Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

GamerDad ( )

The graphics use an excellent cel-shaded style that really brings Akira Toriyama's art to life like never before. The world, villages and dungeons are rendered on a grand scale being the first game in this series that is truly 3D. The look is pleasing. It's easily the second best looking cel-shaded game I've seen next to Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Le Geek (5 out of 5)

Even if you are lukewarm on the genre you should give it a try—it's straight forward enough and you just might love it. One of the finest games of this generation.

UOL Jogos ( )

"Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King" coloca a série nos seus devidos eixos, depois de um episódio não muito bem recebido pela crítica. Tem sucesso em aliar as tradições com a tecnologia, e finalmente o game consegue fazer sua transição para o mundo 3D. Os pontos fortes continuam sendo as excelentes batalhas, além de um enredo, que, mesmo não sendo lá muito original, brilha nos pequenos detalhes. Enfim, mostra todo o charme de um RPG da velha guarda.

Yiya (A)

Dragon Quest ist ein rundum gelungenes Spiel, das den Spieler in der gesamten Spielzeit von ca. 80 Stunden vor den Screen fesselt, auch wenn die ersten 10 Stunden ein wenig Eingewöhnungszeit erfordern. Graphik, Sound, Gameplay, Balancing, Story, Humor und Vielfalt sorgen für uneingeschränkten Spielspaß. Hier zeigt sich, das besonders das Feintuning in der Gamebalance das A und O eines Rollenspiels ausmacht und so verweist das schon in die Jahre gekommene Dragon Quest die Wanne-Be Vorzeige RPGs der Next-Gen Konsolen ohne Probleme auf die hinteren Plätze. Wer das Spiel bis jetzt noch nicht in seiner Sammlung hat, sollte das schleunigst ändern! Ein absolutes Vorzeige-Japan-RPG!

HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (10 out of 10)

“This can’t be a Dragon Quest game,” I thought to myself, as I gazed at my television. I’d just started up Dragon Quest VIII and was in shock. The gorgeous cel-shaded graphics stood out in stark contrast to the blocky sprites I remembered from the NES Dragon Warriors I loved so much in my youth, as well as the two Super Famicom entries into the series. To merely call this game a “step up” visually from the Playstation’s Dragon Warrior VII would be a gross understatement. This game truly seemed to make its world feel vibrant and alive.

GameSpy ( )

The fact that Dragon Quest is the most popular game franchise in Japan doesn't really matter, when it comes to the review. What matters is that North American gamers have finally been delivered one of the best games in the series on time, with care and respect, beginning a new chapter in its conquest of the U.S. Dragon Quest VIII also marks an evolutionary leap for a series notoriously resistant to change; and while many of the game's elements feel much as they did a decade ago, the alignment of many factors has resulted in an eminently enjoyable RPG that should appeal both to diehard fans of the genre and gamers looking for an enjoyable, lighthearted fantasy but who aren't obsessed with the esoteric stories and gameplay systems the genre so often employs.

Digital Entertainment News (den) (9.7 out of 10)

When Square merged with Enix, it was a big transition for both companies and for a long time it seemed like Enix was getting the raw end of the deal. After all, much-anticipated Enix titles like Star Ocean: Til the End of Time were endlessly delayed while Square-originated products that sucked … like Unlimited SaGa … kept getting pushed to the head of the release-list like the principle’s son in a lunch line. However, the title that seemed most-delayed, the newest Dragon Quest game (previously known as Dragon Warrior in the US, until this installment) has finally been released and while it’s not perfect, it definitely qualifies as the best thing SquareEnix has published since Final Fantasy X.

Worth Playing (9.5 out of 10)

If you read WorthPlaying's review of Lunar: Dragon Song, you will recall that a major complaint leveled at the game was the fact that it did not have a plot, so much as a series of fetch quests masquerading as a plot. You could almost say the same about DQ8, but it says a lot that this game uses the exact same format in such a superior fashion.

Game Chronicles (9.5 out of 10)

When it comes to console RPGs, there is no name in the business bigger than Dragon Quest. While Final Fantasy, Square Enix’s other flagship RPG series, has more brand recognition in the United States (old-school gamers may recognize the Dragon Quest series under its previous name, Dragon Warrior), and is certainly no slouch when it comes to sales figures in any country, Dragon Quest is a phenomenon in Japan in ways that Final Fantasy could only dream of becoming. Lore (or perhaps urban legend) has it that there is a law in Japan that games in the Dragon Quest series may only be released on Sundays, because truancy numbers rose sharply on the release dates of the first few games.

Gamezine (19 out of 20)

Finalement, il est très difficile de faire des reproches à ce jeu. Pour moi, c’est le meilleur RPG de la PS2, voire du monde. Oui, même Star Ocean III ne tient pas la route. Je regrette juste que les décors, superbes, ne soient que très peu exploités, et le jeu manque parfois un peu de vie. Un des points faibles du titre est aussi l’absence de voix lors des passages importants. Pour les voix digitales, il faudra repasser (sa chemise). Malgré ces quelques défauts, j’ai passé de longues nuits sur ce jeu, et il n’y a que ma copine qui le regrette (qu’est-ce que je ne ferais pas pour vous ?). Après Onimusha 3 ou plus récemment Metal Gear Solid 3, je ne pensais pas qu’il était possible de faire un jeu aussi magnifique sur PS2, comme quoi il reste de l’espoir pour Resident Evil 4. Malgré quelques bémols, Dragon Quest VIII est donc de la pure bombe, comme disent les jeunes, et il vous fera pleurer des larmes de bonheur. Encore un chef-d’œuvre de plus de la part de Square Enix. Merci.

1UP (9.5 out of 10)

We game writer types are supposed to finish everything we review, but when it comes to 50-hour RPGs, you could forgive us if it doesn't always happen. And in the case of a game where the final clock reads a hair under 90 hours, well, all bets are off. Here's the thing, though: the reason I know Dragon Quest VIII is 90 hours long is because that was my time when I finished it. It's that good.

DreamStation.cc (9.5 out of 10)

Despite all the wait between games in the Dragon Quest series, it’s always worth it, and Dragon Quest VIII may just be the crowning achievement. This is quite possibly the pinnacle of role playing games, turn-based or otherwise. You should do whatever you have to do (within legal bounds of course) to get yourself a copy of Dragon Quest VIII because it really is that good and should not be passed up. A must have for any RPG fan.

Game Critics (9.5 out of 10)

I’ve spent almost my entire life in Oregon, a state whose populace has a reputation for being both laid back and outdoorsy. While I’ve definitely mastered the laid back part, I never quite got a handle on the outdoors thing. I love the scenery around here, but I usually prefer not to be in it. Strange, then, that I feel totally comfortable spending countless hours wandering the simulated countryside in Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, a lengthy old-school role-playing game (RPG) wrapped in modern visuals that manages to feel like more than the sum of its parts.

VicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (95 out of 100)

Dragon Quest VIII / El periplo del rey maldito es una de las obras cumbre de los JRPG. Retiene la mayoría de los elementos clásicos que convirtieron la serie en la número uno del género en Japón, y las lleva a un mundo asombroso en el que con mucho gusto nos perdemos durante horas y horas. Es cierto que en algunos aspectos se echa en falta algo más de complejidad, especialmente en el desarrollo de personajes, pero desde luego sus virtudes superan con mucho a sus carencias. Vibrantes combates, carismáticos personajes, una historia amena, duración de vértigo, presentación visual sublime y una banda sonora magistral lo convierten en todo un referente. Es también verdad que Dragon Quest IX avanzó mucho en algunas cosas que se quedaron un poco a medias en este título, pero globalmente no pudo llegar del todo a lo que significa la gran experiencia de este octavo Dragon Quest, entre otras cosas por las distintas características que ofrecen las plataformas para las que fue diseñado cada uno.

RPG Kingdom (19 out of 20)

Un jeu qu'il est même tellement vachement trop bien que je vais me retrouver dans l'obligation de vous ordonner de l'acheter. Quand on a une merveille comme ça à portée de main, on n'hésite même pas. Les RPG de cette stature sont extrêmement rares, et chaque amateur du genre digne de ce nom se doit de l'avoir fini. Et que la barrière du NTSC ne soit pas une (sale) excuse : Le jeu débarque chez nous au mois d'avril en version française. Que demander de plus ?

games xtreme (9.5 out of 10)

I have been playing this game for approximately 37 hours and I believe I am only about a third of the way through. So as far as value for money, with Dragon Quest VIII you certainly get every pennies worth. Each location is beautifully rendered and the twists in the plot keep you absorbed and wandering what will happen next. If all RPG games were like this I would certainly be a fanatic of the genre.

Jeuxvideo.com (19 out of 20)

On peut remercier Level-5 pour avoir imaginé une telle merveille, Square Enix pour avoir confié ce huitième épisode d'une saga culte à Level-5, et Ubisoft pour avoir compris l'intérêt de sortir ce titre en Europe. Tout aussi grandiose que Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest mérite de connaître un réel succès sur notre territoire, et c'est à nous de lui rendre hommage pour fêter dignement l'arrivée d'une saga que l'on n'attendait plus.

Deeko (9.5 out of 10)

When it's all said and done, Dragon Quest hits every check-mark on the list: it looks and sounds great, plays well, and tells a heart-warming and comical story that is never heavy-handed and is always enjoyable. Easily rising to the ranks of the best RPG on the system to date, I implore you to give this game a chance, even if you're a staunch anti-Dragon Quest person. For perhaps what may be the first time ever, an old-school revival has been done to perfection, which is thanks to Enix's devotion to their franchise; without question, they have finally succeeded in piercing the tough skin of North American gamers and presenting a pure J-RPG, done extraordinarily. If you consider yourself in any way an RPG fan, or even a casual player, go and get this game. You won't be disappointed.

GamingExcellence (9.4 out of 10)

The first RPG I ever played was Enix’s Dragon Warrior on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game came free with a year’s subscription to Nintendo Power magazine and while I didn’t know what to expect from it at the time, it is the game most responsible for changing my view on gaming. A while later, I bought Final Fantasy and from then on, I was an RPG addict. Since that time, over 15 years ago, I have played almost every RPG franchise under the sun and although my copy of Dragon Warrior (the Japanese title Dragon Quest couldn’t be used in North America due to copyright) hasn’t been played since the SNES came out, it still (and will always) hold a very fond place in my gamers heart.

Deaf Gamers (9.4 out of 10)

As you probably all know this is the first title in the Dragon Quest series to arrive here in Europe. Given the quality of the game though, you have to wonder why it's taken the series so long to arrive here. Sure in many ways it's a very traditional console RPG and there's nothing revolutionary about the game but the story, the presentation and the general high production values, combined with tried and test game mechanics make for one of the best RPG's we've seen on any format. Most RPG fans here in Europe have probably had their eye on the release date of Final Fantasy XII but in all honesty it's going to have to be excellent, if it's to surpass what we have here in Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King. The game is quite simply a must for PlayStation 2 owning RPG enthusiasts.

Futuregamez.net (93 out of 100)

Dragon Quest VIII is certainly one of the best RPG's on the PS2, and is a must have for anyone even remotely interested in RPG's and/or any form of entertaining game. Pure brilliance.

RPGFan (93 out of 100)

There's a lot to love about Dragon Quest. It has a 30+ hour quest, excellent music, fun casino games, the ability to convince monsters to join your party, hidden items and even multiple endings. The fact that the battles aren't a pushover is also a big plus. Dragon Quest VIII may not revolutionize the console RPG genre, but it has done one thing that all the older RPGs have strived to be: it has become the greatest classic RPG experience of all time.

Next Level Gaming (93 out of 100)

This is a classic game series, heck I remember spending hours upon hours playing Dragon Warrior (Dragon Warrior in US, Dragon Quest in Japan) on my NES. The series has grown up right along side of me, and now I get to look at Dragon Quest VIII. The first battle of the game was so nostalgic for me, as a group of slimes jumps out at me, heck it even says “A Slime Appears”. The turned based Role-Playing Game (RPG) style is still there. Soon after you are victories in your first battle you will come to realize that things are not quite right in this world though. There is a small green guy talking about nobility and a horse he calls his daughter, the princess (then he has his “daughter” pull him in a carriage, that’s just not right).

MAN!AC (93 out of 100)

Geniale Geschmackssache: Japans bestes Rollenspiel ist leider nichts für "Dragon Ball"-Haser.

GameZone (9.2 out of 10)

It is getting close to winter time and that is when I get the itch, and with good reason. Around this time of the year Square Enix releases an epic RPG for me to sink my teeth into. While I am sorely disappointed that this year the game is not Final Fantasy XII, I am pleased that I get to try a game series that is so popular in Japan, that it eclipses the popularity of the Final Fantasy series. The series I am referring is the Dragon Quest, and this year the game that is released is Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. If you are a fan of RPG games then I suggest that you go pick up this game as soon as possible because it is a game that will not leave your PlayStation 2 until it is complete.

Game Revolution (A-)

It's finally got the right name, too. The Dragon Warrior games for the NES were actually called Dragon Quest in their native Japan, and the series continued overseas with little heed to the States after the death of the old gray box. Apparently this has all been sorted out, and thankfully so, since the game really marks the pinnacle of classic RPG gaming.

Lawrence (A-)

Dragon Quest VIII boasts great battles, excellent visual style, and a freshness the series has been longing for. There are just a couple hiccups in overall design of the story as the excitement just isn’t enough to motivate the gamer to progress through the entire story without a bit of frustration from tediousness. The game is long and takes quite a bit of effort to complete. While this is great news for the hardcore, the casual RPG fans might get sick before they leave the first continent. This is almost a tribute to the gamer because it will suck you into the gameplay and you will most likely be playing this game exclusively for a couple weeks. This is what I look for and love about RPG’s and that’s why this is my early pick for RPG of the year.

Gamer.co.il (9.1 out of 10)

דרגון קווסט 8 הוא כמו גורי כלבים או תינוקות. הוא כל כך חמוד שפשוט לא ניתן לעמוד בפניו. רמת הקושי המאתגרת, הגראפיקה הצבעונית וההומוריסטית, הדיאלוגים המשעשעים ואי-הליניאריות מכניסים המון אופי וכיף. תוסיפו את הקווסטים האופציונאליים הרבים, מערכות האלכימיה ובניית חבורת מפלצות, לצד דיבוב מעולה ומשחקיות שניתן ללמוד בחמש דקות, ותקבלו כותר שירגיש בנוח בכל ספריית פלייסטיישן 2 באשר היא.

Game Freaks 365 (9.1 out of 10)

Even given these flaws, Dragon Quest VIII is a solid game in every other way. It's unique from any RPG of its kind, and will constantly surprise you with something new each time you turn it on. It's a great way to start off the Dragon Quest series in the states, and makes me hope to see more Dragon Quest titles here in the future.

Fragland.net (90.4 out of 100)

Dragon Quest is a top series in Japan, with so much success that there's an official banning to have a new game to be released during the week due to the fact that autorities are scared that too many people would stay away from work or school to get it! Over here, these RPG's aren't really known, but this 8th, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, for the first time in 3D, has undoubtedly changed that. Why? Read on.

Games TM (9 out of 10)

The high difficulty might turn some players off. Die and you might need to sell your weapons and armour to revive dead party members. Keep your wits about you, though, and it gets easier to stay afloat. The game cannot, in fact, be lost at any rate (...). For the first time in the series'beleaguered overseas history, this game is going to hook westerners long enough to draw them past the insane difficulty and into one of the more rewarding, player-loving games of the last decade.

GameSpot (9 out of 10)

The beloved Dragon Quest role-playing game series (previously known as Dragon Warrior in the States) has traditionally had a somewhat quiet reception outside of Japan, where, conversely, each release is consumed with fanatic devotion. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed Kings marks a number of firsts for the series: It is the first fully 3D installment, the first fresh series entry on the PlayStation 2, and the first time a Dragon Quest game has retained its proper nomenclature for domestic release. There are plenty of good reasons for RPG fans to pay attention, too, because Dragon Quest VIII is a beautiful, lighthearted adventure that pairs satisfying, classic-style gameplay with a whole lot of charm.

IGN (9 out of 10)

In other words, Square Enix's latest commission is very, very good. Developed as the first "truly 3D" installment of the long-running Japanese series, Journey of the Cursed King is a nice leap forward compared to 2001's effort, Dragon Warrior VII. This jump isn't just resigned to the fact that the game has finally gotten its name in North America synched up with the Japanese version either (up until now, legal restrictions had kept the franchise from being ported over with its proper moniker), as there are major improvements in nearly every other aspect of the experience -- be it the art, the mechanics, and most else in-between.

Pro-G (9 out of 10)

It's hard to believe that Dragon Quest, a game so huge in Japan that it's infamously illegal for one of them to be released on a school day to prevent mass skiving, is only now being released in the UK, almost twenty years after its NES debut. Nonetheless here it is, in a title that manages to be both a dinosaur of the RPG genre and also one of its paragons, coupling vintage role-playing gameplay with a gorgeous visual style and a wonderful English translation.

Boomtown (9 out of 10)

Never put it past Level-5 to create a stunning RPG. The developer already proved itself more than capable with Dark Cloud and the criminally underrated Dark Chronicle, both on PS2. Now Level-5 is playing in Square Enix territory with one of its biggest franchises.

Silicon-Fusion.com (9 out of 10)

There is nothing technically wrong with Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King. It is very solid in fact but the points on music, that the combat can get repetitive in order to make the level curve a few niggles over the way that this can be done, AI is at times good but once or twice overwhelming, giving you no chance to respond as the field boss pulls out the top draw attacks round after round showing that you need to be massively over levelled for that area to compete. Otherwise the difficulty progression is fine and balanced.

Gaming Target (9 out of 10)

RPGs. You love 'em, right? You think you do, but you probably don't. Or maybe you do, I don't know. The point here is, there's someone else who adores them even more: the RPG freaks of Japan. It's one of Japan's greatest digital loves. As everyone should be aware by now, Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are the two top RPG franchises in the world. Which one is better? Some will tell you it's Final Fantasy, but Japan's records will prove it's Dragon Quest (otherwise known as Dragon Warrior in America...until now). Three million people in Japan hastily snatched up their copies of Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King in the first week of release, at a record-breaking total of just three days. This marks Japan's fastest selling video game to date.

Gameplanet ( )

TO DATE, THE DRAGON Quest series has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, and has appeared on several platforms – including the relatively recent mobile phone market. In Japan, where success has been sweetest, the Dragon Quest titles have been immortalised through other media such as manga and animé, with music sales of the game soundtrack ranking right up there with other best-selling series Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts… but enough with the statistics. We want to know whether the latest title in the series is a worthwhile investment for Kiwi gamers.

Cheat Code Central (4.5 out of 5)

Dragon Quest VIII may not be for everyone but I think the developers really tried to make it accessible too all players which might result in the hardest of the hardcore shunning this 8th entry of the their beloved series. Most of us will love it unconditionally because its so easy to...well, love, darn it!

GamesAreFun.com (GAF) (9 out of 10)

It’s been a long time coming for this series to go 3D, and it’s been worth the wait. The developers should teach a class in the way to convert games to 3D and keep the feel of the 2D versions on the new consoles. Dragon Quest VIII is a spectacular addition to the series and should be tried by fans of both old and new. Those who hold the SNES era as the golden age of RPGs will certainly enjoy the game and its traditional elements. Those who prefer the new 3D RPGs will be pleased with the update to the graphics as well. Buy it, rent it, just play it.

Game Over Online (90 out of 100)

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King harkens back to a time where one very small group of heroes joined together to overcome seemingly impossible odds against a dangerous threat to the land, and it does so extremely well. It also proves that sometimes simple is better that complicated character moves, secondary people you probably don't care about and massive cinematic sequences that make you a passive observer instead of an active participant. Instead, it proves that placing more attention into the gameplay and taking these few characters on a massive journey can still be appealing to both the hardcore RPG fan and the mainstream gamer, and could spark a flash of imports as players seek out older Dragon Quest titles to play.

Retrogaming History (9 out of 10)

Dragon Quest VIII è l’esempio lampante di come le classiche meccaniche da J-Rpg, se opportunamente implementate e bilanciate, riescano ancora a divertire ed affascinare anche al giorno d’oggi. Trattasi in realtà di un terreno ricco di insidie, in cui persino mostri sacri del genere hanno finito col segnare più di un passo falso. Lode dunque ai Level5 per il coraggio e il talento ampiamente dimostrati con questo loro splendido lavoro.

Jeuxvideo.fr (9 out of 10)

Cela semblait impensable il y encore quelques mois, mais il est là et bien là. Dragon Quest VIII a changé de nom et a amélioré un peu sa parure. Il n'en garde pas moins la même essence qui fait la renommée de la série. Abouti aussi bien en terme de graphisme, d'esthétisme au sens le plus large, de musique, de gameplay (bien que plus tout jeune) et de durée de vie, Dragon Quest : L'Odyssée Du Roi Maudit est le RPG à posséder en 2006. Level-5, Square Enix et Ubisoft nous ont préparé le meilleur moyen de faire connaissance avec la série. Il ne reste plus qu'à attendre les prochains volets de la saga et voir ce que la « concurrence » d'autres titres, comme Rogue Galaxy et Final Fantasy XII, pourra apporter. En tout cas, les fans ne pourront être que ravis de cette nouvelle vague de RPG sur PS2, qui démarre sous les meilleurs auspices.

Legendra ( )

Dragon Quest VIII fait indéniablement parti des meilleures RPGs de la PS2. Il ravira sans aucun doute les fans de la première heure comme les nouveaux venus. Pour sa durée de vie, son univers merveilleux et son animation sans faille on lui pardonnera le peu de défauts qu'il a. Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, les Dragon Quest forment des trilogies et je regrette l'absence de liens précis avec DraQue VII : mis à part la ville Pickham qui ressemble comme deux gouttes d'eau à celle du VII, je n'ai pas vu grand chose. Espérons que le neuvième épisode mettra moins de temps à venir que celui-ci et nous permettra de faire le lien entre ces trois opus.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (9 out of 10)

The most beautiful game in the world? Well now, that’s a bold question. True beauty is more than skin deep and so to answer that question requires a whole different set of eyes to perceive and critique. Dragon Quest VIII is full of contradictions and you, eye of the beholder, could see either depending on the way its light catches in your mind: it’s elegant but simple, tired but fresh, grinding but impelling, derivative but engrossing, silly but serious, gentle but bitchy, easy going but tough-as-nails.

Joypad (9 out of 10)

Le scénario et le système de combat classiques ne sont pas de véritables défauts car s'ils ne subliment pas le jeu, ils ne nuisent pas non plus à sa grandeur. Rarement un titre pourra se vanter d'être aussi abouti, de voir si bien l'aventure sur le long terme et l'on comprend mieux pourquoi la série à supplanté Final Fantasy dans son pays d'origine. En un seul volet, Dragon Quest s'impose en référence chez nous.

GameCell UK (9 out of 10)

Injecting a bit of life into the RPG genre will be vital over the next 18 months as next-gen consoles make their presence felt, but for the time being games of this quality will do a fine job of tiding us over. The look, feel, and overall sense of humour of Dragon Quest: Journey of the Cursed King is a breath of fresh air in a genre so clearly dominated by one series, and I’d like to think that it’ll trigger a little more originality in future sequels, spin-offs and challengers to Square-Enix’s throne.

Play.tm (89 out of 100)

Disregarding its unoriginality, Dragon Quest is one of the most charming games you are ever likely to play. Unlike so many releases with an annoying glitch here and a graphical mess-up there, Dragon Quest feels complete - you'd expect it to after seven tries, but that doesn't matter now, does it? With over fifty hours of gameplay and side questing on top, an engrossing leveling up system including the creation of new items by experimenting in an alchemy pot, and a delightful storyline, Dragon Quest offers too much to be ignored - even if RPGs have never been your bag.

Game Informer Magazine (8.75 out of 10)

With lines of people snaking from the locked doors of a small Tokyo software retailer into the city’s neon-lit streets, the arrival of a new chapter in Enix’s Dragon Quest series commands a level of fanfare comparable in America only to the release of a new Star Wars film. As powerful of a game as Dragon Quest has become over the years in its native country, this series has not found a way to apply a stranglehold on the American market. It has, in fact, bombed miserably while its closest competitor, Square Soft’s Final Fantasy, which has always trailed in a distant second in Japan, has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Just when it appeared that Final Fantasy would rule the west and Dragon Quest would control the east, Square Soft merged with Enix in 2003, putting an end to the decade-long rivalry.

JustPressPlay (8.7 out of 10)

All in all, this is a great RPG that doesn’t take too many stridesso that it can remain true to a genre. Some may complain about this,but it has been too long since a standard story has been used in an RPGrather than one that will make our ears bleed from us thinking too muchsince the game only hints at things. With great graphics, good voices, a hint of comedy, and the classicRPG feel with just a hint of new, this is a game that may very well winthe “best RPG of the year” award. And really, it should. Purely a funRPG, I can’t say it enough.

PSX Extreme (8.7 out of 10)

Overall, though, the few drawbacks in Dragon Quest VIII aren't nearly glaring enough to pass up recommending the game. While not terribly original in terms of storytelling, Dragon Quest VIII offers enough variety in presentation and gameplay to make it worth playing, especially if you're fanatic about your Japanese RPGs. So long as players don't go into the game expecting another Final Fantasy, it's hard to imagine being disappointed in what is one of the better RPGs to hit the PlayStation 2 in recent memory.

4Players.de (86 out of 100)

Dragon Quest wirkt wie eine alte Dame, der man über die Straße helfen will, bevor sie von ihren rastlosen Zeitgenossen überfahren wird. Das Cel-Shading-Antlitz der Lady wirkt zwar geradezu jugendlich, aber die Gameplay-Knochen haben ihre besten Tage schon lange hinter sich. Von einem Zufallskampf zum nächsten zu stolpern, Runde für Runde immer gleiche Anweisungen an immer gleiche Recken zu erteilen und dabei einer Handlung zu folgen, die so linear ist wie eine Zugfahrt ohne umsteigen, lockt heutzutage eigentlich nur noch hoffnungslose Nostalgiker hinter dem Ofen hervor. Trotzdem hat mich die Reise des verwunschen Königs in vielerlei Hinsicht begeistert. Sie sprudelt nämlich nur so vor Charme, Witz und liebevoller Details.

VicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (85 out of 100)

Ahora bien, si tenemos que contestar a la pregunta de la cabecera... pues la verdad es que la respuesta sería un "no". Pero que nadie se lleve al engaño. "Dragon Quest: El Periplo del Rey Maldito" sigue siendo un RPG de buena factura, con un apartado técnico espectacular y capaz de ofrecer de diversión, durante horas, horas y más horas. Y eso es lo que cuenta al fin y al cabo.

Game Informer Magazine (8.5 out of 10)

Dragon Quest VIII is a solidly built game, but its visual style and sense of humor are what truly distinguish it.

GameLemon (8 out of 10)

Sure, there aren't any moments where you feel awed by what you're participating in (except when you equip Jessica with the Magic Bikini. That bikini sure is magic... ON MY PANTS!!! ...sorry!), but you won't likely ever feel bored either. Every RPG fan should at least give this one a look. If it turns out to be up your alley, then you're in for a long, satisfying adventure.

GamePro (US) (4 out of 5)

We pick up the story with our protagonist, last defender of the kingdom of Trodia cursed by foul magics that have twisted its inhabitants (including the king and princess) and covered the castle with thorny vines. Clues abound as the story unfolds in the traditional RPG manner: talking to everyone in town until the location of the next dungeon/cave/temple/castle emerges. This, of course, is followed by a great deal of jogging and fighting random encounters against incredibly bizzarre monsters, all lovingly rendered in vivid 3D. Granted, there's not much that's new in terms of plot or even game mechanics, but that doesn't mean that Dragon Quest VIII is completely devoid of suprises.

Edge (8 out of 10)

Those who truly fall in love, who recognise what is under the surface for what it really is, will keep turning the wheels, rolling the dice, drinking the charm, faithfully weaving their adventuring life tapestry together until the very end.

Retroage (7.7 out of 10)

Podsumowując Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King to piękna gra z niezłym soundtrackiem i staroszkolnym gameplayem, przeciętną fabułą, nadrabiająca jej braki wyśmienitymi dialogami. Moim zdaniem, jeśli lubicie albo chociaż trawicie jRPG, warto się nią zainteresować, choćby ze względu na śmiesznie niską cenę.

Diehard GameFan (7.5 out of 10)

This is, without a doubt in my mind, the best in the Dragon Quest series. It is the total package in RPGs, as far as I’m concerned. The only problem is that it may be more for old-school fans, and the more mainstream crowd may not like the fact that you have to do quite a bit of extraneous levelling to succeed. But that aside, this is a must have game for any real RPG fan. And please, if you’re buying it just for the demo, DON’T. The demo is crap. The game is incredible though.

Netjak (7 out of 10)

Of course, I'm more concerned about what should have been added. Don't get me wrong, Dragon Quest VIII is certainly a competent job. The entire visual team put in a yeoman's job, and the sound crew managed the best they could. However, it really is all draped around a very old story and a very old battle mechanic. They're both serviceable, but both companies that merged to form Square-Enix as well as countless other developers (including Capcom, Nippon Ichi, Nintendo, and Namco) have managed to do much more with the genre than this game even tries to accomplish. Both in terms of plot and in terms of battle engine, this could have been easily done in the 8-bit days. While certainly a workman's RPG, it's one best suited for those who want something like they were fifteen years ago. It might be the prettiest role-playing game you've seen, but that's not enough to lift it beyond the pack.

Thunderbolt Games (6 out of 10)

In summary, the game starts well, but gets repetitive fast and the story is too slight to keep interest going for the 50+ hours you’ll be playing it. Less would have definitely been more, about a third of the dungeon crawl sections could have been chopped out and the running about in the towns and cities significantly reduced and it would have improved the game no end. Or, more playable characters should have been added and more significant plotting placed around the characters to make the story sections feel more exciting and relevant. It has to be said this hasn’t made me interested in tracking down any of the prior games in the series on import, but while I did get some enjoyment from playing it, especially the first 20 hours or so, I’m left craving something more substantial, probably something that invloves the words "Fantasy" and "Final"...

GameCola.net (5 out of 10)

Dragon Quest VIII: The Journey of the Cursed King isn't quite a Game of the Year candidate, and it doesn't bring much new to the table; but fans of the genre (and the DQ series especially) are gonna love it regardless. Pick it up if you're one of those people and just happen to have 70 hours to kill; otherwise, just wait for Final Fantasy XVII: The Legend of the Goddamn Fruity Freaking Hair, or whatever's coming out this year.

Background N/A

De gigantesques vallées, une liberté inédite et rare à signaler, une difficulté bien dosée... Le niveau est poussé très haut avec cette légende du RPG. Les quelques problème d'adaptation seront vite digérés une fois dans le jeu. Le bonheur est donc désormais à 60 euros !