Is it time to give up on the Dragon Quest series in the West?
- Thread starter Mr. RPG
- Start date
Team Filler
Member
Bolded is the one that really irks me. I see no reason that couldn't be an eShop/digital only release and still be profitable. I almost wish I'd never have played Rocket Slime, the absence burns so much.
We've missed more Dragon Quest games than that... The two Dragon Quest Monsters, Slime MoriMori 3, Dragon Quest VII, and Dragon Quest X.
And if you count new mobile games we've missed then Dragon Quest Monsters Super Light and Wanted.
Six re-releases and not a single brand new original title in the last four years.
3DS/cell phone dual release seems likely. 3DS and cell phone for Japan and 3DS digital and cell phone for rest of world. Could see them dropping 3DS, if it weren't that 3DS was doing great in Japan still.
Thought about that with RegionThree, but since a lot of the FF version stuff was DLC, it wouldn't work out for RegionThree.
Pyrrhus
Member
To be fair, they retranslated DQ1-3.
Technically we also missed DQMJ2Pro, DQMBRV and DQI-III Anniversary Collection. The cutoff really started a little earlier.
ooh man the "need to play it to determine if it's shit or not" card
I'd rather people just focus on VII even if the chances of that coming here is 0% than a freaking spinoff
IAmRandom31
Banned
It's never been around much here anyway. DQ8 was the first time if was even called Dragon Quest here in the states. And between DQ 2-6 we saw none of those.
DQ8 made fans of the series here in the West and then SE shunned the fans they created by switching platforms
DQ8 made fans of the series here in the West and then SE shunned the fans they created by switching platforms
I don't think it's particularly productive to think of it like that. All because you played and liked an entry in a game series on the PS2 doesn't mean that all of the future releases should come to the same system or future PS systems. Companies aren't out to get people, and besides, there were plenty of other DQ releases on affordable platforms.
Not releasing DQ10 for PS3 might have been something of a misstep but I imagine that they were far enough into development on the Wii that the platform choice was irreversible.
Hours Left
Member
???
The only mainline games that were ever skipped initially were V & VI, and we got the DS remakes eventually. We didn't get ever iteration, but we got the majority of the marquee titles in some form. Now we're only missing X from the main series for semi-obvious reasons.
Palette Swap
Member
To be fair, half the titles we missed were rereleases too.
The fact is we are getting DQ games in the West. We're definitely not getting all of them but some are still coming out. People are pissed about VII and decided to make it a general rule but at this point, the only thing we can say is that we don't know anything.
It is as factually wrong to say they've given up on it in the west as it is to say we will be getting them all. It's just on a case by case basis.
There's plenty of (old) DQ games releasing in the West at the moment, so I wouldn't give up on the series. But some of the 3DS games.....we should probably give up on those. DQ7 3DS still has the best chances of those, and those are pretty low chances.
I'm hopeful for a DQ Heroes localization, I don't think it's guaranteed, though. I expect the next mainline game to be localized, unless they do something crazy with it.
I'm hopeful for a DQ Heroes localization, I don't think it's guaranteed, though. I expect the next mainline game to be localized, unless they do something crazy with it.
flatearthpandas
Member
Can't help but feel that DQXI announced for PS4 will be the FFXIII of Dragon Quest. Altered to appeal to Western audiences to justify its budget and presence on a floundering platform Japan. Then of course, whether it ends up being appealing to the existing fans of the series or not, 2-3 iterative sequels.
It's hard to (please) be excited about that prospect.
It's hard to (please) be excited about that prospect.
GasProblem
Member
I want to play DQ VII 3DS.
Maybe it'll get announced in the next Direct
Maybe it'll get announced in the next Direct
Sammy Samusu
Member
First of all: fuck Square Enix.
They will probably release DQXI because it's a main game, but forget about spin-offs and remakes, unless other companies are willing to localize them (like Sony or Tecmo Koei).
They will probably release DQXI because it's a main game, but forget about spin-offs and remakes, unless other companies are willing to localize them (like Sony or Tecmo Koei).
KojiKnight
Member
Consistent underwhelming seller in the west, continues to be underwhelming in sales and thus not getting brought to the west. We have no one but ourselves to blame.
Red Liquorice
Member
If they're not releasing it themselves there's no harm in letting someone else publish it, or is that too simple for SE?
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
DQH will get localised for PS4/3.
DQ11 will get localised, even more so if its for PS4.
DQ11 will get localised, even more so if its for PS4.
Winterfang
Banned
When was the last time a DQ game had a relevant console release?
Herb Alpert
Banned
If the only Dragon Quest we end up getting in the west is a DQ XI PS4 exclusive, I would be very angry both at Square Enix and Nintendo.
At Square Enix by celebrating the anniversary by releasing the game on a family of platforms that only saw 2 out of the 10 entries (and not counting spinoffs).
And even more at Nintendo by not being able to retain the only third party game they have to be relevant in Japan.
If Nintendo lose DQXI despite having the larger install base, having the last entries and numerous spinoffs that proved selling well, having a long relationship with the franchise, They deserve the shit they are going to get into.
I don't want a exclusive DQ XI, on any platform. I don't have a PS4, I don't have neither the time nor the money to afford one, and I want to play this game.
Concerning DQ7r, we will probably never get it on 3DS. Perhaps on smartphone.
At Square Enix by celebrating the anniversary by releasing the game on a family of platforms that only saw 2 out of the 10 entries (and not counting spinoffs).
And even more at Nintendo by not being able to retain the only third party game they have to be relevant in Japan.
If Nintendo lose DQXI despite having the larger install base, having the last entries and numerous spinoffs that proved selling well, having a long relationship with the franchise, They deserve the shit they are going to get into.
I don't want a exclusive DQ XI, on any platform. I don't have a PS4, I don't have neither the time nor the money to afford one, and I want to play this game.
Concerning DQ7r, we will probably never get it on 3DS. Perhaps on smartphone.
IAmRandom31
Banned
Uhhhhh
that is exactly what companies should be trying to do. " Get People ". Get fans. Build a loyal core fanbase and through that cores word of mouth and self campaigning get that userbase to expand and grow over time. The worst possible thing to do is build up a fanbase on one platform, a home playstation console, and then say ... oh hey thats cool ... fuck off we will send the next product to a nintendo handheld. You couldn't do it any worse then that.
SE has never been actually good at business though. So its not exactly shocking to me they are in the current position they are in. They make quality games ... sometimes ... atleast used to. But have always been horribly managed and been a horrible business.
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
We do know that SCE Taiwan are helping localise DQH there, so I'm hoping SCE do the same for the West.
Sammy Samusu
Member
SE said they are not working on it, so even if they start now, it would be too late.
Type-0 kinda mess. Yes, they don't learn from past mistakes.
Wiz
Member
I really just want DQVII on 3DS since I've never played the original and it looks like am amazing remake from comparisons.
It's not like localizing the game is some impossible feat since they have done it before already. I might just play the PS1 version it they refuse to do it though.
It's not like localizing the game is some impossible feat since they have done it before already. I might just play the PS1 version it they refuse to do it though.
Katana_Strikes
Member
VIII. Which was very well received and sold really well. It was also the last DQ console game before they moved them to the DS.
Hopefully Heroes is the start of bringing back DQ to consoles and therefore to the West.
IAmRandom31
Banned
And hopefully Heroes was a title they used as an excuse to get that engine built and that engine will be used for DQXI console release.
Love the art style and engine of Heroes.
I am ___ close to just importing the game outright and I dunno .. begging someone to translate on a stream for me or something lol.
DQIX more than matched VIII's sales in the west and sold a lot better in Japan. People trying to spin DQIX as a mistake don't have a clue.
I don't think we can ever really write off a game series like Dragon Quest; these things go in cycles and who knows when SE will decide to give it another shot. That being said, I can't think of a company that I would less want in control of my favorite game series than Square Enix.
Maybe Konami...
...Who holds the rights to several more of my favorite games series...
G## D#%MIT.
I will say that if Dragon Quest VII doesn't come to the 3DS in English, it will be one of the biggest video game crimes of the generation. The original DQVII is a very special game, and the 3DS version seems to only improve upon that base. I actually own a Japanese New 3DS along with Slime Mori Mori 3 and the two Monsters games. I can't bring myself to play VII without knowing the language though, as I just like the game too much.
To those writing off the mobile versions - I would recommend giving them a shot. They work quite well despite the interface, and the versions of I-III are the first appearance of the updated graphics in the west. In the last few months, I've played through DQ I and II for the first time, and am starting off on III (which is the only mainline game aside from X that I haven't finished). While I'd obviously rather have them on the 3DS or Vita, I am more than happy to play them on my iPhone and I don't feel like they compromise the experience.
Maybe Konami...
...Who holds the rights to several more of my favorite games series...
G## D#%MIT.
I will say that if Dragon Quest VII doesn't come to the 3DS in English, it will be one of the biggest video game crimes of the generation. The original DQVII is a very special game, and the 3DS version seems to only improve upon that base. I actually own a Japanese New 3DS along with Slime Mori Mori 3 and the two Monsters games. I can't bring myself to play VII without knowing the language though, as I just like the game too much.
To those writing off the mobile versions - I would recommend giving them a shot. They work quite well despite the interface, and the versions of I-III are the first appearance of the updated graphics in the west. In the last few months, I've played through DQ I and II for the first time, and am starting off on III (which is the only mainline game aside from X that I haven't finished). While I'd obviously rather have them on the 3DS or Vita, I am more than happy to play them on my iPhone and I don't feel like they compromise the experience.
I must be an odd duck.
DQ VII is the only one I found to not be fun... it was tedious.
At least on PS1.
Whereas I hold DQ VIII as a paragon of all the greatness towards which JRPGs can aspire to ascend [to].
If Enix Minor ever produces another game in that vein, well, then shall the genre be redeemed.
DQ VII is the only one I found to not be fun... it was tedious.
At least on PS1.
Whereas I hold DQ VIII as a paragon of all the greatness towards which JRPGs can aspire to ascend [to].
If Enix Minor ever produces another game in that vein, well, then shall the genre be redeemed.
Herb Alpert
Banned
yep.
The "DQ must go console again to be relevant" thing is pretty stupid. Dragon quest has never been into graphics or blockbuster cinematics like Final Fantasy.
DQ IX sold very well, and it was a very solid entry. It wasn't "irrelevant" at all. The 5 and 6 "meh" DS sales were mainly due to piracy.
IAmRandom31
Banned
Why do peeps keep saying DQVII should come to only the 3DS? Why not all platforms?
I mean we were just talking about how SE needs to build a loyal and core fanbase but we are still talking about exclusive DQ titles and re-releases.
Send DQVII to systems with long history's of fans that will purchase JRPG's. Nintendo handhelds and Sony consoles. Easy. Build a fanbase up on the PC and utilize the potential profits from the Steam environment. Easy.
Shit is easy, but SE seems I dunno. Who knows.
I mean we were just talking about how SE needs to build a loyal and core fanbase but we are still talking about exclusive DQ titles and re-releases.
Send DQVII to systems with long history's of fans that will purchase JRPG's. Nintendo handhelds and Sony consoles. Easy. Build a fanbase up on the PC and utilize the potential profits from the Steam environment. Easy.
Shit is easy, but SE seems I dunno. Who knows.
Herb Alpert
Banned
Because it exists, and they just have to localize it, a work that was done for the original back in the days. This is why it is so frustrating.
I never played 7, and I don't want to play it on a smartphone...
And I agree, I would be happy if they would release it on every platform under the sun.
I can understand finding it tedious as it does move at a pretty slow pace. There is something about it though - a combination of the music, story vignettes, and sense of mystery. I put well over 100 hours into it and am thinking about playing it again. To put that into perspective, I haven't yet found the patience to finish Chrono Trigger though I've been playing it off and on since 1995. I guess you just have to be in the right mood, but when you are DQVII is a fantastic experience.
Katana_Strikes
Member
To be relevant again in the West, yes it does need to move back to consoles (but not necessarily exclusively). The 3DS (or Wii) in the West couldn't do that. But a big adventure on the big screen on a system that is starved for JRPGs would do very well indeed. And besides VIII was a beautiful game at the time. And NiNoKuni was gorgeous too. That's the level of graphics we'd have gotten if they'd released a proper DQ game on PS3. So to say DQ has never been "into graphics" isn't correct, it's just not had lots of opportunity to shine to it's fullest in that capacity due to it's platforms limitations. Moving it to consoles doesn't mean it has to have "blockbuster cinematics" either.
IAmRandom31
Banned
Average gamer is in their 20's and 30's these days. They own consoles. The average 3DS owner I am certain are younger kids. If what I see around me is any indication for sure. Yeah, core gamers will still grab the 3DS, but its not even close to the type of ratio you will see with consoles and adult gamers.
Putting DQ on the DS and such like that after the PS2 was basically sending the game down for kids to enjoy while ignoring the teen/adult following that had been built up. I mean just look at any JRPG thread around here. How often do you see DQIX mentioned compared to DQVIII? Its a 1000:1 ratio. Now why would that be?
DQVIII was popular because it looked great, had great art direction, was an epic adventure on the big screen that you didn't mind your friends coming over and seeing you play. Great music. Great characters. And Jessica. Ahh Jessica.
Sure, send DQXI over to handhelds, would be a smart business decision especially in Japan. But lets not fool ourselves into thinking sending the game to handhelds in the states wouldn't be ignoring a large section of the fanbase of gamers here in the west. And its not like the 3DS is burning aisle's down with the friction of peoples shoes running so fast through the store to pick it up and get out with it.
If SE truly cares about actually building the brand in the west. They will send the product to where the gamers are. Consoles. Here in the west, consoles are like the handhelds in the East. I don't think I've ever seen anyone, other then a kid, in the west, pull a 3DS or DS or anything out of their pocket and start playing out in the open. I've seen a couple of Vita's from people at work, but never once a 3DS.
terrisus
Member
Dragon Quest IX is an amazing game, and many people love it.
That whole post in general is basically "Taking anecdotal evidence and extrapolating it without any second thoughts, considerations, or qualifications."