[quote name='whoknows']I wanted it, but now I don't because the main character is a mute.
Is he still as active in the story as the other characters or no?[/QUOTE]
Sorry, but that's a pretty lame excuse not to get this game

. He's active in that you control him. He does "talk" to the other characters, they just don't show it (or they zoom out, showing him filling in backstory to new people you meet, etc).
So, I picked back up again after not playing for about 3 weeks (out of town). It was in danger of getting forgotten like Tales of Symphonia, which I stopped playing right near the end. On DQ8, I was about 63 hours in and, I think, am very near the end. I couldn't let this one go unfinished, it is just too good. The last 3 days I've pumped up my hours to 72, mostly just spent power-levelling by hunting metal slimes. I wanted to get some of the character skills to 100 before I started the end part. Then I started what I thought was the very end - chasing Sir Leopold using the dark leaf. That led to many a cut scene (Purgatory Island) but now I'm back in the world again free to do what I want.
To those who have finished, is there a point, very soon, where I won't be able to do the monster arena or buy things any more? I'm *THIS* close to winning Rank A in the Arena - I was down to the last monster (that stupid Zombie Gladiator) on my last attempt. There are still a few items I haven't found, though I think I've been everywhere at least a few times. I also have about 8 mini-medals left to find. I'm assuming some of these things can be found in the last areas I haven't gone to yet. I guess I'll just press on and reload if it looks like I've gone too far (there's still a few weopons/armor I'd like to find or create before the final battles).
One warning for those not too far through - save your "Saint's Ashes" for the really big items. I used a couple on smaller things (e.g., Zombie Mail) and now wish I had them back. There just aren't too many to find - one can be had in the casino but I don't have the patience for that.