Game Review] 5 Attractions of "Dragon Quest Monsters 3"! Keep an eye on the new "DQIV" story spun by Despizarro!

DQ Monsters 3" is an RPG in which players collect, train, and conquer monsters from the nationally popular RPG "Dragon Quest. The player becomes the Monster Master, and instead of fighting battles himself, he gives commands to the monsters that he has created as his companions.

Although there have been many ports of the "DQ Monsters" series, this is the first "Monsters" title to appear in 22 years, since "Dragon Quest Monsters 2: The Mysterious Key of Malta". This time, Pizarro, the antagonist of "Dragon Quest IV: The Leading Men" (DQIV), is the main character in an alternate story that depicts another possibility for "DQIV.

As this is a new title in the "Monsters" series after a long absence and a new story of the classic "DQIV," there may be people who have been curious about this title but have not experienced it yet.

This issue is for those who have. This time, we would like to share the appeal of "DQ Monsters 3" for those who have not experienced this title, and for game fans who want to enjoy RPGs with gusto during this year-end and New Year's holidays!

Click here for the strategy article!

⇒[ Part 1] Five useful strategies in "Dragon Quest Monsters 3! 　Introducing elements that change with the weather and seasons, enemies to watch out for, and more!

⇒ Part 2: 4 useful strategies in "Dragon Quest Monsters 3 "! 　How to scout monsters efficiently and tips to get the upper hand in battle!

Attraction #1 You can collect "DRAQUE" monsters!

The best part of the "DQ Monsters" series is that monsters from the "Dracula" series appear in the game, transcending the boundaries between titles, and you can collect them.

In this title, too, monsters from various titles appear, as well as monsters original to the game.

The total number of monsters in the series is more than 500 races. It is nice to see that monsters from "Dragon Quest XI: The Search for Elusive Time," the latest in the series of numbered titles, also make an appearance.

The designer is, of course, manga artist Akira Toriyama. Toriyama's somewhat comical and familiar monsters are the face of "Dragon Quest.

In particular, the story this time is about going back and forth between the demon worlds, which are different worlds inhabited by monsters, and each demon world has a very unique visual and setting. Each demon world has its own unique visual style and setting, ranging from a scorching hot world and a desert world that could easily be the setting for an RPG, to a steampunk world and an unusual world of sweets. Each demon world contains not only monsters from the existing "Dracula" series, but also original monsters that are based on the setting of that demon world.

By fighting these monsters and training them, you will be able to welcome them into your party as friends. It is no fun to collect attractive monsters and create a party of your own! In addition, the monsters you fight are recorded in a list as needed. This is another element that players with a collector's mind will love.

There are multiple ways to collect monsters, including the pattern where the monster gets up after the battle and asks to join the party, and the "scout attack" during the battle to scout for the monster you are looking for. In this game, the probability of a monster wishing to join a group after a battle does not seem to be that high unless items such as meat are given to the monster, so you must be proactive in scout attacks.

There is also a pattern in which a monster is created by hatching an egg that has fallen on the field, and another pattern in which a new monster is created by matching your monster with the monster of another Monster Master you have met on your journey. Monsters that appear in this pattern tend to be rare, so explore every nook and cranny of the world to acquire more powerful monsters.

Appeal #2: Easy, sensible training and battles

Many people may think that a "nurturing RPG" requires learning a detailed system, or that the combination of formulas is complicated and difficult to understand (this was the case with the author).

However, the appeal of this title is its ease-of-understanding that puts such concerns to rest.

First of all, the battle system is very easy to use. Basically, if you give battle instructions to a monster, it will automatically take the most appropriate action at that moment. On the other hand, if you want to choose your actions carefully when fighting a powerful boss character, or if you want to take action against a specific monster in a scout attack, or use a specific spell, you can also specify the monster's actions by issuing commands.

The feeling is the same as specifying commands for party members as in the previous "Dracula" series, so those who have played the "Dracula" series before should be able to get used to it quickly.

In addition, the monsters you join can be further strengthened through training and blending.

The basis of training is leveling up through battles. By repeatedly joining a party and fighting, monsters accumulate experience and eventually level up and gradually become stronger, as is customary in the "Dracula" series.

When a monster's level exceeds 10, it can be combined with other monsters. In this game, however, the blending system is more intuitive.

For example, combining a monster of the slime lineage with a monster of the wizard lineage produces a slime with specialized magical abilities (see ......). In many cases, the player's image is directly reflected in the blending pattern. While there is fun to be had in wrinkling one's brow and thinking about the patterns of blending, this time we are moving in the direction of a more casual experience in which the player can enjoy the fun of combining monsters.

At the same time, however, the game does not compromise the challenging element of the game, as powerful monsters can be created through unexpected combinations.

Attraction No. 3: A profound skill system that lets you customize your monsters

By allocating skill points earned when leveling up, players can make monsters learn new special skills and improve their abilities.

In addition, monsters created through blending can have up to three skills, one inherited from the parent and one unique to the child. Therefore, the mainstay play style of this title is to strengthen monsters by blending them and having them inherit more and more skills.

You can specialize in physical combat by focusing on skills that boost abilities, create a battle leader by specializing in physical skills, or create a support staff by having them learn recovery and auxiliary spells. Or you can create an all-rounder that can perform both spells and physical attacks.

Create your own original party by creating your own monsters.

You can even use your party to compete against other players who are connected online. It's fun to test your skills and see how well your party stacks up on the world stage. It is fun to test your skills.

Attraction #4: The story of "DQIV" from the demon tribe's point of view

We have talked about the appeal of the system, but the story is the most important aspect of RPGs.

In that sense, this title is very appealing because it tells an IF story that depicts "another possibility" of "DQIV.

The main character is Pizarro, a prince of the demon tribe who faced the heroes as an antagonist in "DQIV. Many episodes that were not depicted in "DQIV" appear in the game, including episodes related to his birth, conflicts with his father and brothers, and his encounter with Rosalie.

How did Pizarro come to decide to destroy the human race? How did Pizarro come to decide to destroy humans and how did he become the ruler of the demon world?

On the other hand, the drama from the side of the demons is included throughout the story, including the episode about the heroes' hometown, the martial arts tournament, the encounter with Pissaronite, and the truth behind the important episodes in "DQIV".

Why did Pizarro not show up at the martial arts tournament in "DQIV" Chapter 2? Why was Pizarro's tone of voice a little strange when he attacked the heroes' hometown in Chapter 5? Even the author, a long-time Dracula fan, was impressed by the way the previously mysterious parts of the story were explained with good reasons.

Of course, the episodes depicted in this work do not mean that they are the answers to the episodes that were not depicted in "DQIV". However. As mentioned above, this is a game with an IF story that depicts "another possibility. It is fun to play the game with the mindset that "this kind of drama might have been possible.

Attraction #5: Koichi Sugiyama's music is great!

Finally, this is a point that must be mentioned.

Since this title is based on "DQIV," a lot of music from "DQIV" is used.

I first played "DQIV" on the Famicom (NES) version released in 1990, and playing this title seems to bring back many exciting memories of that time, along with the music.

At the same time, I am reminded of the wonderful music that Koichi Sugiyama has left behind.

Of course, there are those who may think that "DQ Monsters 3" has more to offer than just the elements I've already mentioned! Of course, there are those who say, "There are other things to love about "DQ Monsters 3. On the other hand, there may be those who say, "Couldn't they have done a little more to improve this part of the game?

Nevertheless, overall, I can recommend this work as a royal road RPG that can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages. The storyline is quite heavy and challenging in terms of Pizarro's revenge drama, and as a monster collecting and raising game, it is a swamp game that will have you immersed in it without regard to the storyline.

Why don't you give it your all this New Year's holiday?

Title Information

Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Prince of the Demons and the Journey of the Elves

Release date: December 1, 2023

Compatibility: Nintendo Switch

Price:

Normal Edition [packaged version/downloadable version]7,678 yen (tax included)

Masters Edition [packaged/downloadable] 11,198 yen (including tax)

Super Masters Edition [package version only]14,003 yen (including tax)

Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Prince of Demons and the Elven Journey" Super Masters Edition will be sold in limited quantities only in Japan at Square Enix e-STORE and Lawson@Loppi/HMV.

The full game included in the Super Masters Edition of "Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Prince of the Demons and the Elven Journey" will be the packaged version.

Genre: RPG

Number of players: 1

Communication function available

Only one data can be saved.

When playing with many players, software for the number of players is required.

CERO: B

© ARMOR PROJECT/BIRD STUDIO/SQUARE ENIX