Title: Dragon Quest 9: Defenders of the Starry Sky
Developers: Armor Project / Level-5 / Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
System: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
Release: July 11, 2009 (JP)
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyXMmbAQX5A&fmt=18
TVCM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-ohmmMumo&fmt=18
Dragon Quest 9 was originally announced in December, 2006 to the surprise of many. Not only was it going to be on the DS, and not only was also going to be a multiplayer game, it was going to be an action RPG. All of these things shocked series fans, as they marked huge departures for a traditionally conservative series.
Two and a half years, a complete battle system revamp, and many delays later, the game is finally almost here, in a much different form than how it was originally envisaged. It represents the next step in the evolution of the Dragon Quest series, while also looking back to the player-made party system of Dragon Quest 3 -- the game that really put the series on the map.
Developers: Armor Project / Level-5 / Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
System: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
Release: July 11, 2009 (JP)
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyXMmbAQX5A&fmt=18
TVCM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-ohmmMumo&fmt=18
Dragon Quest 9 was originally announced in December, 2006 to the surprise of many. Not only was it going to be on the DS, and not only was also going to be a multiplayer game, it was going to be an action RPG. All of these things shocked series fans, as they marked huge departures for a traditionally conservative series.
Two and a half years, a complete battle system revamp, and many delays later, the game is finally almost here, in a much different form than how it was originally envisaged. It represents the next step in the evolution of the Dragon Quest series, while also looking back to the player-made party system of Dragon Quest 3 -- the game that really put the series on the map.
- Not an action RPG.
- Full character customization, including facial designs and hairstyles. This is not only for your hero, but for your party members as well.
- A robust class system based on Dragon Quest 3's, enhanced by the skill point system of Dragon Quest 8.
- Over a hundred quests to complete, and many hidden treasure maps that lead to miniature, randomly generated dungeons full of treasure and dangerous enemies. More quests will be added to the game every week for a year after release.
- 2-4 person local multiplayer. Players can do everything they can do solo in a group of up to four people.
- The new "free position" battle system lets you see more of the action during battle, making them feel grander and more chaotic.
- Visible equipment changes, and more equipment slots than ever before.
- Visible enemies. That's right, no more random battles -- for better or for worse.
- The alchemy pot returns, but much improved. Wait times are gone, and you can make multiples of an item at once, among other improvements.
- Wi-Fi shopping network with an ever-changing inventory that gives you the opportunity to purchase rare items.