Quote Originally Posted by LunarWeaver
I've shown some passing interest in the series before but I've never played any in the DQ series. I think I should I buy VIII but there are some things I'm kind of confused about...

I went on a review frenzy and everyone seems to be polarized. Some say the music is awesome, some say it sucks...Some love the story and some think it's too bland...The battle system is fun or it's horrible...

I've played a ton of RPGs and wouldn't say the traditional menus and traditional system is my favorite but I like it enough, so that's no problem. But I've read it takes forever to level up, and that drove me crazy in Xenosaga coz I beat the game at like level 25. I realize DQ8 is supposed to be super long but will it take me like 10 hours just to progress from 40 to 41?

Obviously, I like a good story, but quite frankly the overall plot of this game blows. But that's OK, because I'm also a character/"event" kind of fellow too. So what I'm asking is, since there's only 4 characters do the other 3 get a lot of development and all that crazy junk? I've read a lot it's like they don't even exist and they barely say or do anything, and since Hero doesn't ever talk (which I actually don't like at all but I can put up with it...Chrono Trigger is teh awesomez after all) that would bum me out. I mean, I played and loved Lunar:Silver Star Story because I was into the characters more then anything else. What I meant by event was will I want to make it to the next town just to see the new inventive place or problem. In Dark Cloud 2 I kept going just to see what new challenge awaited me, so I was hoping Level-5 took the same approach.

And one last thing, is replenishing MP a huge hassle? Final Fantasy treats ethers way too special, but they give you tents and other ways to make sure you aren't just selecting "attack" all the time in every battle. Or are the skills/spells even that useful?

I'm both intrigued and kind of not by this game so I'm just confused. Because I have no prior experience with the series none of the music or enemies will hold any nostalgia factor to me, so I just wonder if it will still be fun for me or not...Hmm, I guess what I'm really looking for is opinions that aren't trying to tell me it's the greatest or worst thing ever, coz that's all I can find!
If you like the classic turn-based system of battle, you'll like it.

DQ stays true to it's roots; gameplay and story haven't changed much, althought the characters (bar the Hero, who is supposed to be a portrayal of you like the above poster said) are pretty well-developed.

However, It is alot more challenging than most RPGs I've seen, keeping to it's roots also means it doesn't spoil us by giving free items or leveling up super fast like most modern rpgs I've played.

As far as leveling, by the end of the game, you should be in your late 30s, maybe 40s if you like leveling. Of course, there are ways to get mass exp/gold, like most rpgs. (metal slimes species, gold golems.) It won't take too long to level, but don't think you'll need to be levelling up ten levels before the next area, 3 or 4 is good enough.

Yes, battles are a bit more strategic, you definitely won't be pressing "attack" all the time. There are plenty of spells, special abilities you get depending on how you build your characters.

Unfortunately, also by staying to it's roots, you may be totally lost on some story areas (i.e., what the hell am I supposed to do now?), so you may want to use an online faq. (The Brady guide isn't very good...)

That's all I can think of right now. Hopefully that followed all of what you said...