never in the NES release.

[Zing]

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 were some of the best memories of my gaming life. Screw DQ4, where is my DQ 1 & 2 remake?

But honestly, I am finding it hard to be excited or angered in any way by a remake of a PS1 remake of a NES game.

[laaj]

where is my DQ 1 & 2 remake?


Try the GBC version. Both 1 & 2 on the same cart and they did a nice job on porting it. DW3 on GBC was iffy to me because they added personality stats.

Edit>Since you don't like how DQ4 is port of PS1 version, not sure how much you'll like the fact that GBC versions were a port of Super Famicon ports.

[nectarsis1]

I thought DQ4 wasn't a port as to the code being lost when the old devs closed sop and Dragon Warrior 4 PS1 was stillborn.

[Moxio]

DWIII remake! :whee:

[darkcecil32]

Probably because RPGamer reviewer didn't think this feature was notable to even mention. You keep mentioning how much dialogue the party talk feature has on Japanese DS version without any proof. Some screen caps would be nice.

I personally find all this amusing. A feature almost nobody on US has ever seen or heard of is worth mentioning. All this are minor issues compared to why Square-Enix changed the perfectly fine Japanese scripts to English. How dare they change that! :roll:

That would be hard to tell without having said Japanese characters translated into English. It would be quite hard to judge the length in English, assuming there is lots of kanji used. Plus if you want to be really poetic and are really verbose, you can make even simple japanese sentences seem long winded in Englsih. I know the joy of kanji, I'm currently taking my third semester in college and it's merely a course I'm taking for fun (6 credits, too, ^_^).

Considering that these features weren't in the ORIGINAL version of DQ4 on the NES, I don't think it's that bad. This is after all a remake, and it is at their discretion what "additional" content to add, and even though the party talk feature is present in the Japanese remake, it is still *additional* content. Regrettable and disappointing, perhaps. A shame undoubtedly. However, I just don't think this cripples the package, but rather prevents it from being optimized/enhanced as much as it could have.

Hopefully if they get enough feedback, maybe we'll see the feature in the next two DS remakes. However, it still won't prevent me from getting the games because I am thrilled that they are being brought over here.

[JCAll]

Man, how disappointing. Square-Enix really has a stranglehold on these things. I find it unfortunate that they have such a loyal fanbase. S-E can do whatever it wants and the fans will eat it up, thinking "OMG, we're getting DQ!!!11!one!!" $40, blah. Removed content, blah. I really don't have much time or patience for RPGs anymore, (FF4,5,6 for GBA are still sitting in my queue, unopened) so I think I'll pass on DQ4 for now.

I've refused to buy several square games because of bad design. FF12 for instance with the apparently obnoxious way you have to get equipment. Randomly generated treasure chest content my ass. whose idea was that!? Battle through the obnoxiously hard boss, or two, and win your prize, a Potion. Screw that.

Now, on the other hand I've followed the Tales games since Tales of Destiny. The first one released in America. Which had had the skit system removed for whatever reason. Now I love the skits in Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss, especially anything that involves Jade, but they're not important. Now there are several Tales games that didn't make it to America and if translating the skits is what's keeping us from getting Tales of Destiny 2 then screw them they're not that important to me.

It's the same here. I've already said I consider Dragon Warrior 4 to be one of the greatest games ever made. Despite the idiot AI. It's the only game I ever stayed home from shcool to play. If the Party Talk isn't there so be it, I'll be here when the Party Talk comes back and I'll still be here when they leave it out again in the future. I hate it, but the game is more important.

[pete5883]

Hopefully if they get enough feedback, maybe we'll see the feature in the next two DS remakes. However, it still won't prevent me from getting the games because I am thrilled that they are being brought over here.
I was thinking I'd only buy DQV if they put party talk back in, but isn't V the one where your whole party is monsters?

[Axersia]

I was thinking I'd only buy DQV if they put party talk back in, but isn't V the one where your whole party is monsters?

No, that's the Dragon Quest Monsters series. DQV introduced monster recruitment, but it's an optional part of the game.

[pete5883]

I know the difference between DQM and DQV. But I haven't seen a single DQV screenshot that shows a human party member:

http://www.woodus.com/den/gallery/graphics/dq5ps2/screenshot/dq5ps2_068.jpg
http://www.woodus.com/den/gallery/graphics/dq5ps2/screenshot/dq5ps2_088.jpg
etc.

[Axersia]

I guess "optional" isn't the right word. It's a major part of the game and actually ties in with the story. But you are able to create a party consisting of only humans eventually.

[slidecage]

DWIII remake! :whee:


they did it already for the gameboy : )

LOVE TO SEE If it would fit


Dragon quest 1 2 3 on one DS game ..

or
Dragon quest 1 2 3 4 on one PSP and 5 and 6 on another ..

[Masterkyo]

So far Dragon Quest 4/5/6/9 on DS. Now if they can re-make 1/2/3/7 on DS is will be very nice ;)

[slidecage]

So far Dragon Quest 4/5/6/9 on DS. Now if they can re-make 1/2/3/7 on DS is will be very nice ;)

only took what 5 or 6 years to see DQ 4-6 come out after being told they were being made. by the time they get ready to make 1-3 nintendo will have a new system out

Too bad you cant play gameboy games on the Ds cause you could take DQ 1--6 on the road with the ds

[josh_animebum]

So I went out to try and grab the game, but apparently the only store in town to have a copy must have decided to raise the Square-Enix tag even higher. My local Walmart had the game tagged (and subsequently it scanned at) $49.88.

In retrospect, I'm now just going to order it from Circuit City and wait the few days.

[xycury]

So I went out to try and grab the game, but apparently the only store in town to have a copy must have decided to raise the Square-Enix tag even higher. My local Walmart had the game tagged (and subsequently it scanned at) $49.88.

In retrospect, I'm now just going to order it from Circuit City and wait the few days.

$50?!! geez....

I think mine shipped from Amazon... got the guide today.

[utopianmachine]

Started playing this one this morning after putting down the shallow Spore Creatures (and dabbling a bit in Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir, which is more amusing than one would think). Put about a half hour into the game, and I definitely waxed nostaligic for a bit. Although I've never played a Dragon Quest game, I did play Dragon Warrior Monsters extensively as a teen, and I rather enjoyed hearing the old familiar sound effects and seeing the monsters of yore. Hard to say if the game will hold up, especially since I played such a good chunck of FFIV, and that one's hard to top.

[Paco]

They removed what I call the RAPEICULTY in this game. In less then six hours, I"m already in Chapter 4. It took that much time just to beat the first chapter in the US while maybe working on the second chapter. Fights move much quicker, you get a lot more experience, you do more damage, you take less damage, you're paid more gold and you seem to get more things from battles. The fact that you don't make mexican wages from battles makes the game a lot faster.

[chair_home]

Got mine from CC with the gift card after telling the cashier that it comes with one. Played through the first chapter so far and it does seem like its going pretty fast. I did the first chapter in just under an hour. The game is really fun and the accents add to the personality of the characters. Can't wait to play more... its been so long since I've finished DW IV on the NES.

[utopianmachine]

Played through the first chapter so far and it does seem like its going pretty fast. I did the first chapter in just under an hour.

From the different reviews I've read, it seems the first chapters which introduce the different characters are on the shorter side, while the final chapter which merges them all together into a party is considerably longer.

[DQT]

I have to agree with DoK with this one. I'm not interested in this game but I think lots of RPGs could benefit from a party talk-like feature. It'd be cool if characters would actually interact with each other while they're running around the world instead of just in between battles and cutscenes. I really liked the scenes in CT where characters would just talk to each other around a campfire.

It makes a hell of a lot more sense than characters suddenly talking about their love lives after a massive boss battle.cough FFVI cough

Anyways I'd be mad too if one of my most anticipated games had a feature cut, no matter how minor.

[darkcecil32]

I was thinking I'd only buy DQV if they put party talk back in, but isn't V the one where your whole party is monsters?

Sorry, I have no clue. DQ 7,8 and DQ/DW1 are the only Dragon Quest games that I have ever played. If what you said is true, DQ5 may be the "bastard child" of the series ala FF5 and the job system.

[Dead of Knight]

So I went out to try and grab the game, but apparently the only store in town to have a copy must have decided to raise the Square-Enix tag even higher. My local Walmart had the game tagged (and subsequently it scanned at) $49.88.

In retrospect, I'm now just going to order it from Circuit City and wait the few days.

LOL!

Yeah, the first four chapters are very short. The real meat of the game is Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 is like an epilogue, so no worries. Keep posting impressions, guys, I'm looking forward to reading them even though I won't be getting the game for a while.

[pete5883]

Picked mine up today at CC, but I'll be saving it for my plane trip to Vegas next month :-#

[botticus]

Best Buy eventually made up for CC not getting it today (yay guarantee!). Turning on my DS now.

[pete5883]

You skipped on free $10? Better Richer man than I.

[slidecage]

chapter 2 SNOWMAN is a SOB... its pure luck if you hit it or not. Lost 5 times in a row and getting pissed LOL

[sundaysuit]

I bought this game yesterday.
I'm only an hour or so into it, but I like it so far.
Circuit City didn't have it, Best Buy didn't have it, but Fry's came through.

[Dead of Knight]

You skipped on free $10? Better Richer man than I.

Pricematch probably.

[Monsta Mack]

So it looks like my NES version will hold value then?
Party talk was in the original NES version? It's been so long since I booted up my NES so I can't remember.

I do remember paying $40 for the NES cart and was like "Damn, did I just pay $40 for a NES game?"

[pete5883]

Pricematch probably.
I was under the impression that BB didn't match GC offers. I guess it all depends on your cashier.
So it looks like my NES version will hold value then?
Party talk was in the original NES version? It's been so long since I booted up my NES so I can't remember.
No, it was not in the NES version.

[botticus]

I was under the impression that BB didn't match GC offers. I guess it all depends on your cashier.
They'll pricematch anything when you sound more knowledgeable than them. ;) ASM called over to the SM and they put it through for $29.99.

I hope Seeds of Strength are easy to come by... apparently you can only carry two items at a time, and they're thrown out when you get new items? So my Seed of Strength, Antidote, and a Medicine herb or two were lost as I was exploring the initial areas last night.

[chair_home]

I was under the impression that BB didn't match GC offers. I guess it all depends on your cashier.


Depends on how you explain it. I didn't do it for this, but you could always bring up that they did do the GC price match with TRU for Mario Galaxy.

chapter 2 SNOWMAN is a SOB... its pure luck if you hit it or not. Lost 5 times in a row and getting pissed LOL

Yes. The "trick" is to keep attacking the same one. Chances are you'll hit it once every so often (better chances than if you randomly picked a different one each round), and as long as you keep healing, you'll eventually get through it. That was one of the more annoying fights though.

I hope Seeds of Strength are easy to come by... apparently you can only carry two items at a time, and they're thrown out when you get new items? So my Seed of Strength, Antidote, and a Medicine herb or two were lost as I was exploring the initial areas last night.

... No? You can carry a lot more than two items. I think its more around 16 or 20. Check your bag (looks like a sack), or maybe you just didn't press "right" when looking at your item list to go to the next page? You will never lose items without the game asking you if you want to throw it out (I think)

[botticus]

:-s Ha, I'm guessing it's a result of being unaware that you have multiple pages of items. I will investigate.

[johnnypark]

They removed what I call the RAPEICULTY in this game. In less then six hours, I"m already in Chapter 4. It took that much time just to beat the first chapter in the US while maybe working on the second chapter. Fights move much quicker, you get a lot more experience, you do more damage, you take less damage, you're paid more gold and you seem to get more things from battles. The fact that you don't make mexican wages from battles makes the game a lot faster.

Ha, I remember doing battles for an hour just to save up for the Chain Mail, just to go into the cave to find Healy. By the time you get him you've spent 3 hours in Ragnar's quest alone!

[Paco]

Ha, I remember doing battles for an hour just to save up for the Chain Mail, just to go into the cave to find Healy. By the time you get him you've spent 3 hours in Ragnar's quest alone!

Remember how they also did more normal damage and had far more critical hits? You remember how much of a pain that was? I think it was like 4-5 hours before you finished Ragnar's first area. Another huge change was having essentially infinite herbs in the bag. The nes one basically said Here's your equipment and a few herbs. THAT"S IT.

[thelonepig]

I rented this back when it first came out on the NES and made it nearly to the final boss before having to return it (back when 5-day rentals were unheard of). Unfortunately, the game was reserved (yeah, back when they did that too), so I was unable to check it out again. Of course when I picked it up 3 days later, all 3 game slots had been saved over.

I'm looking forward to finally beating it.

Oh, and I picked it up from CC. Not only did I get the $10 giftcard, but they gave me 20% off because I had been "inconvenienced" as staff was busy catching a shoplifter while I was in line (took all of 10 minutes). DQIV for $21.99. :D

[pete5883]

I was really hoping they would do this. From the Square Enix Members blog (http://member.square-enix.com/na/blog/):


Send a message to the DRAGON QUEST IV team

Enjoying DRAGON QUEST IV: Chapters of the Chosen so far? Let the team know by sending them a message (http://member.square-enix.com/na/features/dq4/02/)! The team is busy on their projects and cannot answer questions, but your supportive words will be delivered to the team.

So basically, everyone go sound off about Party Talk. Since the dev team isn't reading it, that basically ensures that marketing is reading it, which is who really needs to hear about it. This is really the only way that's going to make a difference.

[Zing]

"Hey, yeah, I know I already handed you my $40 for this game on day one, but..."

[pete5883]

It's alright to pretend you didn't know about it until you already bought the game. They do have 3 more DS DQ games coming out in the near future, after all.

[utopianmachine]

Man. It took me a stupid amount of time to figure out how to progress in Ragnar's story. I knew something was up with the thief Angus, but I couldn't figure out how to progress the storyline to get the next clue what to do. Finally I got that bit about the thief hanging around at night, and just by trying something that didn't look possible, I found the thief spying at the bathhouse. At least things are moving along, but damn.[SPOILER]

[Magic Pink]

I was really hoping they would do this. From the Square Enix Members blog (http://member.square-enix.com/na/blog/):




So basically, everyone go sound off about Party Talk. Since the dev team isn't reading it, that basically ensures that marketing is reading it, which is who really needs to hear about it. This is really the only way that's going to make a difference.

Cool, thanks!

I thanked them for removing useless crap from my game.

[Moxio]

Torneko money exploit = :drool:

[botticus]

I learned about that too late. Ah well, on to Chapter 5!

Wasn't a big fan of Meena and Maya in Chapter 4 but Chapter 3 was fantastic. I want an RPG where you legitimately run a store.

[johnnypark]

Almost done with Chapter 3. Loving it so far, but the pace is definitely more brisk than I recall it being. The item bag is both a welcome addition and something that kind of annoys me. Part of the challenge of the original game was managing a limited (and IMO more realistic) inventory per character, least until you get the full party and wagon. The endless item bag (which allows you to theoretically have 99 of any item) is a little too boundless in comparison.

Also, I think you have less enemy encounters in this game. I've traversed some good lengths on the map and not had any encounters before.

More than anything, though, the music really takes me back, I can't get enough of it.

[botticus]

Torneko had a significantly lower enemy encounter rate, but it seems fairly high for the others.

[kainzero]

I know the difference between DQM and DQV. But I haven't seen a single DQV screenshot that shows a human party member.
There are a couple human party members (which is REALLY spoiler filled), but the revolutionary part of the game was that you can capture monsters and have them join your team, and for most of the game that's what you gotta do.

[Moxio]

Well, I really used the exploit and now I feel kinda bad; 99 of several items in my bag for when I meet up in Ch 5. :|

[utopianmachine]

I'm enjoying the game more than I thought I would, but it's a little unexciting when you gain two party members in the second chapter whom you know essentially nothing about and who never speak.

[laaj]

I'm enjoying the game more than I thought I would, but it's a little unexciting when you gain two party members in the second chapter whom you know essentially nothing about and who never speak.

I like it that way. Let the game gradually tell me characters backstory instead of one giant chunk at the start with no mystery. Just think about it. If you are on some quest, will someone who just joined your party tell you their entire life story? They'll want to see how you are first.

[kainzero]

what's up with the low encounter rate?

when i got the magic key, i got in a total of four encounters in the entire dungeon.

in the nes version i remember this being one of the major bridge points where the difficulty increases by a lot and the dungeon was crazy tough, but you got a bunch of levels and money doing it.

but i got outta there, still level 13, and the marquis beat me because i'm underleveled. o_O;

[Kendal]

I picked this up from the Nintendo World Store and paid NY retarded sales tax for my wait in the airport. So worth every penny. If games were this good, I wouldn't mind paying $40 for them. I am kind of lost right now, but I will find my way or die trying. It is a blast.

[thelonepig]

what's up with the low encounter rate?

when i got the magic key, i got in a total of four encounters in the entire dungeon.

in the nes version i remember this being one of the major bridge points where the difficulty increases by a lot and the dungeon was crazy tough, but you got a bunch of levels and money doing it.

but i got outta there, still level 13, and the marquis beat me because i'm underleveled. o_O;

This has me thrown for a loop as well. I was expecting something akin to FFIV DS where they made the game more difficult. I have always spent the first thirty minutes to an hour of every DragonQuest game walking in a circle around the town grinding for levels just so that I could make it to the next area.

[johnnypark]

This has me thrown for a loop as well. I was expecting something akin to FFIV DS where they made the game more difficult. I have always spent the first thirty minutes to an hour of every DragonQuest game walking in a circle around the town grinding for levels just so that I could make it to the next area.

Maybe people complained about FF3? It was old-school with high encounter rates, but I don't know how good or bad it did sales-wise.

But yeah, the sheer difficulty of DQ games is part of their appeal. I know 1-3 were adjusted for higher exp/gold per fight, but those games were a little too hard at times, and the remakes still did them justice. So far this game has been a little too easy, although if I hadn't beaten the NES version multiple times I probably wouldn't even notice.

[botticus]

This has me thrown for a loop as well. I was expecting something akin to FFIV DS where they made the game more difficult. I have always spent the first thirty minutes to an hour of every DragonQuest game walking in a circle around the town grinding for levels just so that I could make it to the next area.
I don't have any history in the series, but that's what I've been doing with this game at each town, just to be able to buy up the best weapons and armor before proceeding.

[utopianmachine]

I like it that way. Let the game gradually tell me characters backstory instead of one giant chunk at the start with no mystery. Just think about it. If you are on some quest, will someone who just joined your party tell you their entire life story? They'll want to see how you are first.

Considering I'm four hours in to the second chapter and I still know nothing of my two companions other than that they're loyal to the Tsar -- I can say we can throw characterization out the window. Oh, some characters receive a little attention, but as far as active party members go, they're little more than walking weapons.

Don't get me wrong. I find myself wanting to play this game more than I ever thought I would. I like stumbling and bumbling around, trying to figure out where I need to go next. It's not so super obvious as more current games. Sometimes, the trigger you need is just to talk to an individual person, and it can be quite the task to figure out which one that is.

I have to think I'm getting somewhere towards the end of the 2nd chapter, as I'm at about 4 hours into it. Granted, I level grinded early on, and now battles are a breeze.

[thelonepig]

I don't have any history in the series, but that's what I've been doing with this game at each town, just to be able to buy up the best weapons and armor before proceeding.

The original NES games were pretty brutal. I have the clearest memory of the first game (aka Dragon Warrior) wherein you couldn't go longer than two random battles without having to go to the inn. It was nuts. I had to be at around level 5 or 6 just to make it to the next town.

[mykevermin]

As someone who was playing the NES version a month or so back, what is party talk and why should I be upset about it?

[pete5883]

You can talk to your party members, so they actually had personalities. Also if you didn't know where to go I guess they'd help out with that.

[mykevermin]

So they just shirked a good clip of dialogue from the game?

That's lame, since the NES version is not always clear where to go (at least with the start of Torneko's stupid retail job-mission).

[whitereflection]

Party talk lets you talk to your party members and develops their backstories supposedly, but no one knows if they're like Ragnar is thinking or "Maya: Let's have sex!". (Those complaining want the latter sort.) You should be upset about it because it was never in any US release, though it was in the Japanese DS release, and if you are really are upset about it, I will remove my tongue from cheek in an attempt to mollify you.

[sundaysuit]

I bought this on release day.
I hated the Torneko chapter, but I like the game in general; it's charming and it's not pretentious at all.

[mykevermin]

Thanks white.

I'm not too concerned about that. I'll probably finish this 'un up (once I get my moxie back to finish it because I want that one sword from the Torneko sales mission, but I HATE that part of the game) and pick up the DS version in a year or so.

[Krymner]

The did a pretty good review over at 61FPS (http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/61fps/archive/2008/09/22/the-61fps-review-dragon-quest-iv-chapters-of-the-chosen.aspx) of DQIV. I particularly liked this one quote:

...Chapters of the Chosen is never structured to serve the story. The story is developed just enough to encourage more play, more exploration, more fights, more collection. This is why Dragon Quest IV, and its parent series, is the model of Japanese role-playing. It is, first and foremost, a game, rather than an interactive anime or fantasy novel with a lot of fighting thrown on top of it.This is why the party talk stuff doesn't concern me too much. Yeah, I love a good story with good characterizations in a RPG, but to me, if the gameplay is solid, then I'm more willing to overlook other things.

That being said, I'm loving DQIV. Still one of my top 10 RPGs of all time.

[Dead of Knight]

So they just shirked a good clip of dialogue from the game?

That's lame, since the NES version is not always clear where to go (at least with the start of Torneko's stupid retail job-mission).

Over half the text in the game was removed from the NA/EU versions. So yes, a good clip indeed.

[whitereflection]

You keep saying it's half when the Japanese version had Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian scripts, so it's obviously not half. The game's MSRP in Japan is $55 and it's the most popular franchise there - the game is $40 here and it was $30 if you bought it at Circuit City a week ago. What more do you want?

[Paco]

I want the game to stop being a wuss and kick my ass like the old nes one.

[kainzero]

The original NES games were pretty brutal. I have the clearest memory of the first game (aka Dragon Warrior) wherein you couldn't go longer than two random battles without having to go to the inn. It was nuts. I had to be at around level 5 or 6 just to make it to the next town.
Really?

I just remember having to be level 3 to get to the next town.
But DW isn't really a fair comparison, and DW2 is even more brutal than DW (easily my least liked of the DW series, and a pretty terrible RPG overall).

I really don't remember DW4 being as hard as you guys say though. I remember playing it emulated and on high speed, and beating it in like 6 hours (before anyone asks, yes I have the original NES copy). If they brought the encounter rate back up I'm pretty sure it'd be the same.

[Moxio]

I'm rich, bitch! 8-)

[utopianmachine]

You can talk to your party members, so they actually had personalities. Also if you didn't know where to go I guess they'd help out with that.

Ah, that would have added a lot to my satisfaction of the game. Don't get me wrong. I'm really, really enjoying this game in a strange way. Perhaps it's because most games these days lay out everything so concisely, but I'm really enjoying how I just stumble about and poke here and there and see if this is the way I should be going.

That's lame, since the NES version is not always clear where to go (at least with the start of Torneko's stupid retail job-mission).

What I'm noticing is that unless you talk to EVERY SINGLE person in every town, you could miss a tiny pointer as to what to do next. I couldn't believe that the only clue I had as far as what I should be doing in Torneko's mission came from the innkeeper in his town. I just happenned to go there early in the chapter, thinking I could heal there. But no, you can't, and oh, have you checked the cave to the north? :bomb:

You keep saying it's half when the Japanese version had Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian scripts, so it's obviously not half.

Wait...the Japanese version has multiple language options?

[nectarsis1]

The multiple laguages were only obtainable thru Action Replay codes IIRC. The text was supposedly 95% complete (depending on who you believe). And just needed some line breaks, and chages to the English.

[johnnypark]

I'm not too concerned about that. I'll probably finish this 'un up (once I get my moxie back to finish it because I want that one sword from the Torneko sales mission, but I HATE that part of the game) and pick up the DS version in a year or so.

I actually got that sword from like my 3rd customer. It took longer to earn the cash to buy it than it did for it to appear.

I want the game to stop being a wuss and kick my ass like the old nes one.

Seriously. It's easier to the point that I prefer the NES version, one of my favorite parts of DW4 was it struck a good balance between the tough-as-nails difficulty level of the previous games in the series and accessible, realistic gameplay. It seems strange to me that other remakes are about as hard (FF3) or even harder (FF4 DS), but then this one got watered down in terms of difficulty.

I know they did that with DQ 1-3 on GBC, but those games were also a lot more unforgiving, and still put up a decent challenge in their remakes. Balzack is the only fight that's given me any real trouble, but since it was all the way in Chapter 4 I'm hoping that's a sign of progressive difficulty as the game goes on.

Ah, that would have added a lot to my satisfaction of the game. Don't get me wrong. I'm really, really enjoying this game in a strange way. Perhaps it's because most games these days lay out everything so concisely, but I'm really enjoying how I just stumble about and poke here and there and see if this is the way I should be going.

What I'm noticing is that unless you talk to EVERY SINGLE person in every town, you could miss a tiny pointer as to what to do next. I couldn't believe that the only clue I had as far as what I should be doing in Torneko's mission came from the innkeeper in his town. I just happenned to go there early in the chapter, thinking I could heal there. But no, you can't, and oh, have you checked the cave to the north? :bomb:


That's just the old-school showing. Old RPGs made you talk to everyone, really explore places. Nowadays (FF7 and up) they often highlight key parts of the text to make sure you're listening, which is a little too much hand-holding for me.

Although, I did get extremely annoyed in Chapter 2 when the bandits don't appear until you hear about the ransom note from the kid with his dog. I wandered around forever trying to get them to appear and had to look it up on Gamefaqs (and 2 of the FAQs didn't even mention talking to the kid!). To make it worse, you have to talk to him twice, because at 1st his dog is just missing. It's a problem when 98% of the villagers continue to say the same thing all the time, but HIS dialogue changes. Ugh!

These are the parts that should have been made a little easier, not the battles and actually gameplay. Oh well. I'm still in love with it, although you might not know it from all my bitching just now ;)

[laaj]

Really?

I just remember having to be level 3 to get to the next town.
But DW isn't really a fair comparison, and DW2 is even more brutal than DW (easily my least liked of the DW series, and a pretty terrible RPG overall).


DW2 is one of my favorites and is only hard because you can raid the dungeons out of order. If dungeon you were on is brutal, then your next dungeon will be so easy.

[utopianmachine]

Although, I did get extremely annoyed in Chapter 2 when the bandits don't appear until you hear about the ransom note from the kid with his dog. I wandered around forever trying to get them to appear and had to look it up on Gamefaqs (and 2 of the FAQs didn't even mention talking to the kid!). To make it worse, you have to talk to him twice, because at 1st his dog is just missing. It's a problem when 98% of the villagers continue to say the same thing all the time, but HIS dialogue changes. Ugh!

That one was easier for me. I had talked to him earlier about his missing dog, and when I returned to the area later, I noticed that the boy had his dog near him now, so I assumed he would say something new. But yeah, generally, the game gives you little in the way of any indication you should talk to a specific person for any reason.

[DQT]

I listening to the DQ Retronauts today, and I heard that the localization team redid all the menus in DQVIII for the US version and that it was a vast improvement over the original. I guess when these localization teams fuddle around with these games, the results can often go either way. Especially with Square Enix (compare FFVII and KH, which had new content just for NA to what we have here).

http://download.gamevideos.com/Podcasts/Retronauts/R092408.mp3
Fortunately it was pretty on topic. I liked it but I can understand those who don't.

[laaj]

I listening to the DQ Retronauts today

Link?

[utopianmachine]

I have to drive a couple hours today to visit friends and family. I'll listen to that Retronauts episode today. Now having finally played a Dragon Warrior/Quest game (besides Monsters), I can likely appreciate this episode more.

And speaking of that point, how did they just drop the name from Warrior to Quest? If I remember right, isn't the translation Quest in Japan, but somehow it became Warrior here back in the NES days? Maybe it's all answered in the podcast.

[Dead of Knight]

Dragon Quest was already trademarked by something else in America, IIRC. Then the trademark ran out or was abandoned or they paid them off or something.

[pete5883]

It was a pen and paper RPG. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DragonQuest)

[utopianmachine]

Just finished Torneko's chapter. I was really surprised that once I had my own shop that I never got to run it. I had this assumption I would get to run my own shop and maybe charge my own prices, but this was a grand delusion. Owning a shop was just a trigger to everything else, just a goal which meant now you could go fetch a bunch of armor back in the cave you've already been to. Hope you got enough the first time. No? Well, back you go! After getting the goddess statue the first time, it was little more than boring returning to that cave to keep battling until I had enough of the required weapons to satisfy the king, earn my reward, finish the cave excavation, piddle at the casino, and then, chapter over. I'm assuming riches can be won at the casino, but I suck there.

I'll start the new chapter tomorrow. Really, all in all, I really like this game. It's got this ridiculous charm I find hard to describe.

Oh, I listened to the Retronauts podcast. Made me laugh a couple times, made me want to play more DQ games. Not bad.

[Moxio]

Utopian, Torneko's chapter is the best! I'm hella loaded now. 8-)

[mykevermin]

I just saw this dude was $50 at Wal-Mart.

The fuck, man?

[Dead of Knight]

I just saw this dude was $50 at Wal-Mart.

The fuck, man?

Seems like a lot of Walmarts are selling it for $50. Why, I don't know.

[johnnypark]

Digging into Chapter 5 and I'm happy to report the game is kicking my ass a little. I think they made the 1st 4 chapters way more of an intro to the game/plot overall, but once everything comes together they up their ante some. I've entered new areas and had party members die in 3 hits.

I really like how someone dying in your party is a big deal. You don't get the ability to revive until very, very late in the game, and it's very costly, if my memory serves me. Gives total incentive to keep people alive, no quick Life spells or phoenix downs here! I love it :)

[sundaysuit]

I also disliked the Torneko chapter.
It's unique, though.

[Chacrana]

So when does this game get better? I'm on Chapter 2 right now, and the battles have basically no strategy, and there doesn't appear to be any semblance of a storyline other than "there's this bad dude. Lets get 'im!" Right now, I sit down to play the game, and 5 minutes later, I just want to go do something else. So is there a point in the game where it hooks you or something?

[Paco]

The game doesn't really begin until Chapter 5. Though the game never had much of a story to begin with.

[thelonepig]

Kabuff is the best spell in the game. Find some area where the enemies are obviously well above your level, cast Kabuff twice, and the enemies are rendered nearly powerless. In the case of mages, just cast Fizzle and away you go.

[Axersia]

So I just beat the game at 19 hours with Hero at lvl 31 without ever using any stat boosting seeds, and I'm a bit disappointed in its length and... well, I guess the difficulty was alright, but considering I was underleveled (or so I hear), this game was pretty damn easy. But I did like it quite a bit, otherwise I wouldn't have beaten it in only 2 play sessions.

Sadly I won't have anything to play on my trainrides to school now... Except for the post-game chapter, so I guess I'll go and see what that's all about.

And yes, Kabuff is definitely the best spell in the game. Although Insultate was pretty useful for the final boss fight too; I couldn't have beaten him without either of them.

[2DMention]

I'm a huge dragon quest/warrior nerd, and I got this day one.

I'm close to the end, and i have to agree it is a bit easy, but it's fun.

I'm finding its much more enjoyable if you do all the side missions, explore, and don't grind too.

I think after I beat this and Vesperia, I'll go and play DQ8 on PS2 again.

[Dead of Knight]

Well my friends, I purchased this used on Amazon Marketplace today for a grand total of $31.49 shipped. A local GS had it in stock used but without the manual (and for $34.99+tax) so I passed. I get to stick it to both SE and GS, yay! I would have purchased it when the price went down even more but I have literally nothing else to play right now after beating Rhapsody DS in 10 hours. I'll be glad to finally join in on the actual game discussion in this thread hopefully by the end of the week.

[Moxio]

Glad to hear it DoK.

Also, Ch 4 really sucks. So far Meena and Maya are the worst characters yet.

[Dead of Knight]

Also, Ch 4 really sucks. So far Meena and Maya are the worst characters yet.

The battle music is totally divine though.

[ZForce915]

Ok, wow...the translations in this game all seem like they belong on engrish.com. I'm enjoying the game itself, but I'm in chapter 2 and some of things spoken by the priest just make me shake my head. They couldn't get a guy who speaks English as a first language to look this over?

[whitereflection]

They're dialects.

[Moxio]

Ok, wow...the translations in this game all seem like they belong on engrish.com. I'm enjoying the game itself, but I'm in chapter 2 and some of things spoken by the priest just make me shake my head. They couldn't get a guy who speaks English as a first language to look this over?

Laaaaaaawl.

[utopianmachine]

So when does this game get better? I'm on Chapter 2 right now, and the battles have basically no strategy, and there doesn't appear to be any semblance of a storyline other than "there's this bad dude. Lets get 'im!" Right now, I sit down to play the game, and 5 minutes later, I just want to go do something else. So is there a point in the game where it hooks you or something?

I would think if you're not hooked on the game by now, nothing's going to do it for you. Personally, I enjoy DQIV, as it's a simpler experience than, say, FFIV, which has so many spells I feel a little overwhelmed. I like the exploration and the way in which DQ doesn't guide you so easily from point A to point B.

Personally, what with so many games out there, if I'm not hooked within a few hours of playing the game, I flip it/resell it, and move on. Too many other games to play, and I'm not going to force myself to play something I'm not enjoying.

[jer7583]

I thought the translations were just bad in that chapter too.

I've spent like 3 hours today in the casino omg what's wrong with me can't stop betting on monster battles.....

[daschrier]

It's basically a graphically enhanced version of an NES game.

NES games weren't really known for their great stories, compared to today's standards anyway.

If you don't like the game immediately, you never will.

[johnnypark]

So when does this game get better? I'm on Chapter 2 right now, and the battles have basically no strategy, and there doesn't appear to be any semblance of a storyline other than "there's this bad dude. Lets get 'im!" Right now, I sit down to play the game, and 5 minutes later, I just want to go do something else. So is there a point in the game where it hooks you or something?

Well, there are a few things to consider. The original DQ4 was finished in 1990, long before RPG cliches were cliches. Similar to FF3 and FF4, a lot of people were annoyed at the simplicity of those plots, failing to recognize that these games helped create the plots we roll our eyes at nowadays. So, these short-comings have more to do with when it was released, not much else they can do about it without seriously revising the game.

Also, DQ is unique for it's time in that they did have a comprehensive story across the series for awhile, and the 1st 3 games form a trilogy about a legendary hero and his descendants fighting off the utmost of evil forces. In Dragon Quest 4, some significant time has passed since Dragon Quest 2 (#3 is a prequel to 1 and 2) and evil forces are gathering again. Although it's fairly simplistic, I like how they foreshadow what's happening. NPCs talk about having dreams where horrible things happen, and random, bad things are happening around the world. I feel like they do a good job fleshing out the story some with each character having their own section of the game and a distinct origin, however vague some of them may be. It was a 1st for the series, and perhaps the genre, back in 1990 (for the record, DQ4 wasn't released in America until 1992, but the points still stand), since a lot of RPGs had more to do with creating the characters yourself and trying to place the player IN the story.

But... as others have said, if you aren't enjoying it yet, odds are you aren't going to. Me, I can't get enough of it :)

[utopianmachine]

I've spent like 3 hours today in the casino omg what's wrong with me can't stop betting on monster battles.....

I bet a few times and didn't win anything. Everyone seems to say the casino can net some serious profit, but I've yet to win at anything.

Also, Ch 4 really sucks. So far Meena and Maya are the worst characters yet.

I'm a little bored by the chapter, but it finally picked up a little. I'm after the man that was a partner to the girls' father, but I've got to level grind a little bit to get anywhere in that cave. The first monster I encountered was a bit stronger than I liked, so I've got to earn some money to get better armor/weapons and gain some exp.

[ZForce915]

They're dialects.

Check Chapter 2 again, that isn't dialect.

But I'm a DQ/DW Whore, so I'll keep buying them!

[pete5883]

A thick Russian accent is neither engrish, nor a dialect. It is a thick, Russian accent. See: Rocky & Bullwinkle.

[thelonepig]

See: Rocky & Bullwinkle.

Show of hands, how many people know who Rocky & Bullwinkle are?

Off topic, but I did a presentation for a group of college kids and I used some clips from The A-Team. Not a single kid in that room knew who they were. It made me feel old.

[utopianmachine]

Afraid I don't know who the A-Team are, but I did watch Rocky & Bullwinkle as a kid. Never really liked the show a whole lot, though.

[laaj]

Afraid I don't know who the A-Team are

Watch and learn

http://www.hulu.com/watch/14387/the-a-team-mexican-slayride-part-1#x-0,vepisode,1

[cletus]

Off topic, but I did a presentation for a group of college kids and I used some clips from The A-Team. Not a single kid in that room knew who they were. It made me feel old.

That... that makes me feel old too.

[utopianmachine]

Just finished the 4th chapter. It really wasn't that interesting to me compared to the other chapters, although it did pick up late in the story. Still, all in all, it is my least favorite chapter.

I look forward to chapter 5 very much. I'm going to savor the anticipation a bit and start playing the 5th chapter a little later today. Really looking forward to seeing how it brings all the characters together.

[sundaysuit]

doublepost

[sundaysuit]

i think i was 4 or 5, and i have vague memories of the a-team on tv, but i think they were reruns; this would've been in the late 80s.

on chapter 5 now.
4 was ok; better than 3.

[Moxio]

I don't like Ch 4 at all, really. I just need to power through it for Ch 5.

[utopianmachine]

4 was ok; better than 3.

I enjoyed the 3rd chapter more than the 4th, mostly due to the variation in the game formula. It was interesting running a shop as an employee (briefly interesting, I admit), and again, it was interesting being a sort of messenger between embassays. Still, it wasn't an amazing chapter, but I appreciate the novelty.

I don't like Ch 4 at all, really. I just need to power through it for Ch 5.

I found I couldn't really plow through chapter 4. It required grinding a bit for me, and then I had to stumble about a little to figure out where to go next. I thought that having Oojam in my party would make things instantly clear to me, but really, I had to meander about a bit before I figured out what to do. Until I had Oojam, it was pretty hard going for the girls.

[sundaysuit]

I just talk to everyone at day and at night to see where I should go/what I should do next.

[botticus]

Beat it last night at around 26 hours and level 36. Loved it, looking forward to V and VI. And IX of course.

At the end, I'm sure the party talk feature would have been a nice addition but it didn't really take away from the game when I haven't seen it before.

[Dead of Knight]

My goddamn game didn't come yet. Been a week, but it's well within the timeframe for Amazon Marketplace, and I was too cheap to get the expedited shipping. Hope I'll be enjoying this time next week!

[2DMention]

Beat it around 26 hours at lvl 38. Insulate is absolutely required for the last boss.

I'll go back and play Ch. 6 after I've beaten ToV and replayed DQ8.

[utopianmachine]

Took about a week off from this game, as my new 360 demanded all my attention. Just crossing the desert in chapter 5. I tell you, when the Metal Slimes don't flee, they're a ridiculous source of experience points. 8-)

[Dead of Knight]

Played this all weekend and I'm at the final dungeon. Love this game.

[utopianmachine]

Played this all weekend and I'm at the final dungeon. Love this game.

I was just heading into this thread to say I feel like I'm the only person still playing this game. Glad to see you're playing too, although it looks like you're going to be finishing way ahead of me. I gained a rather busy social life a week or so ago, and now gaming has taken the backest back seat.

I played for about half an hour earlier. You know, chapter 5 is ridiculously long compared to the others. I've reached the village of all women while on my quest to get another piece of the Zenthian armor, but I got busted for a crime I didn't commit and am trying to find the thief. I saw the hint that the thief had headed south, but I'm not sure where to go. I found a cave to the southeast and am trying to get through that. The enemies at this point in the game are tough. I'll likely return to the game tomorrow.

I'm not sure what it is, but this game just has a charm I find inescapable. I really have to see this game done.

[Backlash]

I just got this game on Saturday, and played it for about 10 mins (just enough to do the prologue and save at the first church). I am looking forward to it based on the comments in this thread.

[Dead of Knight]

I was just heading into this thread to say I feel like I'm the only person still playing this game. Glad to see you're playing too, although it looks like you're going to be finishing way ahead of me. I gained a rather busy social life a week or so ago, and now gaming has taken the backest back seat.

I played for about half an hour earlier. You know, chapter 5 is ridiculously long compared to the others. I've reached the village of all women while on my quest to get another piece of the Zenthian armor, but I got busted for a crime I didn't commit and am trying to find the thief. I saw the hint that the thief had headed south, but I'm not sure where to go. I found a cave to the southeast and am trying to get through that. The enemies at this point in the game are tough. I'll likely return to the game tomorrow.

I'm not sure what it is, but this game just has a charm I find inescapable. I really have to see this game done.

Yeah, it's the cave to the southeast where you need to be. It's not to the south like the game says. You're a good way into Chapter 5.

[Paco]

I beat this game last week. Though I'm wondering if I should keep it, or sell it to help pay for Eternal Sonota. Square games in this era are no longer rare and drop in price a lot faster then they used to.

[Dead of Knight]

I beat this game last week. Though I'm wondering if I should keep it, or sell it to help pay for Eternal Sonota. Square games in this era are no longer rare and drop in price a lot faster then they used to.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Eternal Sonata drops faster than Infinite Undiscovery. I would wait on buying it if I were you.

[Ryuukishi]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Eternal Sonata drops faster than Infinite Undiscovery. I would wait on buying it if I were you.Eternal Sonata is actually already on clearance at Circuit City for around $17.

[Teeheehee]

Played this all weekend and I'm at the final dungeon. Love this game.

Forgive me for not going through the entire thread, but I read your opening post and now read that you're loving it. Just couldn't stand not being without the DQIV eh?

Anyway, I was pretty ticked about them removing the party chat, since I like those stuff (never played DWVII and DQVIII though). Still bought it the week of release at CC. DWIV was my favorite DW from the NES days.

I just beat Ch.5 this morning and got the Flawless Gem title. It's been a great commute game. I'm thinking of wasting time trying to get as much of the optimal equips as possible after beating the bonus stuff. The worst will be stealing the happy hat from liquid metal slime and some liquid metal helmets from the kings.

[utopianmachine]

Is there any way to make items like zombie mail useable without the party member being cursed?

[pete5883]

Forgive me for not going through the entire thread, but I read your opening post and now read that you're loving it. Just couldn't stand not being without the DQIV eh?
Bought it used. S-E gets $0.

Finally going to get to play this next week. How extensive are the name changes? I think Cristo -> Kiryl is pretty dumb.

[Dead of Knight]

Forgive me for not going through the entire thread, but I read your opening post and now read that you're loving it. Just couldn't stand not being without the DQIV eh?


Bought it used like pete5883 so $0 went to Square.

Eternal Sonata is actually already on clearance at Circuit City for around $17.

He's talking about the PS3 version, which is going to retail for a ludicrous $60 when it comes out next week.

The name changes are pretty extensive. Almost all the main characters' names are changed. Same for supporting characters, like one guy's name being changed to Tom Foolery.

[johnnypark]

Ugh, I cringed when I saw 'Tom Foolery.' They can do better than that.

Utopian - the part your at is when it gets a bit harder and more fun. I beat it last week while I was home sick from work, and I'm happy to say the final boss completely owned me the 1st time I went up against him, and I still won by the skin of my teeth the 2nd.

[Dead of Knight]

I'm happy to say the final boss completely owned me the 1st time I went up against him, and I still won by the skin of my teeth the 2nd.

Hah, the guy was cake. Hero: Attack/Omniheal; Kiryl: Kabuff/Heal/Attack; Meena: Insulatle/Sage's Stone/Attack; Maya: Sap/Kafrizzle makes for one dead final boss really quick. On to the bonus chapter.

[pete5883]

Bought it used like pete5883 so $0 went to Square.
Nah, I bought it new, I was answering the question for you. I guess using as few words as possible didn't work.

[io]

I've been putting an hour or two into this every night. I think I'm just starting chapter 5. I'm playing this one without a guide or FAQ so if I'm missing stuff I don't even know ;). Normally, I really like to be a completist on these RPGs so when I get stuck or something is difficult to get then I just end up dropping it. That's what I did with FF IV since I can't farm a rainbow pudding for Puddingway for the life of me (tried for like 3-4 hours). So I moved on to DQ IV. But I really want to finish this one so to hell with finding every little item and getting all the most powerful stuff - I'm plowin' through!

However, I did waste a ton of time trying to beat Balzack normally before I saw that item I got many many hours earlier and completely forgot about :roll:. That made the fight ridiculously easy. I thought I had to outlast all his healing spells and eventually he'd run out of MP - so with careful fighting I made it through 10-15 of them (taking 30-50 rounds or so) a couple of times but could never do it. When I used the item it was over in 2 rounds I think...

[utopianmachine]

However, I did waste a ton of time trying to beat Balzack normally before I saw that item I got many many hours earlier and completely forgot about :roll:. That made the fight ridiculously easy. I thought I had to outlast all his healing spells and eventually he'd run out of MP - so with careful fighting I made it through 10-15 of them (taking 30-50 rounds or so) a couple of times but could never do it. When I used the item it was over in 2 rounds I think...

Heh, yeah, I forgot about that item too the first time I fought Balzack, but I remembered the second time.

I just got the ultimate key, and I'm revisiting (via Zoom) towns I've been to before, going through them and opening the doors that beforehand remained locked. I got a massacre sword, but I don't feel like using it because it's cursed. I suppose it could be cool if I equipped it right before a battle, but I don't know how being cursed effects battle. Can you still cast spells and receive spell assists from other characters?

That's why I posted earlier on this page about zombie mail. Is there no way to de-curse a weapon so I can always use it? Zombie Mail and the Massacre Sword are both nice.

[Dead of Knight]

Nah, I bought it new, I was answering the question for you. I guess using as few words as possible didn't work.

Oops, I meant "like pete5883 SAID." I was tired last night so I forgot to add that in there. :lol:



That's why I posted earlier on this page about zombie mail. Is there no way to de-curse a weapon so I can always use it? Zombie Mail and the Massacre Sword are both nice.

According to my boyfriend, a certain character you get in the bonus chapter isn't affected by curses.

[Rodimus]

New Trailer of DQ IX

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41760.html

[Backlash]

Wow watching that makes me want to play DQ8 again. Looks very similar, which is fine by me.

[laaj]

Battle pacing for DQ9 could be a problem with all that attack animation.

[utopianmachine]

Reminds me visually of Dragon Quest Monsters, which I got tired of after about 20 hours. I'm more a fan of random battles.

[Ryuukishi]

How long should I expect to put into this game, ballpark? I'm not planning a speedrun or anything but I also (generally) don't feel compelled to get every single secret and collectible when I play RPGs.

[Paco]

I did this game in about 18 hours. I'd say about 20-25 is average for the new people.

[io]

I'm about 25 hours in and I don't seem anywhere near the end. But then again, I do tend to look for everything and take my time. There are still lots of areas I can't get to (have a boat but can't get lots of places that I see on the map).

What is with the person you pick in Hoffman's Place that is some sort of ambassador? It wanted me to quit the game when I wanted to send her out (and I was still playing so I declined). Is that a Wifi Connect thing or just a local wireless deal? Or does it have nothing to do with connecting with other people. Strange there's been no mention of this in the thread. (But it seems so since you choose a long greeting to make for them).

I just barely started getting that city built so I can't see how I don't have many more hours left in the game. Not sure how you could power through in 18 unless you knew exactly where to go (I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out where to go next and just exploring and finding new things in the mean time - love games like that!).

[pete5883]

Finally started this. Accents are driving me nuts. I could see the appeal if they were voiced, but without that it's just annoying. Also, now more pissed about missing party talk.

[laaj]

Accents are driving me nuts. I could see the appeal if they were voiced, but without that it's just annoying.

Couldn't agree more. And they aren't always obvious since English isn't a phonetic language. At least Chrono Trigger took them out.

[Dead of Knight]

Couldn't agree more. And they aren't always obvious since English isn't a phonetic language. At least Chrono Trigger took them out.

There were no accents in the Japanese version. They were added in the localization. And yes, they suck.

io: Don't worry about the villager. Look in the manual for more info; it's local Wifi connection. It gets you absolutely nothing if you participate, so just ignore it.

[johnnypark]

I'm about 25 hours in and I don't seem anywhere near the end. But then again, I do tend to look for everything and take my time. There are still lots of areas I can't get to (have a boat but can't get lots of places that I see on the map).

What is with the person you pick in Hoffman's Place that is some sort of ambassador? It wanted me to quit the game when I wanted to send her out (and I was still playing so I declined). Is that a Wifi Connect thing or just a local wireless deal? Or does it have nothing to do with connecting with other people. Strange there's been no mention of this in the thread. (But it seems so since you choose a long greeting to make for them).

I just barely started getting that city built so I can't see how I don't have many more hours left in the game. Not sure how you could power through in 18 unless you knew exactly where to go (I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out where to go next and just exploring and finding new things in the mean time - love games like that!).

I went through it kinda quick since I've played the hell out of the NES version, it's my favorite RPG and I remembered a lot of it from back in the day. The 1st time I went through it, though, it took me forever to find my way! Imagine how frustrating it is without the map always visible. The NES version had a map you could access, but it wasn't remotely user friendly in comparison.

Glad you're taking your time and enjoying it, though, that's how this game is meant to be played.

Don't know what to say about the Wifi stuff, to be honest I ignored it completely.

[pete5883]

I really wasn't liking it too much in the first 4 chapters, but 5 has sucked me in good and I am loving it. I couldn't force myself to play for more than an hour at a time in the beginning, but now I've spent my whole weekend playing.

[io]

I finished off chapter 5 late late Friday night. In fact, beware and leave yourself a few hours when you go into that final battle as the stuff afterwards goes ON and ON and ON. I was really frustrated with it, actually, as I needed to get to bed and it was pushing 5am. I had already stayed up way too long finishing it and just wanted to get to a save so I could get to bed (had to be up at 9am for my son's soccer game). So I kind of skipped through whatever story/wrapup happened there and finally got to the save... Anyway, will be starting up chapter 6, I guess, tonight. Credit have rolled of course, but I understand there's more...

[io]

Just finished off all the optional stuff in Chapter 6 and beat the second end boss. Clocked in around 38 hours or so total. I pretty much did everything except collect every monster in the log (and I didn't do much with the casino).

Loved the game though and am looking forward to the next couple on the DS (and of course IX).

[pete5883]

Yeah, I finished Chap 6 even though it felt super tacked-on. I mean, palette-swapped final boss? Come on, now. Looking less forward to IX now that I realize a 3D DQ battle system will never be as fast as a 2D DQ battle system, because they insist on showing your party's attack animation.

[Dead of Knight]

Chicken and Egg > You

Also, love the boss music for them.

[keithp]

Just got this off the Amazon DOTD sale. Looks like the perfect "play before bedtime" game.

[soccerstud652]

Quick Q.

I am on the 5th chapter and Torneko the shopkeep in in my party. It seems that when I battle with him, he sometimes does random moves I never even know existed (eg, I tell him to attack and he will let out a roar to freeze enemies),

Is there a reason for this?

[keithp]

On Chapter 5 about 18 hours in, but I'm taking my time, exploring and finding stuff. I'm LOVING the game. I'm the type that likes to have the best equipment when I find it, and I just saw a weapon that cost 15,000 so I guess I'm grinding for a while now. The accents aren't too bad, I kinda like how they're all different, and if you sound them out in your head it's not too hard to figure out what the people mean to say.

[laaj]

Quick Q.

I am on the 5th chapter and Torneko the shopkeep in in my party. It seems that when I battle with him, he sometimes does random moves I never even know existed (eg, I tell him to attack and he will let out a roar to freeze enemies),

Is there a reason for this?

Is random. It's likely an homage to Jester class in past DQ games.

[laaj]

On Chapter 5 about 18 hours in, but I'm taking my time, exploring and finding stuff. I'm LOVING the game. I'm the type that likes to have the best equipment when I find it, and I just saw a weapon that cost 15,000 so I guess I'm grinding for a while now. The accents aren't too bad, I kinda like how they're all different, and if you sound them out in your head it's not too hard to figure out what the people mean to say.

I think you're playing it wrong. Just equip the best stuff for your top 4 and beat the game.

[soccerstud652]

I'm actually playing two games at once. I am trying to beat DQ I on GBC (with II and III in reserve after I finish I) and IV on the DS. I have VII and VIII for PS but I have yet to start those.


My goal is to have those six games finished by the time V and VI come out. This way I am all caught up for IX!!!

[laaj]

I'm actually playing two games at once. I am trying to beat DQ I on GBC (with II and III in reserve after I finish I) and IV on the DS. I have VII and VIII for PS but I have yet to start those.


My goal is to have those six games finished by the time V and VI come out. This way I am all caught up for IX!!!

There is nothing to catch up; not all Dragon Quest games are linked. Anyway I predict you'll get burned out of playing DQ before finishing even one game. You should pace yourself.

[soccerstud652]

There is nothing to catch up; not all Dragon Quest games are linked. Anyway I predict you'll get burned out of playing DQ before finishing even one game. You should pace yourself.

Actually, I am not even close to burned out. I usually burn out alot quicker, but I have been playing I and IV with no problem. I tried to start VII just to see what it looked like; but I realized it was too much to handle at once.

[Backlash]

That is hundreds of hours of gaming. I did over 100 on DQVIII alone. Unless you have nothing to do all day every day besides game, I don't think you'll be able to finish them all before DQ V comes out. So, just play at your own pace and enjoy them.

[soccerstud652]

That is what I am doing.

What does nerfed mean?

[defiance_17]

Yeah, it's going to be really tough to finish I-IV, VII and VIII by the time V comes out. I'm told VII takes at least 120 hours (I put almost 90 in and wasn't even close to disc 2; my friend spent well over 200), and VIII takes close to 100. Even II-IV can take dozens of hours if you've never played before.

[soccerstud652]

Yeah, it's going to be really tough to finish I-IV, VII and VIII by the time V comes out. I'm told VII takes at least 120 hours (I put almost 90 in and wasn't even close to disc 2; my friend spent well over 200), and VIII takes close to 100. Even II-IV can take dozens of hours if you've never played before.

Well I have put about 30 hours into IV and I'm just about finished.

I have put about 4 hours into DQI and I am almost finished with that.

Does V have a North American release date?

Luckily, I have a 3 week vacation coming up, so I am going to devote alot of time to vegging out and playing some games. Since I finished alot of my newer games like Gears 2, I will have some room to play DQ.

Although, I have not opened Fallout 3 yet, and I know that will suck up some time.

Again, what does nerfed mean.

[laaj]

Again, what does nerfed mean.

OP was some fan freak who wanted all the features from the Japanese version no matter if that's appropriate for Western markets. It all depends on how much you'll be annoyed with having to constantly go the the menu and select party talk after every single game event.

[keithp]

I think you're playing it wrong. Just equip the best stuff for your top 4 and beat the game.

Nah, it's ok, I'm not just grinding for the sake of grinding. I'm having fun exploring and talking to everyone, trying to get side quests and stuff. But seeing a better weapon or armor than the one I have when I get to a new shop makes me want it. The game hasn't been difficult at all at this point, though, so maybe I am overlevelled somewhat.

[publiicprivates]

i really enjoy this series, first games i ever beat was the first one on gb, beat the first two!

[ZForce915]

OP was some fan freak who wanted all the features from the Japanese version no matter if that's appropriate for Western markets. It all depends on how much you'll be annoyed with having to constantly go the the menu and select party talk after every single game event.

That really doesn't answer the question of what nerfed means.

[Dead of Knight]

OP was some fan freak who wanted all the features from the Japanese version no matter if that's appropriate for Western markets. It all depends on how much you'll be annoyed with having to constantly go the the menu and select party talk after every single game event.

How is not having half the game's dialogue "appropriate for Western markets" whether or not YOU personally care about it? Stop being a troll.

[Backlash]

Traditionally, "nerfed" means that the game is made easier (like turning a regular football into a soft nerf football). Often, games are made easier when ported from Japan to the western market. In this case, the OP used the term to mean some features are missing, rather than the game was made easier. I personally don't think it was a good use of the term "nerfed" but whatever.

[Yanksfan]

Anyone still playing this?

I picked this up a few weeks ago and finally popped it in. While I played many JRPGs, this is my first real DQ experience. I just got done playing the wonderful remake of FFIV on the DS and was a bit weary of going to something I knew would be radically different.

About two seconds after turning it on, my fears were gone. I have immediately been sucked in by the charm of this title and have put about 6 hours in the last 2 days, which is a lot for me. The quick battles, the adventuring, the music, the dialogue..all are great. I am pumped for V to come out now and will be picking that up immediately.

Currently, I am on the 2nd chapter and just got done beating the Monster that demanded sacrifices from a local village .

[detectiveconan16]

The pace really does quicken when you get over the hump of level grinding. What were the programmers thinking when they made the second half of the chapter FF-easy?

Man I'm nervous about chapter 3, since it involves business deals > level grinding.

[JEKKI]

lol I'm STILL slowly doing my thing on this game.

I'm on chapter 5, finally recruited my last team member, but I wanna buy sum new armor b4 going to the next dungeon.

I seriously play this game like in one 45 minute session every 2 weeks lol

[Backlash]

I'm still playing this. I'm a good ways into Chapter 5. I really like the freedom it gives you once you ge the ship. I've got several towns and dungeons on my TO DO list that I found, some of which seem too hard and I'll have to go back to.

[keithp]

I need to get back to this. I was playing right before bed, but got sidetracked by one of those book-things with wordies in it. I was on Chapter 5 I think, but was kind of stuck, just sailing around the world trying to figure out what I was supposed to do next.

[DragonSlayerX]

I just got Psaro in my group and am trying to level him a bit currently before V comes out. Still trying to do a few side quests and find residents for that lil town of mine. :)

A lot of times when porting games from Japan to North America they tend to change the dialogue and features a bit to accomodate each culture. If anyone has seen some of the games they have over in Japan, you'd realize that more then enough people would be complaining and throwing a fit over here about them. I would love to see everything that was in the Japan version but at least its better then them not porting the series over.

[steveovig]

I just got Psaro in my group and am trying to level him a bit currently before V comes out. Still trying to do a few side quests and find residents for that lil town of mine. :)

A lot of times when porting games from Japan to North America they tend to change the dialogue and features a bit to accomodate each culture. If anyone has seen some of the games they have over in Japan, you'd realize that more then enough people would be complaining and throwing a fit over here about them. I would love to see everything that was in the Japan version but at least its better then them not porting the series over.

Wait, Psaro joins your group? Not to be an ass but shouldn't that have had spoiler tags?

Anyway, I bought this last week at CC and I love it. Of course, this isn't my first DQ/DW games. I've got about 11 and a half hours in Chapter 4, so far. I'm addicted to playing this game, it seems. I played through a good chunk of DQVIII last year and never got this addicted. I bought this along with Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, Kirby: SSU, and Castlevania: OoE, and none of those three have been touched since last week.

[Axersia]

Wait, Psaro joins your group? Not to be an ass but shouldn't that have had spoiler tags?



It's part of the post-game bonus chapter that starts before the original ending and leads to an alternate ending. I wouldn't be too bothered by having it spoiled.

[Ryuukishi]

I just got Ragnar back in Chapter 5 and now I'm kind of stuck... I've sailed all around the world, explored a few new towns and dungeons without anything notable happening, and seen the Psaro/Rose dream sequence in Straithbale, but I'm not sure where I need to go next.

I felt the same way in VIII after I got the ship... the game abruptly quit indicating what to do next, and I had to just kind of stumble randomly around the world trying to trigger the next story sequence. Do all Dragon Quest games do this?

[JEKKI]

after u get Ragnar, talk to the chancellor in the town/castle where u recruit him and he will point u in the direction of the next area u need to go.

it's sum castle that starts with a "Z", it's overrun by monsters and u gotta fight them.

[steveovig]

I'm at what I presume to be the final boss and I have a question for you guys. Anyone know where I can find a shop inventory list somewhere besides a print guide? I looked on GFaqs and found nothing. I remember a shop that had really expensive weapons/armor especially something that was 35000 gold but I can't remember where it was.

[Backlash]

It was in the south-east corner of Endor. I just bought my second liquid metal armor from there (for 35,000 gold) to use in the final battle.

As a follow-up question: does anyone know how to get to those chests that are on the other side of the wall in that armor shop? I see stairs going up and down and stairs on the roof, but no idea how I''d get up on the roof....

[kainzero]

It was in the south-east corner of Endor. I just bought my second liquid metal armor from there (for 35,000 gold) to use in the final battle.

As a follow-up question: does anyone know how to get to those chests that are on the other side of the wall in that armor shop? I see stairs going up and down and stairs on the roof, but no idea how I''d get up on the roof....
you jump down from the castle

[Masterkyo]

Still waiting for Dragon Quest 4 drop down $20-ish ;)

[steveovig]

I beat Chapter 5 but I don't have a clue where to go to start Chapter 6. Would anyone here be so kind as to inform me where I should go in this Chapter to begin it?

[whitereflection]

Does gold and equipment carry over when you play a character in a later chapter?

[Okari]

I beat Chapter 5 but I don't have a clue where to go to start Chapter 6. Would anyone here be so kind as to inform me where I should go in this Chapter to begin it?

Go to where you used the flute to meet Rose. I'm pretty sure it's called Rosehill. You'll want to talk to the witch in the well. Does gold and equipment carry over when you play a character in a later chapter?

Only the equipment carries over. The characters must have wasted all of their money on hookers when we weren't playing as them.

[Vegan]

Chapter 6 is such a grind, I don't think I'm going to bother. I looked at a guide and I need about 5 more levels to even have a chance of beating Foo Young and Chow Mein.