Every time I start the next game in the Dragon Quest series, I always wonder if it's gonna be like the last game or will it take a turn and be something different? I already wasn't familiar with the Dragon Quest series as a whole, but I would sometimes hear or see things about one of the games...this one is the one game I had listened (but not watched) a review from SomecallmeJohnny some time ago and I did so because I didn't think I'd ever really want to play the Dragon Quest series due to how archaic it seemed on the surface.

All that above is important to mention, because while the past games were great in their own right. DQ5 seems to be the turning point when the series goes to telling a much more compelling story while still focusing the importance of the adventure.

Being that I played the DS version, I found the graphics do look slightly better than DQ4. the world is much more vast, with all of it connecting quite well. This game seems to focus much more on dungeon set pieces over elaborate towns and castles. I really like how the continued moving the enemies seem to get more animated with each battle, and the character drawings seems to have found it's sheen here.

Speaking of sheen, so far I believe this game has the best collection of musical pieces I've heard in the series. As I played the past games, I felt the music was good, but I often felt I heard either the same song or tune in spots, while this one has a vast fitting soundtrack for each area and moment.

Something that hasn't changed too much is the game play. everything seems pretty much in order that the games have been doing...except this time it takes a "monster trainer" approach and let's you recruit monsters as your party members giving you plenty of choices of party building. Other than that, a lot of it is just normal Dragon Quest affair.

Where this game shines it's best is the story. I won't give anything away from it, other than to say that it tells an amazing story that as goofy as the series is, it tends to mix those moments and the story with no tonal whiplash. Serious parts are treated with a grounded tone and silly weird moments are used to not bog down the emotions too deeply. So far this is the best story in the series (from DQ1 to DQ4) and the best cast of character bar none. For the story alone it must be played and nothing I could say could even touch the magic being told in this game.

Now while I've given the game praise, can I think of any flaws? Yes. A small few.

- I don't know if it's just me, but I felt grinding was required for this game, due to recruiting monsters and party members coming and going, money and gear grind is at the forefront.

- The monsters have level caps to them, so rarely do they stay useful for too long at points.

- While the story was written well, the only way you'll learn about your party members once they join is the party talk command, if you don't frequent that you'll lose out on a lot of lore and the character most effected is your main character.

As you can see, I really couldn't find too much issue with this amazing game, and even the few I wrote felt like kinda personal nitpicks, but I really loved this game and it brought my opinion of the series much higher than before.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a captivating and emotionally resonant RPG that has left a lasting impression on players since its release. While some cynics might argue that the game's impact is merely an outlier in the grand scheme of the series, the undeniable charm and depth found within this installment prove otherwise.

Set in a beautifully crafted fantasy world, Dragon Quest V takes players on a sweeping journey from childhood to adulthood. The game's narrative prowess shines through its intricate storytelling, complete with unexpected twists and genuine emotional weight. It's a testament to the game's writing that players can't help but become attached to its characters and their personal growth over time.

The gameplay mechanics are true to the franchise's roots, offering turn-based combat and a classic RPG experience. Players will find themselves engrossed in strategic battles that require careful planning and party management. The addition of the monster recruitment system adds a layer of depth, allowing players to assemble a diverse team of creatures that evolve and grow alongside the protagonist.

Visuals and audio are equally impressive, with charming character designs and an evocative soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere. While modern Dragon Quest games may indeed see spinoffs and merchandise, it's important to acknowledge that the success of Hand of the Heavenly Bride isn't solely attributed to marketing tactics. The game's ability to resonate with players on an emotional level and provide a rich, immersive experience is a testament to its quality.

Dragon Quest V's final arc, far from being a mere exception, encapsulates the game's ability to deliver a compelling narrative that touches the heart. As we look ahead to the future of the series, it's not unreasonable to find hope in the potential for further exploration of complex storytelling and character development. In a gaming landscape where meaningful connections are often overshadowed by commercial interests, Dragon Quest V stands as a shining example of what the RPG genre can achieve.

In conclusion, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a masterpiece that showcases the franchise's ability to weave engaging narratives and create endearing worlds. While it may not be exempt from the overarching strategies of game promotion, it remains a stellar experience that leaves players yearning for more. Whether you're a seasoned Dragon Quest enthusiast or a newcomer to the series, this game is an essential addition to any RPG lover's library.

What else can I say other than brutal? DQ3 tried to deliver on a jrpg adventure that felt personal, with the supposed death of your father kicking off your journey as his replacement and living up to his legacy. In my opinion, DQ5 completely destroyed DQ3 in that department. I won’t get into too much detail to keep things fresh for those to come, but the journey immediately feels personal from the intro alone, leading into your own birth and then giving you the reins as a 6 year old boy exploring the world with your father Pankraz. Everything that comes after is a mix of wonder, joy, adventure, cruelty, hatred, and depression.

DQ5 also introduces us to the monster taming mechanic, allowing for numerous team possibilities. The fresh ost was a welcome addition and having party chat built in both enhance the experience so much. And last but not least, I said I wouldn’t get into spoilers but man I can’t get over how the journey and the realizations you come to are scripted. Every DQ looks to both outdo its predecessor and maintain a unique identity, and in my eyes there won’t be a game later down this series life that can outdo or replace the place this game has taken in my heart.

This is one of those games that I love too much to really look at objectively, so I'll only say two things. First, I replayed this on Android and the port was surprisingly well done. It's basically the DS version, but it looks, sounds, and plays incredibly well for a mobile game. Second, I decided to go with a girl other than Bianca for this playthrough and since Nera is boring, I married Debora. It hurt a bit not choosing Bianca, but I'm really glad I went with Debora since her brand of unabashed narcissism is just really fucking funny. If you've played through the game before and went with one of the original girls, I highly recommend doing a Debora run. Her writing is just so different from the norm in Dragon Quest that it makes her stand out more than a character like her would in other games.

While lack of actual party members and basic combat hinders the experience, strong narrative more than makes up for it. Plot itself is basic, but the themes of the story, and memorable moments of it are so good, it doesn't matter in the slighest. A lot of people criticizes Dragon Quest for being "basic" and "generic" but not only it uses it's simplicity on it's favor on the gameplay side by providing a very polished, well paced experience for the entire runtime, it also gives a story with simple, easy to follow plot, but deepens it with complex themes. You can summarize the themes of a lot of complex JRPG plots with a single word. This isn't the case for Dragon Quest 5. Family bonds, growing and maturing through life, learning to move on from your past, and so much more. It's fascinating to analyze a seemingly simple plot, but this is the strenght and essence of Dragon Quest. It's charming and lovely with it's visuals, character designs and music, but doesn't afraid to be bleak and melancholic at times, without feeling jarring or edgy. To me, this is a way bigger accomplishment than being dark and mature for the sake of it

Demorei tanto pra zerar... mas finalmente tá aí.

O jogo é maravilhoso, te pega e te conquista de um jeito mágico, é uma aventura e tanto por um gigantesco mundo de fantasia 2D. Acho fantástico como não só esse jogo mas a franquia Dragon Quest no geral consegue ser tão simples, padrão, mantendo sempre a essência básica de um Jrpg mas mesmo assim consegue ser tão envolvente, tem algo a mais, talvez os personagens que você conhece na jornada, como o mundo inteiro é tão vivo e gostoso de se explorar, a trilha sonora tão épica e digna de um grande herói, e tudo isso é tão acentuado neste título. Tem momentos na história muito bons e tocantes, e é tão satisfatório ver a jornada e o crescimento do protagonista e de seus companheiros, com você criando cada vez mais ódio do vilão, que devo admitir, não tem nada de mais, não chega a ponto de ser fraco, mas não é um vilão realmente marcante. E com o final mostrando cada personagem, com todos aqueles bons momentos se passando novamente pela sua cabeça, parando pra ver o quanto de tempo que você se dedicou nesse jogo tão bom, é uma aventura sem igual, uma das pérolas de Jrpg que já joguei na minha vida, inesquecível.

This is a review I wrote 12 years ago from another site I don't use anymore so am transferring it over for my own memories sake

There are two groups of gamers when it comes to ports and remakes. Those who see the company as milking assets and want to see new titles and those who are grateful to get a second chance to play a title they missed. I fall in the latter where it comes to Dragon Quest games as the first one to be released in Europe was Dragon Quest VIII.

The plot to Hand of the Heavenly Bride spans many years of the hero's life from childhood through to a full adult. Though certainly not pushing boundaries in any way the storyline is full of family moments, drama and twists to keep the game intriguing. Generally speaking the game feels a lot more personal about the hero's life than about any world saving quest which I found slightly different as well as sort of touching in a lot of ways.

The gameplay is essentially the same as it's previous installment Dragon Quest IV though with some minor tweaks to keep things interesting. As you would expect from a Japanese RPG from the SNES era all combat is a turn based affair with character information on the top screen and the enemy and battlefield located on the bottom screen. Dragon Quest V has a nice cast of characters with varying abilities as you would expect but most interesting is the monster recruiting system newly available to the series. Defeating monsters will occasionally have them request to join your party. Each monster has access to certain abilities as they level up and can also be equipped with varying weapons and armour. The variety of enemy types is fantastic and any you aren't using can be stored in monster daycare giving you a large cast to choose from.

Monsters vary from area, dungeon and continent and can gain experience from battles even when not in your main party when traveling with you in your wagon making your party balance far less tedious. I had one monster I kept in the background solely to heal my main party between battles though he still leveled up getting better spells and more MP. Useful needless to say, as it saved my main party's magic for when I needed it most. As just demonstrated Dragon Quest V can be quite tactical and even allows for characters to be given tactics and then just fight on auto allowing for easier enemies to be crushed without constant selection of "attack" over and over.

The visuals are excellent, not just in monster design but also in detail and colour. All the character designs like with all Dragon Quest games to my knowledge were done by Akira Toriyama of Dragonball fame which is fairly obvious by his unique style. The soundtrack has also been enhanced and reworked from the original SNES version and are generally as good as the DS hardware can allow. Overall the presentation is excellent.

The hand of the Heavenly Bride lasts for a good 40+ hours with plenty of hidden items to collect like mini medals, monsters to try and recruit, gambling in casino's as well as some re-playability based on who you choose to marry, one of these ladies is entirely new to the DS version of Dragon Quest V.

So to sum up, Interesting plot, excellent colourful visuals and plenty to do. Dragon Quest V is a perfect example of Japanese RPG's at the peek of their genre and any fan of RPGs or Dragon Quest should really do themselves a favour and pick this game up.

+ Excellent Presentation.
+ Monster Recruiting is excellent.
+ Great value for money.
+ Plot is quite personal.

- Little similar to Dragon Quest IV