The Dragon Quest series has stolen the hearts of millions of gamers across the globe thanks to its gripping RPG action but up to this point it’s primarily been a solo experience. Given Dragon Quest IX’s heavy preoccupation with multiplayer options, does the game’s shift in focus result in a less cohesive experience? We’re about to find out in this part of our Dragon Quest IX review.
Read the rest of our Dragon Quest IX review
Dragon Quest IX review
Dragon Quest IX review: Storyline
Dragon Quest IX review: Gameplay
Traditionally speaking, RPG adventures are pretty solitary affairs – which is slightly ironic when you consider the entire genre is built on the framework of old-fashioned tabletop role-playing board games, which engendered a real feeling of camaraderie among friends – albeit smelly geeky friends who liked hanging out in their parent’s basements. Dragon Quest IX attempts to rekindle this social element with its multiplayer modes, which enable you and three mates to tackle the main portion of the game in tandem.
Naturally all four of your will need a copy of the game to indulge in a bit of co-operative Dragon Questing and only one person can choose to be the host. This means that all story events will only be recorded on that particular person’s cartridge – although fellow adventurers should take note that all experience, items and gold acquired during multiplayer games are retained, so there’s a definite mutual benefit in banding together.
During Dragon Quest IX’s multiplayer excursions each player is able to go off and do their own thing within the host player’s game world – you don’t even have to stay in a team. However, going solo is a pretty fast way of getting yourself killed so there are definite benefits to sticking together. To assist this atmosphere of togetherness you’ll get periodic warning symbols which denote that a fellow player is currently under attack and you can pitch in with help accordingly.
Dragon Quest IX’s Wi-Fi connection options don’t end there, though. One of the big innovations of the game is the ability to tag other players without even having your DS open. You can place your game in “Canvassing” mode and it will constantly scan the local area of like-minded individuals. If they too have placed their machine in canvassing mode you’ll automatically share items and information without even having to do anything.
Additionally, Dragon Quest IX offers the option to download additional side quests using Nintendo’s online Wi-Fi connection. Little is currently known about what these may be, but the company has assured us that some missions will bolster the impact of the storyline while others are separate, optional tasks.
Dragon Quest IX caused a mini-revolution in Japan when it was launched last year, with Nintendo reporting a massive increase in the number of people taking their DS consoles outdoors to either link-up with mates or wirelessly collect new items via the innovative canvassing mode.
To be honest these features are more likely to appeal to youngsters – the worrying prospect of adult males visiting parks and playgrounds in the hope of snagging some new Dragon Quest IX gear sounds like a particularly horrific Daily Mail headline waiting to happen – but if you have friends who share a similar love of Japanese RPGs then the connectivity offered by this title is sure to result in some particularly entertaining gaming sessions.
Read the rest of our Dragon Quest IX review
Dragon Quest IX review
Dragon Quest IX review: Storyline
Dragon Quest IX review: Gameplay
