-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
DQ Swords Impressions
- Thread starter Bebpo
- Start date
One thing that I think will divide players over the long run is that later on this is how stages go:
1. Enter a stage, play 50-90% through it (so maybe 10-15 mins), learn the enemy patterns, lose HP/MP a little at a time while you do.
2. When low on HP/MP and out of items (or if you're trying to save items), escape back to town keeping all your money/items/exp
3. Go back to the stage and now that you know all the patterns, make it to the boss in great shape and hopefully beat them.
So basically you're going to need to play most of the levels twice. If you are an rpg fan, this is just the grind bit and it's nice because when you go back after the 1st attempt you have a ton of money to upgrade stuff and buy items, plus you're at a higher level on the 2nd attempt. So it feels like an rpg in that aspect.
Now you can try to do it in just one attempt and take on the boss with no items/no mp, and if the boss patterns are easy or you are good, it's no problem. But if you lose you lose 50% of your gold and have to redo it all again (just like DQ games), so if you're stingy and careful (which is how I play) you're pretty much going to do multiple attempts.
I don't mind it at all because the stages are fun, but the rpg-ish aspect of it might turn off arcade/lightgun fans.
1. Enter a stage, play 50-90% through it (so maybe 10-15 mins), learn the enemy patterns, lose HP/MP a little at a time while you do.
2. When low on HP/MP and out of items (or if you're trying to save items), escape back to town keeping all your money/items/exp
3. Go back to the stage and now that you know all the patterns, make it to the boss in great shape and hopefully beat them.
So basically you're going to need to play most of the levels twice. If you are an rpg fan, this is just the grind bit and it's nice because when you go back after the 1st attempt you have a ton of money to upgrade stuff and buy items, plus you're at a higher level on the 2nd attempt. So it feels like an rpg in that aspect.
Now you can try to do it in just one attempt and take on the boss with no items/no mp, and if the boss patterns are easy or you are good, it's no problem. But if you lose you lose 50% of your gold and have to redo it all again (just like DQ games), so if you're stingy and careful (which is how I play) you're pretty much going to do multiple attempts.
I don't mind it at all because the stages are fun, but the rpg-ish aspect of it might turn off arcade/lightgun fans.
FateBreaker
Member
really happy to hear how good this game is turning out to be. thanks for the impressiions, bebpo.
Some movies at Gamevideos and IGN:
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13218
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13220
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/826/826840/vids_1.html
Direct Links to Gamevideos WMVs:
http://download.gamevideos.com/13218/gv.com.DragonQuestSwordsIntro-Tutorial_640x360.wmv
http://download.gamevideos.com/13220/gv.com.DragonQuestSwordsKnightBattle_640x360.wmv
I was fairly interested in this before, but after these videos I'm really looking forward to it. It looks and sounds great!
The only DQ game I've played was DQ8, and I enjoyed it, but I found some bits to be a chore, especially getting to the end, which has lot to do with not wanting to spend so much time playing RPGs anymore, so the shorter experience and fun factor of DQS are really appealing to me.
It looks like I'm going to get all the RPG stuff I want and some good action gameplay. I'm really impressed.
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13218
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13220
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/826/826840/vids_1.html
Direct Links to Gamevideos WMVs:
http://download.gamevideos.com/13218/gv.com.DragonQuestSwordsIntro-Tutorial_640x360.wmv
http://download.gamevideos.com/13220/gv.com.DragonQuestSwordsKnightBattle_640x360.wmv
I was fairly interested in this before, but after these videos I'm really looking forward to it. It looks and sounds great!
The only DQ game I've played was DQ8, and I enjoyed it, but I found some bits to be a chore, especially getting to the end, which has lot to do with not wanting to spend so much time playing RPGs anymore, so the shorter experience and fun factor of DQS are really appealing to me.
It looks like I'm going to get all the RPG stuff I want and some good action gameplay. I'm really impressed.
jaundicejuice
Member
Do you have a Japanese Wii? Cos there ain't no way around the region restrictions that I'm aware of, otherwise I would've been all over importing this.
jaundicejuice
Member
I've never modded a system, nor do I know of any place nearby that would or could do such a thing. There would've been one shop but they'velong since been closed.
It wasn't until region free handhelds and systems existed that I started importing games.
It wasn't until region free handhelds and systems existed that I started importing games.
FateBreaker
Member
This honestly looks spectacular. I wouldn't mind if this would have been Dragon Quest 9.
I'm about half way through now and here's some things I like and don't like about the game.
Likes:
- The game is fun, stages are very replayable.
- Getting new armor and weapons is fun
- Special attacks feel really good, especially when you finish a boss off with one
- The graphics are hot, there's one river raft part where the water is pretty spectacular.
Dislikes:
- THE TOWNN ARGGG
Meh, whatever:
- The story, I honestly don't care.
Likes:
- The game is fun, stages are very replayable.
- Getting new armor and weapons is fun
- Special attacks feel really good, especially when you finish a boss off with one
- The graphics are hot, there's one river raft part where the water is pretty spectacular.
Dislikes:
- THE TOWNN ARGGG
Meh, whatever:
- The story, I honestly don't care.
BrodiemanTTR
Member
hey sporsk how are the towns lol
But more seriously, the game being on-rails isn't too much of a turn-off? It's still satisfying? That's really my major concern, feeling uninvolved.
But more seriously, the game being on-rails isn't too much of a turn-off? It's still satisfying? That's really my major concern, feeling uninvolved.
Leatherface
Member
After watching the video's I'm all over this game. Looks like a ton of fun. 
Stormbringer
Member
These positive impressions added to this pretty cool set of videos I came across (gametrailers) and to the other videos posted in this thread definitely increased (if not basically generated) my anticipation for this game. Thanks again for posting these.
This looks pretty neat. I like how they really captured the 2d elements of the enemies, especially the wyvern. bouncing back the fireballs zelda lttp style is pretty neat.
the mirror tower music is nice, I just wish it wasn't disrupted with battle music all the time. I wish rpg producers would not use battle music for non-boss/crticial battles.
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13241
the mirror tower music is nice, I just wish it wasn't disrupted with battle music all the time. I wish rpg producers would not use battle music for non-boss/crticial battles.
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13241
lybertyboy
Thinks the Evil Empire is just misunderstood.
Glad to see someone else showing this game some love. I posted these last 3 videos late yesterday afternoon.
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13241
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13240
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13242
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13241
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13240
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13242
Stormbringer
Member
Just a heads-up : Chris "Kobun" Kohler played through the first few levels and posted his impressions on his blog :
http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/07/dragon-quest--1.html#more
Summary : Good gameplay and game design (battle mode, depth, difficulty, dungeons), but some specific design flaws (navigation, loadings) , and ugly graphics (overworld, backgrounds). Seems like the core gameplay is definitely good, but the game needs some polish overall - however he thinks that most of the flaws reported here could be fixed in the US/PAL release.
I hope he could maybe come over here eventually and give us more advanced and definitive impressions, but for now those sound pretty much balanced, and definitely realistic, yet those make the game sound solid enough, to me.
http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/07/dragon-quest--1.html#more
Summary : Good gameplay and game design (battle mode, depth, difficulty, dungeons), but some specific design flaws (navigation, loadings) , and ugly graphics (overworld, backgrounds). Seems like the core gameplay is definitely good, but the game needs some polish overall - however he thinks that most of the flaws reported here could be fixed in the US/PAL release.
I hope he could maybe come over here eventually and give us more advanced and definitive impressions, but for now those sound pretty much balanced, and definitely realistic, yet those make the game sound solid enough, to me.
Stormbringer
Member
tnw said:
Uh, wrong thread maybe ?...
Anyway, now that we're on the subject, there is already a game where you can move your character with the pointer (it's Zack & Wiki, the point-and-click), but I don't think this would work well with an action game such as Zelda...Or would it ?
mutsu said:
Probably shorter. I'm at stage 6 of
8
Keep in mind the stages are only about 20 mins on average and the cutscenes/story between each stage is about 10 mins long. Add that up + shopping + stages taking several attempts of learning patterns/grinding exp/money and you see where the game length comes from.
Stormbringer
Member
Bebpo said:
Yep, I've heard previously that around 6 hours is a good evaluation on how long it lasts... Even if the game seems more arcadey and less epic than the usual Dragon Quest, that's still extremely dissapointing.
But Bebpo, even if you haven't finished it yet, now that you have an idea on quick you progressed through the game and how long the experience will last, do you feel like the game absolutely fail as a complete game so far, or do his qualities will at least partly redeem it in the end ?
Stormbringer said:
Despite the short length I feel it's totally worth the money. It's a really fun experience and for the type of arcade experience it is...it's actually longer than I'd expect. Most arcade games are like 2-3 hours long.
My only complaint is that there aren't any checkpoints/warp points/save points in the dungeons so if you get to a boss and it takes you a while to get all the patterns down you die and have to redo the entire dungeon again with all the same battles again. I find that somewhat frustrating, though the fun gameplay does make it not as bad as it could be. I know they had to stick to DQ rules, but it doesn't work 100% well here.
Other than that I think the game is about as good as it can be for the type of title it's striving for. Definitely an A- level game at this point.
Tristam said:
Nope. Can't really see myself going through it again unless there is a boss rush mode. That would definitely be cool since it'd be a bit like Punch-Out.
Regarding your second question...what? That's like asking if Virtua Cop fighting is more enjoyable than Grandia III battles. You can't really compare them at all. This isn't really an rpg.
Stormbringer
Member
tnw said:
Oh ok, I totally see what you were trying to say now. Please excuse my poor reading comprehension skills.
Anyway, yes, that would be a good solution, I think. But just as Kohler suggests, I think the Nunchuk would be optimal in this case. They could always include many different configurations to choose from.
Bebpo said:
Well, that's honestly reassuring. I hope I, too, will be able to appreciate the game for what it is. Thanks again for the impressions.
Actually it makes a lot of sense. The nunchuck would ruin the stages and battling. So you'd be stuck with having to unplug/plug-in the nunchuck everytime you go into town? ...wouldn't work.
I think honestly the best solution would have been to make the town on rails with only a straight path with people along the way for shops.
I think honestly the best solution would have been to make the town on rails with only a straight path with people along the way for shops.
Stormbringer
Member
Bebpo said:
That's true. I forgot that the nunchuk could be really obstructive in a game that use the Wiimote as intensively as this.
Mermandala
Member
sp0rsk said:
This kinda reminds me of when Killer 7 was described as David Lynch Duck Hunt.
donkey show
Member
I guess when you're doing the special moves, but I don't see how it could really get in the way. I've been playing the game now through stage 2 and it really is awesome. I do agree this is pretty much DQ Punch Out, especially when I started fighting the 2nd stage boss. Good stuff. Much, much better than Kenshin DQ. :lolStormbringer said:
Stormbringer
Member
donkey show said:
It depends on the people I guess, but a lot of people have already stated being greatly annoyed by the nunchuk wire while playing various Wii games, especially those that required to move the Wiimote extensively, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was this kind of reaction if the unique control scheme in DQS required the nunchuk. But I guess there is no way to please everyone with one configuration, so I think there could be many different control schemes available.
titiklabingapat
Member
Wow, all the videso are awesome! Wow.
Alright, I beat the game with a clear time of 8:18 including a decent bit of grinding in the later stages.
It really is a great game from start to finish. There's a good amount of enemy variety and the boss patterns are really fun for the most part. The length is perfect for what it is (its pretty tough to do more than 1-2 stages in 1 day because it's really tiring on your arm with all the non-stop slashing). There is a good amount of secret things to do after the game too.
For instance, there's an area where you can fight 4 super boss battles and if you beat them all I guess the ultimate super boss. The only thing is that each boss requires a certain amount of rank experience to fight them (you get rank points after you finish a stage and you advance through the ranks which give you new abilities like "x" spell lasts 2x as long"). After finishing the game I had enough rank to fight the first two and after finish them I had enough to fight the 3rd, but I don't have enough rank to fight the 4th one.
Also in the stages the path splits a few times and there are rocks blocking a direction. You can exchange medals for items that break the rocks and explore new sections of the stage to get rare treasures.
Then for the dedicated people, or those with no other games to play, you can try to make the best sword. To do this you have to grind SO MUCH to get the money and the rare items because the best swords require you to make the 2nd/3rd/4th best swords and combine them to get it. If the game takes 6-10 hours to play, grinding for this would probably add another 10 hours and double the game length for those who enjoy 10 hours of grinding.
Overall:
+Good control scheme
+Super attacks are fun
+Rpg aspects like equipment, money, exp are good
+DQ nostalgia and presence is great. Seeing rare metal slimes fly across the screen, knights jump on slimes and ride them out, treasure chests try to eat you; it's all nice.
+Boss fights are awesome
+Stages and their branching paths are good
+Graphics and music are good
+Voice acting is good
+Buddy system is good but the prince kid is useless
+Length is just about right
+Substantial amount of post-game fun
-There are a few attacks that require far too high of precision for Wiimote controls. Normally the controls are good because the game doesn't penalize you for not being exact, but towards the later stages it sucks taking heavy damage because the Wiimote read your input incorrectly. For example, some attacks you can't just defend because they attack at 2 or 3 points across the screen at an angle. Because of this you have to do a single slash in exactly the perfect angle at the right time to deflect them/destroy them. But you might do a horizontal slash and the game reads it as a slightly tilted horizontal slash and it appears as an angle on-screen and you get hit.
-These leads to the idea that the game really should have checkpoints/save points in dungeons, at least before bosses. I know it'd be very "un-" DQ to do that, but if an attack doesn't react correctly and you die 30 mins into a stage and have to redo the entire thing again along with all the exact same battles again...it'd be frustrating. I made it through ok, but I got lucky at a few spots which could've ticked me off pretty bad if I had been 'unlucky" and had to redo stages.
-Some enemies just aren't that fun. It's only a handful, but some you have to just sit, sit, sit and block until they finally open up for attack and then if your sword isn't strong enough you sit, sit, sit and block until they open up again. Normally enemies should be fast and have lots of opening so you can blow through them.
-The rpg aspects like grinding (forced by the game setting money costs so high on some things or by require tons of rare items) could have been left out.
-Moving in towns could be better.
It's a great game and I'd definitely put it up there with Zelda/FE as the must-have Wii games.
It really is a great game from start to finish. There's a good amount of enemy variety and the boss patterns are really fun for the most part. The length is perfect for what it is (its pretty tough to do more than 1-2 stages in 1 day because it's really tiring on your arm with all the non-stop slashing). There is a good amount of secret things to do after the game too.
For instance, there's an area where you can fight 4 super boss battles and if you beat them all I guess the ultimate super boss. The only thing is that each boss requires a certain amount of rank experience to fight them (you get rank points after you finish a stage and you advance through the ranks which give you new abilities like "x" spell lasts 2x as long"). After finishing the game I had enough rank to fight the first two and after finish them I had enough to fight the 3rd, but I don't have enough rank to fight the 4th one.
Also in the stages the path splits a few times and there are rocks blocking a direction. You can exchange medals for items that break the rocks and explore new sections of the stage to get rare treasures.
Then for the dedicated people, or those with no other games to play, you can try to make the best sword. To do this you have to grind SO MUCH to get the money and the rare items because the best swords require you to make the 2nd/3rd/4th best swords and combine them to get it. If the game takes 6-10 hours to play, grinding for this would probably add another 10 hours and double the game length for those who enjoy 10 hours of grinding.
Overall:
+Good control scheme
+Super attacks are fun
+Rpg aspects like equipment, money, exp are good
+DQ nostalgia and presence is great. Seeing rare metal slimes fly across the screen, knights jump on slimes and ride them out, treasure chests try to eat you; it's all nice.
+Boss fights are awesome
+Stages and their branching paths are good
+Graphics and music are good
+Voice acting is good
+Buddy system is good but the prince kid is useless
+Length is just about right
+Substantial amount of post-game fun
-There are a few attacks that require far too high of precision for Wiimote controls. Normally the controls are good because the game doesn't penalize you for not being exact, but towards the later stages it sucks taking heavy damage because the Wiimote read your input incorrectly. For example, some attacks you can't just defend because they attack at 2 or 3 points across the screen at an angle. Because of this you have to do a single slash in exactly the perfect angle at the right time to deflect them/destroy them. But you might do a horizontal slash and the game reads it as a slightly tilted horizontal slash and it appears as an angle on-screen and you get hit.
-These leads to the idea that the game really should have checkpoints/save points in dungeons, at least before bosses. I know it'd be very "un-" DQ to do that, but if an attack doesn't react correctly and you die 30 mins into a stage and have to redo the entire thing again along with all the exact same battles again...it'd be frustrating. I made it through ok, but I got lucky at a few spots which could've ticked me off pretty bad if I had been 'unlucky" and had to redo stages.
-Some enemies just aren't that fun. It's only a handful, but some you have to just sit, sit, sit and block until they finally open up for attack and then if your sword isn't strong enough you sit, sit, sit and block until they open up again. Normally enemies should be fast and have lots of opening so you can blow through them.
-The rpg aspects like grinding (forced by the game setting money costs so high on some things or by require tons of rare items) could have been left out.
-Moving in towns could be better.
It's a great game and I'd definitely put it up there with Zelda/FE as the must-have Wii games.