It’s long overdue, but it’s time to rank all the mainline Dragon Quest games that have been released so far.
Few game series have the fame and wide spread appeal that Dragon Quest enjoys. An RPG series stretching back three decades with talents the likes of Akira Toriyama tied to its creation and continued innovations, it has entertained gamers for years with tales of chosen heroes overcoming untold evils with the help of lovable party companions. As with any series, though, some entries proved better than others, and we’ve got all 11 mainline entries ranked from fine to phenomenal.
it’s worth noting that this ranking will not include the side and spin-off games like Dragon Quest Builders and Builders II which, while still awesome, aren’t exactly comparable to the big JRPG adventures of the main games.
The Best Dragon Quest Games, Ranked From Fine to Phenomenal
11. Dragon Quest X
The first entry in the series to make the leap to the MMORPG genre, Dragon Quest X allowed fans to come together to form their own parties with one another, complete a variety of quests, and take on monsters new and old across the world for fame and glory. Not only that, but it allowed players to take full advantage of the expansive lore the series had built up over the years with a wide array of character classes and races to choose from.
From chosen human warriors to powerful demons, angelic beings to magical underwater denizens, the chance for taking on a new role within the series has never been greater, and it can be easy to lose oneself within the title’s adventures.
Unfortunately, the game also saw the most limited release in the series, only available in Japan and now potentially in China. The reason for this has been said to be the difficulties multiple servers would present, and that Square Enix would prefer to keep the title contained to its already sizable audience in Japan. There’s still some hope for a port if demand is high enough, but it’s highly likely most will only see this title through online streams and lets plays.
10. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
After the seminal release that was the series’ eighth entry, Square Enix struck out in a new direction with Sentinels of the Starry Skies, telling the tale of a wrongfully fallen angel looking to return to the heavens above. Offering more choice to players in terms of character creation, it allowed for the creation and optimization of a character’s appearance, class, and abilities throughout the entire title.
If one wanted to take on the game with a team of chrome-domed monks, they could; or if they wanted a quartet of sword wielding warriors, they could do so and strike out upon the world. This was all set against the usual charm and appeal of the game’s art design, sound work and turn-based gameplay, making for a top-notch JRPG experience.
As a result, though, there wasn’t nearly as much time or effort invested in the development of the main characters or their stake in the adventure. Sure, some backstory was given to the main character and how he came to embark on a quest to return to the heavens, but the rest of the party was made up by created characters with no real stake in the narrative. It doesn’t kill the experience by a long shot, but in a series with such a pedigree for great character writing, it is a bit of a let down.
9. Dragon Quest
The game that started it all, Dragon Quest stands toe to toe with the legendary JRPGs of old. Dropping players into an 8-bit world of mythical monsters, fantastical spells and a quest to save the land from evil, it hits all of the right notes needed to engross players in a fantasy epic and provides a framework for future titles to follow. Not only that, but the iconic designs of Akira Toriyama are front and center, breathing a sense of character into the game which would become a trademark in the entries that followed.
The only downside is, the game is most certainly a relic of its time. From graphical fidelity and the flow of gameplay to quality of life elements such as distance between save points and difficulty spikes, a lot of the game was improved upon substantially in future entries and makes going back to the beginning difficult. Regardless, it’s the kind of title that deserves to be played for its influence on the industry and should provide something for those who want to experience a classic.
8. Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line
Following the success of the first title, the creators of the Dragon Quest series set to work to improve, refine, and polish the gameplay and structure of the original for a sequel that would live up to its initial potential. The result was Dragon Quest II, a tale of chosen heroes venturing forth to save the world from darkness and a decided improvement on the original, with more than a few steps forward for the series as a whole.
The world felt bigger, the gameplay felt smoother, and the fantasy elements now meshed seamlessly with the Akira Toriyama’s art style. Likewise, the music and sound work came into its own, breathing life into each new step taken in the over-world and each harrowing encounter with enemies.
That said, the game also padded its run time with an increased difficulty curve, and some still look to this title as one of, if not the, hardest titles in the series, and can be one of the most difficult to go back to for even diehard fans.