Whereas Pokémon has lengthy been the undisputed king of the monster-catching RPG area of interest, there have at all times been different releases which have provided up their very own distinct tackle that distinctive model of recruitment gameplay. Megami Tensei, for instance, pioneered the idea with ‘Demon Negotiation’ in 1987 and Dragon Quest took a crack at it with monster recruitment in Dragon Quest V in 1992, earlier than increasing it right into a sub-series with Dragon Quest Monsters in 1998.
Although it at all times had its followers, Dragon Quest Monsters by no means fairly discovered its toes within the West, and its recognition began to peter out even throughout its small handful of Japan-only releases within the final decade. After a number of years of letting the franchise cool, Sq. has now determined to carry the sequence again with Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince. Whereas it could not fairly be the roaring revival that longtime followers hoped it might be, this new launch is nonetheless a enjoyable and fascinating new entry that we’d recommend you contemplate selecting up.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince is ready earlier than the occasions of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, and follows the origin of a younger Psaro earlier than he grew to become the menacing Manslayer that terrorized the get together within the mainline entry. In a reasonably drawn-out opening sequence, we’re launched to the monster-human hybrid when he was only a baby and witness a number of traumatizing and tragic occasions throughout his younger life that lay the groundwork for his hatred of people.
His human mom, nevertheless, implores that he use his energy for good, and his love for her drives him to try to precise revenge on his depraved father, the king of the underworld, Nadiria. Psaro fights his technique to his father’s throne room however is defeated and cursed with a hex that stops him from having the ability to hurt different monsters. Not one to have his resolve damaged, Psaro takes up monster coaching upon returning to the world of people, commanding his cronies to do his soiled work for him as he builds his repute and powers up his group for a closing confrontation together with his father.
Although narrative doesn’t take heart stage in Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince, we appreciated the hassle that went into making a surprisingly darkish and layered plot, notably for a Dragon Quest recreation. Beneath all of the goofy character designs and tacky wordplay, that is finally a bitter story a couple of man out for revenge after being a sufferer of circumstance one too many occasions. It’s nonetheless a Dragon Quest recreation, so it’s not like issues get too angsty, however having an anti-hero because the lead offers the sport a definite tone throughout the broader sequence. Followers of Dragon Quest IV will respect the context this provides to that story, as loads of acquainted faces and locales make an look, although newcomers can relaxation assured that the story continues to be utterly gratifying even with out information of the NES recreation.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince sticks to the sub-series’ conventional gameplay, which seems like a extra advanced tackle the monster-catching system Pokémon made well-known. The fundamental gameplay loop consists of exploring an open space the place you recruit and practice a group of monsters, taking up a gauntlet of foes in a match or conquering the boss on the finish of a troublesome dungeon, after which transferring on to the following space to do it another time with new monsters and stronger opponents. There are over 500 monsters so as to add to your Monsterpedia, and it’s numerous enjoyable to find new sorts and experiment with how they may slot into your group.
Each monster has a rank which determines its species’ relative power, whereas distinct stats and expertise give every monster a novel edge. New monsters are ‘caught’ by scouting them in battle, however success is much from assured. Whenever you scout, every of your energetic monsters will assault concurrently in a ‘present of drive’ that raises the possibilities of the chosen monster becoming a member of you, with weaker monsters typically having larger percentages. There are some objects you need to use to offer your self a bonus, however ready for the monster to make up its thoughts is at all times tense, notably given that you simply solely get two or three tries earlier than it turns into angered and uncatchable.
Along with scouting, new monsters will also be added to your group by fusing any two monsters who’ve reached degree 10. Not solely is that this the quickest path to getting among the strongest monsters onto your group, however a number of monsters can solely be gained by way of this methodology. The ensuing monster of fusion will at all times inherit a number of ability timber you choose from the 2 dad and mom which might result in some really damaged results should you plan forward and get sure ability timber on monsters that in any other case wouldn’t have them. We want it had been simpler to reacquire monsters you delete by way of fusion—there’s no SMT-style demon compendium you need to use to purchase them again—however the system nonetheless provides numerous enjoyable to team-building by way of the fixed renewal of your lineup.
Fight unfolds in a normal turn-based fashion whereby your 4 energetic monsters battle both autonomously or in accordance with your orders. Every monster could be set to prioritize sure actions, corresponding to attacking or therapeutic, and we discovered that the auto-battling AI does an incredible job in most trash mob encounters. Whenever you’re developing in opposition to harder enemies and groups it is often greatest to order your items round individually, a lot akin to straightforward Dragon Quest fight. Positive, the system right here is about as simplistic as turn-based fight will get, however the fundamentals are well-executed, and it’s made way more fascinating by way of the utilization of expertise.
After a monster ranges up a few occasions, it’ll achieve a handful of ability factors you’ll be able to distribute amongst its ability timber. These will both supply flat stat boosts or unlock new actions that the monster can use, with new unlocks coming at set thresholds for every tree. Which means that even two monsters that belong to the identical species can have radically completely different roles within the get together primarily based on which timber you’ve chosen to construct up, supplying you with plenty of approaches for constructing your group. Plus, there’s one thing carnally satisfying in regards to the sense of progress this ability system provides the participant; practically each accomplished battle will lead to at the very least certainly one of your monsters leveling up and gaining extra stat boosts or ability factors, so it at all times feels such as you’re progressing at an excellent tempo.
There’s nothing notably modern in regards to the gameplay loop in Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince, however there’s one thing about how all its components come collectively that proves to be thrillingly addictive. Exploring new areas for brand spanking new monsters, constructing out your ability timber, agonizing over who to throw away for fusion fodder, all of it feeds into a really gameplay-first expertise that feels prefer it simply retains getting higher because the scope slowly widens. Add within the choice to play on-line to check your groups in opposition to different gamers, and there’s an terrible lot of content material to find and simply plain enjoyable available.
That mentioned, the gameplay loop typically feels just a little too secure. It’s been seven years for the reason that final Monsters recreation (which didn’t even launch outdoors Japan), but the system feels utterly unchanged regardless of this new entry being on considerably extra superior {hardware}. Granted, it might be unreasonable to count on the sequence to stray too removed from its roots, however even Pokémon—the poster baby sequence of secure, unimaginative sequels—finally gave us an fascinating evolution with Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Make no mistake, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince continues to be a completely gratifying monster-catching RPG, we simply want that it dared just a little extra—the potential that it had feels a bit squandered.
Sadly, this launch additionally struggles noticeably within the efficiency division, which is particularly discouraging contemplating that it was constructed from the bottom up for the Change. Enormous intermittent FPS drops occur on a regular basis once you’re out exploring the sector, there is a ton of pop-in for belongings that aren’t that far within the distance, the hand held decision is kind of blurry, and we even had a number of situations the place the sport crashed when a battle was triggered with an enemy on the sector. It feels an terrible lot like Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince is a poor port of a recreation launched for a lot stronger {hardware}. Ultimately, you type of regulate to the quirks and it’s a testomony to the sturdy recreation design that it’s nonetheless a lot enjoyable to play, however this can be a launch that we really feel deserves simply as a lot criticism as Pokémon Scarlet & Violet did for his or her subpar efficiency issues.
From a visible perspective, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince adheres strictly to the sequence’ signature look from Akira Toriyama. Although environments are just a little ho-hum, the monster designs are really the star of the present right here with all types of quirky and foolish options, with new monsters such because the Vegandragora becoming in properly alongside classics corresponding to the long-lasting Slime. We’d’ve appreciated to have seen just a little extra effort put into visible spectacle, as this launch can look a bit too plain, however general it feels prefer it meets the bar set by the latest Dragon Quest releases.
Conclusion
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince is an gratifying monster-catching RPG that mixes charming visuals with addictive gameplay to make for a genuinely gripping expertise, making it really feel just like the lengthy wait for the reason that final entry to depart Japan has been price it. Even so, its common lack of ambition and struggles with efficiency points maintain it again from greatness—it’s excellent, nevertheless it’s additionally positively bought its points. In the event you’re in any respect a fan of Dragon Quest or monster-catching RPGs, we’d recommend you choose this one up, although maybe wait a number of months to see if Sq. can kind out the worst of its efficiency points.
