Will this game get better?

[BigFatToad]

First time DQ player here. Just want to say that I'm not in anyway bashing the game, but I do want to know what to expect from people who are more familier with the series. I'm about 17 hours in and just finished beating the Slayer of the Sands (I like to take my time with RPGs). At this point, I'm a little worried that the structure of this game is starting to become a bit repetitive. Everything I've done so far has consisted of walking around large fields killing monsters by mashing X, discovering shiny spots, occasionally stopping to complete a short and predictable quest, and proceeding with the (to be honest, not exactly groundbreaking) main story. Besides the pep powers, I haven't really noticed any gameplay mechanic unique to this game that breaks up the monotony. I really want to enjoy and finish this game as many have said this is one of the better entries in the series, I just need to know if I should temper my high expectations.

Thanks!

[TommyEV]

The plot thickens a bit more as you progress and you will have more characters and learn more skills, making the battles more varied and giving you more options.

You will soon have access to the boat, which gives you more freedom to choose where to go and the Octagonia arc, which you'll play soon, is a fun one.

That said, the basis of the game will be the same. Smaller arcs or stories combined with the bigger picture stuff.

[Eltia]

Have you watched Dragon Ball Z?

This game is best consumed in small episodes. So play an hour or so a day, then resume playing the next day. This way it's less repetitive and will start grow on you.

[MicroStutterEngine]

Originally posted by Eltia:

Have you watched Dragon Ball Z?

This game is best consumed in small episodes. So play an hour or so a day, then resume playing the next day. This way it's less repetitive and will start grow on you.

The is more like Dragon Ball, not Z.

[0ismyname]

Originally posted by BigFatToad:

Besides the pep powers, I haven't really noticed any gameplay mechanic unique to this game that breaks up the monotony.

A good way to break the monotony is to spend less time playing it. By that I mean to avoid grinding characters before every boss. That way, most enemies tend to be more powerful compared to what they should be at that point. At the point where I'm at, a character joined at LV38, whereas my character was only 33. To my knowledge of Game Design, a properly leveled character should be the same level as a joining one, to prevent players from going through grinding to pointlessly level their old characters up to the standard of a too-OP character. By playing through the game quicker, you also discover new locations, enemy types and characters quicker, and thus it comes as more of a shock when (Very Minor Enemy Spoilers for 30 hours in) some bees murder your entire party by making them commit suicide (/Very Minor Enemy Spoilers for 30 hours in), as you are less powerful and ill-equiped to face them.

Also, the story does get much more compelling later on.

Going back to my first point, I was about 10 hours into the game when I finished the Gallopolis Arc, and at about 17 hours I has finished another arc or two. This is not really about me being better, but just because I spent less time fighting.

So yes, it will get better, especially if you make the right choices.

[Jay]

Originally posted by BigFatToad:

First time DQ player here. Just want to say that I'm not in anyway bashing the game, but I do want to know what to expect from people who are more familier with the series. I'm about 17 hours in and just finished beating the Slayer of the Sands (I like to take my time with RPGs). At this point, I'm a little worried that the structure of this game is starting to become a bit repetitive. Everything I've done so far has consisted of walking around large fields killing monsters by mashing X, discovering shiny spots, occasionally stopping to complete a short and predictable quest, and proceeding with the (to be honest, not exactly groundbreaking) main story. Besides the pep powers, I haven't really noticed any gameplay mechanic unique to this game that breaks up the monotony. I really want to enjoy and finish this game as many have said this is one of the better entries in the series, I just need to know if I should temper my high expectations.

Thanks!

Are you playing with stronger monsters? Because if you're playing on standard difficulty and fighting everything in sight, then yeah. Probably not going to enjoy yourself lol.

[Gengar]

Originally posted by BigFatToad:

First time DQ player here. Just want to say that I'm not in anyway bashing the game, but I do want to know what to expect from people who are more familier with the series. I'm about 17 hours in and just finished beating the Slayer of the Sands (I like to take my time with RPGs). At this point, I'm a little worried that the structure of this game is starting to become a bit repetitive. Everything I've done so far has consisted of walking around large fields killing monsters by mashing X, discovering shiny spots, occasionally stopping to complete a short and predictable quest, and proceeding with the (to be honest, not exactly groundbreaking) main story. Besides the pep powers, I haven't really noticed any gameplay mechanic unique to this game that breaks up the monotony. I really want to enjoy and finish this game as many have said this is one of the better entries in the series, I just need to know if I should temper my high expectations.

Thanks!

Well IMO these type of games shine in their story and u only did probably a 2% of it? So while the gameplay basically will be what you've seen, the story only gets better and better (it's a very "slow burn" plot) so when you reach certain point of the game probably you'll find yourself more involved in the story and you should enjoy it much more.

Anyways if the gameplay don't fits with you probably you'll get bored very soon. This is a truly classic JRPG and they aren't for everyone.

[Cold]

If you like to take your time with RPGs, then the draconian quest with super strong monsters is probably for you. Otherwise the game will be too easy most of the time, because exploration is extremely rewarding in terms of power ups in this game. Unfortunately, the draco quests are only activatable at the screen where you are first naming your character. I'd recommend at least trying it out on an alternate save file before either coninuing any further or quitting.

[dustin1280]

If you decide you want to try out some of the draconian options:
http://fearlessrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?t=7822

is where you go to enable it mid game instead of starting over.

[Kirkis]

Sorry friend, you chose the wrong DQ to start on. To me this game is incredibly boring compared to the earlier entries. I strongly recommend you try 5, 6, 8, or 9. Preferably 8 or 5.

[TommyEV]

Originally posted by King Emmanuel:

Sorry friend, you chose the wrong DQ to start on. To me this game is incredibly boring compared to the earlier entries. I strongly recommend you try 5, 6, 8, or 9. Preferably 8 or 5.

While I'm having a lot of fun myself, i just don't see how this can be so many people's favorite.

[Kirkis]

Originally posted by TommyEV:

Originally posted by King Emmanuel:

Sorry friend, you chose the wrong DQ to start on. To me this game is incredibly boring compared to the earlier entries. I strongly recommend you try 5, 6, 8, or 9. Preferably 8 or 5.

While I'm having a lot of fun myself, i just don't see how this can be so many people's favorite.

Yes its good enough that it’s fun that is for sure TommyEV. I do take issue with people proclaiming it as the best because it leads to people like OP to dissatisfaction. Worse yet It leads to lower quality sequels.

OP don’t take DQXI as representation of the series and its pedigree.

[coffeerox]

I think the game is great. It's up there along with DQ8. What people don't understand about DQ is that it's not the kind of game where it WOWs you and keeps you hooked in (such as Final Fantasy). DQ is a game that you savor and gets better with time.

In fact, DQ was never a series (not a single one of the games, not even DQ8) where you started playing and the game hooked you in & you were addicted from there. All of the games are like this.

Temper your expections and just enjoy the game. Stop trying to get hype. Stop trying to compare it to past sequels. DQXI is DQXI. It's a great game, end of story.

[Kirkis]

Originally posted by coffeerox:

I think the game is great. It's up there along with DQ8. What people don't understand about DQ is that it's not the kind of game where it WOWs you and keeps you hooked in (such as Final Fantasy). DQ is a game that you savor and gets better with time.

In fact, DQ was never a series (not a single one of the games, not even DQ8) where you started playing and the game hooked you in & you were addicted from there. All of the games are like this.

Temper your expections and just enjoy the game. Stop trying to get hype. Stop trying to compare it to past sequels. DQXI is DQXI. It's a great game, end of story.

LMFAO, that has not been my experience with the series, but ok.

In my opinion DQXI will not get better with time given what I have played and the fact that it retains its familiar pacing all the way through.

Also... no DQXI is not like its predecessors. As a matter of fact contrary to what happened with DQXI, I was fully immersed in both DQV and DQVIII within 10 min of playing. And this immersion never faltered.... it remained till the very end. In this case the games did get better with time, DQXI on the other hand never immersed me into its world and it only got worse till I decided to f4 and boot up my ps2 emulator.

[buypolar pop]

welcome to DRAGON QUEST!!! seriously no it will not get better if youre not enjoying it much now. I just broke 20hrs and got all the party memebrs and im taking my time, however im not jizzzing around either. The rate that its taking you, you will most likely be seeing the end beyond 100hrs or so on your first playthrough if not more.

[coffeerox]

Originally posted by King Emmanuel:

LMFAO, that has not been my experience with the series, but ok.

YOURS. Important part there. Not everyone.

In my opinion DQXI will not get better with time given what I have played and the fact that it retains its familiar pacing all the way through.

YOUR opinion. And important part here is this part "given what I have played". You cannot break down to me exactly what the +/- of this game are. You have not experienced sufficient content to form a proper analysis let alone opinion. At least 1 playthrough with an attempt at end-game content is REQUIRED. You can't just leave stuff the developers made hanging on the shelf and they say, "hey guys, DQXI sucks!".

I've encountered many people like you. Especially games where the masses just love to hate on because it's the popular thing. FFXII, LR:FFXIII are some examples. Great games that otherwise gets a ton of hate because "lolstory".

As a matter of fact contrary to what happened with DQXI, I was fully immersed in both DQV and DQVIII within 10 min of playing.

That's subjective. You've had it in your mind that you are going to hate the game for all it is, and so every word you type is horribly biased. Your opinion isn't valuable and any information coming out of you should be disregarded. I'm done with you.