Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (DS) Review
Posted by Shylo Elliott on 03.11.2009
Another Square-Enix remake, but you can't go wrong with the tried-and-true!
Title: Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Publisher: Square-Enix
Developer: ArtePiazza
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
Rating: Everyone 10+ (Alcohol Reference, Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling)
Before I begin, I would like to mention that I have played and beaten the original version of this on the SNES thanks to the wonders of translation. However, I will keep mentions of the original to a minimum, as since it was only released in Japan, it hasn't been widely purveyed by North American audiences. It's a Dragon Quest game, it's an enhanced remake. Most of you know what you're getting, but if you don't, then let's begin!
Graphics
The graphics are well done. They resemble a cleaner, less-jagged version of Dragon Quest VII's graphics on the PSX. The sprites are very crisp. The only problem is during cutscenes, objects sometimes feel out of focus, and aren't as crisp as they could be.
A very colorful palette is used, although the lone shade of green on the world map does get dull as you try to find out what to do next. The characters look like they would fit in Dragon Ball Z, but that's because Akira Toriyama drew them. The art direction for most of the monsters seems to be cutesy, especially the slime that is the mascot of the series, although monsters late in the game are anything but.
Battle animations are simplistic, although they have been upgraded. Enemies don't have any special animations for getting hit, although they do for defending and special attacks. For example, when one monster defends, it turns into a grey shell.
To sum it up, the graphics aren't too flashy, but they're very easy on the eyes.
The young hero explores a cavern
Sound
This game uses a lot of the staple sounds and music from the Dragon Quest series, which isn't a bad thing. If you've played a Dragon Quest game before, you'll remember the overworld, battle, and dungeon themes. If you haven't, you'll learn to enjoy them, especially the level-up ditty, although thanks to the monster-raising mechanic, you'll hear it much more than usual.
The sounds are also standard Dragon Quest fare. Sound effects for hitting monsters, running away, or casting spells don't seem to have been updated much, although that's part of the charm.
Gameplay
This is a standard Japanese RPG, with the standard Fight/Magic/Item/Run command system, leveling up, a set path to take (although it is mixed up in some areas), and anime stylization. However, this game has a twist that makes it different. Although you have regular human party members, at times your party is filled up by monsters you catch. This allows for more customization of your party, and more discovery as you see what you can catch and what they gain when they level up. Although the monsters you catch are better the further into the game you are, one of the best monsters you can catch is available right after you gain the ability to. Also, other monsters you don't use are stored in your wagon. You can use their abilities and they gain levels, although they aren't available in some dungeons.
The earlier Dragon Quest games had a problem with menu hell, although the original Dragon Quest V didn't seem to have that problem. Opening doors and chests, talking to people, and equipping/using items are very easy to do.
In Dragon Quest, you won't go through a complicated plot to restore your kingdom, or take down a company that also is the ruling party. It has a very simplistic plot, although it works, and there are some twists and turns, like any good story. This version seemed to be more coherent as well, as I was pointed in the right direction and got lost much less than in the original.
The localization is very interesting, however. I thought one of the main villains was speaking in Engrish, although I realized due to the quality of the translation that it was intentional. Also, the translators seemed to have a contest to see who could squeeze in the most puns. The game is dripping with puns everywhere, and one pun name ruins one of the twists in the story. Some characters have been given thick accents. Sancho has a Spanish accent, for example.
The game does not require the stylus, although the second screen is very useful because it shows more of the dungeon you're in, giving you a better chance to see where a potential path leads you.
The remake adds: An additional choice at a certain point in the story, four active party members as opposed to three, new places on the map, more casino games, and a knick knack mini game.
Lasting Appeal
Dragon Quest games tend to be lengthy, so you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of the game. Also, there is a point in the story where you can make one of three choices, so if you want to see what happens, you have to play from that point three times.
Fun Factor
If you find RPGs fun, this game is very fun. If you don't, then this game will do little to change your mind. It does seem as though you're just trudging through to the end late in the game, though, although it might be because I have played it before.
The 411
If you have played through the original before, I wouldn't recommend buying it unless you are a huge Dragon Quest fan, or if you want to see the changes. If you haven't, and you're a fan of RPGs, I would give this game a very high recommendation.
Graphics
9.5
The sprites are very crisp, the world is colorful, and the effects are well-done.
Gameplay
9.0
Standard RPG fare, with a monster-flavored twist.
Sound
9.5
The sound effects are simplistic but well-done, and the music is wonderful.
Lasting Appeal
8.0
There is a lot of content and three different choices to explore.
Fun Factor
8.0
Your first playthrough will be a blast, although it might drag down later in the game.
