Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 201 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Game Cover
This is one of the best games ever made. Full stop.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a single-player Role Playing Game with an interesting plot and splendid visuals. The game offers turn-based battles against over 250 monsters, with new dungeons, bosses, items, and quests. Players can level up warriors, learn mighty attacks, and form teams of monsters to battle in the Monster Arena, with new playable characters Red and Morrie, and exclusive StreetPass™ features on the Nintendo platform.

  • Nintendo 3ds
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 201 reviews
story55 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The game features engaging characters and a captivating story, enhanced by entertaining cutscenes and excellent voice acting.
  • Quality of life improvements, such as visible encounters, instant alchemy pot results, and the ability to hold skill points, make gameplay more enjoyable and accessible.
  • The addition of new characters, bonus dungeons, and side quests, along with a vibrant art style, contribute to a rich and immersive RPG experience.
  • The soundtrack has been downgraded to MIDI, lacking the orchestral quality of the original PS2 version, which may disappoint some fans.
  • Some text appears blurry on the top screen, and there are minor censorship changes to character outfits that may frustrate certain players.
  • The game can feel grind-heavy at times, and the reliance on dated RPG mechanics may not appeal to all players.
  • story139 mentions

    The story of Dragon Quest VIII is generally well-received, characterized by engaging character development and a captivating narrative that, while not epic, keeps players invested in the characters' journeys. Although some critiques point to a simplistic plot and reliance on JRPG tropes, the addition of new content and side quests enhances the overall experience, making it a strong entry in the series for both newcomers and returning fans. The game successfully combines traditional storytelling with modern gameplay improvements, resulting in a memorable RPG adventure.

    • “The story was fantastic, the characters are awesome and memorable, the new story scenes detailing Dhoulmagus's background gave more insight about why he did what he did.”
    • “It tells a lovely story with memorable characters in a captivatingly colorful style, features fun combat and a beautiful world to explore, and — most importantly — sparks a true sense of adventure and wonder throughout.”
    • “It's not perfect - the overarching story is poor, full of JRPG tropes and filler that never feels justified.”
    • “While there's plenty to do, both the plot and the majority of the characters are flat and uninteresting.”
    • “The plot is a little cheesy, but this is a game where the character development more than makes up for it.”
  • graphics48 mentions

    The graphics on the 3DS version of the game are generally praised as stunning and among the best on the platform, with many reviewers noting that they surpass those of the PS2 version. While some acknowledge that the visuals may not be as detailed as expected, the cel-shaded art style and attention to detail are highlighted positively, contributing to an engaging overall experience. However, the absence of stereoscopic 3D and some graphical limitations compared to other versions are mentioned as potential drawbacks.

    • “The graphics are among the best graphics on the 3DS and the animation is spectacular.”
    • “The graphics on the 3DS are stunning... I'd even dare to say better than the PS2 version!”
    • “Compared to other 3DS games, the graphics are great.”
    • “Coming from the PlayStation 2 version, this isn't necessarily an upgrade in graphics, but the gameplay improvements have made it a significantly more fun experience.”
    • “Menus are a lot less graphical and more textual.”
    • “[Loading times between battles add up, slightly inferior visuals, music isn’t the orchestral soundtrack from the PS2 version]”
  • music40 mentions

    The music in Dragon Quest 8 for the 3DS has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality despite the absence of the original orchestral soundtrack, which has been replaced by a mix of MIDI and synthesized tracks due to memory constraints. While some fans miss the iconic orchestral pieces from the PS2 version, they still find the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting for the game, noting that it retains the essence of the series. Overall, while the music may not meet the high standards set by its predecessor, it remains a highlight for many players.

    • “For fans of the original, Dragon Quest 8 and its fantastic soundtrack go hand in hand.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic either way and worthy of praise.”
    • “I wish this game had the orchestrated soundtrack, but the soundtrack is still one of the best ever!”
    • “The cinematic soundtracks have been replaced with a poor synth soundtrack.”
    • “The music isn't done with a real orchestra anymore.”
    • “The soundtrack is half MIDI and orchestrated.”
  • gameplay29 mentions

    The gameplay is highly praised for its extensive duration, offering 70 to 100 hours of engaging content, including side quests and traditional turn-based mechanics. Players appreciate the quality of life improvements, such as quicksave and increased battle speed, which enhance the overall experience. While the game retains its "old school" charm and solid battle mechanics, some reviewers note that the dated and grind-heavy elements can detract from the enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is fantastic, and was the perfect 'old school' sensibility I was looking for.”
    • “This is a solid RPG with great battle mechanics (it is a traditional turn-based JRPG) and amusing characters.”
    • “You are looking at about 80 to 100 hours of gameplay if you play it right and do the side quests.”
    • “Story held up well but gameplay can use some improving.”
    • “The quicksave feature and the ability to increase battle speed are significant quality of life improvements over the original, making this a solid title sure to entertain JRPG fans, but the dated and grind-heavy mechanics can make it a bit of a slog.”
    • “[a great RPG classic that’s uncompromised in its gameplay, one of the better Dragon Quest stories, tweaking and rebalancing has drastically improved pace, new side content extends game in meaningful ways].”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players note that while the game is less grind-heavy than others, it still requires some grinding, particularly for leveling up. Many enjoy the level grinding aspect, though some find it necessary at certain points, which may detract from the overall experience.

    • “It's maybe less grindy, but it's not a 'no grind' game.”
    • “[Grinding required at points, some questionable voice work]”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised, with many users noting that it delivers genuine laughs throughout the experience.

    • “And it's just flat out funny sometimes.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers enhanced replayability through the inclusion of alternative endings, two new playable characters, and additional voiced cut scenes, encouraging players to explore different outcomes and experiences.

    • “As for replayability, there are now alternative endings, two new playable characters, and added voiced cutscenes to the original.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised, with many users noting that it significantly enhances the overall experience, even if the plot itself may be considered cheesy.

    • “The plot is a little cheesy, but this is a game where the character development more than makes up for it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Play time

100hMedian play time
90hAverage play time
100-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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