DRAGON QUEST

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,963 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • grinding
DRAGON QUEST Game Cover
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Dragon Quest is a single-player, historical open world RPG with a wholesome story and turn-based combat. The player takes on the role of a Hero, whose name affects their growth throughout the game. Progression involves traveling through dungeons and overworld, battling monsters to level up and acquire better equipment. The game features intriguing story, phenomenal mechanics, spectacular graphics and compelling soundtrack, but it can be very grinding.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Phone
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,963 reviews
story44 positive mentions
grinding67 negative mentions
  • Faithful to the original story and gameplay, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.
  • Updated graphics and remastered soundtrack enhance the overall experience without losing the classic feel.
  • Touch controls work well, allowing for easy one-handed gameplay.
  • Menu button is unresponsive on certain devices, making the game unplayable.
  • Game crashes frequently when transitioning between areas or using the map.
  • Lack of cloud save functionality limits the ability to transfer progress between devices.
  • story177 mentions

    The story of Dragon Quest is described as simple and straightforward, reflecting its status as one of the earliest RPGs. While some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and the basic narrative structure, others find it lacking in depth and complexity compared to modern titles. Overall, it serves as a good introduction to the series, especially for fans of retro gaming, but may not satisfy those seeking intricate storytelling or character development.

    • “I wasn't expecting anything at all from the story, and was surprised to see that while it's very simple there are some parts of it I find very enjoyable.”
    • “The simplicity of the original Dragon Quest makes it perfect for casual gaming.”
    • “You're thrown in with no instructions and a weak story.”
    • “The story is simple but told well through gameplay rather than shown to the player.”
    • “Too short and storyline is too simple, but for that time it's a good time killer.”
  • graphics149 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received a significant upgrade from the original NES version, with many players praising the enhanced visuals and nostalgic art style. However, some users noted issues such as shimmering effects, inconsistent scaling, and unattractive menus that detract from the overall experience. While the updated graphics are generally well-received, opinions vary on whether they successfully capture the charm of the original game.

    • “The upgraded graphics and dialogue make this game look great, and I really enjoyed replaying it.”
    • “The graphics are enhanced, and the difficulty is toned down, plus it requires much less grinding for levels than the original NES version.”
    • “The graphics and music were definitely recognizable, but upgraded tastefully, preserving the feel of the original.”
    • “There's an annoying shimmering to the graphics whenever you move.”
    • “Sadly, the in-game menus are ugly and the overworld graphics look off in a strange way.”
    • “The graphics are ugly on my Galaxy S4, with really stretched-looking pixels.”
  • grinding67 mentions

    The reviews indicate that while grinding is a significant aspect of the game, it has been notably reduced compared to the original NES version, making it more manageable and enjoyable for players. Many users appreciate the streamlined mechanics and increased experience and gold gains, which allow for quicker progression, though some still find the grinding necessary, especially for the final boss. Overall, the game is described as fun and charming, with grinding that feels less tedious due to improved controls and the ability to play in short bursts.

    • “Too bad 95% of this game was spent grinding for money.”
    • “For every minute's worth of content, I had to spend ten minutes grinding.”
    • “If you haven't played this game before, be aware that it's more grinding than storyline; it was cutting-edge 30 years ago but may bore those used to modern RPGs.”
  • music66 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the remastered orchestral soundtrack for its beauty and quality, while others express disappointment over the departure from the original 8/16-bit tunes they fondly remember. Some players appreciate the nostalgic feel of the updated music, but a significant number prefer the classic soundtracks, feeling that the new arrangements lack the charm of the originals. Overall, the remastered music enhances the experience for some, but leaves others longing for the simplicity of the past.

    • “The music is beautiful too.”
    • “I love the updated music; they are such memorable tunes.”
    • “This is a great version of DQ1, it has an orchestrated CD-quality soundtrack, the text is interesting to read with medieval accents, and the touch controls work perfectly with a single hand!”
    • “But the worst offender is the music... if you're like me and remember spending hours playing this game in the 80's, the new music is going to be a huge disappointment.”
    • “The controls for this port are horrible, the music is trash, the visuals suck, and it is like easy mode no challenge.”
    • “I must admit I prefer the SNES visuals and the orchestral remixed soundtrack by far personally though, so while I think it might be a good option to make a lot of people happy, it is definitely less important to the game as a whole than focusing on the game itself.”
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its simplicity and accessibility, making it suitable for both hardcore fans and casual players, especially in its mobile version. While some find the mechanics outdated and challenging, the classic RPG elements and engaging progression are highlighted as strengths. However, issues such as poor saving mechanics and occasional bugs detract from the overall experience for some users.

    • “The gameplay is the important part and it works great even with one hand.”
    • “Good and adjustable controls, beautiful sprite work, and challenging but enjoyable gameplay.”
    • “This game is a faithful remake of the legendary 1986 classic 8-bit JRPG, previously known in the states as 'Dragon Warrior,' replicating the challenging semi-linear exploration and riveting gameplay of the original that continues to inspire games to this day.”
    • “It's definitely more for the hardcore fans and newer players may not enjoy the older mechanics such as having to talk to the king in order to save.”
    • “Poor saving mechanics ruin this game.”
    • “After a minute of gameplay the game crashes.”
  • stability16 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game has seen significant improvements since its original release, with many bugs and glitches being patched. However, some users still report issues such as freezing after battles, sloppy optimization, and the need for an online connection to start the game. While some players experience smooth gameplay without major crashes, others highlight persistent bugs, particularly in specific save slots and certain titles.

    • “Runs great on my Moto X.”
    • “Just beat the game, no glitches that I could find.”
    • “One of my favorite games and it runs great on a 7-inch tablet.”
    • “It freezes up every time after my first battle.”
    • “However, the biggest issues are with the sloppy optimization of the port, with a lot of glitches and crashes. Not to mention it needs to 'connect' for it to even start, meaning you can't play it when offline.”
    • “Very buggy.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with nostalgia for the original experience clashing with frustrating control issues on newer devices. While some players express love for the game’s visuals and mechanics reminiscent of their childhood, the technical problems, such as unresponsive menus and crashes, detract from the overall enjoyment and emotional connection.

    • “Increasing the XP and gold earned to help cut through the hours of farming ground I remember as a kid and touching up the visuals and mob names was just enough to make me love playing this game all over again.”
    • “It made me feel like playing it on the SNES.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and modernized controls, making it well-suited for mobile devices. However, some users report significant issues, including glitches, crashes, and inadequate support for certain devices, particularly with touch screen responsiveness and widescreen displays. Additionally, the requirement for an internet connection to start the game has been criticized.

    • “Everything runs smoothly, in my opinion, better than the Zenithian ports (IV, V, VI).”
    • “This is a game perfect for phones and optimized for it.”
    • “Controls modernized and optimized for the platform, and various quality of life enhancements make this the best version I've played.”
    • “I want to play this game so bad, but it simply is not optimized for my phone, which is a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus.”
    • “Touch screen optimization for LG G6 is off; having to touch above the button on the screen is horrible.”
    • “However, the biggest issues are with the sloppy optimization of the port, with a lot of glitches and crashes. Not to mention it needs to 'connect' for it to even start, meaning you can't play it when offline.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The game is praised for its affordable price and absence of ads, in-game purchases, and account setup, providing a straightforward gaming experience. Players appreciate the mobile version's autosave feature, enhancing convenience without compromising on gameplay.

    • “It's cheap and has no ads, and the mobile version has a great autosave feature, so you don't have to return to the king to save like in the original game.”
    • “First off, this game just works: no ads, no account to set up.”
    • “No in-app purchases, just pure game.”
    • “The game is completely free of in-game purchases, which is refreshing.”
    • “There are no in-app purchases, just a pure gaming experience.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers straightforward combat and an easy-to-follow story, providing some replayability despite its short 11-hour length. However, many users feel it lacks substantial content to encourage multiple playthroughs, contrasting with older RPGs that typically offer greater replay value through challenge runs and varied gameplay experiences.

    • “Straightforward combat, easy and accessible story, 11 hours of combat, has great replayability.”
    • “Old RPGs as cellphone games usually have great replay value - I had Final Fantasy 1 on an old (non-smart) phone and enjoyed challenge runs for years.”
    • “The game is really short and doesn't offer much in terms of content or replayability.”
    • “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The lack of varied gameplay mechanics makes replaying feel tedious.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in this old RPG is minimal, with players noting a lack of direction, unique storylines, and strategic depth.

    • “It's also an old RPG, so don't expect much direction, character development, unique storylines, or strategy.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its playful subversion of traditional tropes, such as the notion that saving the world doesn't necessarily involve rescuing a princess, which adds a lighthearted and amusing twist to the narrative.

    • “It's funny that I don't have to save the princess in order to save the world, lol.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
6-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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