LunarWeaver
04-24-2006, 12:12 AM
Now I'm not asking to be assassinated by Dragon Quest fans, but I just don't get it. I've read a ton of reviews (professional and consumer) in trying to decide to get this game and I rented it to see. I do like RPGs, and DQ8 IS a good game, but it could have been much better. That probly makes it sound like I'm asking for a Final Fantasy clone, but I'm not. I can't help it I like my RPGs to be different then when I was playing them on the nintendo. I don't MIND old school, but I don't get how this game being the same as number I but prettier is considered perfectly fine.
I keep reading "Many fans may worry the merger with Square will have ruined the series,but this is the same Dragon Quest you've known and loved since the first and plays similar with a few tweaks here and there." And then everyone cheers and sighs of relief. I don't necessarily have a problem with very traditional battle systems, but on the other hand I don't see why we're clinging to everything everyone always hated about RPGs, but put up with for the better things the genre has to offer. Would it kill them to put up a turn order? Why should I have to guess who's going to go in what order? Why is MP still low enough you barely ever use magic other then to heal? Why does it take forever to level after 20 or so? Saving at churches is tradition, great, but that doesn't mean it's good. I guess I'm just a fan of battle systems that really shake things up... This one takes a surprising amount of strategy and thinking, so it's not like you're just mashing attack, but it really isn't very interesting either. It's just kind of "bleh".
You can say this is traditional and nostalgic and keeping with the roots but... When other series try this critics destroy them. Resident Evil took a ton of crap for pumping out the same game over and over until they redid the formula for number 4. Tomb Raider was the same game over and over until Legend (Angel of Darkness? Doesn't exist). Dynasty Warriors is at number 5 and it's still the same as number 1 and it's scores have dropped dramatically as critics and gamers alike cry for change.
So I guess I'm not understanding how this series gets away with this. We'll be on Dragon Quest 39 and everyone will still be happy playing the same game? I mean I actually read critics saying "While other RPGs focus on flashy cinematics, new battle systems and character development, and intricate plots, Dragon Quest VIII harkens to the old days of simpler times, and we couldn't be happier." What?! So you'd PREFER no RPGs had those things -_^?! You would never hear them say "Even though action games like God of War and Devil May Cry 3 push the boundries of combo systems and fast-paced battles, this action game just requires you to press X over and over and nothing else just like it used to be, 10/10!"
Call me ignorant, but I'm confused o_O
I keep reading "Many fans may worry the merger with Square will have ruined the series,but this is the same Dragon Quest you've known and loved since the first and plays similar with a few tweaks here and there." And then everyone cheers and sighs of relief. I don't necessarily have a problem with very traditional battle systems, but on the other hand I don't see why we're clinging to everything everyone always hated about RPGs, but put up with for the better things the genre has to offer. Would it kill them to put up a turn order? Why should I have to guess who's going to go in what order? Why is MP still low enough you barely ever use magic other then to heal? Why does it take forever to level after 20 or so? Saving at churches is tradition, great, but that doesn't mean it's good. I guess I'm just a fan of battle systems that really shake things up... This one takes a surprising amount of strategy and thinking, so it's not like you're just mashing attack, but it really isn't very interesting either. It's just kind of "bleh".
You can say this is traditional and nostalgic and keeping with the roots but... When other series try this critics destroy them. Resident Evil took a ton of crap for pumping out the same game over and over until they redid the formula for number 4. Tomb Raider was the same game over and over until Legend (Angel of Darkness? Doesn't exist). Dynasty Warriors is at number 5 and it's still the same as number 1 and it's scores have dropped dramatically as critics and gamers alike cry for change.
So I guess I'm not understanding how this series gets away with this. We'll be on Dragon Quest 39 and everyone will still be happy playing the same game? I mean I actually read critics saying "While other RPGs focus on flashy cinematics, new battle systems and character development, and intricate plots, Dragon Quest VIII harkens to the old days of simpler times, and we couldn't be happier." What?! So you'd PREFER no RPGs had those things -_^?! You would never hear them say "Even though action games like God of War and Devil May Cry 3 push the boundries of combo systems and fast-paced battles, this action game just requires you to press X over and over and nothing else just like it used to be, 10/10!"
Call me ignorant, but I'm confused o_O