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Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS) |OT| Cor Blimey!
- Thread starter Dandy Crocodile
- Start date
SciencePilot
Member
I'm feeling similarly actually. There's no single aspect of the game that really stands out compared to other great jrpgs, but it's totally solid throughout and I can't deny that I'm completely engrossed in it. And really, that's the feeling I want to get out of a jrpg. That feeling of being so into an adventure you can't wait to jump back in and explore some more. It's definitely a success in my book.
I actually went down to BGM 2. It was still plenty loud enough and the voices were much more pronounced.
Axelstream
Member
Whoa, wait. I thought the 3DS version didn't have this?
I think there is a way to patch it in. But I believe you have to homebrew your system.
Axelstream
Member
Ah shucks, I got a little excited there, haha
This is exactly how I feel too. While I do think there are parts that are up there with the best on the 3DS (the huge world combined with the sense of freedom when you can explore it on sabrecat, the main cast), the main thing it has going for it is that it really doesn't have many weaknesses. The battle system is a bit simplistic (to the point where automating 'show no mercy' and 'focus on healing' will get you through most of the non-boss battles, and is faster than selecting manually as it tends to choose the best options and exploit weaknesses), but then it's also pretty speedy and combined with the option to fight as much or as little as you like. The photography and monster arena sidequests are huge, engaging tasks that are rewarding and encourage you to dip in and out of them as you advance, and the settlements are full of interesting stories. Going off the beaten track is often rewarded, despite the clear goal in front of you. Like I said upthread, it's like the very distilled nature of the most engaging parts of a JRPG and why I love them and spend so much time talking about them. I'm really struggling to find stuff to critique about it, the antagonists are comically evil and unoriginal even at the point of the PS2 release, but even then (spoiler for mid-game onwards) their
consistently changing form is interesting- the dog is really creepy!
There are JRPGs with more sophisticated battle systems and party development, but then what DQ gets so right, so often is the basics. If you have a good cast with only a handful of stats, it encourages you to get out on the road with characters you like, rather than spending hours crafting and tinkering with party setup and watching the latest trends in anime or whatever for high schools and social links and annoying child characters play out.
It's been a good last 12 months for RPGs on portables but this is particularly entertaining, with murder given the gravitas it deserves yet enough humour to lighten the pace elsewhere. I particularly like the tragedy and comedy mixed in the same character of King Trode. Like Yangus he's in turn rude, polite, empathic, caring, dismissive, determined, sarcastic, downbeat or encouraging, dependent on the situation and who he's talking to. What a great character. The whole main cast is great like that, people Id want to go adventuring with, rather than walking one-note stereotypes. I don't want it to end, I'm enjoying wandering along with this party so much.
MegaManTrigger
Banned
Pretty much at the final boss area, I think I'm gonna take the time to craft some good weapons. Really just need one good option for Yangus and maybe getting one of the LM Sword or Über Falcon Blade for MC.
HLTB says the PS2 version is about 70 hours for the main quest, 90 for the extras, which is pretty much exactly what it took me back in the day. However, the battle system is sped up, which could shave off some time. On the other hand, there's more post-game content this time around, so expect a bit longer if you're looking to complete everything.
I always take longer compared to everyone else in getting through an RPG, so even with the sped up combat, I will certainly go past these numbers. Especially with there being more post-game.
Right now still in the beginning town and received the mission to go to
Waterfall Cave
Ok, thanks.
I've found that the photo missions have been adding a lot of time to my playthrough this time around. They're so addictive!
Are there any one-time photos? That was probably my only issue with Dark Cloud 2.
The HP/MP refill on level up thing is a tad too broken for this game, me thinks.
It's been 10 years since I played this, but man, it's a joy to play. No tutorial, the game world is wonderful (Now with no random encounters!). You really can tell it's from another era of JRPG.
Too bad the skill system is a step back from DQVI-VII job system.
It's been 10 years since I played this, but man, it's a joy to play. No tutorial, the game world is wonderful (Now with no random encounters!). You really can tell it's from another era of JRPG.
Too bad the skill system is a step back from DQVI-VII job system.
Teriyaki Blues
Member
You ever play IX? It combines the two systems, my favorite character progression in this series to date. I think the MMO uses the IX system to some extent as well.
I think the HP/MP refill on level up is okay because it really lets you power through the game's opening and get invested, it doesn't really tilt the balance after that. Magic Waters at Pickham, after all.
Quick Save/DLC Save Exploit is the thing that breaks the game if you care to use it.
Nachtfalke
Member
If you are going with axes for Yangus you can find the best one at one of the new places you can reach with your new flying ability. It's the place with all the slimes.
I did just about everything and I hit a bit over 80.
MegaManTrigger
Banned
Place with all slimes? Is it in an island?
Pancake Mix
Copied someone else's pancake recipe
Jessica is really just the best.
I know there's some hardcore DQ fans who don't like the attention DQVIII gets in comparison to its siblings due partially to audiovisual improvements, but it really tells a story with more charming characters better than the others, imo. Voice acting and non-chibi character models certainly help convey the game's charm better. XI on PS4/Switch should have a similar vibe.
I know there's some hardcore DQ fans who don't like the attention DQVIII gets in comparison to its siblings due partially to audiovisual improvements, but it really tells a story with more charming characters better than the others, imo. Voice acting and non-chibi character models certainly help convey the game's charm better. XI on PS4/Switch should have a similar vibe.
Nachtfalke
Member
It's called Howlwind hill near Rydon's Tower iirc.
SpaceBridge
Member
So I keep debating whether to get this or not. I have the original on PS2, and played a few hours of it. But my preference is for RPG's on portables because grinding on the go is so convenient.
Now what's keeping me from picking this up is the visual downgrade. I remember thinking that the game looked beatiful on PS2 with the subtle cell shading and bright colours. All the screenshots and videos of the 3ds version seem to have "dulled" the sharpness of the original with what looks like flat texture and dull colours and it looks kinda darker. Am I wrong and does the game look better in person on the 3ds screen? Also I'd be playing on a n3dsxl meaning everything will be "blown" up.
Anyone have some good impressions?
Now what's keeping me from picking this up is the visual downgrade. I remember thinking that the game looked beatiful on PS2 with the subtle cell shading and bright colours. All the screenshots and videos of the 3ds version seem to have "dulled" the sharpness of the original with what looks like flat texture and dull colours and it looks kinda darker. Am I wrong and does the game look better in person on the 3ds screen? Also I'd be playing on a n3dsxl meaning everything will be "blown" up.
Anyone have some good impressions?
Pancake Mix
Copied someone else's pancake recipe
Definitely the best version of the game overall. This is the director's cut, it's just on a weaker system than you may expect it to be on because 3DS is king in Japan, not consoles.
In common with a lot of games, it does look better on an actual 3DS than what you see blown up or upscaled. The new sped up battles even run at 60 FPS I'm pretty sure, which is one of dozens of little improvements. I also play on a New 3DS XL and the game still looks pretty good, though sadly only the equipment menus and bestiary are in 3D. The game thankfully makes use of the New 3DS c-stick for analogue camera control, so there is one enhancement (Circle Pad Pro on the original 3DS isn't supported, probably because it takes processing power).
Bitanator
Member
Those estimated times are way too high
SpaceBridge
Member
Thank you. You're also right that usually screenshots don't do actual 3ds games justice.
MegaManTrigger
Banned
Man, after completing the game, this is the third Dragon Quest game to make me feel so strongly about it (IV and V). All I need to do now is finish VII, play VI and maybe consider buying IX.
Not out of the ordinary considering you have the PS2 hardware, random encounters, slow speed. I clocked in at 35 hours completing the game, so I could see that contributing to doubling up the time.
Not out of the ordinary considering you have the PS2 hardware, random encounters, slow speed. I clocked in at 35 hours completing the game, so I could see that contributing to doubling up the time.
Red Liquorice
Member
Just chillin' in the casino for a while. I bought 100 coins and in an hour or two whilst watching TV I was up to 22000.
The dungeon nearby Pickham is also a great place to farm the Goodybag enemies for tons of cash, I feel like there's something nefarious going on there, like the owner of the dungeon also owns the casino or something and it's a place to keep the casino profits!
The dungeon nearby Pickham is also a great place to farm the Goodybag enemies for tons of cash, I feel like there's something nefarious going on there, like the owner of the dungeon also owns the casino or something and it's a place to keep the casino profits!
RenTargino
Member
Question:
When you go back to Trodain castle with the harp, do I have to wait for the moon? I stood there for 5 minutes and nothing happened, I could not enter the moon world to talk to Ishmahri.
Yes you have to.
RenTargino
Member
OK, thanks, I will wait then.
Grinding for metal slimes is so much easier with the way enemy spawning works in this game. Found a nice spot in the Dragon Graveyard where I can spawn 3 enemies every 2 seconds by panning the camera back and forth. Went from level 33 to level 40 in maybe half an hour. Rest of the main quest should be a breeze at this point.
Nachtfalke
Member
Oh boy, yes. Grinding in this game is so damn comfortable, it can totally break the game if you want to. Especially on Howlwind hill with the metal king slimes.
i'm at level 42 and im still grinding the slimes near argonia, still need to talk to the king/prince there.
i guess i'm ready to beat this game, good to know (first time playing).
i have zero plans to do any of the postgame stuff unless there's decent story elements in them.
*shrugs*
My first play-through on PS2 when the game first released was almost identical to those numbers. YMMV.
Heh. I thought I was being greedy by grinding slimes up to lvl 22 before meeting with the King in Argonia.
I had almost 100hrs on the PS2 version
Took me ~60 hours to beat the main quest on PS2. ~80 including post game stuff.
I haven't beaten the 3DS version yet but at 32 hours I'm about to take on Gemon, so I'm probably on pace to beat it in ~40 hours or so.
Post-game stuff contains significant plot and also gives you a different ending if you complete some of it and then beat the final boss again.
I haven't beaten the 3DS version yet but at 32 hours I'm about to take on Gemon, so I'm probably on pace to beat it in ~40 hours or so.
Post-game stuff contains significant plot and also gives you a different ending if you complete some of it and then beat the final boss again.
haha yeah i'm really overdoing it. this is my treadmill game so i literally spend hours grinding over the course of week, since story/quest stuff is too distracting. i'll probably chill and switch treadmill games since you guys are telling me i can beat the main story already.
Bitanator
Member
Just to beat it? The post I replied to said 70 hours for the main quest, which is unusually high for average time to beat, Even with the extras that is the time you'd expect if you leveled everyone up, alchemy and all that, goofing around/idle time not everyone is going to do that. On my playthrough when I did do try to do that which became a chore after a while, it was around that 80-90 hours. I beat the Dragovian Trials with around 60 hours clocked
SkywardBeam
Member
You get your first skill points at level 4, so you're almost there
Personally, I'd recommend you rather spend your points on Swords or Spears (whatever you prefer, although the sword skills seem to be more worthwhile for post-game content) and definitely on Courage, it's easily the best skill tree for the hero. Hero is your all-round character who can hit hard with weapons, gets some nice healing spells and even quite powerful fire based magic attacks. Therefore Courage is definitely worth it, as it grants you useful support magic and reduces your magic cost after you put in a certain amount of points (
down to 75% at 56 points and down to 50% at 90 points
Boomerangs are nice too for dealing with large groups and you can synthesize a powerful boomerang relatively early in the game. Power throw is a nice skill at 18 points, as it lets you damage all targets evenly (although it slightly reduces damage output overall), but in my opinion you're better off if you put your points elsewhere (esp. Courage). If you feel like it, you can still use boomerangs from time to time, they're useful even without the skills. But they're more a "use when needed" type of weapon, better focus on swords or spears as your primary weapon.
Also, as soon as you get the stronger damage spells and have enough points in Courage, they become quite redundant.
Nonetheless, you should buy the boomerang as soon as you can, doesn't cost much and it will take quite some time (15 hours+) before you can actually buy a stronger one. Just don't forget to synthesize the
Reinforced Boomerang (Boomerang + Iron Nail) as soon as you get the alchemy pot)
You get your first skill points at level 4, so you're almost there
Personally, I'd recommend you rather spend your points on Swords or Spears (whatever you prefer, although the sword skills seem to be more worthwhile for post-game content) and definitely on Courage, it's easily the best skill tree for the hero. Hero is your all-round character who can hit hard with weapons, gets some nice healing spells and even quite powerful fire based magic attacks. Therefore Courage is definitely worth it, as it grants you useful support magic and reduces your magic cost after you put in a certain amount of points (). So you definitely want to use magic with hero, especially against groups of enemies.down to 75% at 56 points and down to 50% at 90 points
Boomerangs are nice too for dealing with large groups and you can synthesize a powerful boomerang relatively early in the game. Power throw is a nice skill at 18 points, as it lets you damage all targets evenly (although it slightly reduces damage output overall), but in my opinion you're better off if you put your points elsewhere (esp. Courage). If you feel like it, you can still use boomerangs from time to time, they're useful even without the skills. But they're more a "use when needed" type of weapon, better focus on swords or spears as your primary weapon.
Also, as soon as you get the stronger damage spells and have enough points in Courage, they become quite redundant.
Nonetheless, you should buy the boomerang as soon as you can, doesn't cost much and it will take quite some time (15 hours+) before you can actually buy a stronger one. Just don't forget to synthesize the, it's an extremely useful weapon for the first few hours of the game.Reinforced Boomerang (Boomerang + Iron Nail) as soon as you get the alchemy pot)
Thanks for the suggestions!
You get your first skill points at level 4, so you're almost there
Personally, I'd recommend you rather spend your points on Swords or Spears (whatever you prefer, although the sword skills seem to be more worthwhile for post-game content) and definitely on Courage, it's easily the best skill tree for the hero. Hero is your all-round character who can hit hard with weapons, gets some nice healing spells and even quite powerful fire based magic attacks. Therefore Courage is definitely worth it, as it grants you useful support magic and reduces your magic cost after you put in a certain amount of points (). So you definitely want to use magic with hero, especially against groups of enemies.down to 75% at 56 points and down to 50% at 90 points
Boomerangs are nice too for dealing with large groups and you can synthesize a powerful boomerang relatively early in the game. Power throw is a nice skill at 18 points, as it lets you damage all targets evenly (although it slightly reduces damage output overall), but in my opinion you're better off if you put your points elsewhere (esp. Courage). If you feel like it, you can still use boomerangs from time to time, they're useful even without the skills. But they're more a "use when needed" type of weapon, better focus on swords or spears as your primary weapon.
Also, as soon as you get the stronger damage spells and have enough points in Courage, they become quite redundant.
Nonetheless, you should buy the boomerang as soon as you can, doesn't cost much and it will take quite some time (15 hours+) before you can actually buy a stronger one. Just don't forget to synthesize the, it's an extremely useful weapon for the first few hours of the game.Reinforced Boomerang (Boomerang + Iron Nail) as soon as you get the alchemy pot)
Based on the playthrough I just did, Boomers through Super Throw, Swords to Metal Slash only, Spears to Multithrust, Courage through 90 for 1/2 MP. I didn't find Swords very useful at all post-game. Multithrust generally did more damage even if I used Dragon Slash against dragons, etc.
Also, you can change equipment in battle through the "Items" menu. So, you can carry a boomerang for large groups, and a sword/spear for bosses.
Up to Alexandria, man the world design is so good. I remember it being good, but I think it's even better to play in 2017 when you hardly get JRPG with World Map + Towns + Houses with interiors. Even Tales of barely does the last one anymore.
I also seem to remember quite a lot of things about it, I remembered nothing about VII when I played the remake, but a lot of key events are coming back to me about this.
I completely forgot how Alchemy works, however.
I also seem to remember quite a lot of things about it, I remembered nothing about VII when I played the remake, but a lot of key events are coming back to me about this.
I completely forgot how Alchemy works, however.
Adam Prime
hates soccer, is Mexican
Yeah, I didn't pick up on that at first. You can change weapons mid battle without losing a turn. So it makes sense to level skill up multiple weapons since it increases your options in battle.
You should pretty much use a boomerang for the first half of the game or until you get the good fire spells even if you don't put a single point into it.
Jessica should probably carry a whip for about that long even if you don't put points into it, though with the full mp on level up change that's less necessary. When she gets to the point where she has more MP than HP you can get away going Show No Mercy and just casting whatever every battle.
Jessica should probably carry a whip for about that long even if you don't put points into it, though with the full mp on level up change that's less necessary. When she gets to the point where she has more MP than HP you can get away going Show No Mercy and just casting whatever every battle.
Making a thiefs key instead of a reinforced boomerang is also an option. They both use iron nails, but the second one you can find comes a bit later. I made the key because the regular boomerang was plenty serviceable and I could open any locked chest I found without having to worry about coming back to them later.
Edit: And Jessica's starting whip + scale shield makes a pretty great weapon for her right out of the gate.