Started the game earlier today via the generous Switch demo and ploughed a few hours into it... and it's just not for me.
My opinion after a handful of hours is quite negative. There's certainly a lot to love, but sadly, like Persona 5 before it, Dragon Quest just hasn't really pulled me in.
I'm aware I've barely scratched the surface and I'm sure it blossoms into a great experience for those who love the series. It feels like a good place to start for newcomers like me. But it's left me cold and I probably won't continue.
I think both Persona 5 and Dragon Quest have made me realise I'm not a fan of mute main characters.
Watching Ann breakdown as she tells Joker about her abuse at the hands of a teacher in Persona 5, only to see him offer little to no reaction completely took me out of that game.
And that moment came much earlier in Dragon Quest when a tearful Gemma realises her childhood sweetheart/friend has to leave. She talks about how she thought they'd never be apart, recounts the legend of the luminary and runs off crying. But our hero does nothing. He doesn't really react at all. It hurts more here because NPC dialogue in the beginning really wants you to believe in this relationship. But this sad moment feels totally unearned.
It comes after a bizarre cutscene where your 'mother' reveals you're the reincarnation of the luminary - much to the shock of our hero and Gemma. It's a big secret she's sat on for years, but she doesn't mind spilling the beans in front of your mate. She then brushes it under the carpet in seconds to get tea on the table, while also telling us we need to leave to pursue our destiny. It's just weird.
Then there's little things. Gemma is gobsmacked that I can call lightening down from the sky, but didn't bat an eyelid when I was throwing fireballs around minutes earlier. It's a world in which magic exists and is accepted, so why is she surprised? Then again, she quickly forgets about it.
Later on, Erik doesn't even question if you're the luminary. He believes you straight away, starts knocking out guards and puts his life on the line to help you escape.
Add it all together and its hard to suspend your disbelief. I'm aware that our hero being the centre of the universe is a classic JRPG trope but it's so transparent here. If the protagonist had a swagger, or any kind of charisma, you could understand it. But, in the early game at least, he's a non character. I'm not a cynical player either - I can roll with a 'power of friendship' style adventure. But they lay it on really thick here.
Even early combat progression feels equally 'gamey' if you know what I mean? A few levels in I can use a fireball, turn my sword into a blazing weapon and cast a healing spell - but why?
I'm a huge Xenoblade fan and I really like how those games contextualise your combat abilities in the story. The monado is a magical weapon that, through various cutscenes, we learn can grant it's user a vision of the future. So when that mechanic is added into the combat, it feels natural. In Xenoblade 2, Rex's hook shot ability gains extra utility when he is shown how to use it properly by a mentor character. A cutscene introduces the topple concept (which opens up driver combos) and the player then uses it in the following battle. It opens up more combat options and makes sense in the story.
It sounds like a tiny thing to harp on about. But that kind of cohesion between storytelling and gameplay mechanics just make an experience all the better for me. It feels like you can throw a fireball and cast a healing spell because it's a Dragon Quest game. You might say he's the luminary but, early on, that's such a nebulous concept.
The voice performances are great - but due to the way the game handles on screen text, you get these cutscenes with lots of unnatural pauses. Scenes don't flow as well as they could and it gives the impression exchanges are more stiff than they are. Though I will say, Erik's accent is strange. He's a Brit putting on an American accent and, at least initially, it sounds off.
There's plenty more I don't like too, but I'll leave it there.
The small selection of towns I've experienced are really good, the dialogue is fun and bursting with character, traversal and map navigation feels smooth, combat is cool too, etc.
This post has turned into something much longer than I intended and I hope no one takes offence to my ramblings. But when I say a game isn't doing it for me, I like to explain why. It's just my opinion and I'm sure plenty of people will disagree.
I've barely played it, relative to its overall length. But, like Persona 5, I'm sad that I can't appreciate it as much as others. :(
