Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

Featuring a number of improvements over it’s initial PS2 release, Dragon Quest VIII comes to the 3DS to bolster the handheld’s already impressive library of JRPG titles. While it may look dated thanks in part to the restrictions of being on a handheld device, this game’s pleasing, colorful graphics are bolstered by the art of legendary manga-artist Akira Toriyama, of Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z fame. These charming character designs are backed up by some exceptional music, and while they aren’t quite on par with the original orchestral tracks, the quality of the music in place is by no means a s...

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King was already in the premiere class of RPGs with its initial release on PS2, and now Square Enix has somehow found a way to make it even better on the Nintendo 3DS in its definitive form.

RPG fans who have yearned for this series to make it to our shores will struggle to find a better example this generation.

This game is good. I have made good memories, and hope to make many more. I'm going to miss these characters, their quirks, their catch-phrases, and their flaws. It's a good egg.

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In the annals of curses inflicted over the years, being turned into a green monster without mental or physical deterioration may not top the all-time list of infamy. King Trode steadfastly refuses to accept any suggestions that his plight is not horrendous, however. Also, Medea is a well-groomed horse.

Simple, charming, and considerably improved on the 3DS. Dragon Quest isn’t for everyone but this bridges the gap between retro and modern games very well.

Dragon Quest VIII is a massive world with well over 50 hours of gameplay. It stands out thanks to stellar voice acting and a huge, quirky set of monsters to battle. While there's plenty to do, both the plot and the majority of the characters are flat and uninteresting. The quicksave feature and the ability to increase battle speed are significant quality of life improvements over the original, making this a solid title sure to entertain JRPG fans, but the dated and grind-heavy mechanics can make it a bit of a slog.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is one of my all-time favourite video games. Originally released on PS2 back in 2005, the gorgeous cel-shaded graphics, addictive and deep combat system and gigantic open world to explore, it featured a range of lovable characters and memorable moments that still make me smile to this day. I was thrilled to find out a remake would be coming to the Nintendo 3DS, and it’s a solid port that brings just enough change to warrant a second play through...

The music in Journey of the Cursed King is tremendous, and incredibly memorable. The sprawling open fields have upbeat music that beckons you towards exploration and adventure, while dungeons and enemy-infested areas have tense and eerie melodies haunting their halls. The use of classic sounds in menus and battle is as charming as it gets, and I stand by the opinion that the main theme of the Dragon Quest series is one of the very best main music pieces of any game.