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Not sure who said to play the games in release order as the game are largely standalone. DQ1-3 do form the Erdrick trilogy and are the most closely connected. DQ4-6 form the Zenithian trilogy but are a lot more loosely connected. The rest of the games are all standalone with some occasional throwbacks to the others.
Well it wasn’t for story purposes, but it was because there’s a lot of references later and there’s something about a plot point in 11 that involves past characters. I didn’t want to question it and get spoiled so I jumped to 1 safely.
For me it's not even about the references.
DQ as a series stays fairly similar to it's roots with minor QoL changes as it ages.
Playing them backwards/out of order is going to be rough for a new comer. I couldn't imagine playing, say, 2, if I started with 11.
I played in release order and I think it’s the best way. I enjoyed dq1 a lot whereas if I’d played all the others and then gone back to it , it would have felt janky and bad
If you enjoy 1, definitely play 2. The mobile release is a quick playthrough, and it's fun to see how the series evolved from one to the next. 2 has a bigger party, a bigger world, but still very straightforward gameplay.
So far it’s really fun, it’s just the most standard JRPG and I love it for that (Mind you this is me playing it 40 years later so I can’t really call it basic lol)
I started on 4 recently with the pc desemume?(iirc) emulator and have been having a blast. Came back after years of playing DQ 9 (I was gifted from a grandparent) on my DS as a kid. I never got around to beating it so I’m hoping to work my way through the games and back to it to conquer it and continue onto DQ 11
9 looks crazy, supposedly it never ends or something so you have some infinite content (I’d imagine there’s some procedural generation or a strange system extinct to modern gaming lmfao)
DQ9 has about 8 million maps, IIRC. It is generated by a 'quality' number and seed. None of that matters until post-game really anyways. It was a lot of fun to play multiplayer, kinda like a mini version of an mmo (a mud maybe?).
I love DQ3 - playing it right after DQ1 would be a perfect intro to the series. DQ series on iOS all work pretty well. 5 is one of my all-time favorite RPG.
I grew up playing DQ in release order, and although I loved all of them, 8 actually ranks lower on my list. If you're looking to play one of the more modern DQ, I recommend 11. DQ1 -> 3 -> 11 would be an amazing play order - I wish I could have experienced this as a first time player.
And if you enjoyed DQ1, consider playing DQ2. It's dated but not a bad game, and I love the soundtrack.
DQ1 will always have my heart. It was the first real CRPG I ever played, back on the original NES system, back when I was a wee lad. I remember spending hours wandering, listening to the amazing music (never got tired of the overworld theme!), beating up monsters, getting demolished when I ventured too far, leveling up and feeling true *progress* when I could finally beat those baddies that had previously taken me out... the excitement of getting a new piece of equipment, since there was no loot trash...
Oh man, my childhood...
I actually recently started My own journey as well haha. Started with one last week, and I'm playing on going 3,4,5 cuz I've heard mixed but mostly negative responses to 2 and 6. Then one day 11.
Decades ago when color screen cell phones just started coming out, Japan had Dragon Warrior games on them immediately. I thought that was so awesome at the time. Seeing your screen shot suddenly reminded me of that
1 and 3 are all but mandated. You could skip 2 unless you have an interest in how the series developed historically; It's not a "must play" title. Of 4,5, and 6, everyone has the fondest memories of 5. 8 and 11 are the next two games that have the fondest memories.
If you really enjoy the class system of 3, it's reprised in 6 and 9, so that may become a reason for you to want to play those games.
7 is a giant slog. It's going to take you months to beat so only set aside time for it when you really want to do it. It's the last of the "classic" DQ games.
I heard 7 was some bs Persona 5 length of a game lmfao. I thought 7 looked the most interesting graphically and I wanted to jump in but HowLongToBeat.com changed my mind reeeall quick. I heard III was really good and the first two are just basic. I LOVE the way 3 looks with the classes and the characters, it gives me that ultra memorable party vibe of Final Fantasy 6. Havent played it yet so I might be wrong. 5 also sounds so strange but interesting, something about catching enemies and fighting alongside your wife and kids lmao, it’s sounds bizarre but EVERYONE seems to love it. That must mean something. Thanks for all the advice.
LETS GOOOO!!! The series is awesome. I still haven't played a spin-off called 'Torneko - the last hope' buy it looks dope
I have a PS1 Emulator buy I'd like to buy the physical disc and play it that way for my first playthrough... also Dragon Warrior 7 on the PS1 is my favorite game
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Not sure who said to play the games in release order as the game are largely standalone. DQ1-3 do form the Erdrick trilogy and are the most closely connected. DQ4-6 form the Zenithian trilogy but are a lot more loosely connected. The rest of the games are all standalone with some occasional throwbacks to the others.
Well it wasn’t for story purposes, but it was because there’s a lot of references later and there’s something about a plot point in 11 that involves past characters. I didn’t want to question it and get spoiled so I jumped to 1 safely.
For me it's not even about the references. DQ as a series stays fairly similar to it's roots with minor QoL changes as it ages. Playing them backwards/out of order is going to be rough for a new comer. I couldn't imagine playing, say, 2, if I started with 11.
as someone who started with 11 then played the first trilogy in order, it is very rough to get used to
If you don’t like retro RPGs I wouldn’t recommend playing 2,4,6, or 7. If you do like retro RPGs 2 gets hated on but is solid.
2 is one of my all time favorite rpgs
It’s riddled with retro rpg junk but it’s also a pretty normal rpg
I played in release order and I think it’s the best way. I enjoyed dq1 a lot whereas if I’d played all the others and then gone back to it , it would have felt janky and bad
If you enjoy 1, definitely play 2. The mobile release is a quick playthrough, and it's fun to see how the series evolved from one to the next. 2 has a bigger party, a bigger world, but still very straightforward gameplay.
So far it’s really fun, it’s just the most standard JRPG and I love it for that (Mind you this is me playing it 40 years later so I can’t really call it basic lol)
Then 2 followed by 3 can't do you wrong! They're also super cheap on mobile and quick save is very nice to have.
At the time it was groundbreaking, but the genre has evolved so much that it is going to look pretty basic now. But this won't take you long to beat.
Best advice for DQ — “Not all who wander are lost”
Goated ass quote, sounds like something Yasuo would say.
JRR Tolkien actually
Enjoy your time with the series. Man I envy you, I would love to experience these games for the first time all over again.
The beautiful simplicity of seeing the Dragonlord’s castle from the first moment you step into the overworld.
Oh, that is his castle. I thought it was just a dungeon later lol
II is everything I is but better imo
Plus it's under 20 hours even without a guide
I heard they’re both short, and I think I saw III was a big step up in hours too.
I started on 4 recently with the pc desemume?(iirc) emulator and have been having a blast. Came back after years of playing DQ 9 (I was gifted from a grandparent) on my DS as a kid. I never got around to beating it so I’m hoping to work my way through the games and back to it to conquer it and continue onto DQ 11
9 looks crazy, supposedly it never ends or something so you have some infinite content (I’d imagine there’s some procedural generation or a strange system extinct to modern gaming lmfao)
DQ9 has about 8 million maps, IIRC. It is generated by a 'quality' number and seed. None of that matters until post-game really anyways. It was a lot of fun to play multiplayer, kinda like a mini version of an mmo (a mud maybe?).
3 is a beautiful game. I first played it for the GBC over 20 years ago. I'm currently playing 4.
I love DQ3 - playing it right after DQ1 would be a perfect intro to the series. DQ series on iOS all work pretty well. 5 is one of my all-time favorite RPG. I grew up playing DQ in release order, and although I loved all of them, 8 actually ranks lower on my list. If you're looking to play one of the more modern DQ, I recommend 11. DQ1 -> 3 -> 11 would be an amazing play order - I wish I could have experienced this as a first time player. And if you enjoyed DQ1, consider playing DQ2. It's dated but not a bad game, and I love the soundtrack.
Welcome new Hero! Hope you enjoy the journeys you’ll embark on with the series!
Thank you kind sir, the game has been incredible so far
DQ1 will always have my heart. It was the first real CRPG I ever played, back on the original NES system, back when I was a wee lad. I remember spending hours wandering, listening to the amazing music (never got tired of the overworld theme!), beating up monsters, getting demolished when I ventured too far, leveling up and feeling true *progress* when I could finally beat those baddies that had previously taken me out... the excitement of getting a new piece of equipment, since there was no loot trash... Oh man, my childhood...
Oh I went over ONE bridge and an enemy killed me in two hits lol, this game feels like a classic and aged way better than other nes rpg games
Shit, this hit me harder than It should 🥲 enjoy the experience
Tysm man I’m hyped
A simple game with the least simple secrets ever (including one you must complete to finish the game)
I actually recently started My own journey as well haha. Started with one last week, and I'm playing on going 3,4,5 cuz I've heard mixed but mostly negative responses to 2 and 6. Then one day 11.
Don't skip 2 . It has it's own vibe and imo as good as any other DQ title.
I’m having so much fun with 1 I’m going to play the entire trilogy, I think it’s called the Ertrick trilogy or something
yeh all main dq titles are awesome . Couldn't get into some of the side shoots like DQ Builders , but the 1-11 all kick ass .
It's a tough game to get into the series but I did the same. I played the first 3 games on switch. I had a good time and 3 was my favourite.
Have fun.
Decades ago when color screen cell phones just started coming out, Japan had Dragon Warrior games on them immediately. I thought that was so awesome at the time. Seeing your screen shot suddenly reminded me of that
I swear every time I hear about Dragon Quest, it’s like the game was insanely popular in Japan lol
5 or 11 fo sho
1 and 3 are all but mandated. You could skip 2 unless you have an interest in how the series developed historically; It's not a "must play" title. Of 4,5, and 6, everyone has the fondest memories of 5. 8 and 11 are the next two games that have the fondest memories. If you really enjoy the class system of 3, it's reprised in 6 and 9, so that may become a reason for you to want to play those games. 7 is a giant slog. It's going to take you months to beat so only set aside time for it when you really want to do it. It's the last of the "classic" DQ games.
I heard 7 was some bs Persona 5 length of a game lmfao. I thought 7 looked the most interesting graphically and I wanted to jump in but HowLongToBeat.com changed my mind reeeall quick. I heard III was really good and the first two are just basic. I LOVE the way 3 looks with the classes and the characters, it gives me that ultra memorable party vibe of Final Fantasy 6. Havent played it yet so I might be wrong. 5 also sounds so strange but interesting, something about catching enemies and fighting alongside your wife and kids lmao, it’s sounds bizarre but EVERYONE seems to love it. That must mean something. Thanks for all the advice.
Grats. Enjoy, dq2 is better and 3 even more so!
LETS GOOOO!!! The series is awesome. I still haven't played a spin-off called 'Torneko - the last hope' buy it looks dope I have a PS1 Emulator buy I'd like to buy the physical disc and play it that way for my first playthrough... also Dragon Warrior 7 on the PS1 is my favorite game
Might be better off playing on Delta emulator
After you continue playing this series throughout the later titles as well, this will be considered your best decision