Game:

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (1990)

Duration: 26:15

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What is Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen?

After the Erdrick Trilogy concluded with Dragon Quest III, a new story was needed for the next game in the Dragon Quest series for Dragon Quest IV. Well, the next trilogy of Dragon Quest games (IV, V, and VI) are all centered around the magical castle in the sky, Zenithia, which has led to fans and even the developers now referring to Dragon Quests IV, V, and VI as the Zenithia Trilogy.

Gameplay-wise, Dragon Quest IV doesn't do too much to differentiate itself from Dragon Quest III, apart from the fact that this time all of the characters have predetermined names, classes, and backstories, and you don't get to control the Hero or Heroine of the game proper until Chapter 5, at least in the NES version. Starting with the PSX version, a short Prologue showing the Hero's hometown and his training to be the legendary hero is shown at the start, then you get moved into Chapter 1. Another change starting with Chapter 5 is that, in the NES version, at least, the player no longer controls the characters other than the Hero. The companions you controlled back in Chapters 1-4 now act according to the AI you set them to, but again, this was changed in the PSX version of Dragon Quest IV. You also have temporary members who will join your merry band at certain points in the story to help you in your quest and some will leave almost as swiftly as they joined. Apart from all of that, as far as I can tell and as far as I can care, they didn't really change too much with the formula, but hey! If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I say.

Story-wise, Dragon Quest IV is a HUGE step up from the first three Dragon Quest games. As previously stated, you don't start off controlling the Hero of the game, rather, you journey as the companions who will join you later on in the game first during Chapters 1-4, and during each of those chapters, you will learn exactly why each of your companions is on the quest alongside you rather than them just dumping a ton of exposition on you. It's quite refreshing, but as this is Dragon Quest, that also means a fair bit of grinding, too.

Music-wise, a true feast for the ears, I think. I like the music, and each overworld theme encompasses each main character's personality and goals. Ragnar's is soft and slow but peaceful but also majestic in it's own sort of way, as any good soldier worth his salt should be. Alena's, Kiry;'s, and Borya's theme encompasses Alena's competitive spirit and the thirst to prove herself to the world, as well as her obliviousness, Torneko's theme is goofy, which he will prove to you all too well in Chapter 5 when he starts acting like the Goof-Offs from Dragon Quest III, Maya and Meena's theme have a mysterious theme about them as well as a subtle tone of revenge in it, reflecting their magical prowess as well as the revenge they want for what happened to their father.

Graphics-wise, the NES version was quite a step up in tileset graphics when compared to the NES version of Dragon Quest III, such as the water on the overworld moving, certain enemies in battle gaining animations, especially during the final battle, and it still shocks me at how good it was on the NES at the time and I personally believe even holds up today.

Overall, a worthy addition to the Dragon Quest series, and apparently the head honchos in charge of the Super Smash Bros. games agree with me, as the male hero of Dragon Quest IV, Solo, is a playable costume swap of the Hero from Dragon Quest XI in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, after all.

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