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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: RPG Developer: ArtePiazza Publisher: Square Enix |
For those unfamiliar with the “Dragon Quest V,” it would be no surprise due to the fact that it is a game that has never before seen an
English translation outside of devoted fan communities, so when a game like this finally makes a move from Japan, it is a must buy
game despite any downsides it may contain. The fact that the United States is getting this game after nearly two decades is baffling, but
it is still recommended that anyone that considers themselves an expert in the role playing genre needs to play this game.
“Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride” is an almost verbatim remake of “Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen,” though this
time around there is one big difference, nobody has ever played this game outside of Japan. The game is basically a remake that
brings down the visuals a little bit to accommodate the Nintendo DS hardware, but keeps up with the same style and 2D/3D fusion that
was originally designed for the upgraded versions.
As for the core story, it is the basic evil guys wants to take over the world story, but it goes way beyond that and the storytelling itself is
some of the best on the system, showing off some specific scenes and concepts that will stick with players long after finishing the
game. Something as simple as a tiny tree branch or a four building village should mean much to anyone, but it will. For whatever
random flaws the game has in terms of flow and updated game play players are used to expecting, random inconvenience is repaid
with timeless game play and a gripping story.
Since there is so much in the game that is pure RPG, most players will be relieved to find just how many breaks in the main game
there are, whether it is via a town full of interesting NPCs, fun little mini games in the form of casinos and challenges, added weapons
and items in shops that encourage players to grind and the monster training system. Casinos could take up several hours in
themselves, with a token system and various skill and luck games included. Players get slots, monster fights, mini games and
Treasures & Trapdoors. T&T is a life size game that missed dice rolling, random battles and a the board game Life with events placed
around it, all built with a gambling format throw in. Players pay with tickets found around the world and have 10 dice rolls to make it
through a board filled with cash spaces, monster encounters, lose/gain turn squares and a few that kick players off the board. The end
of the challenge means big money and other prizes.
It is the monster battling aspect that really sells the game. In the original “Dragon Quest IV,” 40 monsters could be caught and trained,
leveling up at their own pace, capping off at a specific level and equipping weapons and armor along the way. With “Dragon Quest V:
Hand of the Heavenly Bride,” the number of monsters that can be caught is 71 total, which means it is not only a very deep RPG, a fun
time wasting game with mini games and casinos but also a full blown monster trainer game.
“Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride” is a must play role playing game, though a lot of players will probably find themselves
wishing that they were able to get the game a lot sooner and with a lot more polish. The game play is simply incredible, offering players
some of the best story lines, game play and customization options available in the Super NES era on the Nintendo DS. The DS version
of the game is the only one that players in the United States will be able to get their hands on, and while many wouldn’t go so far as to
call it the definitive version without having a chance to experience the original, the updated script is very well done, things like the
missing party chat option from “Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen” is back in “Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride,”
along with a very large amount of impressive game play for in the nearly doubled monster battle system is immense. The three
dimensional design of the game is great, the presentation is top notch, holding up what was originally done with the Super Famicon
version and amplified by the PlayStation 2 remake in Japan. There are still a few issues with the game as a current day Nintendo DS
title though, such as a very plain interface, a bland top screen during battles and an ancient menu system that really makes the game
feel very dated.
The source material for this one is nothing short of amazing and is probably hands down one of the best classic RPG games to be
created to date. The Nintendo DS conversion of that source material, while still very commendable, could have been even better after
seeing some of the other games that the publisher has put out on the platform. With all of the being said, “Dragon Quest V: Hand of the
Heavenly Bride” is a must own Nintendo DS game for anyone that considers themselves an RPG fan.
English translation outside of devoted fan communities, so when a game like this finally makes a move from Japan, it is a must buy
game despite any downsides it may contain. The fact that the United States is getting this game after nearly two decades is baffling, but
it is still recommended that anyone that considers themselves an expert in the role playing genre needs to play this game.
“Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride” is an almost verbatim remake of “Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen,” though this
time around there is one big difference, nobody has ever played this game outside of Japan. The game is basically a remake that
brings down the visuals a little bit to accommodate the Nintendo DS hardware, but keeps up with the same style and 2D/3D fusion that
was originally designed for the upgraded versions.
As for the core story, it is the basic evil guys wants to take over the world story, but it goes way beyond that and the storytelling itself is
some of the best on the system, showing off some specific scenes and concepts that will stick with players long after finishing the
game. Something as simple as a tiny tree branch or a four building village should mean much to anyone, but it will. For whatever
random flaws the game has in terms of flow and updated game play players are used to expecting, random inconvenience is repaid
with timeless game play and a gripping story.
Since there is so much in the game that is pure RPG, most players will be relieved to find just how many breaks in the main game
there are, whether it is via a town full of interesting NPCs, fun little mini games in the form of casinos and challenges, added weapons
and items in shops that encourage players to grind and the monster training system. Casinos could take up several hours in
themselves, with a token system and various skill and luck games included. Players get slots, monster fights, mini games and
Treasures & Trapdoors. T&T is a life size game that missed dice rolling, random battles and a the board game Life with events placed
around it, all built with a gambling format throw in. Players pay with tickets found around the world and have 10 dice rolls to make it
through a board filled with cash spaces, monster encounters, lose/gain turn squares and a few that kick players off the board. The end
of the challenge means big money and other prizes.
It is the monster battling aspect that really sells the game. In the original “Dragon Quest IV,” 40 monsters could be caught and trained,
leveling up at their own pace, capping off at a specific level and equipping weapons and armor along the way. With “Dragon Quest V:
Hand of the Heavenly Bride,” the number of monsters that can be caught is 71 total, which means it is not only a very deep RPG, a fun
time wasting game with mini games and casinos but also a full blown monster trainer game.
“Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride” is a must play role playing game, though a lot of players will probably find themselves
wishing that they were able to get the game a lot sooner and with a lot more polish. The game play is simply incredible, offering players
some of the best story lines, game play and customization options available in the Super NES era on the Nintendo DS. The DS version
of the game is the only one that players in the United States will be able to get their hands on, and while many wouldn’t go so far as to
call it the definitive version without having a chance to experience the original, the updated script is very well done, things like the
missing party chat option from “Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen” is back in “Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride,”
along with a very large amount of impressive game play for in the nearly doubled monster battle system is immense. The three
dimensional design of the game is great, the presentation is top notch, holding up what was originally done with the Super Famicon
version and amplified by the PlayStation 2 remake in Japan. There are still a few issues with the game as a current day Nintendo DS
title though, such as a very plain interface, a bland top screen during battles and an ancient menu system that really makes the game
feel very dated.
The source material for this one is nothing short of amazing and is probably hands down one of the best classic RPG games to be
created to date. The Nintendo DS conversion of that source material, while still very commendable, could have been even better after
seeing some of the other games that the publisher has put out on the platform. With all of the being said, “Dragon Quest V: Hand of the
Heavenly Bride” is a must own Nintendo DS game for anyone that considers themselves an RPG fan.
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