DRAGON QUEST: The Return

DRAGON QUEST fever is running wild, thanks in no small part to the release of DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition (did they even try to come up with a shorter title) and the release of the mobile versions of DRAGON QUEST I-III on the Switch. All four of these games dropped on the same day, September 27th, a month that was already packed with tons of quality game releases. It was almost too much for my poor wallet to handle but thanks to some extra cash, I managed to snag all four DRAGON QUEST titles. Rather than fire up DRAGON QUEST XI S (extremely tempting seeing as how I was drooling over this game when they showed off that 2D mode), I opted to play a quest that I was somewhat familiar with because I knew it would be less time consuming, the original game that started it all, DRAGON QUEST.

Even for the standards of retro RPGs, DRAGON QUEST is incredibly basic. The game is light on plot and has no character development whatsoever. Heck, you don't even travel in a party. You are a lone hero traveling the world to save it from the evil that has been unleashed by the Dragonlord. Also, there is a missing princess to find (should you bother to find her at all). Fighting monsters (lots of them in fact), gathering information on what you need to do to complete your mission, the usual old school RPG fare. Except with DRAGON QUEST, it is very bare bones. This game was originally released in 1986, after all (1989 in America) and is very much a product of its time. And yet for all of the slim trimmings, DRAGON QUEST somehow managed to hold my attention when I first played it at the age of 14 and playing the mobile port on the Switch felt like coming home again.

I did not expect to set aside Link's Awakening or Super Mario Maker 2 for DRAGON QUEST. I thought I would play a bit of the game and and resume my current day titles. But the best laid plans and all that. Before I knew it, I was looking to find Princess Gwaelin, seeking the Mark of Erdrick to prove to all these idiot doubters that I was his descendant, and combing parts of the world I had never reached in the NES release.

When I had time to game, DRAGON QUEST is what I played. I was leveling up LOTO (a name that gives your character better stats), getting more money for better weapons and armor and stomping monsters that used to give me trouble as a teenager. A few encounters even had me sweating bullets. The Green Dragon that guards Princess Gwaelin is one tough customer and I honestly cannot remember the last time I've been on pins and needles in a retro RPG boss fight.

The Dragonlord was a heavy hitter in his final form. I was at level 21 when I faced him so I wasn't sure if I could win unless I was at level 30. When he went down, a dropped my controller and thew my hands up in the air with a huge smile on my face. It has been quite some time since I had that kind of reaction from vanquishing a final boss. When the credits rolled and I checked my Switch for the amount of hours clocked in for DRAGON QUEST, it read "Played for 15 hours or more."

I enjoyed every hour I poured into DRAGON QUEST. True, there is a certain satisfaction that comes from finishing a game you didn't beat when you were a kid/teen but I think it says something about an old game if you can have a blast with it even when you can see its obvious flaws. Yeah, this version has things that make it superior to the original NES release, but even taking those things into account, DRAGON QUEST is still a super old game, even with the modern day conveniences this version offers. But like Super Mario Bros., DRAGON QUEST is a game I can see myself coming back to on multiple occasions. DRAGON QUEST was 15 hours well spent. One quest has ended but another Dragon Quest has already begun and more are sure to follow.

Favorite Tunes #174: Going Commando

Now that is a subtitle that is sure to raise some eyebrows. No,it isn't what you think but with one of the game's titles in this week's Favorite Tunes, I just couldn't resist.

Darius - Darius Twin (SNES)

My first entry to the Darius series, Darius Twin is certainly not the best Darius experience. Much of the enemies fly on screen and zip right out with not even much of an attempt to attack you. Still, there are worse shooters on the SNES and the music is't too shabby.

The Second Act - Tales of Phantasia (SNES)

The first American release of the Tales series was in the form of Tales of Destiny on the PS in 1998. Tales of Phantasia, the very first Tales game, wouldn't be released outside of Japan until 2006 on the GBA and unfortunately the music took a hit on the GBA hardware. It isn't awful, but the SNES version's music is just infinitely superior. The Second Act is the second overworld theme.

Sky, Ocean, and Earth - Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (PS2)

Originally released on the PS2 in 2005. Dragon Quest VIII was recently re-released on the 3DS with new features, one of the best being the elimination of random battles. If you missed out on the PS2 version, make sure you grab Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS and enjoy the lengthy quest, memorable characters and wonderful soundtrack Koichi Sugiyama is to Dragon Quest as to Nobuo Uematsu is to Final Fantasy. The music may not sound as grandiose on the 3DS, but it still sounds pretty dang good.

Main Theme - Commando (ARC)

My first time playing Commando was on the Capcom Arcade Classics Collection on the PS2 and I could not get enough of the game's Main Theme, which is very militaristic but fitting given the nature of the game. Run, shoot, duck, toss grenades, and keep moving. It actually isn't as easy at it sounds.

Saxophone Under the Moon (YAGAMI TEAM BGM) - King of Fighters XIV (PS4)

I love me some jazz. I have yet to play King of Fighters XIV but if the game if the music is anything to go by, I think I'll really enjoy it. Besides, it has been years since I threw down with Iori and company and I'm looking forward to getting back in touch with the old gang.

Sirius Theme #1 (Friend or Foe) - Bomberman 64 (N64)

I am SO excited for Bomberman's return with Super Romberman R on the Nintendo Switch. As much as I can't wait to go online with fellow Bomberman players and blow stuff up, I am a bit intrigued as to what the single player mode will be like. Bomberman 64 had one of the most enjoyable (if at times, too overly challenging) single player modes in Bomberman's history while the multiplayer mode was lacking. I'm hoping Super Bomberman R can achieve a good balance.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #54: Those Other Games from Square Enix

I've been listening to a lot of music from various Square Enix games. Threads of Fate, Front Mission, Tactics Ogre, Tobal 2, Parasite Eve. Square Enix really does have a sizable catalog of games to fall back on yet they insist on pimping out the Final Fantasy series. Well there won't be a single track from that game in this edition of Favorite Tunes. It's all about those other games we wish Square Enix would recognize more.

Avilla Hanya - Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (SNES)

Before there was Final Fantasy Tactics, there was Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen, a tactical turn based RPG. A few years later, Tactics Ogre was released with an even greater emphasis on strategic combat. Not only do the the Ogre Battle and Final Fantasy Tactics games share the same game director, Yasumi Matsuno, but they share the same composers as well. Both Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata are responsible for crafting the some of the most engaging battle themes in RPGs, tactical or otherwise. And yes, for those not in the know, Avilla Hanya is indeed a battle theme. That slow build up leads into a powerful main course that explodes at about 33 seconds in. The SNES sound chip never ceases to amaze me. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together was released on the PSP a few years back and I recommend tracking down that version. A SNES cart of this game does not come cheap, nor does the PS version. The PSP game was given a beautifully arranged score, but I still prefer the SNES version of this track over the arranged tune.

Rasdan - Threads of Fate (PS)

Another game released during Square's more experimental years, Threads of Fate (called Dewprism in Japan) allows you to play as tow different characters, Rue and Mint, each with their own set of music. Rasdan plays in the final area of Rue's game and is an alarmingly calm music piece, one I couldn't expect for a lead up to a final battle. But it sounds so soothing that I doubt you'll care. 

Frozen Flame - Radical Dreamers (SNES)

By LicaWolf

Released in 1996 on the SNES Satellaview add on that never made it outside of Japan, Radical Dreamers is a text based adventure game and side game to Chrono Trigger. You'll find a ton of references to 2000's Chrono Cross in this game from character names, designs and even music. Select songs from Radical Dreamers were arranged and used in Chrono Cross like Frozen Flame. I actually think this track sounds better than the Chrono Cross arrangement despite being on underpowered hardware. Naturally, all of Radical Dreamers music was scored by Yasunori Mitsuda.

Happy Humming - Dragon Quest VI (SNES)

The Dragon Quest series, is immensely popular in it's homeland of Japan. When each game releases, there a long lines and they games are usually released on Sundays so kids don't skip school. For years, Dragon Quest V and VI never saw releases in America but this all changed when Square Enix released remakes of Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI on the DS.

100 Missing People - Bushido Blade (PS)

Bushido Blade can be a tricky fighting game to get into. If you're expecting Soul Calibur with nothing but ninjas, boy, are you in for a surprise. Bushido Blade has no life meters and if you're skilled enough, you can instantly kill your opponent with a precise sword strike. Thinking about attacking your opponent when their back is turned? Not very honorable. But if you can deal with Bushido Blade's gameplay mechanics, you'll be treated to one of the most unique fighting games on the original PS.

Body Shop - Racing Lagoon (PS)

RPG elements in a racing game? That's Square for you. While the game did little to turn the genre on it's head Racing Lagoon featured some of the best jazz, fusion, and techno music you could hear in a racing game.

Seabed of St. Elles - Soul Blazer (SNES)

I'm baffled as to why we haven't seen more stuff from Enix's catalog on the Virtual Console. We got ActRaiser but no Illusion of Gaia or Soul Blazer. Named Soul Blader in Japan, this is part of Enix's creation series in the same line of the Terranigma (another game that hasn't been released in America) and the aforementioned ActRaiser. You get to enter people's dreams, fight off huge monsters and repopulate the world. No, not in the way you're thinking.

Grope After Truth - Tobal 2 (PS)

Character designs by Arika Troiyama? Check. Quest mode where the player roams a 3D dungeon? Check. The same team of composers like Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobou Uematsum, GUIDO, Masashi Hamauzu and company returning to do the music? Nope. Tobal 2 contains a sole composer, Takayuki Namura. He didn't partake in scoring Tobal No. 1's soundtrack, but he's work on the Virtua Fighter series speaks for itself.

Those Imprisoned by Fate - Chrono Cross (PS)

I believe I've made it clear more than once on this blog that I'm not particularly fond of Chrono Cross. It has way too many characters, many of which are devoid of any sort of personality and the plot is one I'm still trying to fully comprehend. One thing I've always loved about the game is it's soundtrack. This is actually a battle theme and is another reminder that not every battle track needs to be loud and heavy to carry the point of conflict.

Sacrifice Part Three - Seiken Densetsu 3 (SNES)

This game is unofficially known as Secret of Mana 2 since it's the sequel to the first Secret of Mana. It was never released outside of Japan, but there is a fan translation out there for those curious. It has some of the most colorful graphics I've seen on the SNES and Hiroki Kikuta's score on this game is still some of the best work he's ever done. This final battle theme, may be his crowning music of awesome for this entire game's soundtrack.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #27: Square Enix Edition

Once two separate companies, Square and Enix merged to form Square Enix in 2003. This company is widely known for the Final Fantasy series, but I'm not going to feature any music from that series in this installment of Favorite Tunes (I'll be doing that later). Other RPGs are gonna get their chance to shine.

NOTE: Games before the merger have also been included.

War in China - Live-A-Live (SFC)

Released only in Japan, Live-A-Live let's players choose from seven different characters each with their own story. The game's soundtrack was handled by the very talented Yoko Shimomura. This splendid track that was used for Wood Man's background music in the Mega Man ROM hack Rockman Deus Ex Machina. I've never played Live-A-Live, but if you're interested, there is a fan translated version on the net.

Unknown World - Dragon Quest I & II (SFC)

The first two Dragon Quest games were released on a compilation cartridge on the Super Famicom in Japan during the console's head day. In 2000, these two games were once again bundled together as Dragon Quest I & II for the Game Boy. Unknown World is the World Map theme that plays on your journey. In the very first Dragon Quest game, you are all alone, no party members to assist you. This theme is the perfect representation of a lonely warrior's quest. I quite like the extras melodies that were added to the SFC version of this tune.

Feldschlacht I - SaGa Frontier 2 (PS)

Kenji Ito wrote the music for the first SaGa Frontier, but for SaGa Frontier 2, the composing duties were handed to Masahi Hamauzu, a man that is closely associated with the Final Fantasy series these days. I can't recall too much about SaGa 2, but Hamaizu's work on the score was sensational. Feldschlacht I is the first of numerous battle themes and it gets arranged through numerous tracks. All of the soundtrack titles are in German. Feldschlacht roughly translates to Field Battle.

Pure Night - Secret of Mana (SNES)

This game is actually the sequel to Final Fantasy Adventure on the Game Boy, which is actually called Seiken Densetsu. While that does make Secret of Man Seiken Densetsu 2, most of us that don't live in Japan just call it Secret of Mana. There's a ton of breath taking music in Secret of Mana, but Pure Night is one of the few tracks that leaves you awe-struck. It's so hauntingly beautiful.

Bike Race - Chrono Trigger (SNES)

Most of Chrono Trigger's music was written by Yasunori Matsuda, but when he got sick, famed Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu stepped in to finish up. Matsuda tends to have the stronger tracks in Chrono Trigger, but Uematsu composed a very lively song in the form of Bike Race. This song plays in the year 3000 AD in the race against Johnny C. Bad, but you can hear it much sooner in the year 1000 A.D. by just exploring some houses and talking to people.

Field of Exper - Star Ocean: The Second Story (PS, PSP)

Beginning life on the Super Famicom, the Star Ocean series made it's way to the PlayStation and eventually the PlayStation 2 and then the PS3 and Xbox 360. Unfortunately, it looks like Star Ocean 4 will be the last Star Ocean game. Star Ocean music is generally handled by Motoi Sakuraba and he is to the Star Ocean series what Nobuo Uematsu is to the Final Fantasy series. Field of Exper plays on the world map and does a great job of making the world set before you seem endlessly vast. Second Story was ported over to the PSP under the name Star Ocean: Second Evolution.

Influence of Deep - Parasite Eve (PS)

Nobuo Uematsu gave me a reason to stop dissing opera in Final Fantasy VI and a few years later, Yoko Shimomura gave me even more reasons to stop mocking it. The beginning of the course has a lady belting out a few notes, which might lead you to believe that's all you're in for, but the song quickly shifts gears into a fast paced battle theme while the opera singing continues throughout. The first of many great battle themes in Parasite Eve.

Twin Mountains - Brave Fencer Musashi (PS)

Released in 1998, Brave Fencer Musashi, was one of Square's better attempts at doing something different. This action RPG had day and night cycles and if Musashi went too long without rest, he'd get tired and performer poorly in battle. This game really was a gem and to this day, I kick myself for trading it in.

Night of Fate - Kingdom Hearts (PS2)

Final Fantasy meets Disney could describe Kingdom Hearts in a nutshell. OK, so there's probably much more to it than that, but the only game in this series that I've finished is Chain of Memories of the GBA. This action RPG series takes original characters and has the meet up with Final Fantasy cast members and classic Disney characters. With music by Yoko Shimomura, you know your ears will be pleased.

Attack - Front Mission 3 (PS)

Front Mission 3 was the first Front Mission game to see a release outside of Japan and rather than just call it Front Mission and go the route they went with earlier Final Fantasy titles, Square kept the original numbering. When all was said and done, I invested over 70 hours into this mech turn based RPG and that was only playing one out of the two scenarios. How you answer a simple question at the start of the game will determine the path you follow. It's been more than ten years since I played Front Mission 3. Maybe I'm due for a visit.