Dragon Quest Builders 2

All the joy and satisfaction of the original, now with upgraded toys, a bigger world and a dog you can pet

87%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

90% User Score Based on 1,404 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 48 reviews

Platforms

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About

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing game with fantasy and anime themes. It was developed by KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. and was released on December 10, 2019. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

"DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS 2" is a block-building RPG that allows you to customize your character and embark on a journey to help rebuild villages and explore the world of the Isle of Awakening. The Steam version includes additional in-game content and the base game. You can transfer save data from the demo version to the full game.

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,404 reviews

story293 positive mentions

grinding87 negative mentions

Engaging story with charming characters that keeps players invested.
Robust building mechanics that allow for creativity and customization.
Combines RPG elements with sandbox gameplay, providing a unique experience.

Long, unskippable dialogue sequences that can disrupt gameplay flow.
Combat mechanics are simplistic and lack depth.
Multiplayer is limited and does not allow for cooperative story progression.

story
1,259 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
74%
3%
The story of *Dragon Quest Builders 2* is a central aspect that many players find engaging, offering a lengthy and charming narrative that intertwines with the building mechanics. While some reviews note that the story can feel predictable or drawn out, it is generally praised for its emotional depth, character development, and humor, making it a compelling experience for fans of the Dragon Quest series. The game effectively combines RPG elements with sandbox gameplay, providing a structured yet creative environment where players can build and explore while following a rich storyline.
- “I love the story of this game, I love the characters (especially Malroth ).”
- “The story is incredibly long, and I played 300+ hours on the Switch and have replayed the storyline multiple times.”
- “The game brilliantly also mixes in its open-ended sandbox island into the main narrative as a hub of sorts from which you launch your quest into each chapter island.”
- “The main story is something like 30 or so hours but the game is so much more than just that.”
- “The story is very predictable, but sweet all the same.”
- “The story mode is very linear in that there is only one plot and you are firmly on the rails.”
gameplay
191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The gameplay of Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a blend of RPG elements and Minecraft-style building mechanics, offering a solid and engaging experience with intuitive construction tools and a charming narrative. While the combat is often criticized for being simplistic and the game can feel grindy at times, the variety of gameplay styles—including farming, city management, and exploration—provides ample content and replayability. Overall, players appreciate the depth of mechanics and the ability to create elaborate structures, though some express a desire for more complexity and less linearity in the gameplay progression.
- “I ended up finding a game that actually combined RPG and sandbox mechanics pretty well.”
- “The actual gameplay (Minecraft-esque building, but with better tools than Minecraft gives you; and with real furniture that NPCs will use; and with real NPCs that have a routine) is fun.”
- “The building mechanics are intuitive and easy to use, allowing players to construct elaborate structures and buildings with ease.”
- “The fighting mechanics are a bit weak though.”
- “Overall, Dragon Quest Builders 2 offers a lengthy checklist of mandatory and optional tasks spanning over a hundred hours of gameplay, but lacks anything resembling depth or a genuinely fun experience.”
- “I seriously stuck out another 20 hours of slightly above boring gameplay in hopes of a more fleshed out system.”
graphics
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
56%
3%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their charming, polished aesthetic that combines elements of Dragon Quest with a Minecraft-like building experience. Reviewers noted the vibrant art style, attention to detail, and smooth performance, making it visually appealing and suitable for a younger demographic. Overall, the graphics enhance the cozy atmosphere of the game, providing a delightful backdrop for its engaging story and gameplay.
- “The graphics looked even more stunning, the gameplay was super smooth, and the convenience of the Steam platform made everything feel right at home.”
- “The art style is amazing with the cutest avatars and such nicely detailed outfits that can even be dyed!”
- “Graphically it's a lot nicer than Minecraft with the ability to make some very detailed and varied environments, with very smooth and stable gameplay.”
- “Constant stuttering, changing graphics settings made no difference on this.”
- “Graphics are internally rendered in a very low resolution (I think 720p?), which upscaled look awful on my 4K TV.”
- “There's very few graphic settings, and multiplayer just isn't as great as it should be in general.”
grinding
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers extensive gameplay through farming, building, and crafting, it can also become tedious, especially during quest dialogues and repetitive tasks. Some find the early game building and resource gathering to be particularly grindy, while others appreciate the depth and variety of activities available, suggesting that the grind can be mitigated by engaging with NPCs who assist in various tasks. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of the genre, but players should be prepared for some repetitive elements.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The text speed is slow and you can't skip any of it, so every time you pick up a quest or turn it in, your gameplay comes to a grinding halt as you have to wait through the text passages.”
- “If you're going for 100% item completion, getting the thunderbolt blade in the last story segment is very tedious due to the grinding required in the post-game.”
- “Towards the end of the storyline, they try their best to add new elements to avoid repetition, but it's still enough that objectives feel tedious, and you don't exactly have full freedom of your island until the end.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The music in the game is generally described as cozy, relaxing, and fitting for the Dragon Quest series, featuring familiar motifs that evoke nostalgia for fans. While many appreciate the orchestral and cheerful soundtrack, some find it repetitive and uninspired, leading to a desire to mute it during gameplay. Overall, the music enhances the atmosphere but may not stand out as a highlight for all players.
- “The music, graphics, and gameplay combined give the most cozy and relaxing atmosphere.”
- “The mood is perfectly set with the music - being both exciting and calming and beautiful depending on the situation.”
- “The soundtrack is simple and sweet, with musical cues to clue you in to battles or leaving town borders.”
- “The story and music were also unfortunately pretty unimpressive to boot, which is honestly a missed opportunity for an RPG for me.”
- “While everyone is yapping away some bullshit, you're also listening to the most uninspired and monotonous music in video gaming.”
- “I never muted a game's music as fast as this one's.”
humor
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by charming dialogue, witty banter, and a light-hearted narrative that resonates with fans of the Dragon Quest series. Players appreciate the blend of cute and quirky characters, alongside some darker humor, which adds depth to the overall experience. However, some find the dialogue can be overly lengthy or tedious at times, detracting from the enjoyment.
- “If you enjoy the humor of Dragon Quest and building things, this game will keep you entertained!”
- “You'll find yourself chuckling at a lot of the witty banter they have among the characters.”
- “This game packs some hilariously well-written characters, super fun building mechanics which grow as you progress, and a neat little world to explore.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching story, which resonates deeply with players, often leading to strong emotional attachments to characters. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend wholesome themes with moments of sadness, creating a rich narrative experience that enhances gameplay. Overall, the game is described as charming and engaging, making it a memorable journey that players are eager to revisit.
- “Incredible and emotionally riveting.”
- “I cannot stress enough how cute, heartwarming, and filled with big feelings the story is.”
- “This game is so adorable, very enjoyable, has at least 80 hours of gameplay, and a surprisingly emotional story.”
- “The story is incredibly boring and fails to engage the player emotionally.”
- “Cinematics are non-existent, which makes the story even more boring and uninspiring.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
63%
14%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, while others report smooth gameplay on PC with decent graphics. Many users noted that third-party software was necessary to address performance problems, although some found the game well-optimized for controller use. Overall, while some players enjoy good performance on their systems, others highlight the need for further improvements and fixes.
- “The grind in this game is optimized almost perfectly.”
- “Moreover, the game is really optimized for controller, and mouse/keyboard feels clunky by comparison (at least to me).”
- “Performance is great even on my 7 years old PC (you can test it with the demo before buying the game).”
- “Had to use 3rd party software to fix the stuttering mess the unmodified game was for me.”
- “Constant stuttering, changing graphics settings made no difference on this.”
- “I absolutely love the game on Switch for its portability, but good lord the performance can be awful.”
stability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of game-breaking glitches, particularly freezing after the tutorial, and issues with controls and inputs. While some players find it runs well and enjoy the gameplay, many recommend waiting for fixes or a sale due to the persistent bugs and lack of developer support. Overall, the experience is marred by significant stability issues that detract from the enjoyment.
- “It runs great, looks fantastic!”
- “It runs great, it's relaxing, and it's got the classic RPG elements.”
- “Game breaking glitches in multiple sections of the game after 11 hours have had to restart 3 times and hit a dead end every time.”
- “Game crashes/freezes just after the tutorial on the saving/black screen.”
- “Dont waste your money, there's a glitch that freezes the game right after the tutorial.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate its charming art style, witty dialogue, and extensive crafting system that enhance replay value, others feel it lacks sufficient content for repeated playthroughs. Customization options in building games contribute positively to replayability, but some users report minimal incentive to revisit the game.
- “This is a silly yet deeply satisfying game with great replayability.”
- “Everyone has their own quirks when it comes to video games, and I give it this rating due to the game's replayability, its charming art style, its witty dialogue, large crafting system, very small game file size, and a very reasonable price.”
- “Awesome gameplay, amazing storyline, and has definite replay value.”
- “Bad thing is almost 0 replay value.”
- “For me personally, there was next to no replayability in this.”
- “A lot of customization for building, unsure about the replayability right now.”
character development
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
34%
22%
Character development in the game is praised for its engaging and unique NPCs, each with distinct roles that enhance the overall narrative experience. Players appreciate the depth of characters like Malroth, whose growth is subtly revealed throughout the story, while the whimsical art style and design contribute to a charming atmosphere. However, some players express a desire for more story-driven content to further enrich character arcs.
- “I loved the art and character development and music.”
- “Malroth had some great character development throughout the game even though you kind of are given hints all the time.”
- “Character design in general is pretty round and kind of goofy, the trailers probably show that.”
- “They have work times, meal times, and bed times, and each NPC has their own unique job and fits well with their character development in the game.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a cozy and relaxing vibe, enhanced by charming 16-bit graphics and engaging music. Players appreciate the feel-good ambiance and the cutesy character design, which contribute to an enjoyable experience filled with crafting and building opportunities. Overall, the game successfully creates a delightful and inviting atmosphere that resonates well with fans of the series.
- “The music, graphics, and gameplay combined give the most cozy and relaxing atmosphere.”
- “There's a real feel-good atmosphere here that's been missing from a lot of games of my acquaintance.”
- “If you're a fan of the series, this game will definitely be right up your alley; the characters are kind of cutesy, but it fits with the whole atmosphere.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers note that the monetization strategy is questionable, as the multiplayer features are underdeveloped despite being heavily promoted in the trailer, leading to disappointment among players seeking cooperative gameplay.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game fully.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra money.”
- “The in-game purchases are overpriced and often feel necessary to keep up with other players, which ruins the experience.”