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Post by Moulinoski on Nov 19, 2019 17:02:59 GMT -5
I’ve been playing a lot of Dragon Quest XI S lately. Actually, I had been playing the Japanese only 3DS version since it first launched in Japan and that version took me around two years to reach the regular ending since my Japanese reading comprehension is still very low. I’m close to being able to tackle the true final boss but I’d been distracted by its Switch younger brother. Those graphics are absolutely gorgeous and I really enjoy how much nicer it feels to jump around. It’s a bit of a shame that Zoom is usable indoors, since it makes Evac rather useless except for instances where you just want to return to the dungeon’s entrance. I love the ultra-fast battle speed option. Since the jump to 3D, RPGs in particular have had flashier and flashier animations, so sometimes, regular battles take far longer than they have any right to be. Dragon Quest is the first series I know that you can make battles go by quicker.
I’d keep gushing about it but my dog is headbutting me to take her out. Anyway, great game 9/10.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 19, 2019 17:06:34 GMT -5
Whaaaaat? They changed it to where Zoom works indoors? I mean, I'm not necessarily against the change, but that was just so iconic, bopping your head on stuff. I have the PS4 version, but only have a few hours in. I've actually held off because the Switch version seems like it sports so many improvements. Nice to see you around, Moulinoski !
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 19, 2019 21:00:28 GMT -5
Even for a DQ newbie like myself that just sounds so wrong with Zoom haha.
I wonder how the difficulty scaling options are on the Switch version? I always heard the base PS4 release was too easy. On the flip side, I hear DQ8 had some bite to it which I'll probably dig.
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Post by toei on Nov 19, 2019 21:15:25 GMT -5
Even for a DQ newbie like myself that just sounds so wrong with Zoom haha. I wonder how the difficulty scaling options are on the Switch version? I always heard the base PS4 release was too easy. On the flip side, I hear DQ8 had some bite to it which I'll probably dig. I've heard good things about the increased difficulty options. If/when I play it, they'll definitely be on.
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Post by Moulinoski on Nov 19, 2019 21:23:12 GMT -5
I’m actually not using any of the Draconian quest stuff. I might try it out later but this is already a 70-100 hour game, so I’m not sure I want to make it harder on myself to complete. On the other hand, it’s so good that it’s be worth revisiting on a higher difficulty.
And yeah, zoom always bopped your head if you used indoors!! In fact, the 3DS version retains that “feature”! It’s so weird that they’d remove it for Switch (Dunno about PS4, although I might just get the Japanese version to transfer my 3DS save to it).
And someone mentioned Dragon Quest VIII. That game is absolutely marvelous. The 3DS has some quality of life improvements (like a faster battle speed option) so the graphical sacrifice isn’t too bad. The PS2 version was fantastic back in the day, but random encounters can make it hard to return to in this modern age of non-random encounters.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 19, 2019 22:07:22 GMT -5
Oh, I didn't know the 3DS version sped things up. I passed on that port, but I did get DQVII on 3DS (and actually finally finished it this year). I'd also argue that DQVIII still looks splendid. I've actually got the phone port, though, due to Square Enix goofing up and making it temporarily free on Amazon's app store. Depending on how random encounters are handled, I'm either okay with them, or hate them. The DS remakes of DQIV/V/VI are okay, because it's basically on a pretty consistent step count, so you could get a feel for when the next one was coming. Getting to a screen transition would reset the counter, so in some ways, optimizing my route to avoid extra battles could be fun. I was hoping that DQXI would get some Black Friday deals. I'd probably be willing to shell out a little bit on a double dip if it were cheap enough.
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 19, 2019 22:17:22 GMT -5
It's awesome how the performance is apparently really good on the Switch version too, even Digital Foundry was impressed with their breakdown. Shocking considering other Unreal Engine games have been problematic on it. And oh yeah, welcome Moulinoski! Last year I beat DQ5 (DS), and this year DQ4 (DS), then the SNES versions of 1-2. So I'm not sure if I really want to leap to 8 or 11 just yet, but I definitely might scoop up 11 sooner than later to try and support the release. I'm hooked on the series now and look forward to playing the rest.
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Post by Ex on Nov 20, 2019 11:46:45 GMT -5
Nice to see you Garoth Moulinoski, it's been a long time. You may recall me better as "DankPanties" from RHDN years back. I'm glad to see you are still alive, and are still a Japanese gaming enthusiast. playing the Japanese only 3DS version since it first launched in Japan and that version took me around two years to reach the regular ending since my Japanese reading comprehension is still very low I'm impressed you finished the Japanese version. It still grates me that the USA was promised the 3DS version at one point, and then SQEX reneged on the deal. I had it preordered and everything. That's sacrilege! I don't know if it's the first JRPG series to do that, but IIRC the DS versions also have the ability to do so. I seem to recall being able to use fast auto-battle speeds in tandem with fast text speed, to make fodder battles go by quickly. And someone mentioned Dragon Quest VIII. That game is absolutely marvelous. I'm a BIG fan of the PS2 original - loved it hardcore. I didn't beat DQ8 myself until 2015 - I can say at that time the random battles didn't bother me. (Although I grew up on those kinds of JRPGs granted.) The PS2 version has incredibly impressive graphics - I can't recommend the 3DS or mobile versions due to their compromises in that regard. I only fully endorse the PS2 version of Dragon Quest VIII. Xeogred , get on that!
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Post by Moulinoski on Nov 20, 2019 22:15:16 GMT -5
@ex I remember! You were the one who stood up for me one time on RHDN (and then you either got banned or left; and I left afterward because it left a bad taste to see you go). I’m glad to reconnect! I’ve actually been playing a lot more in Japanese. I have save files in Japanese for Dragon Quest V, III (on SNES and 3DS), Final Fantasy IV (on 3DS)... picked up Dragon Quest X as well but I have trouble getting into it. I really wish they hadn’t made an MMO a numbered title (same with Final Fantasy XI). Dragon Quest VIII on 3DS is the one the introduced fast speed. Pokémon is the only other RPG I know of where you can outright turn off animations to get through battles quicker... although the later games still chug, trying to figure out the meaning of life before each attack. Xeogred If you feel like you shouldn’t jump to 8 or 11, then I recommend 3. It’s one of my personal favorites and my first one. I grew up playing the GBC version, but the SNES version is still the best in terms of graphics (otherwise, GBC has like an extra dungeon and collectible monster coins). If you want convenience, the game is also available on mobile and Switch, but these lack the animations from the SNES and GBC versions and are graphically... jarring, I suppose? The mobile version fares a little better since it uses the SNES graphics but like with 1 and 2, it does this scaling thing that distorts the sprites; and Switch uses new sprites but leaves the backgrounds intact creating this strange juxtaposition in graphics (and the enemies in battle look like they’re floating on top of the background instead of on it). The mobile and Switch versions do include the tactics feature from later DQs which makes grinding quicker (or you can do what I do and use a party of one or two). In summary, the best version is SNES. As for Dragon Quest VIII, I’m going to have to agree to disagree. The PS2 version is definitely the best, graphically, but the 3DS version still sports competent graphic quality. You’ll miss out on things like pavement, for example. But having enemies that you can avoid makes exploration a breeze. I suppose you could play either the PS2 or (yuck) the mobile version to see how it used to be and then give the 3DS version a whirl; but this is easily a 70-90 hour game. So if you think you only want to go for a single run, you’ll have to make a judgement call: do you sacrifice quality of life improvements in favor of the original experience and better graphics; or do you sacrifice graphics and the original experience in favor of quality of life improvements? Either way, Dragon Quest VIII is a wonderful experience that you should eventually try.
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Post by Ex on Nov 20, 2019 23:20:36 GMT -5
then you either got banned or left I left voluntarily, because certain RHDN forum members had become too toxic at that time. I've never been banned from any gaming forum. Who knows though, Sarge may ban me here yet! Yes that bothers me too. DQ10 should have been given a gaiden name instead. I understand what you're saying about the 3DS version, it has a lot of quality of life improvements. For me personally, the PS2 version's stronger graphics (and higher resolution) trump those though. I remember the glorious sunsets on the PS2 version, man DQ8 was just gorgeous on its original platform. But who knows, Xeogred might like the 3DS version more. Agree 100%. For me it's the epitome of the classic JRPG style.
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