Alongside big names like "Final Fantasy," "Star Ocean," and "Persona," there's a JRPG that has also garnered positive attention for its role in many classic games. We're talking about "Dragon Quest," a series that has captivated not only myself but also thousands of other players. With its mobile spin-offs, the series continues to grow in popularity and recognition, making its move to major consoles like the PS4 a natural progression, and indeed, it has. Lovingly drawn characters, a charming world, and an engaging story are what make "Dragon Quest" stand out. The manga artist Akira Toriyama, creator of "Dragon Ball," "Chrono Trigger," and other well-known titles with a similar art style, should also be a familiar name. But how does "Dragon Quest Heroes," the recently released installment, fare in its next-gen console debut? Find out in our review.
Monsters and humans – friends who were never enemies?
The kingdom of Arboria seems like paradise – after many years, monsters and humans have finally managed to coexist and live a happy, lavish life together. But appearances are deceiving; darkness finds its way here too, managing to bring the initially friendly and harmless creatures under its control. But how can one stand against thousands, no, millions of monsters? Quite simply: with a group of heroes who possess not only a vast arsenal of weapons, but also courage, unique abilities, and magic spells. Sounds a bit cheesy and familiar, doesn't it? In principle, the story is rather bland, were it not for the charming characters and equally charming monsters. The main characters, Lucian and Rita, are completely different, and their unusual personalities bring a breath of fresh air to the dialogue. Lucian is more of a strategic type who plans his moves meticulously, whereas Rita is a bit of a daredevil who usually lets her actions speak for themselves.
The battle between good and evil, as depicted in the plot, is so banal and simple that even younger players can easily follow it. After all, "Dragon Quest" is, in a sense, designed for them. Older gamers, who have gained experience with previous installments, will likely need to readjust to the simplicity of the narrative. The storytelling itself proves to be very predictable and only becomes truly interesting in certain sections. Overall, it can be said that "Dragon Quest Heroes" scores points not so much with its story, but rather with its atmosphere, which I will discuss later.
Real-time and not turn-based – is it still Dragon Quest?
My biggest criticism is the new, or rather, the changed combat system, which leans more towards real-time combat, while turn-based battles have been abandoned. Instead, it seems to have been inspired by "Dynasty Warriors," or should I just use the word "copy"? In "Dragon Quest Heroes," you face so many monsters and creatures that the entire screen is literally crammed with them. While it takes at most two hits to take down most enemies on level 1, the sheer number of them is a much bigger problem. Imagine over 300 monsters swarming the battlefield, and the biggest challenge being finding the last one wandering around the map to access the next area or complete a quest. It's fun at first, but over time, fatigue sets in, and you start wishing you could finally find that last, darned little monster, save your game, and turn it off.
The RPG elements in "Dragon Quest Heroes" are mostly found in character development and equipment. We kill monsters, find all sorts of completely useless stuff (horse manure, grain, or fertilizer) to ultimately create an item that boosts our character's attributes here and there. As you get stronger and level up, you gain talent points, which can be used to learn new abilities and spells. The question is, though, whether you even need all this literal "junk," since the enemies can ultimately be defeated by simply mashing buttons.
Graphics to fall in love with…
If we were to compare graphics to a high-end title like "Metal Gear Solid V," it would be a gourmet dish in my eyes—beautiful to look at, perfectly presented, and well-balanced. "Dragon Quest Heroes," on the other hand, would be a comfort food, quite simple in design, but still lovingly prepared by your grandma or mom. The artist, Akira Toriyama, still clearly knows his craft and manages to create an incredibly charming and endearing atmosphere. The characters are very reminiscent of Dragon Ball, but for Dragon Quest fans, this is perfectly normal. I mean, when Lucian is in his Super mode, his dyed hair stands on end just like a Super Saiyan's—what more can you say? The numerous monsters also bring the environment beautifully to life; everything moves and feels very dynamic. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the game offers so many monsters to slay—who knows?
Thanks to Koichi Sugiyama...
Sound-wise, composer Koichi Sugiyama has once again done a superb job – “Dragon Quest Heroes” is enveloped in a subtle retro feel during your quests and exploration, with fitting background music and high-pitched sound effects in the menus and battles. The English voice acting is also more than adequate, although the Japanese dub is also available and will likely be preferred by most JRPG fans.
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: October 16, 2015
Official homepage: www.dragonquest-game.com
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