It is with quantity rather than quality in mind that one would be reminded of the fact that Dragon Quest IV had its origins as an early 90's NES game. Then again, this remake adds significantly to the game's enjoyment value.

With a choice of story format that I am 100% sure went on to inspire Mother 3, Dragon Quest IV truly does compose of the Chapters of the Chosen. As far as length goes, the titular chapters are considerably bite-sized, but it still does just enough for you to fall in love with the cast, and the world. Sometimes you are responsible firsthand for the growth of your environment, which is neat. Once they're all united, it's a mite unfortunate that the cast don't really bounce off of each other, but the Party Chat feature is quite in-depth, and you learn a lot about them as individuals.

By the way, ABUSE the Party Chat feature. Your squad will have something to say after entering almost any room, after speaking to many NPCs, and of course, after any notable story beat. As far as localization, dialogue, and personality go, Dragon Quest is a cut above the rest; with Party Chat in mind, IV only exemplifies that fact further.

Aside from a lovable cast, Dragon Quest IV is also pleasant to the senses. Every enemy is lovably animated, smooth as butter. The spritework is almost on par with Pokémon Black and White. Furthermore, the Nintendo DS soundfont really suits Dragon Quest's style.

Gameplay wise, Dragon Quest is always Dragon Quest. You can mix-and-match the 8+ party members to your heart's content, and I strongly encourage experimenting with it. You will have to grind a little bit, because the game is not really a cakewalk. Not unfair either, mind you. Age be darned, archaic is not a word you can use to describe Dragon Quest IV.

With that all being said, I do strongly recommend playing this game. It's refreshingly short, and may leave a lasting impression on you.

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2022


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