Sooj Posted September 29, 2009 Posted September 29, 2009 This pic alone makes me know why the jap version is better then the US version How does that picture make you know that it is better?
killer kirby Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 How does that picture make you know that it is better? Pop menu that sticks to the roots of all the other DQ games, rather then going to menu on the US version that takes like 5 seconds to pop up. the pop up made Dragon Quest VIII so much faster compared to the US version (5 seconds of loading time may not sound much, but when it's in a game you need to use aaaaaaall the time, it really does cut time off.)
Ike Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 This pic alone makes me know why the jap version is better then the US version Why did they change it?
killer kirby Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Why did they change it? Ask Square-Enix, they wanted to change it and make the FF crowd to love it. It's a good thing that the Final Fantasy XII demo was packed with it, because if not I doubt it would not have sold ANYWHERE near the amount it sold in the US. It seems that it is growing more in the europe now anyway, thanks to DQIV and DQV. I think Nintendo also are going to try and hype the heck out of DQIX when that comes out in english. I hope Square-Enix don't do it too DQIX and DQX with the DQVIII menu, I really hope they don't >_<, I hope it dies.
Ike Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 It seems that it is growing more in the europe now anyway, thanks to DQIV and DQV. I think Nintendo also are going to try and hype the heck out of DQIX when that comes out in english. I hope Square-Enix don't do it too DQIX and DQX with the DQVIII menu, I really hope they don't >_<, I hope it dies. Yeah, I remember reading that Nintendo was gonna support DQIX (And X hopefully), shame Square Enix aren't as keen to getting the English version out.
Patch Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 I haven't had much time recently, but I have made some progress since my last update. I've now got the fourth and final character in my party: King Trode! His headbutt move is awesome! Nah, of course I mean Angelo. I fused a boomerang and iron nail to get the reinforced boomerang. So far I haven't seen the point in using any other type of weapon. With only two monsters, the Hero deals more damage in total than with a sword or a lance. With four or more monsters, I can wipe them out in two or three turns. And where it's weakest - the boss / semi-boss encounters - I tend to be using the Hero to heal everyone instead. Perhaps there will be a lack of strong boomerangs in the future, but for now, very happy! I thought the secret underground passage to the Abbot's house was good. Great monsters, nice design, tricky boss and an elusive Metal Slime - I tried for half an hour to find one and beat one, just so I could add it to the Bestiary. Finally got lucky, found one and it didn't notice me. I had no idea it would be worth 1350 experience! That and the Treasure Chest monster reminded me of Shining in the Darkness for the Megadrive. Speaking of monsters, I love reading the semi-serious descriptions of the monsters in the Bestiary. For example: [ATTACH]2961[/ATTACH] Capsichum (Notice the 'chum' part!) A distinctive monster shaped like a pepper. In their culture, two is always better than one, so they stick together with the help of a large skewer. [ATTACH]2962[/ATTACH] Slime Knight Angry at seeing their slime-friends bullied by swaggering adventurers, these courageous little monsters swore an oath to defend them. Oh, and the Puppeteer - hands down (heh) the funniest monster I've ever seen. So I finally got a good look at Dhoulmagus. They did well to make him feel so sinister in a game of this graphical style. Those eyes burn into me. He follows the typical role of a seemingly invincible nemesis - vanishing here, appearing there, blasting people left, right and centre. Makes you wonder if you'd have a chance against him. I can add another shock moment to my list: Shock 1: Brutal killing of Jessica's brother Alistair. Shock 2: Angelo throwing King Trode into the Iron Maiden. Funny though. I've done some backtracking and opened a few chests and fought a few monsters. It was very satisfying killing the Axoraptor. Got the World Map, which is nice. If only there was a way to see all the treasure chests. There's Yangus' Nose for Treasure ability, but I haven't got this to work yet. I'm 15 hours in, and I'll reiterate that I'm purposefully taking my time with the game.
Grazza Posted October 11, 2009 Author Posted October 11, 2009 Good stuff, good stuff! I hope I didn't spoil it for you talking about the outfits etc. Glad to know you're still enjoying it.
Patch Posted October 12, 2009 Posted October 12, 2009 Good stuff, good stuff! I hope I didn't spoil it for you talking about the outfits etc. Glad to know you're still enjoying it. Not at all. It's mainly the story that I would consider spoiler material. I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread like this (it seemed wasteful to create a new thread). A bit more progress since last time: Last time, I had finished the Maella Abbey section, seeing the abbot die and Dhoulmagus take off again. Next I headed to Wisher's Peak (though I didn't know it was called this at the time). I navigated through the ledges and caves to get all the treasure and then ascended to the top of the mountain. Finding nothing there made me realise I had probably done this before the game had told me to. D'oh. Still, it kept me at a reasonably high level of experience to avoid having to consciously level up (something I haven't had to do since the very beginning of the game). Off to Ascantha then, to find the king still distraught two years after the death of his queen, followed by the task of getting to the top of Wisher's Peak. Argh! Knowing that there has to be a full moon when you get to the top, I made sure I set off at night, thinking I will get to the top before the night is out. Then a strange thing happened: As I ascended from the river up to the base of the mountain, the sky changed from a deep blue night sky to an orange glow. Naturally I figured this was the morning sky and that I took too long to get there. So I Zoomed back, rested overnight and set off again, this time in the morning. I watched the sun in the sky the whole time; it didn't get very high in the sky by the time I reached the same place, but sure enough, the sky was an orange glow again. I waited for a while and it turned to a nighttime sky! What this means is that the game is scripted to give you an evening sky when you get to that point, in effect helping you by not forcing you to wait until night. I had, of course, mistaken this evening sky for a dawn sky and zoomed before I realised what had happened! Annnyway, the Moonshadow Land was very pretty. The king was shown a vision of his queen again and the mourning period officially ended. Off to Pickham then, for what was probably the best bit in the game so far. The atmosphere and turn of events were really interesting. There is an alley with a strongarm who demands 10 gold coins for passage through it, but he only does this at night. In the day, he is lying on the floor sleeping. A laugh out loud moment came as I approached him one time and just before speaking to him, night turned to day, and he was suddenly flat on his back to the left of me! A jaunt to Sexy Red to recover Medea turned into a quest for a stone hidden inside the Swordsman's Labyrinth. This was a really interesting dungeon with one extrememly frustrating moment (door on a spring, hole behind you) and one Eureka moment (swordsman statues pointing the way up). The Trap Box boss was the trickiest I've faced and the first time one of my characters died (Jessica). However, I still managed to maintain my perfect unbeaten boss record. [ATTACH]2973[/ATTACH] Back to Port Prospect and across the desert to Trodain Castle, which I've just started. There was a mild surprise to learn during a flashback that the King and Medea were saved from death bu the magic circle in the Sceptre room and yet The Hero survived somehow. Dun dun duuun! I've got the map and the Magic Key (hurrah!), but time constraints forced me to Zoom and save. [ATTACH]2974[/ATTACH] Still loving the game. Trode is working on the Alchemy pot again, Jessica has the Dancer's Costume. Still using a boomerang and a whip and ignoring Fisticuffs like the plague!
Grazza Posted October 12, 2009 Author Posted October 12, 2009 Not at all. It's mainly the story that I would consider spoiler material. I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread like this (it seemed wasteful to create a new thread). Not at all, I love reading other people's experiences with this game. You're really good at it too! I bet you were glad you were using the Boomerang in the Swordsman's Labyrinth, eh? Fisticuffs can be useful for Jessica and Angelo as an Agility boost in the post-game, although yes, I generally avoided it. I'm tempted to play through again maxing it out for everyone, but I'd still put the necessary points into Spears and Axes, and buy a Boomerang, even if I didn't put any points into it.
Patch Posted October 12, 2009 Posted October 12, 2009 Yes indeed. The boomerang and whip can be so satisfying, especially if you kill a whole set of enemies with them, after whittling them down with the others. I saw mention of a Fisticuffs-only walkthrough somewhere recently. Something to save strictly for my fifth play through the game...
Patch Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 I haven't updated this thread for a while. I've been playing Dragon Quest regularly for a while now. An hour or two every couple of nights has seen me get about 30 hours in now. In my last update, I had briefly explored Castle Trodain. Since then I have completed that section, got the harp from the mole mines, floated my ship and visited Baccarat and the Sabretooth Cat house. I'll never walk again! On my way to Argonia Castle I stopped off at a tent and spent all my gold on improved weapons and armour. Ten minutes later I arrived at the castle to find a shop selling even better equipment, with only ten gold pieces to my name. Grah! And thanks to the Alchemy Pot's vast potential, I haven't had the courage to sell anything for fear of losing out on an uber-item. Ah well, it's given me the chance to explore and level up a bit - something I've meant to do as I've been struggling against the most recent catalogue of enemies. So when I've done that, I'll be looking for the prince who is hiding in Argonia Castle. Again. This being my first Dragon Quest game, I have been pleasantly surprised by the vast amount of Slime types in the game. I think some of the game designers must have serious mental issues. There's your regular Slime, a She-slime, Liquid Slime, Metal Slimes, Metal Liquid Slime, Cure Slimes, Heal Slimes, Slime Knights, Metal Slime Knights, King Slimes and even a mini-boss called the Slime Creator (contrary to common sense, killing the Slime Creator does not stop the slimes a-coming). What next? Androgynous Slime? King Metal Liquid She-slime knight? The Alchemy Pot can now take 3 items, though this has served only to make my head hurt all the more. It was nice to see Princess Medea in her human form, if only for a while. There was also a hint of some relationship between her and the Hero. Very intriguing. I hope this and the non-cursing of the Hero is a hint at an interesting plot point and not just a throwaway remark. And finally, here are a couple of chuckle-worthy pics. And one pretty one. [ATTACH]2990[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2991[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]2992[/ATTACH]
Grazza Posted October 26, 2009 Author Posted October 26, 2009 Patch, you're embracing this game like a champ! [spoiler=] This being my first Dragon Quest game, I have been pleasantly surprised by the vast amount of Slime types in the game. I think some of the game designers must have serious mental issues. LMAO! There's your regular Slime, a She-slime, Liquid Slime, Metal Slimes, Metal Liquid Slime, Cure Slimes, Heal Slimes, Slime Knights, Metal Slime Knights, King Slimes and even a mini-boss called the Slime Creator (contrary to common sense, killing the Slime Creator does not stop the slimes a-coming). Well I never... I've played through this game twice and I don't remember that mini-boss!!! I'll have to find him via GameFAQs.
killer kirby Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 This being my first Dragon Quest game, I have been pleasantly surprised by the vast amount of Slime types in the game. I think some of the game designers must have serious mental issues. There's your regular Slime, a She-slime, Liquid Slime, Metal Slimes, Metal Liquid Slime, Cure Slimes, Heal Slimes, Slime Knights, Metal Slime Knights, King Slimes and even a mini-boss called the Slime Creator (contrary to common sense, killing the Slime Creator does not stop the slimes a-coming). What next? Androgynous Slime? King Metal Liquid She-slime knight? All Dragon Quest since the first one are like that. You want one that has a vast amount, play Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime on the DS, many different types there And mostly all dragon quest games have that one minor one that sticks too JUST that game (Although, I think every monster that exists in the Dragon Quest series are all in Dragon Quest IX on the DS, not too sure just yet) It was nice to see Princess Medea in her human form, if only for a while. There was also a hint of some relationship between her and the Hero. Very intriguing. I hope this and the non-cursing of the Hero is a hint at an interesting plot point and not just a throwaway remark. The relationship between them two is exactly the same as the relationship that is in Dragon Quest Original with the hero and princess. and since you have only played VIII and I think only but Ike has played the original other then myself, only he would understand what I mean I might give this game another go once I am through with Dragon Quest III, don't know just yet. Well I never... I've played through this game twice and I don't remember that mini-boss!!! I'll have to find him via GameFAQs. It's not, it's a monster that's out in the world near Argonia Castle, so yeah, more for the monster team.
Patch Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 All Dragon Quest since the first one are like that...The relationship between them two is exactly the same as the relationship that is in Dragon Quest Original with the hero and princess. I'm sure you're right. Your comment implies there *is* a relationship between them then. It's not, it's a monster that's out in the world near Argonia Castle, so yeah, more for the monster team. Sorry Grazza, there's probably a proper name for them. It's in the area NE of Argonia Castle. Are these 'Monster Coin' monsters random at all? Or do they always appear in the same place reliably every time? I could have sworn one appeared on a path that I had travelled a few times and never seen before.
killer kirby Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) I'm sure you're right. Your comment implies there *is* a relationship between them then. they are brother and sister, he being the lost one...there I said it. Sorry Grazza, there's probably a proper name for them. It's in the area NE of Argonia Castle. Are these 'Monster Coin' monsters random at all? Or do they always appear in the same place reliably every time? I could have sworn one appeared on a path that I had travelled a few times and never seen before. Monster coins are the reason why Dragon Quest VIII is a lot easier then the other Dragon Quest games. When fighting them they give you a coin, depends where you find them and such.(They only ever give out one, so if you go back and fight them they won't have one) But during the start of the game, they make the game a breeze. Because selling the coins give you money, and money makes you buy weapons and armour ^^ Edited October 27, 2009 by killer kirby
Patch Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 <Massive Spoiler> Gah, WTF did you do that for? I didn't ask what their relationship was and I didn't want to know. You should have spoilered tagged it at the least. Do you crave attention that much?
killer kirby Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) Gah, WTF did you do that for? I didn't ask what their relationship was and I didn't want to know. You should have spoilered tagged it at the least. Do you crave attention that much? I could have made it up, who knows Edited my post to make this thread more fun xD Edited October 27, 2009 by killer kirby
Patch Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I could have made it up, who knows OK, you've redeemed yourself slightly. Maybe I won't have to hunt you down after all.
killer kirby Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 OK, you've redeemed yourself slightly. Maybe I won't have to hunt you down after all. Be one heck of a hunt from england to Australia
Grazza Posted October 27, 2009 Author Posted October 27, 2009 Are these 'Monster Coin' monsters random at all? Or do they always appear in the same place reliably every time? I could have sworn one appeared on a path that I had travelled a few times and never seen before. They're always in the same place, but some appear at night and some by day. Also, more and more are added to the gameworld the more progress you make (some of them are very powerful). Visit the circular house near Pickham to find out more about them and a cool sidequest. PS - Don't worry too much about killer kirby's "spoilers"...
Patch Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 Yep, playing further, I found there is one by a crossroads near Argonia Castle that only comes out at night. More progress: King Clavius tasked me with escorting Prince Charmles to the Royal Hunting Ground. This was pretty easy, and at last the Bazaar is underway. Realising I had no money again, I was worried the Bazaar would disappear at any moment. But thankfully after a few overnight rests and some continent hopping, it's still there. Good job too, it will take me a while to raise the funds to buy everything I want. Thankfully the whip and boomerang were cheap, but the armour is dear. I suppose I could always try some casino ventures, but I've avoided this so far. So after 'recharging' the magic mirror, it was off to the Dark Ruins. I thought after all the levelling up I had done (primarily as a means to get more gold to buy equipment at Argonia Castle) it would be a breeze. The dungeon was only mildly challenging but the dungeon's boss was epic to say the least. I killed his second form with less than 10MP for the Hero and Angelo left. 0MP for Yangus (after sharing it with the others) and about 27 for Jessica. Annoying thing was I discovered Angelo had this especially useful spell called 'Multi-Heal' just before I killed him. Maybe killing him without using it is some kind of record? I haven't lost a battle yet. Thought I'd make a few montages of the more humorous bits (click images for bigger pics). Charmles' Incentive: [ATTACH]3010[/ATTACH] Charmles in Action: [ATTACH]3011[/ATTACH] Dhoulmagus! [ATTACH]3012[/ATTACH]
Grazza Posted October 31, 2009 Author Posted October 31, 2009 You're an awesome player, Patch! Yes, I think defeating that boss without multi-heal puts you in the the upper ranks! As for the casino, I didn't bother with it until the post-game, but it was a little bit more fruitful than I expected. There is a method on Roulette that didn't earn me enough to claim the top prizes, but I think it would have let me buy all the equipment I needed. Va-va-voom!
Patch Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 You're an awesome player, Patch! Yes, I think defeating that boss without multi-heal puts you in the the upper ranks! Cheers! Let's ignore the fact I hadn't noticed it was there... As for the casino, I didn't bother with it until the post-game, but it was a little bit more fruitful than I expected. There is a method on Roulette that didn't earn me enough to claim the top prizes, but I think it would have let me buy all the equipment I needed. I probably won't bother with it much either. I figure the only way to make money from it is to constantly save / reload until a profit is made. Which is a bit tedious and feels like cheating.
killer kirby Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 Do the casino. It's the place too get some of the ultimate equipment in the whole game, and having it right away makes the rest of the game a breeze. But of course there is a thing called saving and whenever you bet and win...go back and save. Lose, restart Oh and Roulette is the best place for money.
Mundi Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 Started yesterday and if any indication that I like this game is needed the n I can say that I have 9:23 hours played just from yesterday. Don't really feel like I did much during that time, just levelled a bit and called it good when I met the giant cleavage showing Jessica at the port. Feels great to play a good JRPG after crawling trough FF10...
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