Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii) Review
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 03.19.2008
Long name, short game, but fun while it lasts.
Title: Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
Publisher: Square Enix
Type: RPG
Players: 1-2
Though there RPG genre is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable game types around with great franchises such as Final Fantasy, it should also be said that it can also be one of the most intimidating to play. There are so many things to do, so many powerups to get a hold of and people to meet. Square Enix is known as THE RPG powerhouse in the industry but until now, their RPGs haven’t been as approachable as other games that casual gamers can pick up such as Rayman Ravin Rabbids or even Wii Sports. Enter the newest Dragon Quest Swords.
Gameplay
Where the game manages to grab the casual audience or just those who feel a bit intimidated by a true RPG is in its simple presentation. The game is on-rails which means you’ll walk in particular paths and don’t have to worry about exploring too much of the world. You’ll be shown where to go next. At the beginning of the game, you’ll find yourself in a competition that serves as a dojo. You are a sixteen year old who is ready to become a man but must first face the trials and tribulations of those who have gone before you. To prove your mettle you first take on the aging master as he teaches you how to wield your sword and shield. To use the sword, you simply use the Wii remote to point and click to a particular area of the screen. You then swing the remote vertically, horizontally or diagonally in one of two directions as well as do a stabbing motion. Though you’re not free to swing your sword in any direction you want, luckily the movements are one-to-one which means your swing will be translated immediately on screen to give you a realistic feeling. As far as using your shield, you just use the trigger on the remote to bring it up on screen and you move your remote to block anywhere you want.
To walk, all you have to do is use your trigger on the remote your press up on the directional pad while pressing left and right will allow you to turn your head. Though it’s meant to make it easy to pick up and play, I would’ve liked a little more freedom to roam around. Once you’re ready to begin your adventure you make your way through the gates and select one of a handful of regions to explore (you’ll unlock areas as you progress through the game). You can replay each area over and over as you are given a score after you have beaten it and you are joined by one other member of your group. Each member has specific attributes and magic spells that will come into play automatically during battle though you can adjust their strategy as you play.
When you’re roaming the various areas, you’ll be given a choice at some point as to what direction you want to continue in and sometimes you’ll find a longer or shorter route. At times you’ll run into a dead end which may or may not include some treasure. If that happens, you’ll get warped back to the fork in the road. You’ll collect coins, powerups and other helpful items that you must take back into town safely. If you die during battle, you lose what you’ve collected since your last save.
Graphics
There are areas and characters in the game that produce a pretty good looking game. For instance, once you leave town and enter of the island’s areas, you’ll notice that the level of details is a little higher. Textures stand out, water looks more realistic, and enemies look smoother and sharper. Boss battles display the best looking graphics in the game with higher resolution. However, once you’re back in the castle town, you’ll get PS2 quality graphics. Some colors look a tad washed out and the inhabitants of your town look very bland and plain. I’m not really sure why the entire game couldn’t look as good as it does after you leave town.
Sound
There are certain characters, or more specifically, the main characters all have voice overs which actually sound very believable and I found myself getting drawn into the story. The game’s music is quite jolly and catchy which I kind of liked. There are some sounds though that seem a little out of place. When you’re walking you get sounds from the Wii remote’s speaker which sounds cool but if you walk up or down stairs, you get a very 8-bit sound effect. It’s the kind of sound you’d expect out of an NES game and just seems very odd and cheap.
Fun Factor
For someone who enjoys RPGs, I did have fun with the game. Though it’s not as robust as a real RPG, the arcade-y style lends itself well and swinging your sword is one of the better experiences given its pretty good accuracy. Battles are random just as you’d come to expect but they vary in enemies and formations and are the best part of the game. If you’re a hardcore RPG player, it may not be as enjoyable but someone who just wants to get right into the action will favor this over a tougher game.
Lasting Appeal
As the game is much simpler to play, it’s also a little on the short side. That’s not to say the game doesn’t have a decent amount of difficulty but I clocked in at around 6 hours of playtime before I finished it off. A novice player will probably take much longer to complete and perhaps that is the point, but experienced players will zoom right through it in no time.
The 411
The game is a nice entry point for gamers who want to test the waters into the role playing game genre. The adventure is somewhat challenging and has enough to experience to be enjoyable. As I mentioned though, seasoned players will probably tire quickly of the repetitiveness and ease of the game but I think Square Enix didn’t make the game with the hardcore player in mind and that’s just fine.
Graphics
7.0
Last-gen graphics with some decent textures in certain spots
Gameplay
8.0
Swinging the sword feels natural and the combat works very well
Sound
7.0
Subpar sound effects, pretty good voice acting
Lasting Appeal
6.0
Doesn't very long but inexperienced players will spend more time on it
Fun Factor
7.5
The story is interesting, the swordplay is fun though a tad repetitive
