this is a middle way beetween the masterpiece and the average
first of all, it is a rpg. let me say that it is a good rpg. good story and really good characters. here comes the point: there are only something like five of six characters in the all game with a charaterization. there is a real shortage of people in the game, and, to tell you the truth, even if between good and bad guys there are only five or six characters, you got no idea of the past or of the personal story of any of them. Dragon Quarter seems too short on characters, sometimes too fast getting rid of them, and sometimes they are only some pixel. you won't like them for the things they say, but they won't say much.
on the other hand, all the characters are really cool, particulary ryu, the main good guy, and boscht, the main bad one. at the end of the game you'll really think at them as some of yours best buddies.
the story is litterally breathtaking. i... there is no real logical explanation to that, but it really is breathtaking. when ryu will turn dragon for the first time, and you'll see despair in boscht eyes... well it is just.... i bet anything you want that your heart will run and that you'll jump on what your sitting, making fun of boscht and actually feeling real power in your character!!
the d ratio is pretty annoyng, thought... it loads up pretty fast, and that's a pity, cuz that's probably the best part of the game, when you use the dragon.
the gameplay is a little hard to begin with, but in a little while you'll feel that is only natural, that it is supposed to be like that to be the best in the easiest way. and even if you won't play it for quite some time, when you'll get back on it, things will come out on their own, pretty fast.
graphic and sounds are good, cut for the game. the graphic is particular good, in my personal opinion, because creates some atmospheares you wouldn't have otherways, and that i sincerely have never found anywhere else. very particular and really similar to an anime.
about sounds, some voices (like in final fantasy x, for instance) would have done no harm... in the end, it's a really good game, that will give you many hours of fun,that you'll discover little by little, and that will make you think various times of a masterpiece. sure it is a unique game, with unique wonderfull features, but i don't know about the masterpiece... when you'll finish it you'll feel like it is both too short on longevity and on characters, even if the characters are convincing and, eaven if you will never know much about them, you'll feel real sympathy for them. but they are too few indeed. in short, don't miss it. it's a great game, almost a masterpiece. almost...