Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors

Pokémon World / Pocket World (9 out of 10)

An RPG adventure that manages to do away with many aspects that put off beginners. This game is a lot of fun!

GamePro (US) (4 out of 5)

Though I had to put the game down to rest my arm and recover from all the sword play, The Masked Queen is a unique blend of game genres that actually pulls off each one nicely. I am puzzled as to why game developers can't allow players to choose between relying on motion sensing controls to get through a game, and using more traditional control mechanics.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10)

The characters are certainly interesting and the conflict surrounding the Queen raises some intrigue, but the story mostly falls flat. Regardless though, the well-crafted combat deserves a look.

Game Informer Magazine (7.75 out of 10)

The games "ello governor" renfest dialogue will either make you chuckle or grate on your nerves. The rest of the game - the need to talk to every townsperson to find out where to go next, the paint by numbers story, and the archaic weapon's and item's menus - all feels like it's been pulled out of some forgotten NES game. This won't appeal to everyone, but those willing to put up with tired genre formulas are bound to have some fun.

Gamesmania.de (73 out of 100)

Dragon Quest Swords ist in so gut wie keinem Punkt wirklich herausragend, aber auch nicht wirklich enttäuschend. Das Gameplay kann zumindest noch während des erstmaligen Durchspielens motivieren, und die vereinfachten Rollenspielelemente dürften zusätzlich vor allem ein junges oder RPG-unerfahrenes Publikum ansprechen. Fans der Serie werden den üblichen Tiefgang allerdings schmerzlich vermissen. Insgesamt ist DQS ein gutes und zugängliches Wii-Spiel, bei dem es sich nicht nur um eine simple Portierung mit angepasster Steuerung handelt.

GameZone (7.3 out of 10)

A relatively short game, SWORDS is imminently accessible by gamers of all ages. It looks good, is easy to play and understand and provides entertainment in a relaxed vein. If you are a hardcore RPGer, the game’s gentle pacing may not be your cup of hack ‘n slash. But for players who have never experienced an RPG before, or are looking for other ways to utilize the functionality of the Wii-mote’s motion capabilities, this might be a nice little treat.

411mania.com (7.1 out of 10)

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.

Cubed3 (7 out of 10)

Dragon Quest Swords, despite it's rather unfortunate full name, is an all-round solid title. Those looking for an engrossing role-playing game with weeks worth of gameplay, deep character customization, and an interesting plot will ultimately come away disappointed, but anyone who can accept the game for what it is –a simplistic, 'arcadey' title with a couple of RPG elements thrown in for good measure- should find a few hours of solid entertainment here. It's worth a try at least, if not a purchase. Do people still rent games these days? If so, do that.

Nintendojo (7 out of 10)

So, to buy or not to buy? That depends on your tastes. If you're looking for an on-rails slasher that is good for 7-10 hours, you will probably enjoy this title. If you’re looking for a full-fledged RPG experience, however, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Gameswelt (70 out of 100)

Ich bin erfreut und enttäuscht zugleich. Die Enttäuschung beruht auf zu hoch gesteckten Erwartungen, denn ich habe irgendwie doch etwas mehr erwartet als ein Action-RPG. Das Spiel hat in vielen (essenziellen) Punkten nicht viel mit anderen Ablegern der 'Dragon Quest'-Serie gemeinsam. Andererseits machen die Streifzüge durch Avalonia doch immer wieder Spaß, was unter anderem an der insgesamt gelungenen Wiimote-Steuerung und dem unbeschwerten Gameplay liegt. Wer ein Rollenspiel-Epos sucht, wird bitter enttäuscht. Wer jedoch mal unbeschwert das Wii-Schwert schwingen möchte, sollte einen näheren Blick riskieren.

Random Access (7 out of 10)

The gameplay does feel a bit limiting, despite being a fresh respite from the usual old-school long-winded grind, but overall, I was relatively pleased with my experiences. There were certainly times when my heart palpitated hard enough to qualify as a backup drummer for Def Leppard, and the game's good fun and solid exercise. But with mildly imprecise sword-swinging via the Wiimote, semi-awkward walking mechanics, and a lack of exploration of an otherwise picturesque series of landscapes, Dragon Quest Swords is "good", rather than "great".

The Next Level (USA) ( )

Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors feels exactly the way a rich, engaging Dragon Quest game should. If not for the expected Akira Toriyama art direction, then for the ridiculously long and pointless title names should be enough of a prime example. It’s really short though, clocking in at 9 to 10 hours if you really do everything. It isn’t the prettiest title for the Wii, but if RPGs tickle your fancy, it’s still worth a try. Dragon Quest Swords is a game you’d have to see with your own eyes to believe. Or...slash with. Whichever.

GameSpy ( )

Dragon Quest Swords is a quick if slightly saccharine foray into the Dragon Quest world that should satisfy both fans of the series and Wii players looking for a decent sword fighting game. Gamers on the lookout for classic JRPGs may find the archaic RPG mechanics charming, but everyone else will probably be able to spot them for the experience-lengthening tropes they are. Fans probably won't be bothered by being forced to muck through the multiple load-screens or unskippable cut-scenes, but gamers just here for the action may find these elements too much to bear.

Gaming Age (B-)

Dragon Quest Swords ends up being a mixed bag of sorts on the Nintendo Wii. If you're looking for another grand, 80 hour plus adventure in the vein of the main titles you'll definitely be disappointed. However, if you have someone in your household that you've wanted to introduce to JRPG's as a genre, and felt that they might be put off by some of the more recent titles due to the time involvement or other factors, than Swords might be right up your alley. It works well as a beginner RPG, and even provides a solid, but simple play thru for RPG vets. Just don't expect anything mind blowing or new, and realize that the motion controls aren't quite perfect, and you should have a pretty good time.

Jeuxvideo.com (13 out of 20)

Découverte par le grand public avec la sortie du huitième volet sur PS2, la saga Dragon Quest change radicalement sa formule à l'occasion de son arrivée sur Wii. Dragon Quest Swords n'a donc rien d'un RPG, mais se range plutôt dans le registre du jeu d'action en vue subjective, à l'instar de Samurai Warriors Katana. Héritier du génial Kenshin Dragon Quest sorti uniquement au Japon, cet épisode Wii est pourtant loin de tenir toutes ses promesses et de faire honneur à son aîné. Les ambitions du soft ne sont vraiment pas énormes mais suffiront à nous faire passer un bon moment, en attendant une éventuelle suite un peu plus consistante.

Deeko (6.5 out of 10)

So is Dragon Quest Swords a game you should rush out and purchase on a whim, without thinking about paying your rent or eating for a day or two? I wouldn't go that far, but it certainly is a good diversion for gamers looking for something to sate their gaming tastes. A large part of the game is tedious, especially when you're roaming around the town or being force fed dialogue and story snippets that are, for the most part, pretty blase, but the rest of the game is unusually fun and well worth the time. Game of the year potential is slim to nill, but it's still worth a rental.

Gamer 2.0 (6.4 out of 10)

To be frank, while Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors offers a good time, it’s not exactly an easy purchase at the full $50 price tag. A rental would probably suffice most people, especially since the game can be easily beaten in about ten hours of so for most people. While Dragon Quest fans can rejoice in a good game to enjoy, it just doesn’t offer the same kind of quality experience that its roman numeral brethren have pulled off so well.

Power Unlimited (64 out of 100)

Leuk aangeklede en laagdrempelige zwaardvechtfun, maar voor een RPG brengt dit spel te weinig gewicht mee.

UOL Jogos ( )

Um RPG para não-iniciados ou apenas um jogo de ação com pitadas de RPG? Em nenhuma das duas opções "Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors" se sai muito bem. O que realmente salva o jogo do desastre é o sistema de combate divertido e a sinergia inabalável dos mestres Yuuji Horii, Akira Toriyama e Koichi Sugiyama, que mostram que ainda são capazes de criar mundos repletos de charme e energia como há vinte anos.

GamesRadar (6 out of 10)

Unfortunately, none of these things are very interesting, and that, ultimately, is where Dragon Quest Swords tanks: there's just not much to do. The story is dull, the game is short, the voiceovers are horrible and - thanks to the on-rails mechanic - there's nothing to explore. The gameplay is there, but with a total lack of depth, most gamers will get bored in about two hours (if they haven't succumbed to carpal tunnel by then). We salute Square Enix for trying something different and for finally getting the Wii Remote/sword swing marriage to work, but their innovations in Dragon Quest Swords wind up cutting both ways.

Consoles Plus (12 out of 20)

Attention, Dragon Quest Swords s'adresse à un public différent, celui des nouveaux arrivants qui ont commencé les jeux vidéo avec la Wii. Accepté comme tel, ça peut passer. Les autres...

Officiel Nintendo Magazine (6 out of 10)

Saga légendaire mais jeu à part, Dragon Quest Swords ne séduira pas grand monde et lassera même les plus fanas. L'idée était bonne, mais la conception...

Eurogamer.net (UK) (6 out of 10)

Despite these interactive shortfalls though, the presentation of the game and attention to detail is excellent. Your footsteps ring out from Wiimote's speaker; occasionally you'll catch a glimpse of your character in a mirror and, at all times, the orchestral score brings life and vibrancy to the game world. But make no mistake, this is role-playing lite and, while the narrative and dialogue are fun, the actual plot they paint is thin. Likewise, the character progression is basic, customisation is non-existent and the range of different armour, spells and weaponry on offer to players is paltry. As such it's a game best recommended to non-RPG fans, those who want a short, light adventure that eschews grinding (until the final area at least) and detailed stat-management for bright character and brevity. But even on these terms, the recommendation is at best a very gentle one.

4Players.de (60 out of 100)

Auf Dauer mangelt es dem Titel aber sowohl an Abwechslung, Spieltiefe als auch Umfang. Nach acht kurzen Ausflügen ist die leidlich spannende Story bereits zu Ende, es gibt zu wenig Platz für Erkundungen und Interaktionen und auch motivierende RPG-Elemente wie das Lernen neuer Fähigkeiten und Schmieden besserer Waffen verlieren zu schnell an Reiz, da man immer und immer wieder die selben Areale abgrast und die gleichen Gegner vermöbelt. Selbst die paar drögen Minispiele für bis zu vier Teilnehmer sorgen eher für Langeweile als für Unterhaltung. Dem großen Namen wird dieses mickrige Abenteuer jedenfalls nicht annähernd gerecht; das ist kein Dragon Quest mehr, sondern eine gemütliche Hack'n'Slay-Zugfahrt für Kids und Casual-Gamer - nicht ohne Reiz, aber ohne jeden Tiefgang...

videogamer.com (6 out of 10)

As an introduction to RPGs Dragon Quest Swords might find an audience, but anyone hoping it will be a proper entry in the hugely popular series will be severely disappointed. The storyline is shallow, the gameplay is basic and the visuals are a little too bland. One for series die-hards and completists only.

The Wiire (C+)

Die-hard Dragon Quest fans will probably be split on this game. Certainly, most of the series' trademark aspects can be found here. However, a sense of antiquation to the whole design reverberates throughout, which some people will enjoy out of nostalgia or for the simplicity compared to modern RPGs; others will be disgusted by what they find to be a regression for the genre. If nothing else, Dragon Quest Swords gives players a glimpse at how far RPGs have (or have not) progressed in over 20 years.

GameSpot (5.5 out of 10)

The game holds a small bit of replay value by way of extra bosses and an unlockable payback mode, which grants you use of an impressive sword and lets you exact revenge on your enemies with its commanding power. But by and large, those extras aren't rewarding enough to inspire a return visit. This is the fast-food burger of RPGs: It looks and feels the part, but tastes decidedly mediocre.

GameDaily (5 out of 10)

At least Dragon Quest Swords manages to get a majority of its presentation right. Despite the ludicrous dialogue, the game's audio is spot-on with a very good soundtrack and some nostalgic sound effects, including the old "stair walk" sound effect from older DQ games. The visuals don't look too bad either. Some of the renders are fuzzy, but the overall look is pretty damn smooth, especially as you dig into the game's deeper dungeons.

Eurogamer.de (5 out of 10)

Dragon Quest Swords: Die maskierte Königin und der Spiegelturm hinterlässt den Eindruck eines Spiels, das sein könnte, aber leider nicht ganz wurde. Die Rail-Rollenspielidee ist dabei gar nicht mal so übel, wie sie zuerst scheinen mag. Das Motegefuchtel hat zwar nicht viel mit Schwertkampf zu tun, bringt aber für ein Weilchen einfachen Arcade-Fun. Die Welt ist nett, wenn auch sehr mickrig. Die Spieltiefe guckt zaghaft hinter der Tür vor, traut sich aber nicht sie zu durchschreiten. Und so bleibt alles an der Oberfläche und Ihr bekommt ein weiteres Casual-Game für die Wii. Diesmal halt das Rollenspiel für Jedermann.

1UP (C)

Swords doesn't end up being a complete tragedy, but it could have turned out much better. It's fun inasmuch as putting your body movements into any Wii game is fun, and it's not too far removed from the DQ universe. It could even go so far as to attract people who are normally uninterested in RPGs. Even when considered as an action-driven arcade game though, the awkwardness of controlling the namesake swords takes too much away from the overall enjoyment.

Game Revolution (C-)

On merit, Dragon Quests Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is the common adventure with a strange view perspective and Wii-mote capabilities. It has as much complexity as would be expected from an E10+-rated title and is enjoyable insofar as it’s casual and brisk. If the main Dragon Quest series is the main course, then Dragon Quests Swords is a frothy aperitif - not enough to fill you up completely, but appetizing enough to get you interested in the next meal.