Dragon Quest 1 | Video Game Review

Channel:

Gaming Through The Ages

Subscribers:

69

Published on October 9, 2021 12:00:14 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_vvB8MlZgM

Game:

Dragon Quest (1986)

Category:

Review

Duration: 11:07

74 views

6

I grew up playing Pokemon and the Tales series, and then grew an appreciation for Final Fantasy and Trails series, among others. But I’ve never really given Dragon Quest 1 the attention it deserves. But I should! Without Dragon Quest, there would be no JRPG! Eventually, I want to review them all for this channel, but for now, let’s start with the first one. How did this game establish the rules and tropes that are found in almost every JRPG?

It created an easy to understand battle and exploration system that would be the foundation for literally every other RPG that has been released. It managed to do that, all while providing an experience with decent music and absolutely lovely character designs. For that, the game should be remembered and commended.

But let’s not pretend that Dragon Quest still holds up today. It doesn’t. Having the entire gameplay loop consist of grinding for money and experience to overcome a small hurdle and then need to do it all over again is the definition of tedium. But playing through a game like this allows me to reflect on what other elements have become important for the genre. In the upcoming entries, I know that we see things like the addition of party members and additional monsters in battle, and probably easier ways to save the game. But what I really want to see are things to do in the game that serve as markers of progress in and of themselves, much like the moment where you rescue princess Gwaelin. I want to see dungeons that are interesting to get through, complete with a boss monster that, while challenging, provides you with something cool when you beat him, like a great weapon or a piece of armor. I want there to be a narrative compelling enough to make me want to play the game for the game, rather than the sense of accomplishment I would feel upon finishing the game.

#DragonQuest #NES #RetroGaming

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