 - Strategy and role-playing combined - Each level you go up, you'll get new experience points to spend -- you'll also have to seletc the right weapons and magic combos for maximum combat effect
- Tension system enhances the action - forgo attacking for a few rounds, then build up your power to unleash a multi-hit combo that destroys opponents
- Special Bonus Disc with playable demo of Final Fantasy XII included!
List Price: $19.99
Lowest Price: $18.97 
Product Description: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King continues the mega-hit turn-based role-playing strategy of Dragon Quest - the worldwide hit, now available for Americans to enjoy. You're the last survivor of King Torode's army, and the king and his daughter have both been transformed. As his final warrior, you must track down the evil jester who stole his powerful scepter and caused this tragedy. The full-orchestral soundtrack, completely renovated GUI menu system, new battle abilities, and improved animations will take your breath away, while the living, breathing anime world offers a wealth of new places to explore. An epic tale of friendship, bravery, and adventure awaits you on the grassy fields, snow-capped mountains, and restless seas of Dragon Quest VIII. Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-31
Very fun game!
I love Dragon Quest VIII. It is a great RPG. It a game one can lost track of time playing because it is so much fun. I heartily recommend this product! Rating:
Date: 2008-05-09
If you are not adversed to old school rpg antics this is a reliable purchase or rental!
I made sure I played this game thouroughly before I did this review. With RPGs a gamer has to at least invest 10-15 hours into it before they can grasp the overall merits and flaws of the game. First let me say if you judge fantasy role-playing games solely by flashy graphics and a real time in-your-face combat engine this may not be the game you are looking for. Once again you'll be treated to random battles and a turn based battle system. Furthermore to add to your angst this is a whimsical 3D cel shaded anime styled world with designs done by none other than the same artist responsible for Dragon Ball.
To be frank these things would normally make me disdain an RPG. I've long said I'm not a fan of stereotypcal cutesy cliches or tired old plots of kingdoms in peril and "the hero" running off to save the world. Yet despite my inner rpg scrooge this game made me smile. It was subtle at first and I tried glowering through each humorous wacked out boss monster and each predictable plot twist and yet regardless my reservations I couldn't put my controller down. It was the strangest thing in gaming I ever experienced.
The point is like a 2D fighter Dragon Quest 8 is not trying to revolutionize its genre when it comes to mind blowing meta physics, fights in real time, or a dystopian dark reality filled with seedy adult themes. Rather it appeals to the crowd that can appreciate when RPGs had an innocence about them. That golden age when characters were all lovable, believable, and didn't try to be metrosexaul pretty boys with angst problems or girls decked out in lingerie and black lip stick trying to look like hot topic vampires.
To start you of you are the silent protagonist. An evil Jester wizard enveloped your home town in thorns, killed all your friends, turned the king into a pitiful monster, and turned the princess into a horse. Being an all around nice guy you set off to free the King and daughter from their cuse and stop the evil Dhoulmagus.
Along the way a ruffian bandit Yangus tries to accquire your purse of coin but in a turn of events he is left hanging from a thread and you save him. He swears his undying loyalty to you and off you go!
You'll also be joined by the spirited aristocratic sorceress Jessica who is having family troubles and the charismatic Templar Angelo that is into gambling and women despite constant reprimands from the holy order he serves.
I say all this because it is unveiled quickly. I'm not giving you spoilers because the truth of it is the plot is straight forward, at least in the very beginning.
As you would suspect every character has their own skill sets to raise. Some of these are common such as boosting different weapon proficencies but some have a humorous or social slant to them like Yangus's humanity and Jessica's upgradable sex appeal.
To add to the nostalgic cheese the enemies are usaully wacked out, creatively portrayed, and often enough can make you split your sides with laughter. Their are dancing devils that give you the urge to gyrate around like a disco super star. There are fuzzy one eyed little beasties in a boot that slow your agility. There are bunicorns (a mix of rabbits and unicorns) and even those adorable non intimidating looking blue slimes. If you are a Dragon Quest veteran you'll definetly recognize your favorite monsters from the franchise.
To top this all off King Trode eventually reveals his alchemy pot. You can mix rare components in it to create rare weapons and armor. Found recipes in towns tell you what you need so at least it is not an aimless goose chase most of the time. The Alchemy system in this game is simplistic. If you were overwhelmed by Star Ocean 3's unnecessarilly complicated creation system you will be delightfully content with this one by comparison.
Despite the games deliberate simplicity do not expect it to be lacking challenge especially if you go into battles unprepared. This was a first time an earliar boss handed my rear to me due to my flawed over confidence. You need to go into scraps with good equipment and alot of healing herbs. Furthermore you need to plan your strategies carefully.
Besides that the voice acting is wonderful, the orchestral tracks in the game are beautiful, and there are alot of side quests and places to explore off the beaten path.
In conclusion if you are completly smitten by dark edgy RPGS or those that are live action you might want to pass on Dragon Quest 8. However if you an RPG fan tired of doom and gloom who would like to have your inner child emerge again definetly pick up this gem! You can now get it for around $20.00 and I assure you it is worth every penny.
Pros
+ Sprawling 100% explorable landscapes. If you can see it you can go there!
+ Characters are cliche but in a quirky lovable way that endears you to them immediatly.
+ A hidden series of boss trials and another ending will keep you curious long after you have beaten it the first time.
+ Despites its simple menus and battling sequences the game is challenging and encourages you to be smart.
+ Random modes of transportation make even the toughest of trials alot more easy on you.
+ The game prides itself on substance as opposed to image. Trust me it is easy to drop 100+ hours into Dragon Quest 8 without having seen every secret it has to offer.
Cons
- For those obcessed with originality and the cutting edge Dragon Quest 8 will look like a horse that has been beaten many times.
- The turn based battles are a bit too generic and with the exclusion of the better 3D cel shaded graphics this really is like playing any other outdated Dragon quest game.
- At some points you are forced to level grind.
_ The story while very charming is still very predictable for the most part.
- You can only save if a priest is present. That is however a minor gripe considering certain spells and items can teleport you to towns very quickly and mostly whisk you back close to where you left off. Rating:
Date: 2008-04-17
The Best Game I've Ever Played.
This is easily the best game I've ever played in my entire gaming career. The storyline might seem basic to some, but it is such a good plot that it affect the quality of the game at all. Just playing this game is like playing a game made from God. The music, characters, and settings all set the stage for a perfect environment for anyone looking to play a great RPG game. However, the only thing that needs work is the leveling system because it seems that you need to train ALOT to get at a certain level to be any type of match for the bosses. But, training in itself is one of those fun experiences. Overall, GREAT GAME! Rating: 
Date: 2008-04-13
No more "Cut Scenes"
So far I am 15 hours into the game. In more ways then one this game reminds me of the original Dragon Warrior for NES. The gameplay is great and the game is fun. Which leads me to the reason I am writing this review..... the cut scenes. This game would be a five star game if not for the cut scenes. Out of my 15 hours, I have 10 hours in cut scenes. I play games for battles, dungeons, and tough bosses, not to read storylines. If I wanted that I would read a book. It makes me want to throw the controller through the TV. If you like games for their storylines then this is the game for you. If not, leave this one on the shelf. When will they start making RPG's without trying to publish a book. Rating:
Date: 2008-03-23
Enter a new world...
I eagerly awaited the release of DQ8 over 3 years ago, bought it, and haven't stopped playing it. After completing the game many times, I always return to the world of King Trode and start it all over again. It is that charming, and that beautiful. Like reading a good book where you know the ending, but you read again and again to savor the characterizations that the author has brought to life.
I bought the original Dragon Warrior for my kids when it first came out at the same time as Legend of Zelda, and I still remember my daughter laughing at me because I hadn't grasped the concept of turn-based gaming and was frantically clicking the attack button during battles. She, like a lot of you out there, favors real-time battles where quick reflexes and manual dexterity are everything. DQ8 remains turn-based, and it works well because in these battles, strategy is everything, and you are given the opportunity to plan your strategy.
But the battle scenes aren't why I keep returning to the game. The graphics are quite astonishingly beautiful, and your ability to move at will through this glowing, colorful, three-dimensional world will provide a pleasure all its own. The world is alive--trees sway in the breeze; townspeople stroll about their business; cats, dogs, sheep, horses, cows and birds roam freely through the countryside (seemingly immune to the monsters that continually attack your party.) Watch the individual characters closely and you can see them breathing. Birds cheep and crickets chirp. Fleecy clouds drift across the blue sky. The sun moves overhead and sets in a brilliance of scarlet and amber. The moon rises in its turn (always a full moon!) and sets, and a new day begins.
The characters are a hoot, and the different conversations you have with them are seemingly endless. I've played the game maybe 20 times, and each time learn something new. Another charming feature is the way musical themes from previous Dragon Warrior games are used here and there, just to add a nostalgic touch.
Not to say that the game is easy. But if you fight each random battle you encounter as you move from one destination to the next, you will have accumulated enough gold (to buy better weapons and armor) and enough experience to fight the next boss. Exploring the beautiful countryside is fun, and treasure chests are lurking everywhere.
I played the entire game without the benefit of a strategy guide the first time, but bought a guide anyway to find out what I missed. Like entire sidequests. I would also recommend getting a strategy guide because some of the alchemy recipe hints are just too frustrating.
Once you complete the game, a satisfying ending is provided, and an opportunity to find out the alternate (true) ending.
I highly recommend this game. It is your passport to a new world--one you will return to again and again. |
