Title: Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Developers: Armor Project / Level-5 / Square Enix
Publisher: Nintendo
System: Nintendo DS
Genre: "Social Adventure" (it's an RPG, folks)
Release: July 11, 2010 (US), July 23, 2010 (EU)
Save slots: 1
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df931fZZrGc&fmt=18
TVCM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjU4WZeaSk&fmt=18
Official site (UK)
Official site (US)
Reviews
Nintendo Power: 9/10
EDGE: 9/10
Eurogamer: 9/10
1Up: A
Gamesradar: 8/10
G4: 5/5
GameTrailers: 8.5/10
Dragon Quest 9 was originally announced in December, 2006 to the surprise of many. Not only was it going to be on the DS, and not only was also going to be a multiplayer game, it was going to be an action RPG. All of these things shocked series fans, as they marked huge departures for a traditionally conservative series.
Three and a half years, a complete battle system revamp, many delays, and a surprising publisher change later, the game is finally almost here, in a much different form than how it was originally envisaged. It represents the next step in the evolution of the Dragon Quest series, while also looking back to the player-made party system of Dragon Quest 3 -- the game that really put the series on the map.
Developers: Armor Project / Level-5 / Square Enix
Publisher: Nintendo
System: Nintendo DS
Genre: "Social Adventure" (it's an RPG, folks)
Release: July 11, 2010 (US), July 23, 2010 (EU)
Save slots: 1
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df931fZZrGc&fmt=18
TVCM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjU4WZeaSk&fmt=18
Official site (UK)
Official site (US)
Reviews
Nintendo Power: 9/10
EDGE: 9/10
Eurogamer: 9/10
1Up: A
Gamesradar: 8/10
G4: 5/5
GameTrailers: 8.5/10
Dragon Quest 9 was originally announced in December, 2006 to the surprise of many. Not only was it going to be on the DS, and not only was also going to be a multiplayer game, it was going to be an action RPG. All of these things shocked series fans, as they marked huge departures for a traditionally conservative series.
Three and a half years, a complete battle system revamp, many delays, and a surprising publisher change later, the game is finally almost here, in a much different form than how it was originally envisaged. It represents the next step in the evolution of the Dragon Quest series, while also looking back to the player-made party system of Dragon Quest 3 -- the game that really put the series on the map.
- Not an action RPG.
- Full character customization, including facial designs and hairstyles. This is not only for your hero, but for your party members as well.
- A robust class system based on Dragon Quest 3's, enhanced by the skill point system of Dragon Quest 8.
- Over a hundred quests to complete, and many hidden treasure maps that lead to miniature, randomly generated dungeons full of treasure and dangerous enemies. More quests will be added to the game every week for a year after release.
- 2-4 person local multiplayer. Players can do everything they can do solo in a group of up to four people.
- The new "free position" battle system lets you see more of the action during battle, making them feel grander and more chaotic.
- Visible equipment changes, and more equipment slots than ever before.
- Visible enemies. That's right, no more random battles -- for better or for worse.
- The alchemy pot returns, but much improved. Wait times are gone, and you can make multiples of an item at once, among other improvements. Rocket Slime players may find an old friend here.
- Wi-Fi shopping network (DQVC) with an ever-changing inventory that gives you the opportunity to purchase rare items.
- Loads of post-game content, including weekly quest DLC.
These are the answers to some questions I've seen asked fairly often. I thought it would be a good idea to answer them here so people don't have to keep asking.
How does multiplayer work?
By visiting Quester's Rest inn in the city of Stornway, you can either choose to host a multiplayer session, or join one. There must always be a host, and the host is the person whose world the other players join. From here, the other players can run free in the host's world, able to fight and explore alone if they should choose to do so, or join in battles with other players. If a player is near the host when a battle starts, they will join it automatically, but it's also possible to join a battle that is in progress. The host also has a command called "call to arms" that allows them to warp the other players to their location. During battle, each player is only responsible for inputting their own commands.
Also, although the other players are free to run around the host's world, they can't mess it up. Only the host can progress the story, and important (red) chests are only openable by the host, though there are also blue chests that can be opened by anyone. Monsters also give much more experience in multiplayer.
Why is Nintendo publishing this game? Did Square Enix give up on the series?
A while after DQ9's Japanese release, Iwata pledged to give the game the assistance he felt it needed in the west. The way he's doing that is by having Nintendo publish the game, which should give it access to Nintendo's marketing, distribution, etc. Square Enix is still involved, however, and the localization is being done through them. It's still unclear as to whether the localization itself is being done by Plus Alpha or someone else, though. Also, Dragon Quest 6 DS will still be published by Square Enix, as far as I know.
Isn't this post kind of skimpy?
The game has a really great official site with tons of info. Check it out!
Is this game worth it if I don't intend to use multiplayer or tag mode?
Of course. At the core of the game is still a substantial and complete story, just like every other game in the series before it.
What's the asterisk in the title for?
It's there because DQ6 is coming out after DQ9, but DQ9 is the one getting the big push. There. Now the magic's ruined.
By visiting Quester's Rest inn in the city of Stornway, you can either choose to host a multiplayer session, or join one. There must always be a host, and the host is the person whose world the other players join. From here, the other players can run free in the host's world, able to fight and explore alone if they should choose to do so, or join in battles with other players. If a player is near the host when a battle starts, they will join it automatically, but it's also possible to join a battle that is in progress. The host also has a command called "call to arms" that allows them to warp the other players to their location. During battle, each player is only responsible for inputting their own commands.
Also, although the other players are free to run around the host's world, they can't mess it up. Only the host can progress the story, and important (red) chests are only openable by the host, though there are also blue chests that can be opened by anyone. Monsters also give much more experience in multiplayer.
Why is Nintendo publishing this game? Did Square Enix give up on the series?
A while after DQ9's Japanese release, Iwata pledged to give the game the assistance he felt it needed in the west. The way he's doing that is by having Nintendo publish the game, which should give it access to Nintendo's marketing, distribution, etc. Square Enix is still involved, however, and the localization is being done through them. It's still unclear as to whether the localization itself is being done by Plus Alpha or someone else, though. Also, Dragon Quest 6 DS will still be published by Square Enix, as far as I know.
Isn't this post kind of skimpy?
The game has a really great official site with tons of info. Check it out!
Is this game worth it if I don't intend to use multiplayer or tag mode?
Of course. At the core of the game is still a substantial and complete story, just like every other game in the series before it.
What's the asterisk in the title for?
It's there because DQ6 is coming out after DQ9, but DQ9 is the one getting the big push. There. Now the magic's ruined.
Thanks to Jeels for some ideas and support.
