Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 258 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Game Cover
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In DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince, players step into the shoes of Psaro, a cursed individual seeking to create a monster army. Traverse the ever-changing world of Nadiria, capturing and synthesizing over 500 monsters from the DRAGON QUEST series. Your goal: become the ultimate Monster Wrangler and uncover the secrets of Psaro's past.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 258 reviews
story51 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun monster synthesis system that allows players to create unique and powerful monsters.
  • The visuals and music are charming, capturing the essence of the Dragon Quest series and providing a nostalgic experience.
  • The gameplay is engaging with a good balance of exploration, monster collecting, and turn-based combat.
  • The story is weak and lacks depth, often feeling like an afterthought with little impact on gameplay.
  • The game suffers from repetitive gameplay and can become tedious, especially during grinding sections.
  • The absence of online multiplayer features in the PC version is a significant drawback compared to previous entries in the series.
  • story259 mentions

    The story of "Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince" is generally viewed as a retelling of "Dragon Quest IV" from the antagonist's perspective, offering a mix of charm and nostalgia for long-time fans. However, many reviewers find the narrative to be simplistic, predictable, and lacking depth, often serving as a mere backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling experience. While some appreciate the character connections and world-building, others criticize the story for being dull and filled with plot holes, suggesting that it may not be the main draw for players.

    • “The story is great; it's a sort of retelling of Dragon Quest IV from the point of the antagonist, who you play as.”
    • “The story unfolds beautifully, with plenty of plot twists, memorable characters, and rich world-building that makes every interaction feel meaningful.”
    • “This unique premise sets the stage for a compelling narrative, and Psaro’s quest for vengeance against his father, the demon lord, gives the game a personal and emotional depth that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “Good luck running pre-determined routes over and over for them to never spawn; the levels are linear, and the story is the weakest I've ever seen. It feels like an afterthought of a game with no love or time put into it.”
    • “The story is absolutely awful. The main character is basically an observer in his own story with absolutely no agency and no purpose since the hero (not you) could literally solve every problem and has shown he's powerful enough to do so.”
    • “The plot is absolutely dull, generic, and simply bad, and the riddles and maps themselves are very tedious and annoying.”
  • gameplay67 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its deep monster collection and synthesis mechanics, which many players find engaging and addictive, reminiscent of classic titles in the genre. While some reviewers appreciate the complexity and challenge it offers, others criticize the pacing, lack of innovation, and occasional gameplay bugs. Overall, it provides a solid experience for fans of monster-catching games, though opinions vary on its execution and depth compared to previous entries in the series.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and lets you dive right into monster collecting and battling, with an addicting system for leveling and breeding new creatures.”
    • “This game has a really satisfying gameplay loop of going out to collect monsters and then breed them with other monsters to create unexpected results which you can use gladiator style in conquest for the main story.”
    • “The monster-collecting and training mechanics, the hallmark of the Dragon Quest Monsters series, are in top form here.”
    • “8 - games featuring an enormity of gameplay bugs and exploits.”
    • “I like the graphics, storyline and music but the gameplay feels shallow, even compared to previous Dragon Quest Monster Joker games.”
    • “The overworld is unimaginative, the mechanics of seasons are implemented in a way that is irritating and time-wasting.”
  • graphics41 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simple and reminiscent of classic titles, with a charming art style influenced by Akira Toriyama. While some players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and smooth colors, others criticize the textures and overall quality, noting that it feels like a port from the Nintendo Switch with limitations in performance and detail. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate but not groundbreaking, serving the gameplay well without being a standout feature.

    • “I could sing the praises of this game all day; the charm, the visuals, the music, the battling.”
    • “His signature character designs, combined with beautifully rendered 3D environments, give the game a charming, timeless aesthetic.”
    • “Great game.. so addicting to catch a monster.. graphics, music & performance is great on RTX 4090 obviously... good time to spend while waiting for other Dragon Quest mainline releases.”
    • “It's a bit on the simpler side, nothing special graphics-wise.”
    • “There's just really bad textures/graphics in this, and way too simplistic and child-like approach to the story/plot.”
    • “You can tell it's a port from Switch as even in 1440p, max graphics, and even further anti-aliasing and such from the NVIDIA control panel, the graphics look okay at best.”
  • music34 mentions

    The music in the game elicits mixed reactions from players, with many appreciating the nostalgic elements and original tracks that evoke memories of previous Dragon Quest titles. However, some critics find the soundtrack repetitive and lacking innovation, noting that much of it is borrowed from earlier games, which detracts from the overall experience. While the compositions by Koichi Sugiyama are praised for complementing the game's atmosphere, there is a strong desire for more original music to enhance the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Koichi Sugiyama, perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “The music ranges from epic, sweeping orchestral pieces during intense battles to more serene and whimsical tunes while exploring.”
    • “I love that there is voice acting, and the music is nostalgic with a bit of an upbeat twist.”
    • “One of the biggest disappointments for me is the soundtrack.”
    • “But here, the music feels repetitive and dull.”
    • “I have no idea how they put together the soundtrack for this game, but it sounds like either a bad AI or a tone-deaf kid put the tracks together at random.”
  • grinding31 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, with many players finding it both enjoyable and tedious at different points. While some appreciate the nostalgic and relaxing nature of grinding, especially with features like auto-battle and sped-up combat, others criticize the repetitive dungeons and lack of new content that can make the grind feel excessive. Overall, the experience varies widely based on individual tolerance for grinding and the desire for deeper gameplay elements.

    • “The auto battle isn't that tedious.”
    • “Grinding feels rewarding, especially when you see your character grow stronger.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
    • “Grinding is a pain end game.”
    • “Very repetitive and grindy.”
    • “Though a series known for its grinding, the tweaks to this one make said grind feel even more slow and languid at times and the generally dull pacing and uninteresting characters didn't help make the game feel worth seeing through.”
  • optimization21 mentions

    The optimization of the game on PC and Steam Deck is widely praised, with users reporting significantly improved performance, higher frame rates, and better graphics compared to the Nintendo Switch version, which suffered from notable performance issues. Many players highlight that the game runs smoothly at 60fps on high settings without stuttering or graphical problems, making it the definitive version for a better gaming experience. Overall, the transition from Switch to PC is seen as a substantial upgrade in terms of optimization.

    • “Especially if you like better performance, higher frame rates, and better resolution, because those are totally the areas the Steam version blows the Switch version out of the water at.”
    • “This is also the definitive version of the game (minus the PvP), including all the DLCs from the Switch version, and none of the graphical and performance drawbacks from that version.”
    • “Anyone who has played the Switch version will understand how much of a tremendous upgrade this is in terms of visuals and performance.”
    • “Anyone who has played that version understands the performance issues.”
    • “Requested a refund because this game is just a port and not optimized for PCs.”
    • “That being said, the game's biggest flaw on Switch was performance, and that's not really a problem on PC.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is a nostalgic blend of charm and wit, appealing to both long-time fans and a younger audience through family-friendly content. Players appreciate the clever interactions among characters, particularly the dynamic between Psaro and his companions, which adds depth and humor to the evolving storyline. The game features a diverse array of monster designs that contribute to its lighthearted and whimsical tone.

    • “And if you’re here for that nostalgic Dragon Quest humor, yep, it’s got that too.”
    • “The interactions between Psaro and his companions are filled with humor, tension, and heart, creating a dynamic party dynamic that evolves as the story progresses.”
    • “Playing Dragon Quest games since childhood has fundamentally altered my sense of humor.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game boasts impressive replayability, with users highlighting its sandbox nature and the ability to experiment with various builds and combinations. The robust fusion system contributes to nearly infinite replay value, making it a classic choice for players seeking longevity in their gaming experience.

    • “Classic banger with great replay value.”
    • “They're more replayable than you'd think, and are great sandboxes for playing with goofy builds.”
    • “The robust fusion system alone provides nearly infinite replay value, as players can experiment with different combinations and builds to create the ultimate monster team.”
    • “Longevity: endless replayability”
  • character development4 mentions

    The game features a vast roster of monsters with appealing and charming character designs, crafted by the lead character designer of the "Tales of" series. This artistic direction, alongside beautifully rendered 3D environments, contributes to a captivating and timeless aesthetic.

    • “It has a huge roster of monsters with cool, cute, and charming character designs.”
    • “His signature character designs, combined with beautifully rendered 3D environments, give the game a charming, timeless aesthetic.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The PC port experiences frequent freezes during transition screens, such as entering battles or loading maps, which detracts from the overall experience. However, aside from a minor glitch involving a mandrake, the game is generally stable and runs well on the Steam Deck.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “The PC port also freezes all the time on transition screens (entering a battle or loading a map), which is a significant issue.”
    • “I didn't notice many noteworthy glitches or bugs in the game, except for one instance where I saw a mandrake major partially stuck in a wall.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic music that evokes a sense of peace, alongside a compelling narrative centered on Psaro's quest for vengeance, which adds personal depth. This blend of heartfelt storytelling, strategic combat, and the joy of raising monsters contributes to its distinction within the Dragon Quest Monsters series.

    • “The music, whether it was nostalgia or just that good, made me feel peaceful enough that I woke up from a five-hour nap, and I am advocating this with zero gameplay experience.”
    • “This unique premise sets the stage for a compelling narrative, and Psaro’s quest for vengeance against his father, the demon lord, gives the game a personal and emotional depth that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “Its combination of heartfelt storytelling, strategic combat, and the joy of raising monsters makes it stand out as one of the finest entries in the Dragon Quest Monsters series.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by the soundtrack composed by Koichi Sugiyama, which is noted for its perfect complement to the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Koichi Sugiyama, perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

80hMedian play time
73hAverage play time
50-90hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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