I'm fascinated by the existence of this game, it's like a dream I could only imagine. Not only is it one of the best games in the series with the best version of the classic combat system, an extraordinary OST and a great amount of content, but it's the first time I can share my favorite video game franchise with my brother, with whom I love playing two-player games.
Unlike DQ8 whose main novelty was to go back to the roots and present a vast world in full 3D, or DQ7, which was made with the purpose of being the culmination and the longest game of the classic era, instead, Dragon Quest IX takes the risk of recreating the same traditional formula, but for a handheld console and with the possibility of being played in full co-op.
The story is about us this time being guardian angels, serving for an organization of many angels called celestrians, who must protect mortals and their world. However, after an event we fall from heaven and we are restricted from our powers as angels and become almost normal humans. It will be our mission to help and solve the problems of different people in the world to finally reach the ultimate goal of the guardian angels, which is to leave humans in such a favorable state that makes the guardian angels are no longer needed and can retire and return to god.
The game follows the classic episodic structure of visiting a town with a small narrative arc each, passing the dungeon and moving on, and I like how the stories revolve around helping ghosts of people who died, but were trapped in that state for one reason or another. It sounds quite serious and different, but being Dragon Quest, in reality the story unfolds and has the same usual tone as all the previous games.
This time, instead of reiterating on what was established in DQ8 or DQ7, due to the multiplayer, the core of the game is taken back to the game that started it all and the best choice in this case: Dragon Quest III, therefore, the class system is similar to the one seen in that game. The members of our party are avatars without dialogues created by the player, and when we get the ship we will be free to choose the order in which we want to follow the story up to a certain point. Level-5 certainly modernized the classic DQ formula quite a bit, as there are many quality of life improvements, such as the select button menu where you can access a lot of useful information. Also, the game is easy and difficult at the same time, as you are given many options and items to overcome the battles, but it is up to the player to use them properly to overcome the battles, this game does not require grinding if you know what you are doing. The boss battles for example are difficult in the first half of the game, but I feel that the game in general is quite well balanced, since normally if you lose you just need to have a good planning and a solid strategy to win. This game also implements the points and skills system of DQ8 (which I will go into more detail later), and alchemy, which is greatly expanded in the amount of items to create and no longer requires waiting time or guides to get the most out of it (although you can always consult the internet and see some recipes).
The world to explore this time has a larger scale than previous 2D games in the series, trying to emulate a bit the large map that was seen in DQ8, although now it is much better executed because it benefits from placing materials for alchemy scattered around each area, that these materials reappear every time a certain time passes, so remembering their location is convenient if you want to get the most out of the item crafting system. Combat is the same as always, but now there are no more random battles, which was a necessary change for this specific game, because now with the expanded alchemy and secondary quests, it is a necessity to know which monsters we are going to face beforehand, not to mention that the multiplayer would work weird with random battles, but moving on to how the battles against monsters work, these are still the same turn-based battles as always, the mechanics of the "tension" of DQ8 is maintained, which basically allows us to prepare more robust spells or attacks while we have more accumulated, only now the way it is increased differs, because only our character has the ability to increase the tension, working only to increase it to our teammates and not applicable to ourselves, which adds more possibilities of strategies especially in multiplayer. Although the classic command to increase tension can be obtained later with the monk class.
One of the things I also really liked was how every piece of armor we equip is reflected in the look of the characters, giving a lot of customization for our characters by changing their looks in this way, and being impressive once again for a DS game. But what really adds a lot of customization is the fantastic class system that is unlocked at a certain point in the story. This class system doesn't work like in DQ6 or DQ7, instead it's a hybrid between DQ3's class system and DQ8's skill points. Basically, the level our character has is the level he has in the class he is in, so if we change to a new class we start again from level 1, although we can always return to the class we were previously in keeping the same level exactly as we left it. Each class increases our stats in a certain way as we advance in level and unlocks abilities that we can only use in that class, although increasing levels in a class will also grant us skill points, which we can dedicate to a skill, whether it is a weapon or secondary skills of the class. By dedicating a certain amount of skill points to a single branch, the abilities that are unlocked through this method are permanent, which is very useful. For example, if we unlock the ability to "steal" with skill points being in the thief class, we can use that ability in all the other classes, and the best thing is that these skill points are accumulative and usable even when the character changes class, which means that if we are interested in the skills that are available in a certain class but cost a lot of points, we can accumulate those points by leveling up in a class with little experience and then change class to spend them where we are interested in obtaining the ability. I really like the freedom and the many possibilities it gives us.
But well, let's move on to talk about what makes this release particularly special. DQIX is a rare product, it is today and it was in its time, I mean, a turn-based RPG as classic and old as Dragon Quest, multiplayer?, yep, well this one is, and to my surprise, it is quite well done, frankly surpasses the quality of any average Nintendo DS game or any attempt at multiplayer game of other renowned franchises that I've had the chance to try, very few compare to it, as usually the latter always lack a vital element. For example, Zelda Four Swords (or the much better Tri Force Heroes), are very well designed multiplayer experiences, but they lack the vital elements of a Zelda game by only focusing on dungeons. Another example would be New Super Mario Bros. 2, it has multiplayer, but it is so poorly implemented that it is best played single player. Lastly, Animal Crossing, a game that is focused solely on socializing and placing furniture, comparing the multiplayer of, not its DS version, but the Switch version, has a multiplayer so limited and with so many restrictions that I feel a bit sorry and pity.
Well not here, this game is a complete game and of the main series, which can be played in local multiplayer practically from start to finish, allowing player 2/3/4 to move in the world of player 1 with freedom and without too many restrictions, being the only moments where multiplayer is not available the introduction and another short moment at a specific point in the plot. At most the only central element where Dragon Quest IX falters is only in its story, which is a step backwards compared to previous games, but it always maintains the spirit, charm and minimum quality of any other installment, but it falters by being simpler than usual, although when you're getting to the end it really improves and introduces probably the best antagonist the series has ever had.
Another new feature that the game presents, and to adapt to the standards of a portable game, 2 optional additions are implemented that add a lot of content and are useful if you are not at home and want to reserve the main story to play it in a more private place, in other words, if you want something to pass the time or just want to make your character even stronger. The first is that there is now a treasure map system that allows us to explore optional dungeons and after finishing them we are given another map to access another optional dungeon, it's almost like infinite content. And the other thing is the secondary missions, which consist of challenges, such as fighting a certain number of battles in a specific way or delivering a difficult to get item. These side quests are also quite optional and doing them can be a bit challenging in some cases, I only recommend doing them if you really need the item you get when you complete them or you are playing the game to pass the time, although it is worth mentioning that there are 4 quests that unlock additional classes, so I recommend them if you like the customization of classes in RPGs.
Speaking of the music, it is without a doubt one of the best soundtracks Koichi Sugiyama has ever composed, really the quality is quite good, the town theme and the cave theme are themes that I adored listening to and have become my favorites of the series. The OST is in MIDI due to the capabilities of the system, though for some reason the instruments sound different than they did in the other DQ games out there on the DS, though that helps some of the songs sound a bit more "modern" like the cool battle theme. As for the main map theme, I thought it was a great touch how it changes when you play solo to when you play multiplayer.
I really liked the graphics, it's one of the best looking games on DS. The art style resembles that of DQ8 in terms of the environments. While with the characters, I like how even though they are too low-poly, they have expressions and movements that give them personality. The monsters are also animated in 3D and there are plenty of combat animations for both characters and monsters. However, the game suffers from a lot of slowdowns as you traverse the map because it really pushes the DS to the limit, so to lighten it up 2D sprites are used on many occasions. You can tell that the developers wanted to go a little further, but they couldn't because of the limited power of the system.
Finally, I will talk about the unfortunately inaccessible content. This content is currently locked, as to access it you had to connect to the Internet, giving us access to more side quests, final boss fights from all the previous games, and also a store of exclusive items that changed every so often. And another thing that is no longer available, is that if you met like 30 other people who also had a DS with DQ9, the main inn would level up and characters from previous DQ games would arrive as guests, who could give you a copy of their outfit as a reward. Pretty cool and impressive of Level-5 to include DLC in a DS game.
Conclusion
There is no doubt in my mind that Dragon Quest IX despite being a game with a simple structure, has so much attention to detail and many other subtleties that show it is masterfully designed to function both as a single player home game, and be perfectly fine as a typical handheld game, with multiplayer present in both cases. Very close to being my favorite DQ if it had had a stronger story, but I think it was a sacrifice that had to be made in order to make the multiplayer experience smoother.
Nowadays it can be seen as a shallow and ugly game, and I feel a bit sorry for it being overlooked in the community, but the truth is that this game is an exceptional title, I consider it to be the best playing DQ and I see it very difficult for a later game in this series to beat it in that aspect. When I mentioned that it is a dream come true, it is because I love playing 2 player games with my brother, and being able to share a game from a series that I love as much as Dragon Quest with him, has been one of the best things I have ever experienced. Undoubtedly a unique experience that no other title will be able to replicate.
Unlike DQ8 whose main novelty was to go back to the roots and present a vast world in full 3D, or DQ7, which was made with the purpose of being the culmination and the longest game of the classic era, instead, Dragon Quest IX takes the risk of recreating the same traditional formula, but for a handheld console and with the possibility of being played in full co-op.
The story is about us this time being guardian angels, serving for an organization of many angels called celestrians, who must protect mortals and their world. However, after an event we fall from heaven and we are restricted from our powers as angels and become almost normal humans. It will be our mission to help and solve the problems of different people in the world to finally reach the ultimate goal of the guardian angels, which is to leave humans in such a favorable state that makes the guardian angels are no longer needed and can retire and return to god.
The game follows the classic episodic structure of visiting a town with a small narrative arc each, passing the dungeon and moving on, and I like how the stories revolve around helping ghosts of people who died, but were trapped in that state for one reason or another. It sounds quite serious and different, but being Dragon Quest, in reality the story unfolds and has the same usual tone as all the previous games.
This time, instead of reiterating on what was established in DQ8 or DQ7, due to the multiplayer, the core of the game is taken back to the game that started it all and the best choice in this case: Dragon Quest III, therefore, the class system is similar to the one seen in that game. The members of our party are avatars without dialogues created by the player, and when we get the ship we will be free to choose the order in which we want to follow the story up to a certain point. Level-5 certainly modernized the classic DQ formula quite a bit, as there are many quality of life improvements, such as the select button menu where you can access a lot of useful information. Also, the game is easy and difficult at the same time, as you are given many options and items to overcome the battles, but it is up to the player to use them properly to overcome the battles, this game does not require grinding if you know what you are doing. The boss battles for example are difficult in the first half of the game, but I feel that the game in general is quite well balanced, since normally if you lose you just need to have a good planning and a solid strategy to win. This game also implements the points and skills system of DQ8 (which I will go into more detail later), and alchemy, which is greatly expanded in the amount of items to create and no longer requires waiting time or guides to get the most out of it (although you can always consult the internet and see some recipes).
The world to explore this time has a larger scale than previous 2D games in the series, trying to emulate a bit the large map that was seen in DQ8, although now it is much better executed because it benefits from placing materials for alchemy scattered around each area, that these materials reappear every time a certain time passes, so remembering their location is convenient if you want to get the most out of the item crafting system. Combat is the same as always, but now there are no more random battles, which was a necessary change for this specific game, because now with the expanded alchemy and secondary quests, it is a necessity to know which monsters we are going to face beforehand, not to mention that the multiplayer would work weird with random battles, but moving on to how the battles against monsters work, these are still the same turn-based battles as always, the mechanics of the "tension" of DQ8 is maintained, which basically allows us to prepare more robust spells or attacks while we have more accumulated, only now the way it is increased differs, because only our character has the ability to increase the tension, working only to increase it to our teammates and not applicable to ourselves, which adds more possibilities of strategies especially in multiplayer. Although the classic command to increase tension can be obtained later with the monk class.
One of the things I also really liked was how every piece of armor we equip is reflected in the look of the characters, giving a lot of customization for our characters by changing their looks in this way, and being impressive once again for a DS game. But what really adds a lot of customization is the fantastic class system that is unlocked at a certain point in the story. This class system doesn't work like in DQ6 or DQ7, instead it's a hybrid between DQ3's class system and DQ8's skill points. Basically, the level our character has is the level he has in the class he is in, so if we change to a new class we start again from level 1, although we can always return to the class we were previously in keeping the same level exactly as we left it. Each class increases our stats in a certain way as we advance in level and unlocks abilities that we can only use in that class, although increasing levels in a class will also grant us skill points, which we can dedicate to a skill, whether it is a weapon or secondary skills of the class. By dedicating a certain amount of skill points to a single branch, the abilities that are unlocked through this method are permanent, which is very useful. For example, if we unlock the ability to "steal" with skill points being in the thief class, we can use that ability in all the other classes, and the best thing is that these skill points are accumulative and usable even when the character changes class, which means that if we are interested in the skills that are available in a certain class but cost a lot of points, we can accumulate those points by leveling up in a class with little experience and then change class to spend them where we are interested in obtaining the ability. I really like the freedom and the many possibilities it gives us.
But well, let's move on to talk about what makes this release particularly special. DQIX is a rare product, it is today and it was in its time, I mean, a turn-based RPG as classic and old as Dragon Quest, multiplayer?, yep, well this one is, and to my surprise, it is quite well done, frankly surpasses the quality of any average Nintendo DS game or any attempt at multiplayer game of other renowned franchises that I've had the chance to try, very few compare to it, as usually the latter always lack a vital element. For example, Zelda Four Swords (or the much better Tri Force Heroes), are very well designed multiplayer experiences, but they lack the vital elements of a Zelda game by only focusing on dungeons. Another example would be New Super Mario Bros. 2, it has multiplayer, but it is so poorly implemented that it is best played single player. Lastly, Animal Crossing, a game that is focused solely on socializing and placing furniture, comparing the multiplayer of, not its DS version, but the Switch version, has a multiplayer so limited and with so many restrictions that I feel a bit sorry and pity.
Well not here, this game is a complete game and of the main series, which can be played in local multiplayer practically from start to finish, allowing player 2/3/4 to move in the world of player 1 with freedom and without too many restrictions, being the only moments where multiplayer is not available the introduction and another short moment at a specific point in the plot. At most the only central element where Dragon Quest IX falters is only in its story, which is a step backwards compared to previous games, but it always maintains the spirit, charm and minimum quality of any other installment, but it falters by being simpler than usual, although when you're getting to the end it really improves and introduces probably the best antagonist the series has ever had.
Another new feature that the game presents, and to adapt to the standards of a portable game, 2 optional additions are implemented that add a lot of content and are useful if you are not at home and want to reserve the main story to play it in a more private place, in other words, if you want something to pass the time or just want to make your character even stronger. The first is that there is now a treasure map system that allows us to explore optional dungeons and after finishing them we are given another map to access another optional dungeon, it's almost like infinite content. And the other thing is the secondary missions, which consist of challenges, such as fighting a certain number of battles in a specific way or delivering a difficult to get item. These side quests are also quite optional and doing them can be a bit challenging in some cases, I only recommend doing them if you really need the item you get when you complete them or you are playing the game to pass the time, although it is worth mentioning that there are 4 quests that unlock additional classes, so I recommend them if you like the customization of classes in RPGs.
Speaking of the music, it is without a doubt one of the best soundtracks Koichi Sugiyama has ever composed, really the quality is quite good, the town theme and the cave theme are themes that I adored listening to and have become my favorites of the series. The OST is in MIDI due to the capabilities of the system, though for some reason the instruments sound different than they did in the other DQ games out there on the DS, though that helps some of the songs sound a bit more "modern" like the cool battle theme. As for the main map theme, I thought it was a great touch how it changes when you play solo to when you play multiplayer.
I really liked the graphics, it's one of the best looking games on DS. The art style resembles that of DQ8 in terms of the environments. While with the characters, I like how even though they are too low-poly, they have expressions and movements that give them personality. The monsters are also animated in 3D and there are plenty of combat animations for both characters and monsters. However, the game suffers from a lot of slowdowns as you traverse the map because it really pushes the DS to the limit, so to lighten it up 2D sprites are used on many occasions. You can tell that the developers wanted to go a little further, but they couldn't because of the limited power of the system.
Finally, I will talk about the unfortunately inaccessible content. This content is currently locked, as to access it you had to connect to the Internet, giving us access to more side quests, final boss fights from all the previous games, and also a store of exclusive items that changed every so often. And another thing that is no longer available, is that if you met like 30 other people who also had a DS with DQ9, the main inn would level up and characters from previous DQ games would arrive as guests, who could give you a copy of their outfit as a reward. Pretty cool and impressive of Level-5 to include DLC in a DS game.
Conclusion
There is no doubt in my mind that Dragon Quest IX despite being a game with a simple structure, has so much attention to detail and many other subtleties that show it is masterfully designed to function both as a single player home game, and be perfectly fine as a typical handheld game, with multiplayer present in both cases. Very close to being my favorite DQ if it had had a stronger story, but I think it was a sacrifice that had to be made in order to make the multiplayer experience smoother.
Nowadays it can be seen as a shallow and ugly game, and I feel a bit sorry for it being overlooked in the community, but the truth is that this game is an exceptional title, I consider it to be the best playing DQ and I see it very difficult for a later game in this series to beat it in that aspect. When I mentioned that it is a dream come true, it is because I love playing 2 player games with my brother, and being able to share a game from a series that I love as much as Dragon Quest with him, has been one of the best things I have ever experienced. Undoubtedly a unique experience that no other title will be able to replicate.
Maurith
1 year ago