Dragon Quest Builders

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 123 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dragon Quest Builders Game Cover
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Dragon Quest Builders is a fantasy open-world sandbox action RPG where players can build structures using blocks in a procedurally generated world. The game offers a main storyline, quirky side quests, and NPCs for a full RPG experience, while also allowing players to battle monsters and gather resources. It can be played in both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Play Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 123 reviews
story21 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • The game features numerous quality of life improvements in the PC port, such as unbreakable equipment, improved inventory management, and the ability to run, making gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.
  • The nostalgic story and charming building mechanics provide a fun and engaging experience, especially for fans of the Dragon Quest series and those who enjoy creative building games.
  • The game runs well on PC, with good performance and graphics, making it a solid choice for both new players and those returning to the franchise.
  • The game is a port of the mobile version, which has led to some complaints about the UI and lower graphical fidelity compared to the PS4 version.
  • Some players find the controls and mechanics to be less intuitive, especially for those who are used to the more polished experience of Dragon Quest Builders 2.
  • The game can feel limited in terms of building options and resources, especially when compared to its sequel, which may disappoint players looking for a more expansive experience.
  • story117 mentions

    The story of Dragon Quest Builders 1 is generally well-received, featuring a nostalgic narrative that explores themes of hope and despair, with a clear distinction between good and evil. Players appreciate the game's structure, which consists of chapters that unfold a simple yet engaging plot, allowing for exploration and creativity through building mechanics. While some feel that the story is less polished compared to its sequel, Dragon Quest Builders 2, it still offers a compelling experience that resonates with fans of the franchise.

    • “The story is about hope and despair, human vs monster, light and dark, good vs evil; the borderline is very clear.”
    • “True to the story, you are the builder, not the hero. Fighting is not your priority nor your strength, but the power of creation is your main virtue.”
    • “The story has flashbacks and story elements based on the original Dragon Quest (NES), which serve as extra storytelling as well as showing cool building ideas for the player.”
    • “The only thing that DQB1 did better than DQB2, in my opinion, is the story.”
    • “While in DQB2, they try to grayscale everything down, creation and destruction living together in harmony; not quite my favorite story to be honest, but I guess it is a standard nowadays.”
    • “The story simply takes the obvious bad choice that the player was presented with at the end of Dragon Quest and delves into what would happen if they said 'yes'.”
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, with players appreciating the fun and engaging mechanics, particularly the integration of RPG elements and building features. While some find the core mechanics straightforward and easy to grasp, others highlight the enjoyable boss fights and the game's stress-free nature, making it suitable for younger audiences. Overall, the gameplay is characterized by a balance of creativity, exploration, and combat, contributing to a solid and enjoyable experience.

    • “But the core mechanics are solid, the boss fights were enjoyable, the game feels good to play on a controller, and the nostalgic theme will more likely fall flat for the intended audience, but give parents a reason to try this game specifically for their kids.”
    • “Its ability to harmonize exploration, combat, and construction into a seamless gameplay experience is indicative of high-caliber design and thoughtful engineering.”
    • “Bosses are unique, gameplay is easy to understand, and you can build some pretty cool looking towns if you want.”
    • “Game mechanics suck.”
    • “Narratively much better than its sequel though much more mechanically limited.”
    • “The mechanics of the game are pretty cut and dry.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The game's graphics are praised for their vibrant aesthetics and rich detail, effectively capturing the charm of the Dragon Quest series while offering high graphical fidelity in its definitive edition. Players note that while the default settings may limit visual quality, adjusting them can enhance the experience significantly. Overall, the graphics are considered appealing, with a blend of nostalgia and modern design, though some users express a desire for a future remake to fully realize its visual potential.

    • “The game constructs a richly detailed world, characterized by vibrant aesthetics, complex characters, and well-designed quests that demonstrate a keen attention to narrative structure and player experience.”
    • “Having now completed this version as well, I can certainly say it is by far the definitive edition of the game, featuring the highest graphical fidelity (if your PC can handle it) as well as the quality of life improvements from the mobile port.”
    • “✅ Graphics are good (part 2 obviously has better graphics because it's part 2, but the detail here is very good).”
    • “The game also defaulted to low on every graphical setting but I found I was able to maintain 60 fps with everything adjusted to medium while water reflections and bloom were set to off.”
    • “Games graphics on the lowest setting by default bump that up and have fun.”
    • “The game ties certain graphics to weird settings.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be less tedious compared to previous versions, with significant improvements such as the removal of weapon durability and simplified gathering mechanics. While some farming elements exist, particularly in the first game, the streamlined processes and quick resource acquisition contribute to a more enjoyable experience.

    • “The second world is basically the first, but a little harder, and a small focus on farming (which never comes up again).”
    • “If you do decide to play DQ1 first, it's a very short game; I figure you can complete it in less than 10 hours all told if I recall correctly (there's some grinding in there, of course).”
    • “Some things are a bit more difficult to accomplish in DQB1, such as replacing grass, which you can only do by farming bats for grass seed drops.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is well-received, with players appreciating its charm and aesthetic appeal, likening it to the delightful soundscapes of classic games. Overall, it enhances the gaming experience by blending seamlessly with the visual elements.

    • “I enjoy the music and colors of the game.”
    • “Aesthetically, it's delightful; the music is charming, and it has all the charm of those games melded into Minecraft essentially, creating a great blend.”
    • “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
    • “The soundtrack feels uninspired and doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The audio quality of the music is subpar, and it often feels out of place within the game.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized as simple and funny, retaining the franchise's signature cheekiness, though it adopts a slightly more serious tone compared to its predecessor. Overall, it offers a lighthearted experience without being groundbreaking.

    • “Not a revolutionary game, it's just a simple, funny game.”
    • “While it maintains that cheeky sense of humor the franchise is known for, it's a bit more serious in tone than the story for 2 was.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly on both Proton/Linux and laptops, indicating strong stability across different platforms.

    • “Runs great on Proton/Linux.”
    • “Runs great on laptop.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game features no expansions or in-game purchases, indicating a straightforward monetization model without additional costs for players.

    • “The game has no expansions that I know of and no in-game purchases.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many essential items are locked behind a paywall.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Overall, while some users feel that "Dragon Quest Builders 1" may not offer as much replayability as its sequel, there is potential for revisiting the game in the future once the story has faded.

    • “In general, I'm not sure if DQB1 has as much replayability as the second game in the series, but I may go back to it in the future when the story has worn out.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highly praised, particularly for its performance on the Steam Deck, making the Steam version the preferred choice for players seeking a smooth experience.

    • “The Steam version offers an impressive value proposition with its features, content, and technical performance, making it the best choice for optimization.”
    • “The game truly shines on the Steam Deck, showcasing excellent optimization that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “With its optimized performance, the game runs smoothly across various platforms, ensuring a seamless experience for all players.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

53hMedian play time
53hAverage play time
53-53hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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