I date myself when I say this, but I remember a time when all RPGs played the way Dragon Quest VIII does. However, only a scant few were nearly as good as this one. Youngsters raised on the sappy story lines of the Final Fantasy series might be turned off at the grind of leveling up and tough random battles. While this does take time, it makes the user think in every instance, and not just hit the X button mindlessly until the battle is won. The cell-shaded graphics are absolutely beautiful with all of the cast of characters well voiced and provided with a competent script. The world is large and impressive. It is also effective at telling you when you've crossed an invisible line into an area you shouldn't be in. If the enemies are suddenly very new and very strong, run away and stay out of that particular area until you are more prepared. In this way, the game escorts you, while not hindering you. If you wish to explore, you are welcome to; just understand the risks that will be run. This is not a game for people who are not up for a challenge. Many of the earlier enemies will kill you quickly if you do not have the proper weapons and armor, while many of the enemies at the end of the game seem as strong as some bosses. One of the few flaws this game has is that it does not always tell you where to go. This can be frustrating and lead to some cheap deaths as you fumble around trying to find out where you are supposed to go. This, however, occurs only a handful of times and it provides the user with a sense of accomplishment for uncovering the next facet of the game. I do not hesitate to say that this is one of my favorite games. The length is mind-numbing, but the story does not tail off like some other RPGs after a certain point in time. The characters are likable even though the story is delivered only after an exhaustive amount of fights. And, frankly, now that it can be had for under $20, there really should be no hesitation for a RPG to try out this excellent addition to the genre.
Other Helpful Reviews for Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi
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