Dragon Quest V: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride

[Evil Avnovice]

This was already released in Japan last July, but North America should get this on February 17, 2009, and Europe will get it three days after (February 20, 2009). There's also a PS2 version, though I'm not sure of the date. (Gamekyo (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen29528_dragon-quest-v-date-europe-images.html))

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090111_210254_1_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images1_4_29528.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090111_210255_4_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images4_4_29528.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090111_210255_7_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images7_4_29528.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090111_210255_14_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images14_4_29528.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090111_210256_19_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images19_4_29528.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090111_210255_16_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images16_4_29528.html)

[biosc1]

Nooooo...I'm not quite done Dragon Quest 4 yet! Now I'll not even get a break between the 2 :)

[Evil Avnovice]

Nooooo...I'm not quite done Dragon Quest 4 yet! Now I'll not even get a break between the 2 :)

I'm cracking away at it myself. Before I fell ill most of 2 weeks, I made it as far as Chapter 4. Some good stuff, I might add. :)

[Variable Gear]

Can't wait, can't wait. :)

[biosc1]

I'm cracking away at it myself. Before I fell ill most of 2 weeks, I made it as far as Chapter 4. Some good stuff, I might add. :)

Definitely very enjoyable. I didn't kill a guy I was supposed to in Chapter 5, so I ended up a little lost, but once I figured that out I got the game back on track again. Now I'm about halfway through Chapter 5. Of course, my lost time was more than made up for by me roaming randomly and leveling up and gathering more gold :)

I'll be done by February for sure.

Just noticed that those screens have some pretty high level guys in it...

[Purple Santa]

Adding to the pile of games that I will eventually get to play in 2009 or beyond...

[Gerbs]

Have I played this before? Or is it the first NA release?

[BLeeP]

Do you get to befriend monsters in this iteration, or are there just a lot of party members to get? I'm asking this based on those screen shots with weird party members. I've never played 5, so I'm not terribly familiar with it's game play systems.

[Evil Avnovice]

Have I played this before? Or is it the first NA release?

Like Dragon Quests IV and VI, this is the first time that V will hit US shores.

Do you get to befriend monsters in this iteration, or are there just a lot of party members to get? I'm asking this based on those screen shots with weird party members. I've never played 5, so I'm not terribly familiar with it's game play systems.

With Dragon Quest V, you can befriend and add monsters to fight alongside you.

[Gerbs]

Like Dragon Quests IV and VI, this is the first time that V will hit US shores.

Thanks! But I am 100% certain I played DQ IV back on NES years ago.

[Evil Avnovice]

Thanks! But I am 100% certain I played DQ IV back on NES years ago.

Yep, you're right. I just looked it up on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Quest_IV). Only Dragon Quest V and VI never made it here. :o

[Smoof]

Man, I need to finish IV in a hurry. I'm getting close to done, I think. I'm about 20 hours in, just having killed
the second demon guy in...Zamoska? Can't recall the name. Now I'm sort of wandering around, trying to figure out where to go. Went to Ragnars home and had a dream in the inn, but other than that.

Been tinkering around with party configs, trying to find a really viable one since I'm getting my ass kicked hardcore late in the game. My seemingly best config so far has been to take my guy, Meena, Maya and Kiryl, for an abundance of healing. Problem is, if things are resistant to spells, it's a slow day. Now I'm tinkering with my guy, Ragnar, Kiryl and Borya. I like Borya a lot, but I may end up taking Maya for pure single creature spell damage.

[Mike Kelehan]

When Nintendo announced that the DSi wouldn't have a GBA slot, I got a new-screen GBA SP on eBay, and popped in Dragon Warrior 1&2 to test it out. I ended up playing all the way through DW1, the only game in the series I've ever beaten before. I had such a good time with it I decided to just do all of them in order. I'm on DW3 now, and I've got DQ4, DW7, and DQ8 ready to go. By the time I'm done with DQ4, this one should be cheaper.

Obviously I'm taking fairly long breaks in between games. You don't want to burn yourself out.

[menage]

I'm cracking away at it myself. Before I fell ill most of 2 weeks, I made it as far as Chapter 4. Some good stuff, I might add. :)

I started it 2 weeks ago, maybe I got 2-3 hours in (I'm at the tower now). But for some reason this seems incredibly boring (and I'm not anti-JRPG). Especially the grind concerned. I just got to the tower and it basically means the enemies are way to strong to beat yet so outside and fight again. The battles are more of whack him, heal herb when low on health, whack again.

I'm just wondering what's so good about it, so maybe I can push myself a little bit forward. So far it seems pretty generic.

[Mike Kelehan]

I started it 2 weeks ago, maybe I got 2-3 hours in (I'm at the tower now). But for some reason this seems incredibly boring (and I'm not anti-JRPG). Especially the grind concerned. I just got to the tower and it basically means the enemies are way to strong to beat yet so outside and fight again. The battles are more of whack him, heal herb when low on health, whack again.

I'm just wondering what's so good about it, so maybe I can push myself a little bit forward. So far it seems pretty generic.

The reason it's generic is because every other RPG is based on Dragon Quest. What you've described is exactly what you're doing for between 20 hours (DQ1) and 100 hours (DQ7). If that's not what you want, stop; it won't get better.

[menage]

The reason it's generic is because every other RPG is based on Dragon Quest. What you've described is exactly what you're doing for between 20 hours (DQ1) and 100 hours (DQ7). If that's not what you want, stop; it won't get better.

Right. Tnx. I'll bail then and start TWEWY or something. I'm fine with JRPG's when they have that special something (like DQVIII, LO or Persona), but this didn't seem special enough to justify the grind.

[Gorvi]

Love the look. I still need to pick up IV, but this will be close behind once I do.

[biosc1]

Man, I need to finish IV in a hurry. I'm getting close to done, I think. I'm about 20 hours in, just having killed
the second demon guy in...Zamoska? Can't recall the name. Now I'm sort of wandering around, trying to figure out where to go. Went to Ragnars home and had a dream in the inn, but other than that.

Been tinkering around with party configs, trying to find a really viable one since I'm getting my ass kicked hardcore late in the game. My seemingly best config so far has been to take my guy, Meena, Maya and Kiryl, for an abundance of healing. Problem is, if things are resistant to spells, it's a slow day. Now I'm tinkering with my guy, Ragnar, Kiryl and Borya. I like Borya a lot, but I may end up taking Maya for pure single creature spell damage.

My current is:

MyGuy: Well, he's myguy...heavy hitter.
Ragnar: Great tank...absorbs a lot of hits, better than Alena.
Meena: Decent...may replace with Kiryl when Kiryl get's better spells.
Maya: Will keep due to awesome attack spells.

I'm in the exact same boat as you in regards to where I'm at:

When got killed by the bad guy when I found Ragnar, I thought it would be the same when he killed the girls earlier and you just continue on, so I didn't realize for a while that I had to actually defeat that guy.

Is Zemoska the castle in the south where you join up with Ragnar, or is it Alena's home castle? If you haven't been to Alena's home, then go there, otherwise...have you been north of Alena's home castle yet? Looked for a comedian? If not...go north, check out the castle on the island and then think back to the town with entertainers in it...

[Suave Peanut]

Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, but I've never really gotten into Dragon Quest.

Something about them just doesn't click with me and it kind of saddens me that I'm missing out.

[biosc1]

Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, but I've never really gotten into Dragon Quest.

Something about them just doesn't click with me and it kind of saddens me that I'm missing out.

I think, for me, it's one of the first RPG's I ever played on the NES, so it's part nostalgia and comfort-zone for me :)

[Evil Avnovice]

Details (http://www.nintendoeverything.com/?p=8256#more-8256). (NintendoEverything)

* Dragon Quest V

- “What luck! The crown jewel of the Dragon Quest series is finally coming to Western shores.”
- “[Dragon Quest V] quickly became Horii’s favorite game in the series, and it holds that distinction still. Too bad Horii’s enthusiasm didn’t rub off on his coworkers at Enix America, who decided to stop localizing Dragon Quest jsut as the series hit its creative peak.”
- “Hand of the Heavenly Bride begins with the hero as a young boy … But the hero’s happy childhood cannot last forever, and his path to adulthood will be marked with both triumphs and tragedies.”
- “Horii has a gift for brevity that is rare among his peers, and he doesn’t need cut-scenes or lengthy conversations to tell an emotionally involving story. Nor does he need to pile on the pathos to make you feel something - the handful of dark and tragic moments in Dragon Quest V hit hard because of the many lighter moments that have drawn you into the quest and made you attached to its likeable cast. Dragon Quest V may lack the sophistication of more-modern titles, abut few RPGs since have matched the warmth of its soul.” (The article was written by Casey Loe, and I think that’s a fine piece of writing right there.)
- There is a monster catching aspect (60+ in this version of DQV) that the article says was part of the inspiration for Pokemon. (probably DQMonsters, too ) After capture, they fight for you as regular party members. They have level caps, though, so they’ll have to be rotated out for later captured monsters.
- Uses DQIV engine, but uses more color to diversify the towns.
- “The battles remain fast-paced and richly animated, with weapons that can hit entire groups (or the entire battlefield) adding a bit of spice to the otherwise-straightforward, hammer-on-the-attach-button battle system that has long been the series’ trademark (Expect that to change a bit in the upcoming remake of the more tactical Dragon Quest VI)”

Interview:

- NP: The game tells a powerful story with very little dialogue. What is the key to drawing people into a story without lengthy event scenes?
Horii: Dragon Quest originally had to get by with as little dialogue as possible due to the cartridge size restrictions of the past. So I’ve always made an effort to write short, dramatic lines that any player could understand, and that allow anybody to fill in the “missing gaps” on their own. Fortunately, that also gave players the freedom to expand upon the story in their mind and delve even deeper int the world of Dragon Quest.
- Horii: One of my goals with Dragon Quest V was to “torment” players. I’ve always been mischievous and enjoy playing tricks on people. In this case, I think my personality just sort of came through in the game.
- Horii: Right now I am watching a number of American dramas such as Lost, Heroes, Dexter, and Six Feet Under. You can keep an eye on my future titles to see how these shows are affecting me now.
- Debora (third choice as a bride and a spoiled brat bad girl, who can also attack twice per turn) was added to the DS version of the game. “I wanted her to be someone that nobody in their right mind would ever pick! It was the perfect opportunity to torment players just a little bit more.”
- Horii: When I begin work on a new Dragon Quest title, I always think about why the hero is on his journey. Thinking about this, the heart of the story, always takes the longest amount of time. So I would have to say that coming up with the major theme is the most challenging.
- Horii: Dragon Quest doesn’t tell its story in a linear fashion … The story becomes apparent by conversing with people in towns or villages. So I spend a lot of time thinking about how those townspeople and other characters will talk.
While making a game, it’s very easy to start seeing things only through the eyes of a creator, and leave the user’s perspective behind. While the creator understands everything about the game, the player doesn’t know a single thing coming in. Although the main Dragon Quest series is about to see its ninth installment, the game’s system and story have been crafted with first-time players in mind, and will be enjoyable for anybody.

[J Arcane]

“Horii has a gift for brevity that is rare among his peers, and he doesn’t need cut-scenes or lengthy conversations to tell an emotionally involving story. Nor does he need to pile on the pathos to make you feel something - the handful of dark and tragic moments in Dragon Quest V hit hard because of the many lighter moments that have drawn you into the quest and made you attached to its likeable cast. Dragon Quest V may lack the sophistication of more-modern titles, abut few RPGs since have matched the warmth of its soul.”

The original DQ5 is one of the greatest fantasy stories ever penned. And I don't just mean for a game.

DQ5 is the only Japanese RPG on my List, and one of my all time favorite games. I'm a bit reticent about a remake though, it depends on if they an keep the combat as tight as the original was.

[Evil Avnovice]

Some videos.

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[Gerbs]

I hope I'm done Chrono Trigger by Feb 17th..

[Evil Avnovice]

A few new images (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsen29728_dragon-quest-v-more-screenshots.html). (Gamekyo)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090119_220348_1_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images1_4_29728.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090119_220348_3_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images3_4_29728.html)

[pomeroy]

That subtitle sounds like an episode title for "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

[Evil Avnovice]

A hands-on (http://ds.ign.com/articles/947/947891p1.html) from IGN.

[NoName]

So many great RPGs, so little time. Luckily I'm in an RPG hiatus right now... can't wait for this to come out!

Looks like it used the same engine as DQ IV.

[Mike Kelehan]

Looks like it used the same engine as DQ IV.

...and DQ6 will use it again. And it's based on the DQ7 engine.

[J Arcane]

...and DQ6 will use it again. And it's based on the DQ7 engine.
I would be very disappointed if they "upgraded" DQ6 to the DQ7 engine. DQ6 has some of the finest 2d graphics ever made. There's really no reason to upgrade it.

[Mike Kelehan]

I would be very disappointed if they "upgraded" DQ6 to the DQ7 engine. DQ6 has some of the finest 2d graphics ever made. There's really no reason to upgrade it.

There's no "would be" about it: it's happening.

[Evil Avnovice]

Some new images (http://www.gamekyo.com/newsfr29978_dragon-quest-v-se-la-joue-french.html). (Gamekyo)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090130_170632_2_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images2_4_29978.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090130_170632_3_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images3_4_29978.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090130_170632_6_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images6_4_29978.html) http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/60311020090130_170632_7_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images7_4_29978.html)

[J Arcane]

I've written a reiew (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=5243) of the original SNES game that may be of interest.

[Evil Avnovice]

A new trailer (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen14506_dragon-quest-v-new-video.html). (Gamekyo)

[Evil Avnovice]

A Siliconera interview (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/02/13/square-enix-discusses-dragon-quest-v-hand-of-the-heavenly-brides-localization/) on Dragon Quest V's localization.

[Evil Avnovice]

Played some of this last night. Am currently in the Faerie Realm where I have to help retrieve a magical flute that can bring back spring.

[Gerbs]

EB was sold out, have to find a copy for my brother as a birthday gift. I'll borrow it when he is done. :D

[Philonious]

It's in the mail... But I won't be playing it anytime soon so I'm not too worried.