Dragon Quest VIII

[quote name='Dead of Knight']My boyfriend has clocked like 45 hours and hasn't even fought
Dhoulmagus
for the first time. He's mixing new equipment before he goes into the dungeon with him in it. I took 61ish on the whole game (not including the post-initial-ending stuff), but I did use a guide more than him. It'll be interesting to see what he ends up clocking in at.[/quote]Well, when I played this game, back in December of 2005, I put about 100 hours into it, but I did EVERYTHING. I bought the strategy guide when I got the game, and did nothing but follow it, since I knew I couldn't get through the game and it's antiquated battle system without knowing all the secrets.
 
I'm using gamefaqs but only after I been to a place. So first I try to find stuff on my own and once I think I'm done I'll check gamefaqs to see if I missed anything. It is a fun game but I don't plan on playing twice.
 
Gamefaqs definately makes the game more enjoyable - I'd be super pissed if I'd missed picking up the thief key and master key plus I had no idea on how to unlock Morrie's place. I also enjoy not being killed in a boss fight because I didn't know which gimmicky attack that boss was fond of using beforehand.
 
[quote name='keithp']LOL, it's got to be a mark of great character design when you can still hear the exact voice saying that even after years of not having played the game![/quote]

For real, he is hands down the best character. I could have sworn Bob Hoskins was doing the voice when he first started talking.

One thing that does grate on my nerves is the fact you need to push a button every time a character speaks. I mean, just play the damn scene so I can fold socks or open mail while the characters talk.
 
Is there anything interesting in the desert area Southwest of Argonia?
I got a dragonscale and dragon dung. Other than that I was expecting something more.
 
[quote name='camoor']Anyone else chuckling at all the innuendo? I'm a bit surprised considering the otherwise kid-friendly tone.

VA-VA-VOOOM![/quote]

You want innuendo? Find the hidden Puff-Puff house. Jesus christ...
 
[quote name='Vegan']You want innuendo? Find the hidden Puff-Puff house. Jesus christ...[/QUOTE]

:rofl:

I forgot about that. That was classic Japanese RPG wierdness right there.

[quote name='VanillaGorilla']
Well, when I played this game, back in December of 2005, I put about 100 hours into it, but I did EVERYTHING. I bought the strategy guide when I got the game, and did nothing but follow it, since I knew I couldn't get through the game and it's antiquated battle system without knowing all the secrets.
[/quote]
Oh please :roll:... I thought the battle system was too simple and old-school for you? Why would you need a guide for that?

I just peeked at a FAQ for some alchemy stuff and the monster arena a bit, but this is a good game to just let things come as they may. I agree, though, camoor, that getting the info on the keys might be a good idea too. I had completely forgotten about those.
 
[quote name='io']I just peeked at a FAQ for some alchemy stuff and the monster arena a bit, but this is a good game to just let things come as they may. I agree, though, camoor, that getting the info on the keys might be a good idea too. I had completely forgotten about those.[/quote]

I guess it depends how far you're in.

I felt the same way until I got about halfway through when the quests became a little more inane
(IE: find this tree that shows up only at dawn)
, the alchemy recipes become more complex, and you need to start power-leveling.

IMO knowing the metal slime areas is a must for enjoying the game, and without using a FAQ I would never have found the best ones. And I just wish they gave you a little more direction with the alchemy pot. I mean, I read every book and searched every town, but matching items you have to nebulous recipes is so random.
 
Well, I really relied on the FAQs when I was done with the main game and trying to do the extra stuff. THAT was when I needed to find the metal slimes for power-leveling. I didn't think it was too necessary for the main quest though. But on the other hand, I'm pretty thorough when I play RPGs so I may have leveled up enough through complete exploration, doing the monster arena to completion, etc, before I took on the final boss so it wasn't a big deal. If you were trying to power through the game then knowing more of the secrets early on would help.
 
[quote name='Vegan']You want innuendo? Find the hidden Puff-Puff house. Jesus christ...[/quote]

What an over-reaction. :roll: The puff-puff house was pretty lame. God of War was way more pornographic than the puff-puff house. I thought the puff house was just funny and weird... but not really offensive or deserving of Japanese insults. Bah.

What pisses me off MOST about this game was fighting Dhoulmagus. Everyone should remember this one battle where you absolutely cannot defeat his second form. This isn't a spoiler: it's a warning.

Nothing's more :bomb:frustrating :bomb:than realizing you're supposed to get a game-over before continuing with the story.... (but I'll keep the other details to myself, so as not to spoil too much).

The optional level at the end was pretty hardcore. I remember getting through maybe half of the dragon bosses before calling it quits. They're way too hard...

And my final tally: 160 hours. :drool:

The longest I've spent on any single game. :roll:
 
[quote name='iceblast21']What an over-reaction. :roll: The puff-puff house was pretty lame. God of War was way more pornographic than the puff-puff house. I thought the puff house was just funny and weird... but not really offensive or deserving of Japanese insults. Bah.[/QUOTE]That's the thing - the puff-puff house is innuendo, not pornography. Innuendo being innuendo, you weren't supposed to see much to begin with. I mean, it's a T-rated game...

That said, it was one of the funnier parts of the game,
especially once you see the slimes!
I don't know if Akira Toriyama had anything to do with that sidequest aside from the character designs (obviously), but it's indicative of his brand of humor. If you aren't already familiar with said sense of humor, things like the puff-puff house can be pretty jarring and weird.
 
The localization is pretty darn good.

It's obvious they want to build this game as more of a franchise player in America, the attention to detail shows.

I could also see that they didn't give a damn about being PC :lol:
 
[quote name='iceblast21']What an over-reaction. :roll: The puff-puff house was pretty lame. God of War was way more pornographic than the puff-puff house. I thought the puff house was just funny and weird... but not really offensive or deserving of Japanese insults. Bah.[/quote]

Wow, way to misread everyone here. I don't think Vegan was offended at all - maybe just commenting that it was a bit over the top, perhaps. And if the Japanese insult thing was directed at me - wow... I simply said "That was classic Japanese RPG wierdness right there". You said yourself it was wierd, so I guess you agree. The term "Japanese RPG" refers to the game type - do you disagree that DQ VIII is a Japanese RPG? And this was a classic off-the-wall Japanese RPG element. By the way, I loved it - was laughing out loud at its wierdness, actually :lol:.

[quote name='iceblast21']
The optional level at the end was pretty hardcore. I remember getting through maybe half of the dragon bosses before calling it quits. They're way too hard...

And my final tally: 160 hours. :drool:

The longest I've spent on any single game. :roll:[/QUOTE]
You put 160 hours into it and couldn't get through the Dragovian stuff? After playing that much they should have been a breeze. I put about 120 in with the last 30 simply leveling up so I could do them. One of them (not the last one) was by far the toughest and once I got past that it was pretty easy. You must have been on that guy when you stopped. It is all about using the Tibrel of Tension (I think that's what it was called - look back in this thread).
 
Zoom zoom away. So I just found out that I need to hit right on the pad to get to more places when zooming around. I wasted a great deal of time only zooming to the places on the first screen. Oh well live and learn.

Right now I'm at the part where I a need to get a harp.
 
I'm at the dark ruins part now. spending time trying to find metal slimes at the hidden sw isle and earning cash to buy/make the best weapons from the bazar.
 
[quote name='Baron O Hell']Zoom zoom away. So I just found out that I need to hit right on the pad to get to more places when zooming around. I wasted a great deal of time only zooming to the places on the first screen. Oh well live and learn.
.[/QUOTE]

I did that as well. They really should have put some obvious indicator on the screen to let you know there were more destinations. Or just presented the list differently.
 
LOL! I was so pissed I had that I could only zoom to certain places. Then I accidently hit the right button and saw the next page of the list.
 
[quote name='Backlash']I did that as well. They really should have put some obvious indicator on the screen to let you know there were more destinations. Or just presented the list differently.[/quote]
Same here. Incidentally, it's a complaint I've read about this and other Level 5 designed games. Clunky, non-intuitive interfaces.
 
Im about 55 hours in, Just left the pirates cove after the captin crow fight, I can concur that this is by far the best ps2 rpg, and in my top 5 of all rpgs period. So how much longer do I have before I finish the game, ie not dragonvonian trials(ill do those after Lost Odyssey).
 
[quote name='DaddyBoJangles']Im about 55 hours in, Just left the pirates cove after the captin crow fight, I can concur that this is by far the best ps2 rpg, and in my top 5 of all rpgs period. So how much longer do I have before I finish the game, ie not dragonvonian trials(ill do those after Lost Odyssey).[/quote]

The section after this was a real snooze for me
black-and-white versions of all the enemies - YAWN
but there's a fantastic payoff at the end. And there are two pretty sweet boss fights.
 
[quote name='camoor']The section after this was a real snooze for me
black-and-white versions of all the enemies - YAWN
but there's a fantastic payoff at the end. And there are two pretty sweet boss fights.[/quote]

i just entered that area and fought
Empreya(sp?) Now i have to go up on her eyrie and get her egg back from some monster. Im assuming I get the ability to fly soon?
I dont get much to play thats why im not much farther than my previous post. I also screw off in the casinos a lot

I found the puff puff thing though and found it hilarious. The ending was gold.:whistle2:#
 
[quote name='DaddyBoJangles']i just entered that area and fought
Empreya(sp?) Now i have to go up on her eyrie and get her egg back from some monster. Im assuming I get the ability to fly soon?
I dont get much to play thats why im not much farther than my previous post. I also screw off in the casinos a lot

I found the puff puff thing though and found it hilarious. The ending was gold.:whistle2:#[/quote]

I hope you don't mind running alot. They make you work your way to the top.

Puff-puff was great - did anyone else use all four characters? I like the way each character had a different (yet fitting) reaction - it's that level of detail in a JRPG that keeps me coming back for more. I kinda wish I could see how Trode would have reacted :p
 
[quote name='camoor']I hope you don't mind running alot. They make you work your way to the top.

Puff-puff was great - did anyone else use all four characters? I like the way each character had a different (yet fitting) reaction - it's that level of detail in a JRPG that keeps me coming back for more. I kinda wish I could see how Trode would have reacted :p[/quote]

I dont mind the running but, i left the mountin to save do I just go back to the rock in the middle of the map to get back up to the eyrie?

I didnt know you could do the le puff puff with all 4 chars its on.
 
[quote name='DaddyBoJangles']Im about 55 hours in, Just left the pirates cove after the captin crow fight, I can concur that this is by far the best ps2 rpg, and in my top 5 of all rpgs period. So how much longer do I have before I finish the game, ie not dragonvonian trials(ill do those after Lost Odyssey).[/quote]
Dragon Quest VIII is the best game period I have ever played.
 
[quote name='DaddyBoJangles']I dont mind the running but, i left the mountin to save do I just go back to the rock in the middle of the map to get back up to the eyrie?

I didnt know you could do the le puff puff with all 4 chars its on.[/quote]

I don't know - I think you prolly have to though. I'll just leave the PS2 on if I have to go do something - it's too much of a pain in the rear to do a section again.

Prolly obvious - but to do the puff puff with other chars just rearrange them in your lineup menu.
 
[quote name='camoor']Prolly obvious - but to do the puff puff with other chars just rearrange them in your lineup menu.[/QUOTE]Didn't know that! I really want to try that now :lol:
 
Is there some tips on getting more gold? My equipment is about 2-3 towns behind and having some trouble at the floating castle.
 
If I remember correctly, there's Gold Golems on Neos. They're one of the rarer monsters, but beating one will net you a lot of gold.
 
Anyone have any strategies for making weapons/armor/etc through alchemy?
Since some ingredients are rare and can make a few different items, some times I cant decide what I want to do with them. Guess I'll check out the FAQ's but was wondering if someone has preference of what to concentrate on.
 
[quote name='DrNo888']Anyone have any strategies for making weapons/armor/etc through alchemy?
Since some ingredients are rare and can make a few different items, some times I cant decide what I want to do with them. Guess I'll check out the FAQ's but was wondering if someone has preference of what to concentrate on.[/QUOTE]

The only thing I really remember is that if you can make a Timbrel of Tension, make it for sure. (I think it uses a unique ingredient that can go for more than one item).
 
The Timbrel is the best item in the game, hands-down. The Sun Crown actually isn't unique...there are two of them, so you can make
two Timbrels for some serious pwnage.

Orichalcum is one of the other biggies. You need it for almost all the best armors, and once you've used up the ones you get in chests and as story items, it's VERY VERY hard to get any more since you need to get a rare drop from a metal king slime to get more. There are, however, a handful of goodies you can make quite early that will serve you well for most of the game. I definitely recommend concentrating on them. These include the Silver/Gold Tiaras, Phantom Mask, Gigant Armor, White Shields, Staff of Resurrection, Shamshir of Light (amazing sword that you can get before Orkutsk if you're lucky), and the Divine Bustier.
 
You don't really need to make any items. I just beat the game with weapons and armor that's 1-2 towns behind. You should shoot for armors since there are more weapons and shields you can buy later.
 
Timbrel of Tension - Why is this item the best in game? Can't anyone just use Psyche during their turn to raise tension? Or does this let one user raise another's tension?
 
The Timbrel raises the tension of the ENTIRE party by one notch (including the user), and can be used an unlimited number of times. So essentially if your fastest character has it and the rest of the party alternates between psyching and attacking, 3 members can attack with 50 tension every other turn. That's pretty sick.

It takes forever to brew in the alchemy pot, but the game's a breeze once you get it.
 
I'm trying to get Angelo up to level 30 for the big dark ruins fight. So I'm playing around on the hidden isle with. Whistel, hope it's a metal slime, flee if it's not. Hope I kill it before it flees. Whistle again.
 
Heh, that fight is soooooooooo much harder than anything before it and soooooooo much harder than most of the rest of the game. Kind of a bottleneck...otherwise you could pretty much zip through more or less to the end.
 
I just beat Dhoulmagus the other night. That was one long fight. Angelo ran out of MP so I had to heal with Hero.

What is this hidden isle someone just mentioned?

When I needed to level up, I just did Trodain. However, after defeating the first LMS after zoning in, the ones thereafter would just flee. Didnt try zoning back in or not. I did it two nights in a row so got to kill 2.
 
[quote name='DrNo888']I just beat Dhoulmagus the other night. That was one long fight. Angelo ran out of MP so I had to heal with Hero.

What is this hidden isle someone just mentioned?

When I needed to level up, I just did Trodain. However, after defeating the first LMS after zoning in, the ones thereafter would just flee. Didnt try zoning back in or not. I did it two nights in a row so got to kill 2.[/quote]

The hidden isle is in the far southwest corner of the map. Go due north from the dark isle and you'll run right into it. It doesn't show up on the map though.

It's populated by mimic, canniboxes, slimes, and liquid metal slimes.
 
picked this up for 20 bucks at Fry's the other day, opened it up but haven't played at all, haha, gonna play it right after FF12 >_< can't wait.
 
[quote name='AshesofWake']picked this up for 20 bucks at Fry's the other day, opened it up but haven't played at all, haha, gonna play it right after FF12 >_< can't wait.[/quote]

How can you delay the best game ever for FFXII?
 
I should pull this out and play through it again... been renting RPGs on the 360 checking them out and... just not as good for the most part.
 
52 hours in, just heading north up to the herb grotto. Game's finally startng to feel a little exciting. Although the plot could definatley use more than just "chase the big bad to the next town"
 
Man o man these monsters before the Dragovian Lord don't let up. And leveling up has become a pain in the ass what with all the "Dark ____" showing up while I'm Liquid Slime hunting.

Howling Hill is about the best place for leveling up right? I tried that Dragon's Graveyard Level One method for about an hour but didn't have much luck at all.

Should I be having this much trouble at Level 47 getting to the D Lord, or should I just go for it.
 
Are you going after him for the first time? You should probably be okay at 47, if I remember correctly. The enemies on the way to him are hella hard no matter what, so don't be surprised if you get beaten senseless once in awhile. If you're going for the Ultimate Dragon to fill up the bestiary you'll need another 20 levels or so. Time to grind the metal king slimes if that's the case (and yeah, whatever area is the slimes-only area is the best place. Sooooo many metal kings and liquid metals there). It'll take awhile. I think I was 68 when I beat him.
 
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