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[Bowflex]

After hearing numerous GAFers go on about this being a must-play PS2 title....I picked this up a few weeks back and so far am about 30 hours in. I must say that this is one of the most boring RPGs I have ever played. Boring story. Lifeless, cliched characters. Dated, boring battle system, with far too many random encounters, and a forgetable, if not sometimes annoying soundtrack. More than anything, there is absolutely nothing exciting about this game....you'd have to be a 10 year in the 1940s to find this game exciting.

Sure, it's polished and not BAD by any means, but it's just not fun to play. What are the appeals of this game? I could see the exploration elements being interesting, as the game world itself is quite large, if it weren't for the random battles every 10 seconds and if your characters didn't snail across the screen. What is the fun in traversing a huge explorable landscape if you can't get anywhere without a monotonous boss battle every few steps. This also would not be a problem, if the battle system was intriguing and innovative, but there lies another big problem - it's not. It uses battle mechanics that are honestly 15 years old. Set tactics to auto on the overworld, and most dungeons, and the battle system is "press x" The visuals and the overall design of the world and towns are just bland. I feel like I've been to all the towns before a million times in 16bit games and Toriyama's character design, which I usually love, seems subpar to his usual designs and even contrived from some of his earlier characters.

And the scenarios are just laughable baby play. Find item A. 2 hours later you get to item A's location and someone has stolen it OH NO! 2 hours later you find the stolen item A, and it's magic has mysteriously disapeared !!! By the time you're done with all the bullshit forced subquests, you've forgotten what the initial objective was. And I've heard it takes up to 80-100 hrs to finish this shit? What the hell are you guys smoking? This is just masochism.

 

[Kyoufu]

I wouldn't say suckfest.....

but the slow battles really made me stop playing.

 

[Regulus Tera]

I love masochism. <3

 

[Durante]

I must say that this is one of the most boring RPGs I have ever played. Boring story. Lifeless, cliched characters. Dated, boring battle system, with far too many random encounters, and a forgetable, if not sometimes annoying soundtrack.

A perfect description of the game if I ever saw one -- except that you forgot to mention the horrible character art. If only you had listened to one of my rants about it before buying it. Probably the most overrated RPG of the PS2 generation.

 

[Oldschoolgamer]

Oh dear.

Let's just say I have the complete opposite view of you. And it doesn't take nearly that long to beat unless you are grinding on purpose. Sorry you didn't like it. I thought it was one of the best ps2 games I played/ have.

 

[MrHicks]

dragon quest games are super oldschool on purpose
i dont like it either

its NES gameplay with a 3d makeover

 

[Glix]

While I enjoyed DQ8, somewhat, I pretty much agree with most of the OP.

EDIT: Aimed at post above mine - again I agree, but there is a way to do it right (the DQ4 remake) where everything is speedy, even though it is old school.

DQ 8 seems to do everything as slowly as humanly possible, the battles take WAY more time than they should.

 

[JasoNsider]

Was my first DQ game. Played roughly the same amount of time and was equally confused about the praise.

Is this game a bad measuring stick for the series? Everyone swears this is one of the greatest entries, which immediately tells me the series must not be for me. Is this true?

 

[farnham]

Was my first DQ game. Played roughly the same amount of time and was equally confused about the praise.

Is this game a bad measuring stick for the series? Everyone swears this is one of the greatest entries, which immediately tells me the series must not be for me. Is this true?

i think the DQ series needs very fast paced movement on the overworld and fast paced battles

without that the whole appeal goes away

 

[thestopsign]

You're just not a fan of the Dragon Quest series then, which is completely fine.

 

[ReiGun]

Im playing through it now, and I disagree totally. Im sorry you dont like it.

 

[Mejilan]

I wouldn't say it was a suckfest. But I would suggest that it wasn't Bowelflex's cup of tea.
Definitely wasn't my favorite Dragon Quest, however.

Edit - Also, the US version was slowed down quite a bit, apparently due to the updated music and new inventory system. On the other hand, I installed the game to my PS2's HDD, and basically enjoyed the new features and production of the US version, married with the faster gameplay and loads of the JP version.

Edit 2 - Also, it has that kind of Saturday-morning cartoon charm and appeal that well, videogames just don't really go for. I felt that gave it a real sense of identity.

 

[PantherLotus]

I think you probably just had to have played any Dragon Quest game ever to be able to understand this one's appeal. I think some people are right; this doesn't compare to other modern RPGs in terms of character-development and deep, engrossing plot-lines, but if it isn't a beautiful, fully-realized world that delivers on the imaginations of 20-year fanboys, I don't know what is.

DQVII was a far better game, IMO, but DQVIII is far from a suckfest. It probably just looked good enough to finally get the attention of the unwashed American filth that never bothered before now. ie, this thread.

dragon quest games are super oldschool on purpose

its NES gameplay with a 3d makeover

Bluntly, this. You'd have to be older than 18 to get it.

 

[Bowflex]

"Suckfest" isn't the most appropriate word I could have used, so forgive me. I was in rant-mode.

I'll probably end up finishing it all the way through, just because I've already invested so much time into it. But yeah, I can safely say that DQ games aren't for me.

 

[MarkMan]

DQ8 is hot.

Don't know what you're smokin.

 

[Darackutny]

Boring story.

I'm actually surprised that you were able to play for as long as you did. I only lasted around sixteen hours before realizing that the story isn't going anywhere. Good to know that nothing really happens if I stuck around for longer.

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Pimpbaa]

except that you forgot to mention the horrible character art.

No, the character art is quite good. Much better than the loli crap NIS does for their games for example.

 

[Y2Kev]

Sometimes it is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

 

[Mejilan]

Sometimes it is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

Actually, that's basically a mandatory mindset for any DQ game, IMHO.

 

[JasoNsider]

I'm actually surprised that you were able to play for as long as you did. I only lasted around sixteen hours before realizing that the story isn't going anywhere. Good to know that nothing really happens if I stuck around for longer.

Thanks for the confirmation.

This is the main offender. What a boring story. The only thing I enjoyed about the game was the two hours or so had an interesting feeling of an adventure. But boy did that feeling die out when the "story" was droning on.

 

[Durante]

Sometimes it is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

That's not encouraging if the journey consists of an endless stream of slow random battles, 90% of which play out the same.

 

[Commanche Raisin Toast]

Worst turn-based RPG game player ever reporting in:

I loved the simplicity and overall straight-forwardness. Glad they stuck to typical magic elements and mechanics. Sometimes I get so lost in games like FFX trying to figure out how to upgrade my characters and remember which element hurts which monsters. (although I applaud FFXII's system for upgrading characters) Is it dark? Or which color of magic? I get so overwhelmed just remembering how to work with all of the mechanics that if I put the game down for even a week I'll never get back into it again.

DQ games are just straight forward, charming, and cheery JRPG's. Nothing ground breaking or special. I don't see it as a jesus rpg or anything. I would hardly call DQVIII a 'suckfest' though. I could understand 'borefest' or perhaps 'toriyamafest' completely.

I agree with the grinding though. Things were going so smoothly until I hit a wall all of the sudden. Haven't completed it since that point...

 

[Diablos54]

It does have far too slow pacing, and a minimal story, but I've always felt the charm of the game was enough to carry me through.

 

[zoku88]

Dragona is going to ban you.

Spoiler

kidding ;P

But if I were a mod, I surely would :-|

Spoiler

No joke here

Most ppl who like it, like it because of its charm. DQ focuses more on the little scenarios accompanying each town that the big overall story.


I really think they messed up the battles in this one, though. They made it too flashy. Should've been more like .... well, every other DQ game.

It was my first DQ (yay Europe), but I absolutely loved it. Sure it was old school, but it was charming and vibrant, the battle system was refined to a shiny polish and the overworld was beautiful and a joy just to get immersed in exploring even with the random battles, 'cause that just meant more of the excellent battle system.

It was my first real one as well and I was totally swept away just like you were.


EDIT: Btw, this game is easily completed by DQ noobs like me in 40 hours.

 

[Die Squirrel Die]

I think you probably just had to have played any Dragon Quest game ever to be able to understand this one's appeal. I think some people are right; this doesn't compare to other modern RPGs in terms of character-development and deep, engrossing plot-lines, but if it isn't a beautiful, fully-realized world that delivers on the imaginations of 20-year fanboys, I don't know what is.

It was my first DQ (yay Europe), but I absolutely loved it. Sure it was old school, but it was charming and vibrant, the battle system was refined to a shiny polish and the overworld was beautiful and a joy just to get immersed in exploring even with the random battles, 'cause that just meant more of the excellent battle system.

 

[Rpgmonkey]

I like VIII a lot, but I think previous games are better if you still want the classic gameplay but significantly faster. I like the stories of some of the older ones as well, they have more charm (and I already think VIII has a lot of charm to it's plot and characters).

It's not a series for everyone though. The somewhat simplistic (but imo enjoyable) plots, characters, and gameplay are a very nice break after all the kinda complex crap you have to deal with in a lot of modern JRPGs to me, but I can understand why people prefer the things other (J)RPGs provide instead.

 

[Danne-Danger]

I'm in the same boat as you, first and last DQ game I ever bought. I mean it was kind of fun at times with the exploration and finding the "boss encounters", but it was way too slow paced for its own good.

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

I quit this game when I was hit with the one-two punch of a snow themed area(UGHHHHH) and the fact that I was chasing after a dog carrying an evil stick.

Should have posted this in my fuck it thread but oh well.

Oh and dressing up the female lead in a skimpy bikini after a particularly trying scene just messed with my head too much.

 

[Johnas]

its NES gameplay with a 3d makeover

This post encapsulates a fair amount of the awesomeness that is DQVIII. The rest of it can be attributed to beautiful graphics, a Sugiyama soundtrack, a large fun-to-explore overworld, and truly great voice acting (for the most part).

Also as previously mentioned, it's the overall journey, not just the destination.

Oh, by the way

Lifeless, cliched characters

No.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

It was my first DQ and I loved it,
Lager towns FF9 style would have help but the class of it all pulled me to finish it.

Oh and while the ending was great the extra stuff after it (Dragon town thingy) sucked, and was oveously superpose to come earlier in the game.
The towns people even make reference to the evil force thats causing bad things to happen even though you kill him before you get there.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

"Suckfest" isn't the most appropriate word I could have used, so forgive me. I was in rant-mode.

I'll probably end up finishing it all the way through, just because I've already invested so much time into it. But yeah, I can safely say that DQ games aren't for me.

why man, why?

 

[zoku88]

It was my first DQ and I loved it,
Lager towns FF9 style would have help but the class of it all pulled me to finish it.

Oh and while the ending was great the extra stuff after it (Dragon town thingy) sucked, and was oveously superpose to come earlier in the game.
The towns people even make reference to the evil force thats causing bad things to happen even though you kill him before you get there.

Oh, the special dungeons actually come before the ending of the game, time-wise.

As in, you haven't killed him at that time.

When you reload the save after beating final bosses, you can fight the final boss again.

 

[Mejilan]

Yeah, I actually like how they integrated the post-game content back into the story, before the last boss, chronologically speaking.

Going back and beating him again to get the REAL ending was a nice fucking touch.

 

[Dragona Akehi]

After hearing numerous GAFers go on about this being a must-play PS2 title....I picked this up a few weeks back and so far am about 30 hours in. I must say that this is one of the most boring RPGs I have ever played. Boring story. Lifeless, cliched characters. Dated, boring battle system, with far too many random encounters, and a forgetable, if not sometimes annoying soundtrack. More than anything, there is absolutely nothing exciting about this game....you'd have to be a 10 year in the 1940s to find this game exciting.

Wow you just describe my entire set of feelings of FF games after V. Bravo, good sir.

 

[zoku88]

Wow you just describe my entire set of feelings of FF games after V. Bravo, good sir.

I liked 9... It seemed kinda like the older ones

I'm surprised no one from the female RPG trifecta has showed up yet. You should be afraid when they do

EDIT: I spoke too soon :lol

Dragona, Aenea, and.... Red Scarlet?


But Red Scarlet doesn't play that many RPGs anymore, I think?

EDIT: This thread still reminds me taht I still have to do 8's bonus dungeon!

 

[fhco]

forgettable, if not sometimes annoying soundtrack

What. In. The. Fuck.

 

[grandjedi6]

I'm surprised no one from the female RPG trifecta has showed up yet. You should be afraid when they do

EDIT: I spoke too soon :lol

 

[Die Squirrel Die]

Yeah, I actually like how they integrated the post-game content back into the story, before the last boss, chronologically speaking.

Going back and beating him again to get the REAL ending was a nice fucking touch.

I thought the twist

Spoiler

that the mouse thing was actually your grandfather looking out for you

was fantastic.

 

[MrHicks]

Wow you just describe my entire set of feelings of FF games after V. Bravo, good sir.

do you really think FFVI has a

"Boring story. Lifeless, cliched characters. Dated, boring battle system, with far too many random encounters, and a forgetable, if not sometimes annoying soundtrack."

i said WOW

 

[Mejilan]

I thought the twist

Spoiler

that the mouse thing was actually your grandfather looking out for you

was fantastic.

I just loved how it FINALLY explained why ever damned attempt to curse the hero in combat failed!

 

[Reilly]

I thought the twist

Spoiler

that the mouse thing was actually your grandfather looking out for you

was fantastic.

ah fuck me I missed that.

 

[thetrin]

It's really unfortunate you didnt like it.

I rank DQ as the #1 most consistently awesome game series ever.

That said, I also think its the most newcomer unfriendly, and becomes even moreso as the years pass.

I think the change to 3rd person for battles slowed battles a lot.

Anyway thats really sad to hear. DQ is pretty much the last bastion of the old school RPG and I want it to stay that way

 

[Speevy]

best rpg on the ps2

 

[zoku88]

It's really unfortunate you didnt like it.

I rank DQ as the #1 most consistently awesome game series ever.

That said, I also think its the most newcomer unfriendly, and becomes even moreso as the years pass.

I think the change to 3rd person for battles slowed battles a lot.

Anyway thats really sad to hear. DQ is pretty much the last bastion of the old school RPG and I want it to stay that way

IDK, I think a lot of people had good impressions of DQVIII (well, Americans who never played the earlier ones, so basically ppl like me.)

I agree with you. Should have kept first person (is that what you would call it?)

 

[A Human Becoming]

Where is the medal princess?

 

[Dragona Akehi]

do you really think FFVI has a

"Boring story.

The usual "people against the empire" that dominated 16-bit RPGs.

Lifeless, cliched characters.

Pretty much, plus they were overwrought and melodramatic.

Dated, boring battle system

ATB wouldn't change much until FFX and even then...

with far too many random encounters

Well I don't hate random encounters necessarily, but the fights in all FF games take way too long, so yes.

and a forgetable, if not sometimes annoying soundtrack."

Well yeah I can't agree with this. But neither can the dude who said that about the DQ soundtrack.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Oh, the special dungeons actually come before the ending of the game, time-wise.

As in, you haven't killed him at that time.

When you reload the save after beating final bosses, you can fight the final boss again.

After I beat the game there was a little cutscene where the Hero dreams of a black platform on a mountain with a glowing monolith/door thing.
I had been been there before the dream and couldnt use the door until after beating the main story.

I could be wrong but the place still sucks.

 

[Teasel]

Sometimes it is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

i think it's a dumb thing to say... for the most dragon quest stories just aren't all that exciting that's all,but you know what... i don't mind

if you don't do a little dance everytime you hear "DURUDUDUDU DU DUUUUUUUUU" when you level up then you should pick another jrpg (or better yet another genre)

 

[Patryn]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like it. I loved it, although the game did prove that I'm a bit of a graphics whore. The simple act of allowing you to see your characters in battle was enough to push me over the edge, I think, because while I played DQVII all the way to the final dungeon gritting my teeth, I adored every minute of DQVIII.

I just loved the sense of exploration that came with the world that was the proper size, so when you approached a town, it was the right size and not some small icon that would suddenly become a giant city like in most RPGs. Kind of the same sense of exploration I got playing Oblivion and Morrowind.

It's also basically the right kind of difficult, where it's not totally trying to kick your ass (hello, SMT as much as I love you) but it's not patronizing you like you're a developmentally-challenged five-year-old (see: Blue Dragon). The fact that you can only save at churches and not in dungeons ramped that tension up quite a bit (although, yes, I know the only penalty for dying was losing 1/2 your gold...not something I wanted).

 

[BitchTits]

I can see how a lot of people find DQ8 to be archaic. It is really a 16-bit era RPG realised in a 3D world.

DQ8 was my first jRPG and it was magical for me, it turned me onto the genre, and I've yet to enjoy a jRPG as much as the DQ games I've played.

I just have to think of that overworld theme and those classic anime-like blue skies and I want to put the disc back in.