Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
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Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
In 1992 Japan saw the release of a massive epic role playing game called Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride for the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) but it never made its way over the Pacific to North American shores unless you imported it and even when it was “remade” for the Playstation 2 this version also never hit North America. It appears that Square Enix has finally heard the angry cries of Dragon Quest fans and released a Nintendo DS version of this game.
This remarkable game has one of the best stories we have seen in any RPG and this is what makes the Dragon Quest series so popular worldwide (especially in Japan). This is more than just a story of a hero but the story of a man and who he is and how your choice have determined the events around him to shape who he is. Deeper than your normal Japanese and traditional Western based Role Playing Games and for the patient gamer who will sit back and immerse themselves in this brilliant game you will be rewarding yourself for some well spent time with your Nintendo DS.
I could type many pages just on the main storyline of Dragon Quest V, but it would never be enough detail to even give a glimpse of what the game is truly about. On the back of the games DS case though there is a small bit of information which is almost perfect for opening the story up to the gamer.
“What begins as an innocent voyage of a boy traveling alongside his father soon develops into an eye-opening adventure that transcends generations. You – a hero in the making – determine your own path, choose your own wife and befriend a wagonload of quirky monsters along the way.”
Gameplay
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is fairly close to the previously remade DS game Dragon Quest IV: Chapter of the Chosen. But this game is better gameplay wise as it just plays better even though it is nearly identical to the last game. Dragon Quest V has some impressive gameplay to go along with the rich visuals.
Dragon Quest V plays like many of the older Japanese Role Playing Games with its turn based combat with its use of attack, use item or flee system for the games mechanics. You can also save at churches, be healed, cured and resurrected at them as well. You will find quests by talking to various NPC’s (Non-playable characters) throughout the game and they will mention about missing someone or finding an item. If you look at the games mechanics you have seen this game many times before.
What makes Dragon Quest V so remarkable is its famous story and for RPG gamers it’s the story that makes this game one of the best out there because it is a story which covers the entire life of your character from birth, his childhood, finding a wife, his adventures and more. The game is so amazing in scope that if you just follow the basic game it can take around forty (40) hours of time, but there are side quests as well in this epic adventure.
With re-playable mini-games which help break up the long running gameplay, plenty of collection quests and the incredible amount of random battles the game just keeps giving you plenty of action for around 50-60 hours if you keep with it. It seems that the random battles in the game happen more often than in other Japanese Role Playing Games of this type but if you like this style of combat and game mechanic it is actually not bad at all, but if you are an RPG gamer who started with the new style of Japanese RPG’s like Final Fantasy XII then this is a game which might be just too much for you.
Graphics and Audio
Graphically you will not see a better looking game on the Nintendo DS with a fully 3D rotatable world and some great level design for the overall world and the dungeons you will explore. Every character and monster has beautiful animation which is so well done it actually surprised me since most other DS games like Dragon Quest V are lacking in the overall animation department. The background, over world map, town layouts and the rest of the graphical and overall design are very well done and you will forget this is a 17 year old game (or so).
Audio wise the game has the classic Dragon Quest sound effects mixed with a redone musical score by Tokyo Musical Symphony Orchestra and a brand-new score by series composer Koichi Sugiyama. If it was not for the limited speakers of the Nintendo DS this would even be more amazing than it already is.
Value
The value of the game comes from the long term single player gaming with the ability to replay the game and use the Exotica Net to play with friends who have a Nintendo DS and a copy of the game.
Bottom Line
If you own a DS this is one title you must go out and buy and if you do not have a DS go out and buy one for this game as this is certainly by far the single best Role Playing Game on Nintendo’s amazing handheld platform. A near perfect game for RPG fans to enjoy for years to come.Pros
+ Everything… this is the best RPG on the Nintendo DS and a must have game
+ You can and should replay it
+ Amazing story
+ 3D graphics are fantastic and show the DS has some power behind it
+ Audio is well done
+ Exotica net is a great “multiplayer” idea
+ Shows why Dragon Quest is always the better RPG series over Final Fantasy
Cons
- Interface could have been better considering the rest of the game is incredible looking
- 18 years to get this incredible game was too long
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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