Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
- September 11, 2024
- Tose
- 80h median play time
Get on SteamIn 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.
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Reviews
- The monster synthesis system is engaging and allows for deep customization, making it a highlight of the game.
- The game runs significantly better on PC compared to the Switch version, with improved graphics and performance.
- Fans of the Dragon Quest series will appreciate the nostalgic elements and character designs, which are charming and well-executed.
- The story is considered lackluster and often feels disconnected, relying heavily on knowledge from previous Dragon Quest titles.
- The game lacks online multiplayer features that were present in previous entries, which disappoints many long-time fans.
- Some players find the gameplay repetitive and grindy, with a lack of challenging content in the late game.
- story355 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince" is generally viewed as simplistic and lacking depth, often serving as a backdrop for the game's monster-collecting mechanics rather than a compelling narrative. While some players appreciate the nostalgic ties to "Dragon Quest IV" and the emotional journey of the protagonist, many criticize the plot for being generic, predictable, and reliant on prior knowledge of the series. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for its gameplay and monster synthesis, but the story does not stand out as a strong point.
“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.”
“The story unfolds beautifully, with plenty of plot twists, memorable characters, and rich world-building that makes every interaction feel meaningful.”
“The way the dark prince ties into the broader Dragon Quest lore is an absolute treat for fans, with enough hints and references to keep veterans engaged while remaining accessible to those new to the series.”
“The story is absolutely awful; my god, 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.”
“Your choices don't matter at all, and the story is basically just used to give you access to more monsters.”
“The story was generic and the writing/voice acting was not good.”
- gameplay82 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the latest Dragon Quest Monsters title is characterized by its deep monster-catching and breeding mechanics, which remain true to the franchise's roots while introducing modern features like seasonal changes and egg hatching. However, some players find the overworld uninspired and certain mechanics frustrating, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, many appreciate the game's complexity and the satisfaction derived from mastering its systems, making it a worthwhile pick for fans of the genre.
“Gameplay: complex, deep, hard for beginners/easy for experts, very hard online, you can sink hours and still keep playing.”
“The monster-collecting and training mechanics, the hallmark of the Dragon Quest Monsters series, are in top form here.”
“It offers a deep, satisfying gameplay experience while staying true to the core elements that make Dragon Quest such an iconic franchise.”
“The overworld is unimaginative, and the mechanics of seasons are implemented in a way that is irritating and time-wasting.”
“I like the graphics, storyline, and music, but the gameplay feels shallow, even compared to previous Dragon Quest Monster Joker games.”
“I feel like gameplay is straying a bit too far from the original recipe, though, and not necessarily for the better.”
- graphics57 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered decent but not groundbreaking, reflecting its origins as a Switch port. While the art style, influenced by Akira Toriyama, is praised for its charm and timelessness, many reviewers note that the visuals are only passable, with some low textures and lighting issues. Overall, the game performs well on higher-end PCs, offering smoother gameplay and improved visuals compared to the Switch version, but it still falls short of the graphical fidelity seen in more recent titles.
“Brilliant game, good soundtrack, graphics, sound design, animations. DQM as a series is improving well in terms of hardware, and the price is good, getting all the DLC and the game for $40 as opposed to the $60 you had to pay on Switch, very player-friendly.”
“His signature character designs, combined with beautifully rendered 3D environments, give the game a charming, timeless aesthetic.”
“Anyone who has played the Switch version will understand how much of a tremendous upgrade this is in terms of visuals and performance.”
“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.”
“There's just really bad textures and graphics in this, and way too simplistic and child-like approach to the story/plot.”
“I would have loved to play it on Switch but I can't deal with the flickering graphics at 30 fps or less and the long loading times!”
- music47 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its nostalgic quality and the orchestral compositions by Koichi Sugiyama that enhance the game's atmosphere. However, some tracks are criticized for being reused or lacking originality, with a few players finding new compositions to be subpar. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the experience, it does not take significant risks or innovate beyond previous entries in the series.
“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.”
“For me, the music suddenly dropping, buggy stepping mechanics, and NPCs in the quick battles are the worst.”
“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.”
“Music tracks that are not borrowed from the original game(s) all sound shockingly bad.”
- grinding32 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is heavily focused on grinding, which may appeal to fans of the genre but can feel tedious and slow at times, especially with bloated monster stats and a lackluster story. However, features like battle speed control and auto-battle options help alleviate some of the grind, making it more manageable for players. Overall, while the nostalgic elements and visuals are appreciated, the grinding aspect may deter those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“The game is fun, but it's very light on story, excitement, etc. heavy on grinding (especially if you want to train up powerful monsters).”
“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.”
“Your mileage may vary based on your tolerance for grinding and patience for time investment in games, but as a near 30-year-old with a life to live, I did find the time demands to properly utilize this game very straining on my patience at times, only just compensated for by the occasional high when the odds go in your favor.”
- optimization26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization on PC is generally well-received, with many players noting significant improvements in performance and visuals compared to the Switch version. While some users express concerns about potential late-game optimization issues, most report smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems. The presence of Denuvo is mentioned, but it appears to have minimal impact on performance for most players.
“Anyone who has played the Switch version will understand how much of a tremendous upgrade this is in terms of visuals and performance.”
“Game runs perfectly on PC, as I know it had some performance issues on Switch.”
“While the Switch has been no stranger to controversy regarding game performance on its hardware, I am happy to report that even my below-average PC had minimal issues running this game.”
“Requested a refund because this game is just a port and not optimized for PCs.”
“Late-game areas may still be unoptimized, I don't know.”
“That being said, the game's biggest flaw on Switch was performance, and that's not really a problem on PC.”
- stability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, players have reported issues such as music dropping, buggy movement mechanics, and occasional NPC glitches during quick battles. However, significant bugs are rare, with only minor issues like characters getting stuck noted.
“It runs great on Steam Deck.”
“For me, the music suddenly dropping, buggy stepping mechanics, and NPCs in the quick battles are the worst.”
“I also didn't notice much by way of noteworthy glitches or bugs in the game, except for one time I saw a mandrake major partially stuck in a wall.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its compelling narrative centered on Psaro's quest for vengeance against his father, which adds personal depth to the experience. Players appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and strategic combat, alongside the nostalgic and soothing music that enhances the overall emotional engagement, making it a standout entry in the Dragon Quest Monsters series.
“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.”
“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.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, primarily due to its robust fusion system that allows for endless experimentation with combinations and builds. This feature, along with its classic appeal, ensures that players can enjoy the game repeatedly while striving to create the ultimate monster team.
“Classic banger with great replay value.”
“Longevity: endless replayability.”
“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.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty interactions among characters, particularly between Psaro and his companions, which blend humor, tension, and emotional depth. The shift from breeding to fusion is seen as a humorous yet family-friendly update aimed at appealing to a younger audience, reflecting the game's evolution while maintaining its comedic essence. Overall, the humor is a significant aspect that enhances the dynamic storytelling and character relationships.
“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.”
“A direct upgrade from previous games, and while I think it's funny they switched breeding to fusion (synthesizing), I get that they want to appeal to a younger audience and get them into the game as well, so they took the family-friendly approach and I can get behind that.”
“Playing Dragon Quest games since childhood has fundamentally altered my sense of humor.”
- character development4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a vast roster of monsters, each showcasing unique and appealing character designs that contribute to its charming and timeless aesthetic. The combination of these designs with beautifully rendered 3D environments enhances the overall character development experience.
“His signature character designs, combined with beautifully rendered 3D environments, give the game a charming, timeless aesthetic.”
“It has a huge roster of monsters with cool, cute, and charming character designs.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by the soundtrack composed by Koichi Sugiyama, which has been praised for its perfect complement to the overall experience.
“The soundtrack, composed by Koichi Sugiyama, perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere.”
