So I bought Dragon Quest VIII

And I got my PS2 back. If only I still had a old TV to play it on as well, since HD and the PS2 don't go that well together. But whatever.

Only played it for an hour so far, but I'm loving it just because it's been ages since I played a game like it. Wandering around a town, going into people's houses uninvited, breaking all their shit and rooting through their cupboards to pilfer anything of value they have, it's great. Not to pleased that it's turn based combat, but at least it's full turn based and not on a time limit. Yangus's voice sounded immediately familiar as well, but I couldn't figure it out. I thought it might have been Timothy Spall, or maybe Ray Winston (although that didn't seem likely), but it's Ricky Glover!

Bah, got to the crystal ball and that retarded red dude killed me. TIME FOR GRINDING LEVELS.

That bastard Slime tried to trick me! He said the path was dead end! Which it was... but there was a better sword at that dead end. Tricky fucker.

I always wanted to play this game.

I'm just a fan of Level 5. White Knight Chronicles looked kind of shit though, and I had never played this game. Plus everyone here seemed to love it.

HA! Take that Geyzer. Now I can get that damn crystal ball.

Well, I returned the crystal ball to the fortune teller guy. Didn't really get a proper explanation as to why he threw it away, but... whatever. I'm off to the tower to find this Jessica girl. There's no way that fruit Lorenzo is going to end up marrying her.

I've yet to play this fully, I only have played the demo.

This is one of the best damn RPGs ever. It's one of the few games that actually made me want to complete practically everything and find like every item in that gigantic world map.

I'm still shitstopped at how huge it is for a ps2 game(not to mention how it's realistic in size, no "mini" map where you're as big as a city). Also Level 5 just kicked all those DBZ game developer's asses in how well the game models are. They actually LOOK like characters drawn by AT.

Bah, went all the way to the tower and then had to come back because I couldn't open the door. Had to drag some kid back to the tower with me because he knew how to open it. Then when I finally meet the girl, she tries to kill me, and then she just buggers off somewhere, and now she wants me to kill some giant sea monster or something.

Although I must say her big bouncy cel shaded bosom is amusing.

Are you focusing on leveling up your boomerang and spear skills? I'd say avoid swords for now if you want to go through the game's early stages nicely.

I've only bothered with the sword so far.

Suck at this game then.

Don't tell me how to play my game.

I AM YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL PLAY IT LIKE HOW I SAY YOU WILL.

A_Nonny_Moose wrote:

Bah, got to the crystal ball and that retarded red dude killed me. TIME FOR GRINDING LEVELS.

you never actually need to grind in this game

the pacing is correct
just think about your tactics
explore areas as they open up

and you'll be set

Yeah, in my playthrough, I pretty much overleveled just by never running from battles in the game, even when I searched every area around the map looking for all the items and such. Exploration is the mask for grinding in this game.

SoraOwnsNoKeys wrote:

Yeah, in my playthrough, I pretty much overleveled just by never running from battles in the game, even when I searched every area around the map looking for all the items and such. Exploration is the mask for grinding in this game.

I think thats what i really liked i never had to go back to old areas
could just enjoy the game ass i played it and theres just so much to do

the side quests are great

Spoiler:

And the post-end game one. There's also the monster arena and hunting, that's fun. There's a few sidequests near the end of the game too.

I wasted hours with Hercule in the battle arena. Yeah, ok, I know he wasn't really Mr Satan, but Morrie sure as hell looks and acts like him. At least, how Satan would act were he not a chode.

Oh, and don't write off Jessica just yet. She eventually learns some of the most useful techniques / moves in the game.

SimianWonder wrote:

I wasted hours with Hercule in the battle arena. Yeah, ok, I know he wasn't really Mr Satan, but Morrie sure as hell looks and acts like him. At least, how Satan would act were he not a chode.

Oh, and don't write off Jessica just yet. She eventually learns some of the most useful techniques / moves in the game.

Dude, you spoiled the surprise. =/

Anyway, yeah, Jessica is ridiculously useful. Mainly with her magic defense spell. THen there's also her offensive spells which rock hardcore. mostly though, she's my Sage Stone and Timbrel of Tension user along with Trunks/Angelo who's basically the healer of the group.

Well, I'm off to fight the sea monster! Because.... well, because it's just in the way I guess.

Ha, that guy was easy. And also stupid. What is it with the all the weird speech impediments?

Ah yes, the Timbrel of Tension. MC looks positively Super Saiyan in High Tension mode!