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Dragon Quest VIII PS2 or 3ds version

I would assume the modded 3DS version uses the superior 3DS orchestra music not the PS2 music, no?
Naturally.

Apparently the Japanese 3DS version does use the superior ochastrated music.
Which is super fucked up that they took it out for the english version.
I can't quite believe they did that really.
 
I would assume the modded 3DS version uses the superior 3DS orchestra music not the PS2 music, no?

Yup, i remember that there was some odd thing with the ps2 music that only soundphiles would pick up on (or so i was told in the DQ8 3ds OT )

Naturally.

Apparently the Japanese 3DS version does use the superior ochastrated music.
Which is super fucked up that they took it out for the english version.
I can't quite believe they did that really.

You can thank a certain Jack ass for that. Would bet its something to do with how the west generally hates the composer for having such a fucked up belief that he can deny a terrible event.
 
The music is the biggest non-issue that people love to argue over. Seriously. The 3DS version is fine. Even if we did get a Zodiac Age-style remaster of it we'd probably have non-orchestral music again because Sugiyama is a poop.

3DS version is the only way to go. It makes playing the game an enjoyable experience rather than something you have to trudge through to enjoy.

No higher resolution and marginally better OST is worth going through that again. It's 2017. Love yourself.
 
Why do people keep saying it's not easy to find a US/CA copy of the PS2 version? I bought mine used in great condition for $11 with box and the FFXII demo on Amazon last year, there's plenty of listings on ebay/amazon as well that are less than $20 so I don't really understand why it keeps being said.

Also as long as you play it on a CRT it looks amazing, the animation is incredibly as well. It is much better graphically than the 3DS version, the frame rate is better, quicker loading in a lot of places, better menus, less pop in in the world map, more geometry, and it offers a better difficulty.

Anyway, 3DS version has a lot to offer, new endings, new playable characters, portability. I don't think it's fair to say that one version is better than the other. From what I have seen though, I prefer the PS2 original.
 
What are the QoL improvements in the 3DS game? Everyone keeps mentioning this!

- The 3DS version adds 2 new party members
- It has visible enemy encounters.
- The battles can be sped up
- The alchemy pot now makes items instantly and you can make multiples of an item at once with it. (there's also new recipes I believe)
- There's a camera feature
- There's more story stuff and a new ending

I'm probably missing other things as well. I think there's a new dungeon or two. I haven't finished it yet but it's a really nice version so far and it's a bit sad seeing it dismissed so readily on GAF.
 
- The 3DS version adds 2 new party members
- It has visible enemy encounters.
- The battles can be sped up
- The alchemy pot now makes items instantly and you can make multiples of an item at once with it. (there's also new recipes I believe)
- There's a camera feature
- There's more story stuff and a new ending

I'm probably missing other things as well. I think there's a new dungeon or two. I haven't finished it yet but it's a really nice version so far and it's a bit sad seeing it dismissed so readily on GAF.
there was a new dungeon and dont forget new voiced stuff with the original actors (except jessica's original voice whom retired but the new one sounds more or less exactly the same (its the dragon quest heroes voice actress) )
I'd probably say DQ8 3ds is like KH2 international in the sense that "Oh shit look at all this new content" kinda package.
 
The music is the biggest non-issue that people love to argue over. Seriously. The 3DS version is fine. Even if we did get a Zodiac Age-style remaster of it we'd probably have non-orchestral music again because Sugiyama is a poop.

3DS version is the only way to go. It makes playing the game an enjoyable experience rather than something you have to trudge through to enjoy.

No higher resolution and marginally better OST is worth going through that again. It's 2017. Love yourself.

Nope. I just love the orchestral music and I even have the whole album playing on my phone. Heavenly Flight just isn't the same. I have goosebumps every time I listen to the orchestrated tracks. I'd trade graphics over music any day of the week.

Music is the biggest underrated thing in most games. Games like NieR and FFXIII where music absolutely stands out wouldn't be the same.
 
With the modded 3DS version you can also get the Japanese audio.
Most importantly Takehito 'Dio' Koyasu as Dhoulmagus.

Food for thought.
 
With the modded 3DS version you can also get the Japanese audio.
Most importantly Takehito 'Dio' Koyasu as Dhoulmagus.

Food for thought.

As good as that sounds... I cant get behind whomever does Yangus's voice since whenever i hear yangus ... its the english voice and no one else. Its that jarring.
 
As good as that sounds... I cant get behind whomever does Yangus's voice since whenever i hear yangus ... its the english voice and no one else. Its that jarring.
I do agree that Yangus' english voice is very good.
It does sort of border the line a little of verging into 'comedic cockney'.
But it works pretty well.
 
Easy question, easy answer: don't bother with the PS2 version. Get the 3DS one instead.

I've owned both since their respective launches and I really tried, like really tried to like the PS2 version of 8 after having discovered DQ with 5 on the DS. But holy hell is it slow.

Presentation is the only thing the console version has going for it. But even then the transition to 3DS isn't that bad. Much like Yoshi's Woolly World, the style of DQ8 translates incredibly well to the lower resolution of the 3DS.

To give a sense of how big the QoL improvements are, here's how both versions handle the alchemy pot crafting.

PS2: Go in to menu, wait for a loading screen, select two items, go back into the game after a loading screen and the game gives you a timer of how long to wait which tends to last between 5-10 real life minutes while you walk around in the game. Item has been crafted? Go back into menu, select alchemy pot, loading screen, get item.

3DS: Select alchemy pot from a dedicated button on the touch screen, select two items, item gets crafted immediately. Done.

If the above sounds good to you on console, then go with the PS2 version. If you want something fast, go with 3DS.
 
Nope. I just love the orchestral music and I even have the whole album playing on my phone. Heavenly Flight just isn't the same. I have goosebumps every time I listen to the orchestrated tracks. I'd trade graphics over music any day of the week.

Music is the biggest underrated thing in most games. Games like NieR and FFXIII where music absolutely stands out wouldn't be the same.

So much this. So many games that I might have backed off of early had I not liked the music. Good music adds so much to a game. That said, I plan on playing the 3DS version. I may look into the CFW for my 3DS so I can hear the better soundtrack, but only if it doesn't compromise my system. I still want to continue to access the eShop and whatnot.

I also plan on grabbing every 3DS/DS Dragon Quest game. Are they difficult to find? Is there an order I should play them in? It'll be years before I get around to playing them all. I do plan on starting with VIII and XI though.
 
I find it kind of funny people bring up the Japanese voice mod. Usually it makes sense to call it an undub, since for example if you undub Persona 3 on PS2 you undo the English dub and place in Japanese audio, but Dragon Quest VIII did not originally have audio in the Japanese version, so you cannot undub it.

The Japanese 3DS voices are not the original voices, it is a dub of the English voices. It makes no sense to call that mod an undub when it is literaly Dubbing the game and removing the original audio when the entire point of undubbing is to actually insert the original audio.
 
I may look into the CFW for my 3DS so I can hear the better soundtrack, but only if it doesn't compromise my system. I still want to continue to access the eShop and whatnot.

CFW is pretty great. The worst that can happen is that Nintendo could prevent the 3DS from connecting to multiplayer modes but that's not as big a problem as it would be on a console (still hasn't happened to me). And honestly, I'd still take a banned, modded 3DS over a standard one.

BTW, a banned 3DS can still connect to the eShop and download new and owned games.
 
For most, it is quality of life. There's a reason why most modern JPRGs have abandoned them. But I know purist exists. But that's another rabbit hole.

sry but thats asinine to say, this is has nothing to do with purist, its like i say a preference. Thats like saying real time combat is a QoL because jrpgs have less turn based combat now and purist are mad because they are prefering it.
 
CFW is pretty great. The worst that can happen is that Nintendo could prevent the 3DS from connecting to multiplayer modes but that's not as big a problem as it would be on a console (still hasn't happened to me). And honestly, I'd still take a banned, modded 3DS over a standard one.

BTW, a banned 3DS can still connect to the eShop and download new and owned games.

Thanks. I'm not worried about multiplayer stuff on my 3DS, so I guess I'll go the CFW route for the soundtrack. That would make the 3DS version of DQVIII the superior version without question, right?
 
I dream of a definitive DQ8

Remastered visuals exceeding that of the emulated PS2.
The orchestrated soundtrack or a choice between the 2.
A choice of English or Japanese voices
All the quality of life improvements from the 3DS version.
Maybe a choice between random battles and monsters on the map.

A man can dream.
 
Thanks. I'm not worried about multiplayer stuff on my 3DS, so I guess I'll go the CFW route for the soundtrack. That would make the 3DS version of DQVIII the superior version without question, right?

Well, it doesn't look nearly as good as the emulated PS2 version but I still think it's the version to play. And if you're into that kind of thing, you can even patch out the minor changes Square made to Jessica's skimpier outfits.

edit: CFW provides even more benefits. I may be confusing it with DQ7 but it should help with menu sluggishness and minor framerate issues.
 
I never played the PS2 version so I obviously didn't notice a graphical downgrade but I think the 3DS version is one of the best looking games on the system. It really does look fantastic for a portable game.

Two new party members, extra story content, new dungeons, etc. make it the definitive version. It might not have orchestrated music without the mod but the music is still really good. I also prefer it this way as crazy as that may sound to some people. On the PS2 the recording quality of the music was pretty low. It sounds very out of place in my opinion.
 
- The 3DS version adds 2 new party members
- It has visible enemy encounters.
- The battles can be sped up
- The alchemy pot now makes items instantly and you can make multiples of an item at once with it. (there's also new recipes I believe)
- There's a camera feature
- There's more story stuff and a new ending

I'm probably missing other things as well. I think there's a new dungeon or two. I haven't finished it yet but it's a really nice version so far and it's a bit sad seeing it dismissed so readily on GAF.
there was a new dungeon and dont forget new voiced stuff with the original actors (except jessica's original voice whom retired but the new one sounds more or less exactly the same (its the dragon quest heroes voice actress) )
I'd probably say DQ8 3ds is like KH2 international in the sense that "Oh shit look at all this new content" kinda package.
Faster battles. PS2 battles are notoriously slow.
No random encounters.
Faster Alchemy pot. Rather instant Alchemy pot.
Thanks, guys.
 
I would just go with the 3DS version. Plays much better with the changes to encounters/battle speed. It's one of the most technically impressive games on the 3DS to me but it's also kind of just hideous with the changes to the color palette, which can make the image feel really blown out and blurry.
 
Let me ask this question. I already own DQ8 on ps2. I am considering emulating it on pcsx2. I have the following specs:

Intel 4970k
Nvidia GTX 1080ti
16 gb ram

Pcsx2 or 3ds version? If pcsx2 what are the best settings? Is the orchestra music the same on ps2 as modded back into the 3ds? Is there a way to mod the music in pcsx2?
 
Let me ask this question. I already own DQ8 on ps2. I am considering emulating it on pcsx2. I have the following specs:

Intel 4970k
Nvidia GTX 1080ti
16 gb ram

Pcsx2 or 3ds version? If pcsx2 what are the best settings? Is the orchestra music the same on ps2 as modded back into the 3ds?

Pcsx2 all the way with those specs. Faster battles? Just increase the speed of the game itself lol.
 
Let me ask this question. I already own DQ8 on ps2. I am considering emulating it on pcsx2. I have the following specs:

Intel 4970k
Nvidia GTX 1080ti
16 gb ram

Pcsx2 or 3ds version? If pcsx2 what are the best settings? Is the orchestra music the same on ps2 as modded back into the 3ds? Is there a way to mod the music in pcsx2?

there isnt any way that i'm aware of to put the japanese 3ds music into the ps2 music. what matters here is this, Do you want graphics or content, graphics = emulation, content = 3ds (and hope to god the 3ds emulator gets further ahead so we can make DQ8 3ds edition look a tad better)
 
Two new party members, extra story content, new dungeons, etc. make it the definitive version.

The way I've always seen it, definitive versions are the best at everything. No compromises. So the modded 3DS version may be the best but it's definitely not definitive. Persona 3 is in a similar position where no version is definitive.
 
i'd just hold out for the inevitable re-release. which is hopefully a full on remaster, but even if not there's going to be several more versions in the future surely
 
sry but thats asinine to say, this is has nothing to do with purist, its like i say a preference. Thats like saying real time combat is a QoL because jrpgs have less turn based combat now and purist are mad because they are prefering it.

Most people don't want anything to do with random battles in this day and age. It's a QoL improvement for many compared to the PS2 version, especially since the no encounter options are limited to an item. If I only want to explore an area, it's much more of a nuisance with random encounters, hence QoL. DQ8 has a great world to explore and avoiding enemy encounters much easily was a godsend for me.

There is an item for No Encounters in the PS2 version, but you get at the end of the game. Moreover, the lack of random encounters also makes leveling much easier since you can farm metal slimes much easier.
 
Most people don't want anything to do with random battles in this day and age. It's a QoL improvement for many compared to the PS2 version, especially since the no encounter options are limited to an item. If I only want to explore an area, it's much more of a nuisance with random encounters, hence QoL. DQ8 has a great world to explore and avoiding enemy encounters much easily was a godsend for me.

There is an item for No Encounters in the PS2 version, but you get at the end of the game. Moreover, the lack of random encounters also makes leveling much easier since you can farm metal slimes much easier.

ok so i stand corrected then being a preference
 
PS2 version emulated is best version. Added content isn't going to affect the overall story and for a magical game like DG8 you want the best presentation possible. Higher res, better load times, you can speed up game play even more, etc. This just doesn't apply to DQ8. I love going back and playing certain games emulated because you can improve on it so much.
 
I dream of a definitive DQ8

Remastered visuals exceeding that of the emulated PS2.
The orchestrated soundtrack or a choice between the 2.
A choice of English or Japanese voices
All the quality of life improvements from the 3DS version.
Maybe a choice between random battles and monsters on the map.

A man can dream.

I think it's safe to assume we will get another re-release/remake in the future.
 
I think it's safe to assume we will get another re-release/remake in the future.

if that was true we would get other no brainer definitive editions like Persona 3 with how much atlus milks the franchise but we're stuck with what we have. :(

Publishers continue to turn away free money.
 
PS2 version emulated is best version. Added content isn't going to affect the overall story and for a magical game like DG8 you want the best presentation possible. Higher res, better load times, you can speed up game play even more, etc. This just doesn't apply to DQ8. I love going back and playing certain games emulated because you can improve on it so much.

I agree. Honestly DQ8 is already an 80~100 hour game. Added content isn't really gonna matter that much.
 
I personally can't play the 3ds version, same as other 3d games on the 3ds, like Hyrule Warriors or Xenoblade Chronicles, so I'd go with the ps2 version.
 
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