The Slime of Our Lives- Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation
There’s a running joke which states role-playing aficionados can be intimately familiar with the Dragon Quest series without having to play a single entry. From random ambushes by unseen monsters, amnesic protagonists, turn-based battles managed by menus, and recording your progress at the local chapel, the franchise’s reoccurring tenets have become prevalent genre conventions. During its quarter-century reign, Dragon Quest‘s mechanics have become the ubiquitous, often uncontested, norms of the console JRPG.
For contemporary players, that means the forty-hour journey through Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation will likely kindle moments of warm perspicuity during the game’s archetypal skirmishes and procession of fetch quests. Despite a fifteen year hiatus in bringing the game to Western shores (Doragon Kuesuto Shikkusu Maboroshi no Daichi was originally a Japanese SNES title), many of Revelation’s mechanics remain seamlessly intuitive. While intricacies like changing classes or managing inventories are barely explained, clarification is largely superfluous- players have been handling similar tasks for years.
Yet for role-players whose experiences have been confined to the optical-disc era, Dragon Quest VI has a number of amusing, archaic quirks. From trinket concealing barrels which reset when entering a building, to strategically ambiguous mission orders issued by from townsfolk, the game often acts as a fascinating reminder of the small refinements which have transpired over the years. However, beyond the discomfort of having to grind before a boss or not having a waypoint drawn on the world map, the title’s sporadic antiquated methods are rarely an impediment for enjoyment. Search around and there’s likely a NPC to guide you in the right direction.
Still, wander too far off the game’s trail, and player will be given a stern warning by overly formidable foes- a long-time Dragon Quest tradition. While combat seems pretty formulaic at first, players will gradually learn specific characters, class, and skills undoubtedly offer an advantage against some of the title’s more challenging enemies. One interesting perk in Revelation is the ability to have a quartet of heroes on standby- ready to be swapped in the middle of a skirmish, Pokémon-style. While success in combat relies more on resource, skill, and elemental management rather than sly strategies, brawls are typically fast-paced, intuitively controlled, and in the case of the game’s bosses- largely satisfying.
Traditionally, plotlines in the Dragon Quest series have been blissfully succinct- delivering just enough impetus to spur a succession of fetch quests. Realms of Revelation follows this trend, offering a short prologue where the unnamed hero’s attempt to vanquish an enigmatic demon lord is tragically halted. When the protagonist awakens in an amiable village, the incident is explained as a nightmare. Slowly, a number of mysterious events point unfold which point to the existence of an alternate universe. Smartly, the title includes option quests, hidden characters and even medals to collect which can be traded in for some exotic armor and weaponry.
Although Realms of Revelation lack some the visual pizzazz found in Dragon Quest IX, the game’s been given a gratifying graphical and aural overhaul. Gone are the title’s tile based towns, replaced with respectfully rendered polygonal buildings. The occasional retro inspired sound effect has been excised- door’s still sound unmistakably synthesized, but Koichi Sugiyama’s soundtrack has been given a dutiful reworking. Another supplement to the original game is slime bowling, which send the ubiquitous creatures knocking over formation of helpless soldiers.
For those who haven’t stepped foot in Yuji Horii’s beloved universe, I’d recommend starting off with Sentinels of the Starry Skies’ more modernized game mechanics. Players who have completed that title or have always longed for the sixth series entry to come stateside, should be able to lose themselves in Realms of Revelation, retro-inspired, immersive charms- time has been kind to this slime.
So that’s where Deagle’s been.
Thanks, I’ve been thinking about picking this up, but the Gamestop price hike ($34.99 for a $30 game) made me hesitant.
RPGs never get less than a B on this site.
Good review Deagle. I want to get this and RH.
I loved IX, one of my favorite DS RPGs. I might have to grab this also.
It’s about slime you came out with that review, Deagle!
So what are Nintendo/S-E plans? I know DQ7 is next bout is 8 coming to DS?
I heard you can have a slime in your party in this one. Thats pretty cool.
Once again, better than the IGN review which was written by some bitter little man who doesn’t like JRPGs.
Bought it last weekend, only put about 5 hours in. But I like it so far. Graphics look much better.
DQ9 was my first Dragon Quest game and I really liked all the depth even if the story was simple. Might have to grab this.
I remember trying to play the Japanese game and failing badly because I couldn’t quite understand what the NPCs wanted me to do.
I still need to pick up IX. Hey when the hell is X coming out?
Good review, Mr Deagle. I’ll add it to my wish list.
Some of those screenshots look pretty damn good.
“Slowly, a number of mysterious events point unfold which point to the existence of an alternate universe.”
Ugh- Spoiler? WTF?
I am always careful about spoilers!
This plotline is mentioned in the game’s ad, so I don’t think there’s ANY worries.
Wait, I heard you can change classes. I’m a few hours in and don’t see this option. Does it come later?
I wish they’d remake the entire series. Shit, I’d even play the first game if it was part of a reasonably priced compilation.
(I’m not saying I’d enjoy it, just play it)
Yeah, not bad at all.
I’m ok with familiarity in a JRPG!
See that covered wagon in the top pic? Get one of those.
Are the sprites the same or did they redraw them as well.
Cool review, but I’ve tried to play older RPGs from the PS1 era. Time has not been kind to them. Even FFVII seemed ancient to me.
Thanks- that probably comes later in the game, huh?
We were talking about this at lunch the other day – I’m wondering if they’ll remake/rerelease DQVII. That was an ugly, ugly game, but it wasn’t BAD. I think it would be cool if they tackled that next.
Thanks Desert, good review.
Yeah, this could use a XBLA/PSN HD remastering. Make it happen, Sqeenix!