Support NeoGAF

[KtSlime]

How do you guys feel about the need to pun everything in the game? I've honestly grown used to it and find myself awaiting my moment of sighing at the screen's text.

Better question, is the Japanese version punny?

No, it's not, at least not with people and places, there is the occasional pun in dialog, but nothing like Nintendo does.

It's kind of a pain in the ass, especially magic, I know them all in japanese, so when I play an English release I can't figure out what anything does. I don't get the point, the commands are nonsensical in both languages, why not have them be the same?

 

[graywords]

Spent the past 4 hours playing through my copy of DQIX for the first time to get the NPC I needed before the servers go down. Just now managed to pull it off. Had to switch my phone to be a Wi-Fi hotspot to get the DS to connect, but it looks like I connected just in time. Guest rooms are full!

Another 20 minutes and the servers might have been down for good... presuming they are brought down at midnight Pacific, that is.

 

[Barrylocke]

No, it's not, at least not with people and places, there is the occasional pun in dialog, but nothing like Nintendo does.

It's kind of a pain in the ass, especially magic, I know them all in japanese, so when I play an English release I can't figure out what anything does. I don't get the point, the commands are nonsensical in both languages, why not have them be the same?

I feel like most of the new names, while silly, have some logic to them. There's only a few I can think of (Kerplunk and the Zam line for instance) where I would never have figured it out if I didn't know from experience.

 

[Sinople]

I finally started DQX and it's sooo good!
It really is the combination of both VIII (visually + a huge world to explore) and IX (system-wise). And to my relief, despite being a MMO, it feels like a DQ first and foremost, contrary to something like FFXI.
I can see myself playing this for months without getting bored.

Only downside so far would be the battle system.
The AI-controlled party members system is nice and all but not having control over the party is a big downgrade compared to the traditional turn-based system

 

[ethanny2]

Just realized Nintendo Wifi shuts down on May 20,2014 10:00 AM, I had Dragon Quest XI, but I never played so I rushed to get the VC items, but you have to reach a certain point in the game... long story short I could not get the items. Were the items that great. or can I live without them?

 

[Gloam]

I finally started DQX and it's sooo good!
It really is the combination of both VIII (visually + a huge world to explore) and IX (system-wise). And to my relief, despite being a MMO, it feels like a DQ first and foremost, contrary to something like FFXI.
I can see myself playing this for months without getting bored.

Only downside so far would be the battle system.
The AI-controlled party members system is nice and all but not having control over the party is a big downgrade compared to the traditional turn-based system

The pushing mechanic does help to make the active nature of the battles more bearable. I really enjoyed DQX, still log-in now and then, it's a funny thing I remember being fairly bummed out about the game when it was revealed but it all turned out a-okay so, here's hoping for XI sooner rather than later!

 

[KiTA]

Just realized Nintendo Wifi shuts down on May 20,2014 10:00 AM, I had Dragon Quest XI, but I never played so I rushed to get the VC items, but you have to reach a certain point in the game... long story short I could not get the items. Were the items that great. or can I live without them?

VC?

Oh, the DQVC? No, there wasn't anything special there. Nothing you couldn't get in game, sans some costume stuff. The major thing you missed by not connecting to the DQVC ever was the cameo characters in the Inn and the bonus quests, which you can get by tag mode connecting with anyone who ever did or via AR.

 

[Sinople]

The pushing mechanic does help to make the active nature of the battles more bearable. I really enjoyed DQX, still log-in now and then, it's a funny thing I remember being fairly bummed out about the game when it was revealed but it all turned out a-okay so, here's hoping for XI sooner rather than later!

I still haven't quite grasped the pushing mechanic, which is a shame as I play a warrior and that's supposedly my role. What's irritating is that every single time I push a monster away from the cleric or mage, the AI decides to go melee I should probably choose magic-oriented companions without weapons.

And I'm in the same boat as you. I was bummed by the announcement but end up enjoying the game quite a lot for now (and definitely more than IX). Though my main concern still remains and is the same as with any online game or content: what will happen once the servers are shut-down?
I'm angry for what's happening to IX right now. Unless going the action replay route, the game just lost a good third of its total content. Now I'm hoping for a 3DS enhanced port/remake with anything unlocked from the beginning.

 

[KtSlime]

I still haven't quite grasped the pushing mechanic, which is a shame as I play a warrior and that's supposedly my role. What's irritating is that every single time I push a monster away from the cleric or mage, the AI decides to go melee I should probably choose magic-oriented companions without weapons.

And I'm in the same boat as you. I was bummed by the announcement but end up enjoying the game quite a lot for now (and definitely more than IX). Though my main concern still remains and is the same as with any online game or content: what will happen once the servers are shut-down?
I'm angry for what's happening to IX right now. Unless going the action replay route, the game just lost a good third of its total content. Now I'm hoping for a 3DS enhanced port/remake with anything unlocked from the beginning.

Smartphone should receive a port in a few years, but yeah, the shut down of these online services really suck.

 

[Gloam]

A couple of stories today talking about an interview on the V-Jump website in which Horii talks about the next Dragon Quest game and how it's not going to be on smartphones.

He wants to be 'more aggressive' with the game whatever that means. I'd take it to mean that he wants the game to be more of a long-lasting experience.

 

[Barrylocke]

Horii has already said awhile back that he didn't want he feels that mobile won't replace consoles and that DQXI will probably not be on a smartphone, but it's nice to hear him reaffirm this position.

 

[Sinople]

What's the point of putting the interview online if they ask for a password that's in the mag? smh

 

[Teknoman]

A couple of stories today talking about an interview on the V-Jump website in which Horii talks about the next Dragon Quest game and how it's not going to be on smartphones.

He wants to be 'more aggressive' with the game whatever that means. I'd take it to mean that he wants the game to be more of a long-lasting experience.

I fully support this...

 

[Aeana]

What's the point of putting the interview online if they ask for a password that's in the mag? smh

So that you buy the magazine. Seems pretty obvious to me.

 

[Sinople]

So that you buy the magazine. Seems pretty obvious to me.

Or you can, you know, put the interview in the magazine in the first place.

 

[Jucksalbe]

It might not have been ready in time or too long for print.

 

[monome]

I don't even know what I want from DQ anymore...

but I look forward to the next western release.

 

[Barrylocke]

So what are everyone's thoughts on the iOS version of DQ8 coming Westside? Gameplay of it for reference. Personally I'm not too surprised, since the game was already localized. It doesn't take much effort to port a game where the works already done. It does suck that it doesn't have the voice acting or orchastrated soundtrack, but I wouldn't be surprised if those added to the filesize even more, especially the voice acting.

Also, the game apparently doesn't have a landscape mode, which sucks for iPad players. Although portrait mode is pretty nice if you play on an iPod Touch or iPhone.

 

[KtSlime]

So what are everyone's thoughts on the iOS version of DQ8 coming Westside? Gameplay of it for reference. Personally I'm not too surprised, since the game was already localized. It doesn't take much effort to port a game where the works already done. It does suck that it doesn't have the voice acting or orchastrated soundtrack, but I wouldn't be surprised if those added to the filesize even more, especially the voice acting.

Also, the game apparently doesn't have a landscape mode, which sucks for iPad players. Although portrait mode is pretty nice if you play on an iPod Touch or iPhone.

I think the voice acting is over-rated. I've been reading text in DQ, FF, and RPGs for over 25 years now. As to the orchestrated music, it's a bit better, but the original Japanese score was phenomenal to begin with, maybe they can patch in background music support and just sell the orchestral version on iTunes and call it a day? Anyone wanting to listen to it while they play then could.

I hope they do something to shrink the game even further, my 32GB are pretty much always packed to the rim.

 

[The Real Abed]

I really really want to buy this. I don't even care about the price.

I'm watching the gameplay and it brings back memories. I loved this game so much. I'd love to play it again and my PS2 is pretty dead and emulating it on my machine is terrible sadly. This would be the only way to play it. I'd rather have a HD rerelease on PC or something, but I'd take this. It does remind me how different the music was in the US version. I would love if they offered it as DLC later on.

I just wish it had landscape support and iCloud for save files so I could play it on both my devices without having to keep separate games.

 

[KtSlime]

I really really want to buy this. I don't even care about the price.

I'm watching the gameplay and it brings back memories. I loved this game so much. I'd love to play it again and my PS2 is pretty dead and emulating it on my machine is terrible sadly. This would be the only way to play it. I'd rather have a HD rerelease on PC or something, but I'd take this. It does remind me how different the music was in the US version. I would love if they offered it as DLC later on.

I just wish it had landscape support and iCloud for save files so I could play it on both my devices without having to keep separate games.

The game (JPN version, perhaps other versions do not?) supports iCloud saves.

 

[The Real Abed]

The game (JPN version, perhaps other versions do not?) supports iCloud saves.

Someone had mentioned it didn't. If that's wrong then good. This seems like the kind of game I'd want to choose where to play it.

 

[KtSlime]

Someone had mentioned it didn't. If that's wrong then good. This seems like the kind of game I'd want to choose where to play it.

I've had the Japanese version since launch, and they have done a steady set of updates about once per month, 6 in total since the game launched. Maybe the English version is based on an older build? They completely redid the suspended save for version 1.0.4, and then they introduced cloud save in version 1.1.0. They are currently on 1.1.2 which they released 3 weeks ago, allowing you to do cloud save transfers directly from the title screen.

 

[CorvoSol]

So should I just buy everything as Torneko before ending his chapter or just 99 of the most expensive things?

 

[Aeana]

So should I just buy everything as Torneko before ending his chapter or just 99 of the most expensive things?

Fill his inventory and your bags with cautery swords.

 

[KiTA]

So what are everyone's thoughts on the iOS version of DQ8 coming Westside? Gameplay of it for reference. Personally I'm not too surprised, since the game was already localized. It doesn't take much effort to port a game where the works already done. It does suck that it doesn't have the voice acting or orchastrated soundtrack, but I wouldn't be surprised if those added to the filesize even more, especially the voice acting.

Also, the game apparently doesn't have a landscape mode, which sucks for iPad players. Although portrait mode is pretty nice if you play on an iPod Touch or iPhone.

Oh wow, with all the talk about iOS iOS iOS, I just discovered that it came out for Android too. That... is darned tempting, actually.

 

[Barrylocke]

Oh wow. People were wondering when the Android version was going to come out. I didn't think it would be out so soon though. Nice.

 

[Mr. RPG]

What's the consensus around here regarding VII?

Do you guys think we'll see it at E3 or no?

 

[Barrylocke]

Personally, any news that we hear about DQ7 will be a pleasant surprise at this point. The mobile versions of 8 don't say too much because they already did the work for that in the past so it was a no-brainer.

 

[Gloam]

The trailer for DQX Version 2.2 came out a couple of days ago.

The murder mystery stuff looks very cool. Little freaked out by the housemaid business, if that's what's happening in the early parts of the trailer. Some of the costumes are looking much better these days, a lot more variety in the armour sets.

Also bought DQ8 for the mobile, runs pretty poorly on my Galaxy Nexus hoping to try it on the Nexus 7 soon enough. Playing the game on the go is certainly novel but I don't see myself sticking with it long term due to the controls.

 

[Aeana]

I've missed so much in DQ10 that it feels like I could never catch up. If it's like any other MMO then people don't do much of the older content anymore, and my experience with AI party members and bosses was always a disaster.

 

[Psxphile]

The trailer for DQX Version 2.2 came out a couple of days ago.

The murder mystery stuff looks very cool. Little freaked out by the housemaid business, if that's what's happening in the early parts of the trailer. Some of the costumes are looking much better these days, a lot more variety in the armour sets.

Apparently you *can* know what you're missing.

 

[Gloam]

I've missed so much in DQ10 that it feels like I could never catch up. If it's like any other MMO then people don't do much of the older content anymore, and my experience with AI party members and bosses was always a disaster.

The AI is pretty poor with regards to self preservation. Generally though it's fine for lower level stuff and regular enemies.

I feel much the same as you, I only really get the opportunity to play during Kids Time and so my progress is fairly limited, I haven't even got to the expansion content yet, or the hover board or any of the cool new stuff. Hope to play a bit more regularly during the summer.

 

[Aeana]

The AI is pretty poor with regards to self preservation. Generally though it's fine for lower level stuff and regular enemies.

I feel much the same as you, I only really get the opportunity to play during Kids Time and so my progress is fairly limited, I haven't even got to the expansion content yet, or the hover board or any of the cool new stuff. Hope to play a bit more regularly during the summer.

I remember trying to do the boss at the top of the tower in the marsh area that would drop bombs on the arena, and the AI party members wouldn't move out of the blasts. I found it impossible to win with them.

 

[CorvoSol]

Fill his inventory and your bags with cautery swords.

Oh, I didn't realize I could have more than 99 of those.

 

[Gloam]

I remember trying to do the boss at the top of the tower in the marsh area that would drop bombs on the arena, and the AI party members wouldn't move out of the blasts. I found it impossible to win with them.

Yeah, he was one of the tougher bosses for me too, I think I managed it by having two priests in my party. Most of the game I used AI guys, but, it wasn't without its frustrations.

 

[SunGod]

So I finally started the original Dragon Quest today (after completing but not really enjoying VIII that much when it first came out years ago) and I'm enjoying it so far! I'm definitely going to finish it and move on to DQII when I'm done

 

[Barrylocke]

I was thinking back on DQVI, and one twist that I remember being genuinely surprised by was that

Spoiler

The starting world was the Dream World. I knew about the Dream World/Real World aspect of the game before hand, but I just assumed that the hero would start his journey in the real world and discover the dream world later on, not the other way around.

 

[gblues]

So I emailed SE support about a couple minor bugs I noticed in the iOS version of dq8:

- damage numbers have wrong aspect ratio
- SFX audio is too quiet

I also shared my hypothesis about the framerate issue that I posted in the June iOS thread:

Hrm, I have a theory for the bad performance of DQ8.

I think what they did was lock the entire engine to the framerate of the character animations.

My reasons for this theory:

- The iOS version is pushing less geometry than the PS2 version, and there are other iOS games out there that can maintain 60FPS no problem with more detailed assets.

- The shitty performance is consistent, whether it's outdoors or in a town or inside a building. If it were simply an optimization issue, I would expect to see at the very least a higher framerate indoors.

- The performance issues affect the UI buttons. and the game stops updating the game screen while in the menu so there's no excuse for rendering overhead to be impacting the UI.

- If you focus on your characters movements, the performance actually seems okay. It's not until you start panning or tilting the camera that you really notice it. Similar to how in films, the limits of the 24fps framerate become a lot more evident when panning the camera.

Conclusion: performance issue probably has more to due with developer unfamiliarity with Unity (or possibly inherent Unity limitations) than with poor optimization.

I've submitted a ticket, but I don't have high hopes.

Unfortunately this also means that a more powerful device is unable to measurably impact the performance, beyond reducing the occasional dropped frame.

Anyway I got this response. I'm not holding my breath.

We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. It will be forwarded to the appropriate party. Please attempt to continue trying to resolve the issue locally while we report this issue to development and management. Thank you for taking the time to contact us today and we look forward to your opinions of our upcoming titles.

 

[CorvoSol]

Couple more Torneko questions: If I never give back his doge, do I get to have it when I get Torneko at the end of the game? I realize it adds nothing but this dog is cool. Also, is there anything worth buying in Fox Town or does it all still turn to shit and sticks when I leave?

 

[Jucksalbe]

How can you still be playing that Torneko chapter?

 

[CorvoSol]

How can you still be playing that Torneko chapter?

I have a problem and I need help.

Spoiler

I only play it like, once a week, if that. And since I've been buying every last thing for sale in the chapter, and selling it to the wife to make money to buy more things, I have kind of sort of spent the last 5 hours of game time, if not more, just mashing A to sell 99 of stuff to her. I tend to do this while watching TV so I don't go insane.

 

[Jucksalbe]

But why?

 

[CorvoSol]

But why?

In the very vain hope that I will have the equipment and funding to not have to grind for cash to buy anything for a long, long time afterward. Torneko's business is a lucrative, relatively easy and quick means of securing funds for my warchest.

Grinding for money for weapons is no fun at all.

So if I squeeze every penny I can out of Torneko's quest, then when it comes to the final chapter, I ought to be able to glide on through a fair clip before having to ever stop to acquire more money. Part of the idea behind making the journey to Mysidia at the beginning of FF2, too.

 

[Jucksalbe]

You realize you already grinded more than you would have ever did if you played the game normally?

 

[Psxphile]

You realize you already grinded more than you would have ever did if you played the game normally?

I believe he does:

I have a problem and I need help.

The first step is always the hardest.

 

[CorvoSol]

You realize you already grinded more than you would have ever did if you played the game normally?

No but grinding is battles in my head. This is just going to a store and buying its wares and turning a profit. It's almost fun, comparatively.

In any case, I finally finished Torneko's chapter in DQ4. It was a really unique perspective for things in an old school RPG. I really appreciated the shop keeper's outlook, and it was fun to sort of let my imagination run wild over Torneko's war profiteering allowing him to gain absurd amounts of political clout in the world. The chapter is unique for that minigame, for allowing the player to haggle, and ultimately letting them experiment with costs and profits when they have their own shop. There are more traditional dungeons to explore, too, but this chapter just really stands out for being so unique. Alena's and Ragnar's chapters don't really compare because they're nowhere near as distinct. Alena has a tournament in her chapter, yes, but I mean Torneko has a casino that I could've spent even more time at, making my hilarious profits and dedicating time and money to obtaining the things there early so that I could be even more broken later on.

Creatively, Torneko's chapter is really something entirely unto itself. It's sort of interesting to compare DQ4 to FF4 in this regard, because while FF4 is experimenting with that whole more character driven narrative that would later become so popular and so much a part of FF, DQ4 is doing its own thing, using gameplay and structure of the game to tell its own story. Now, I recognize that there are many here who do not share my love for FF4, but this is intended as praise as much as it contrast. To be honest I was sad to let go of Torneko.

I do have a question regarding my final party in the game, since I assume it will consist of only one person from each chapter. That means Ragnar and Torneko, obviously, and I'm assuming Alena and not Borya or what'shisbucket, but which of these sisters am I keeping? I can't really play favorites with them in any distinct way, but just so I have an idea of what to expect when I get to the end of the game.

And aren't DQ parties only 4 wide? How will that work, then? Cuz Hero, Ragnar, Torneko, and Alena is already 4, and there's still one of these sisters to fit in.

 

[Pharaun]

I'm trying to not spoil too much here. Eventually you get something that will let you swap out party members so you can create custom parties from all the characters in earlier chapters.

 

[CorvoSol]

I'm trying to not spoil too much here. Eventually you get something that will let you swap out party members so you can create custom parties from all the characters in earlier chapters.

Ah, okay then.

 

[Barrylocke]

I have never heard someone gush so much about Torneko's Chapter before.