Dragon Quest IX is the same classic RPG but with friends!
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for the DS is the first major installment to appear on a handheld system. This does not mean that the quality that the series has set is dropped off in any way. Dragon Quest IX does not have the voice acting of it's Play Station 2 predecessor, but it is the first iteration of the series to have multiplayer. You and up to three of your friends can connect wirelessly and go through the host story or through any one of the treasure dungeons. This is a truly solid feature allowing you to make a hero that is both strong and able to handle almost anything by yourself.
The manta story is short compared to other games in the series. However, the game is still very sharp and engaging as always while it last. The price tag is wry much a strong point because for around thirty-five dollars you get well over 100 hours of play. Just because the main story quest will take around 15-30 hours to complete doesn't mean that's all this cartridge has to offer. Just like any other Dragon Quest game there is a metric ton of extra material here. The game has treasure maps that the player has to find. You and your friends can share these maps allowing for a lot of gameplay hours. There are several character classes one of which is only unlocked by a quest after you beat the main story. All of this adds up to a game that gives you a gigantic bang for the buck. I happily give Dragon Quest IX a perfect ten. Now go forth and quest!