Dragon Quest VIII - Classic or boring?

[Raditzu]

The great thing about Dragon Quest is that you know what you're buying. Its not like Final Fantasy. Its Dragon Quest. Its formulaic. If you don't like the formula, don't buy the game. Frankly, I was getting a little overwhelmed with all of the "expansive" and "free-roam" RPGs out there. Something simple and straight up is a very freshing change of pace. And I think they mixed it up plenty with the attribute system. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this game.

Its pretty simple: if you like the "classic" style gameplay, this game rules. If you're tired of it, don't buy this. Don't even rent it. There is nothing inventive or original about the combat system. Its not trying to do that.

On a complete side-note, I haven't heard a game with music this good in a long while. Its also pretty as hell.

[Old Dave]

I love the game, good graphics weird but interesting story line.

*thumbs up*

[Bra]

Fallout 2 > Your RPG

[The Not Cool Not Tapion]

I love this game. I think TB is fun if you want to put some strategy into it. Or if I'm tired and don't want to think fast. The demo disc was cool, I can't wait for FFXII. I got this game for X-mas (I asked for it) and it had been great to me. I never really played until last weekend, I never put it down. Haven't played at all last week during school and whatnot but I wanted to. I'm only to the part where I have to get Venus' tear for Red so I can get the princess back.

[Super Buu]

I haven't actually played Dragon Quest, because a lot of RPGs just don't come out in PAL format. Something to do with having to translate it into all the different EU languages. Regardless, Australia and the UK often get bundled in

Anyway, I'm inclined to agree - I dislike traditional RPGs, simply because the gameplay itself is no fun. The Mario RPGs are considered by many to be the greatest RPGs of all time, because the fights are actually fun and involving.

[Raditzu]

I hope you're not putting the Paper Mario "RPG" in the same category as Super Mario RPG.

>.>

Anyway, I'm totally with Tapion. There are plenty of times when I just want to watch some pretty graphics and win a few easy fights.

I actually haven't played the FFXII demo. I have absolutely no desire to, either. I lent to a friend of mine, in fact. His exact response was "meh."

[Super Buu]

Originally posted by Raditzu
I hope you're not putting the Paper Mario "RPG" in the same category as Super Mario RPG.

I actually thought the Paper Mario series was better. SMRPG stuck to the rules a bit more - it was different enough for it to surpass most traditional RPGs, but samey enough to still have the grind of one. I absolutely loved PM 1&2, it reminded me a lot of Zelda/Metroid where new items/upgrades not only help you in battle, but also outside battle with puzzles and such. I rarely found myself bored, which is a refreshing change from most RPGs.

Anyway, I just found out DQ is coming out over here in April sometime, so I might get it then. It's actually been a while since I played a formulaic RPG.

[Tobias]

SMRPG and Paper Mario are like Jesus and Mohammed. PM2 is sorta like the hobo who thinks God gave him a cheeseburger back in 'Nam.

[Raditzu]

Originally posted by Jeice
Get in, kill, wander aimlessly around a maze until you find Item A or map B, return with item and give it to person who requires it. Said person unlocks next route, or gives item needed, rinse, repeat.

You just described every RPG/Adventure game ever made. Serious, if that's your complaint you wouldn't even like KOTOR or Fable.

Its always:
1) character runs into someone who needs help
2) character helps them for whatever reason
3) character is rewarded with something that further progresses the storyline

Throw in a few side quests, mix up the combat system occasionally, and thats how you make an RPG.

I don't mean to be rude, but that's a really dumb reason to not like a game. That's what almost all games are (including Fable and KOTOR) and that's what the whole DQ series is about. As a side note, I found Fable to be far more repetitve than DQ8.

EDIT: "as far as plot goes, it was a total ball drop. I've played games of checkers with more intense battles."

Was that an actual comment about the plot of the game, or were you just ragging on the combat some more? I'm genuinely asking, too.

[Raditzu]

So... you're real complaint is that you're forced through the story. From what you said that seems to be the real problem.

I gotta say, boss fights in Fable aren't that exciting. Knock arrow, roll away from attack, shoot. Knock arrow, roll away from attack, shoot. Through in the occasional spell and I just described every single fight in that game.

[Raditzu]

I'm not degrading anything, I'm trying to understand your complaint is all. First it was too formulaic, then it was too repetitive, and now its the problem is that storyline is too forced. I guess its just how RPGs have changed. All the Final Fantasy games are that way. Chrono Trigger (aside from the ending) is that way. All the previous Dragon Quest games are that way. Breath of Fire, the Mana series, Legend of Dragoon, Super Mario RPG, so on and so forth. Having to play the same story is how RPGs have always been done. That's what defines a Role Playing Game. Playing the role of a character through their story.

*shrug*

You don't like it, that's cool. Like I said, I was just trying to figure out where you were coming from. No need to throw accusations around.

[Alsa]

four and a half stars...

[Metal Teemer]

I haven't actually played the game, but it looks really interesting. There is something to be said for classic RPG gameplay, though. I'm playing through some of the old FF games on my GBA, and I find the lack of choice somewhat refreshing. When there are now so many RPGs which give you the one basic choice to be "good" or "evil", it's nice to just have to be good. I'll admit that there are times where I wish I could just punch people in the face for telling me to save their prince, it's not how the story goes.

Don't get me wrong, KOTOR was one of my favorite games, I enjoyed the choice of light or dark side, good or evil. It's just that when you eat cake every day, at some point you are going to want to eat meat and potatoes.

BTW, I'm the friend Rad referred to about the FFXII demo. I just felt that there was something odd about it, it didn't feel very Final Fantasy. But it was pretty. I described the graphics level at FFXI +2.