It’s lengthy overdue, nevertheless it’s time to rank all of the mainline Dragon Quest video games which have been launched thus far.
Few sport collection have the celebrity and large unfold attraction that Dragon Quest enjoys. An RPG collection stretching again three many years with skills the likes of Akira Toriyama tied to its creation and continued improvements, it has entertained players for years with tales of chosen heroes overcoming untold evils with the assistance of lovable celebration companions. As with every collection, although, some entries proved higher than others, and we’ve received all 11 mainline entries ranked from superb to phenomenal.
it’s value noting that this rating is not going to embody the aspect and spin-off video games like Dragon Quest Builders and Builders II which, whereas nonetheless superior, aren’t precisely akin to the massive JRPG adventures of the primary video games.
The Finest Dragon Quest Video games, Ranked From Superb to Phenomenal
11. Dragon Quest X
The primary entry within the collection to make the leap to the MMORPG style, Dragon Quest X allowed followers to return collectively to type their very own events with each other, full quite a lot of quests, and tackle monsters new and outdated the world over for fame and glory. Not solely that, nevertheless it allowed gamers to take full benefit of the expansive lore the collection had constructed up over time with a wide selection of character courses and races to select from.
From chosen human warriors to highly effective demons, angelic beings to magical underwater denizens, the possibility for taking over a brand new position inside the collection has by no means been higher, and it may be straightforward to lose oneself inside the title’s adventures.
Sadly, the sport additionally noticed probably the most restricted launch within the collection, solely out there in Japan and now probably in China. The rationale for this has been mentioned to be the difficulties a number of servers would current, and that Sq. Enix would favor to maintain the title contained to its already sizable viewers in Japan. There’s nonetheless some hope for a port if demand is excessive sufficient, nevertheless it’s extremely doubtless most will solely see this title by way of on-line streams and lets performs.
10. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
After the seminal launch that was the collection’ eighth entry, Sq. Enix struck out in a brand new path with Sentinels of the Starry Skies, telling the story of a wrongfully fallen angel seeking to return to the heavens above. Providing extra option to gamers when it comes to character creation, it allowed for the creation and optimization of a personality’s look, class, and talents all through your complete title.
If one needed to tackle the sport with a staff of chrome-domed monks, they may; or in the event that they needed a quartet of sword wielding warriors, they may achieve this and strike out upon the world. This was all set in opposition to the same old attraction and attraction of the sport’s artwork design, sound work and turn-based gameplay, making for a top-notch JRPG expertise.
Because of this, although, there wasn’t practically as a lot time or effort invested within the improvement of the primary characters or their stake within the journey. Certain, some backstory was given to the primary character and the way he got here to embark on a quest to return to the heavens, however the remainder of the celebration was made up by created characters with no actual stake within the narrative. It doesn’t kill the expertise by an extended shot, however in a collection with such a pedigree for nice character writing, it’s a little bit of a let down.
9. Dragon Quest
The sport that began all of it, Dragon Quest stands toe to toe with the legendary JRPGs of outdated. Dropping gamers into an 8-bit world of legendary monsters, fantastical spells and a quest to save lots of the land from evil, it hits all the proper notes wanted to engross gamers in a fantasy epic and gives a framework for future titles to observe. Not solely that, however the iconic designs of Akira Toriyama are entrance and heart, respiratory a way of character into the sport which might turn into a trademark within the entries that adopted.
The one draw back is, the sport is most actually a relic of its time. From graphical constancy and the circulation of gameplay to high quality of life parts akin to distance between save factors and problem spikes, numerous the sport was improved upon considerably in future entries and makes going again to the start tough. Regardless, it’s the sort of title that deserves to be performed for its affect on the business and will present one thing for individuals who need to expertise a basic.
8. Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line
Following the success of the primary title, the creators of the Dragon Quest collection set to work to enhance, refine, and polish the gameplay and construction of the unique for a sequel that may stay as much as its preliminary potential. The end result was Dragon Quest II, a story of chosen heroes venturing forth to save lots of the world from darkness and a determined enchancment on the unique, with quite a lot of steps ahead for the collection as a complete.
The world felt larger, the gameplay felt smoother, and the fantasy parts now meshed seamlessly with the Akira Toriyama’s artwork type. Likewise, the music and sound work got here into its personal, respiratory life into every new step taken within the over-world and every harrowing encounter with enemies.
That mentioned, the sport additionally padded its run time with an elevated problem curve, and a few nonetheless look to this title as one in every of, if not the, hardest titles within the collection, and might be probably the most tough to return to for even diehard followers.
7. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
A heroic story advised throughout many years, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride was an inarguably bold title within the collection. Taking the position of a younger prince in hiding, gamers are tasked with getting down to discover the darkish determine who murdered his mom and father. Alongside the best way, they enlist the assistance of a variety of completely different companions from a equally displaced inheritor to royalty to buddies from years handed who now maintain a spark of romance. The selection is left to the participant in how to reply to their relationships with these characters, and primarily based on them, many parts of the late-game might be altered to the participant’s profit or chagrin.
This design type, and deal with the relationships constructed up by gamers over the course of the sport, is an fascinating design alternative, and one which largely pays off. There are nonetheless some lingering points from early entries within the collection – specifically problem spikes and a few lack of path in the place to go subsequent – however general, it makes for a powerful indicator of what’s to return in future installments.
6. Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen
The ultimate entry within the collection to look on the NES, Dragon Quest IV introduced the collection ahead in numerous methods. Not solely did it inform one of many collection’ most expansive tales, fleshing out the backgrounds of just about each celebration member, along with the participant character for a typical world-saving journey, nevertheless it additionally supplied gameplay maximized for the system the collection had turn into a staple for. Problem felt balanced, enemies have been different and the world was one which gamers couldn’t wait to discover extra of, uncovering lengthy misplaced secrets and techniques and invaluable treasures.
After all, there was solely a lot the collection might do on the NES, and with the discharge of future installments, it solely grew to become extra apparent. That mentioned, the sport remains to be one which did wonders with what was in a position to it, and nonetheless stands as probably the greatest when it comes to character improvement to this present day.
5. Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation
Following the primary two entries within the collection, the staff behind the long-lasting collection had discovered fairly a bit and have been prepared to indicate it with the subsequent entry within the collection. They didn’t disappoint both; Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation marked a excessive level for the collection, delivering probably the greatest basic JRPG experiences round.
Gameplay felt clean and well-balanced, and allowed for extra participant optimization with the introduction of a category system. The story was clear and well-handled, and nearly each side from its artwork to its music meshed completely for a gaming expertise many have been glad to lose themselves in.
Some nonetheless tout it as one of many biggest RPGs of all time, proper up there with Remaining Fantasy VI and Chrono Set off. The collection could have grown to even bigger heights following this title, however that doesn’t diminish its accomplishments or how extremely it soared.
4. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Previous
Following a prolonged hiatus from releases, Dragon Quest got here again sturdy with the discharge of its seventh entry, Fragments of the Forgotten Previous, on the PlayStation. Taking the position of an intrepid hero, gamers are tasked with venturing out to islands surrounding the heroes residence alongside their lifelong buddies. By using historic ruins, they journey to the far gone pasts of every locale, monitoring down evil to conquer it and return peace to the current day.
One of the crucial expansive entries within the collection, Fragments of the Forgotten Previous took most of the elements that made the collection a standout among the many JRPG style and translated them fantastically for the rising online game viewers of the late ’90s and early 2000s. It might admittedly be a bit intimidating when one considers the sport takes nicely over 100 hours to finish due to its wealth of aspect content material, however nearly all of it’s arduous to not take pleasure in due to the quirky forged of characters, engrossing class system, and beautiful aesthetics.
3. Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation
The SNES technology was good to many collection, and Dragon Quest was most actually one in every of them. After the discharge of Hand of the Heavenly Bride, gamers have been handled to Realms of Revelation, an simple step up and an entry nonetheless held in excessive regard to this present day.
Because the chosen hero of the world, gamers should collect their misplaced comrades after a sinister villain separates them and curses them with amnesia for good measure. To do that, they’ll must journey throughout not solely the world they stay in, but in addition into one other realm on the sting of their identified actuality. Every holds numerous secrets and techniques, risks and treasures for them to uncover, and by the journey’s finish, most can have eagerly sought out all of them.
Although it does take pleasure in taking part in off of typical JRPG tropes, the sport does a lot proper that it’s arduous to not benefit from the experience regardless. Plus, due to localization and re-release efforts in recent times, it’s by no means been simpler to dive into the outstanding title.
2. Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
The newest entry within the lengthy working collection, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is undoubtedly precisely what the collection wanted to supply within the present console technology. Taking all the basic JRPG programs and gameplay after which streamlining them to make it accessible to outdated followers and newcomers alike, it affords a gaming expertise few wouldn’t be capable to lose themselves in for hours and hours on finish.
The fight is visceral whereas tactical, the characters are emotive and fascinating, and the world involves life with every new space found and every new melody heard within the background. Even the story, which leans closely on JRPG tropes, nonetheless has its moments of stand out high quality, and few will need to miss what this title has to supply.
Bonus Entry: Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Earlier than we get to our primary decide, we needed to provide a particular shoutout to Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age. This can be a re-release of Dragon Quest XI for the Swap, which got here full of a lot extra content material that it nearly felt like a model new expertise.
The music, which was the primary criticism with the unique sport, lastly received an in-game orchestral association. Plus, if you happen to hated DQ XI’s music, you possibly can swap it out for DQ VIII’s soundtrack as an alternative, which is after all the superior alternative.
Most significantly, this model of the sport additionally received hours and hours of recent post-game content material which helped to flesh out the relationships between the protagonists and the celebration members even additional. The unique sport was nice in its personal proper, however Dragon Quest XI S is actually the definitive version of the sport, and newcomers ought to soar straight into this one in the event that they’re seeking to get began with the collection.
1. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
It’s arduous to explain simply how nice this sport is. Launched throughout the renaissance of the JRPG style that was the PlayStation 2 console technology, Dragon Quest VIII stood as probably the greatest even amongst releases from titans like Remaining Fantasy, Persona, and so many extra. In it, gamers take the position of a fortress guard spared from a curse laid upon his king and kingdom, rendering its rulers to stay out their days in cursed and monstrous our bodies.
To this finish, the participant should enterprise forth the world over, gathering fellow unlikely heroes to their trigger and working down the darkish forces that destroyed their kingdom and threaten to do the identical to the remainder of the world.
A stunning realization of the whole lot nice concerning the collection and its style, that is the sport to play if you wish to see what makes the collection as nice as it’s. It’s a one in every of a sort expertise, and one you received’t remorse collaborating in to the very finish.
For extra on all issues Dragon Quest, try our assessment of the newest entry, Dragon Quest XI, in addition to a function on the way it’s probably the most accessible within the franchise.
