Gameplay Today - Because You're Always Gaming

When you look at the number of anime, manga and merchandise spin-offs based on the the Dragon Quest series of games, there’s no way to deny the franchise’s popularity. It’s much stronger in Japan than the West, but there is still a dedicated fanbase in Europe and North America that gobble up each new release to the Dragon Quest / Dragon Warrior line of games. Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie is the latest remake from Square Enix to make the leap to the small screen. No doubt it’ll be a commercial hit like every other DQ game, but how does it stack up when split in two on the Nintendo DS’s screens?

Taking place across two different worlds that are both full of interesting dungeons and towns, the story in Realms of Reverie takes a while to unfold, but is well worth the wait. You’re tasked with the usual job of saving the world (in this case two of them) along with a troop of team party members you get to follow you along the way. Like yourself, the friends you meet along the way are on a quest to discover themselves. The interaction between the characters borders on silly at times, but provides a nice light-hearted laugh from time to time.

The gameplay in Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie can best be described as linear. There are plenty of side quests that can extend the time you spend with this game, but main storyline is pretty straight forward. You’ll go through the worlds battling monsters and collecting gold and XP to increase your abilities and buy better equipment. Items can also be acquired by checking everything around you and in structures. The menu system in place is simple and easy to navigate which makes equipping your party with the best items a breeze. The only gripe with gameplay is the save system, but anyone who has played a Dragon Quest title before will be familiar with it and adapt in a short time.

The battles are still a little too frequent as you traverse the world map. Everything takes place in easy to manage turn-based combat. Just like the rest of the menu system, combat is easy enough that younger gamers will have no problem issuing commands. The only negative with combat was the occasional miscue by a party member who decided to make the wrong choice. Taking control of everything resolves this problem and is a must in the tougher boss battles. One of the highlights of DQ VI is the way you can spend your time (and gold). If you get a little bored of the usual grinding, you can always hit the casino and see if lady luck is on your side. It’s the easiest way to get some gold fast and lose it fast too.

The graphics are a nice mixture of updated sprites and classic JRPG beauty. Everything looks brightly colored and beautifully animated. It’s impressive how well the characters are rendered considering how tiny they actually are on the Nintendo DS. Gameplay takes up both screens and it becomes pretty clear that the developers had to do quite a bit of work to cram everything into the confined space of the two small screens. The audio is equally impressive on the antiquated speakers of the old Nintendo handheld. The music is composed so well you’d think it belonged in a full blown release on the PS3 or Xbox 360. The sound effects however, appear to be ripped out of older Dragon’s Quest titles as they seem dated and simple.

Developer ArtePiazza has done a great job of bringing this classic SNES title into the 21st century and onto the Nintendo DS without losing any of the charm of the original. The epic JRPG storyline is sure to reward gamers looking for the classic role playing experience that has become so rare this generation. The amount of play time provided is easy worth the price of admission and means no one will walk away disappointed. The sprites look great and the supporting music will remind you of a time when the small touches got a little more attention in RPGs. If you’ve been looking for a fun turn-based RPG on the DS, then you should really consider checking out Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie.