My rating for this game is based on the combination of rating it how it would be when it came out vs how it would be today. Most of my considerations are to this game's original design in 1988, although the additional features of this 1996 version are worth noting. So let's take a look at the Seinfeld of JRPGs, Dragon Quest III
The original game that really brought DQ to prominence, and there is a single word that can explain Dragon Quest: Simplicity. The combat system is simple, the story is basic and formulaic (though with a few twists that would be impressive for the time), and yet it's all charming because there's this earnestness to the game that turns any potential eye roll into a smile. Simple and Earnest, what a way to be. The Class system even gives it a drip of depth, thinking about when to change your characters and whatnot.
The game isn't without its frustrations, in combat I wish I could select individual enemies rather than just which group, and there could have been more space to tell me what things did before I used them. Also for its cost and inability to crit, the ability for magic to just miss enemies is frustrating. In fact magic as a whole is inferior to physical in most situations, especially bosses. The one thing I will give the game that I did not expect it to have is that you don't get a Game Over when you die, just go back to the last castle and ask if you want to save. Sure there's still reviving your guys if you need to, but it's far kinder than what I expected.
The world is enjoyable even with its many similar areas, the music and sense of secrets in various nooks and crannies give it a new life. Only downside is Random Encounters were still the norm at the time (Mother 2 and Chrono Trigger being the exceptions) and while that makes me tolerate them more it doesn't mean I like 'em. While it doesn't entirely make up for it, the charming animations of the monsters certainly help. The Orb Quest was particularly notable in exploration, as the game lets go of your hand for you to search this entire world on your own. When you figure something out and it leads to an Orb or a Key it feels great!
Simple and Earnest can go a long way, and DQIII is proof of that.
The original game that really brought DQ to prominence, and there is a single word that can explain Dragon Quest: Simplicity. The combat system is simple, the story is basic and formulaic (though with a few twists that would be impressive for the time), and yet it's all charming because there's this earnestness to the game that turns any potential eye roll into a smile. Simple and Earnest, what a way to be. The Class system even gives it a drip of depth, thinking about when to change your characters and whatnot.
The game isn't without its frustrations, in combat I wish I could select individual enemies rather than just which group, and there could have been more space to tell me what things did before I used them. Also for its cost and inability to crit, the ability for magic to just miss enemies is frustrating. In fact magic as a whole is inferior to physical in most situations, especially bosses. The one thing I will give the game that I did not expect it to have is that you don't get a Game Over when you die, just go back to the last castle and ask if you want to save. Sure there's still reviving your guys if you need to, but it's far kinder than what I expected.
The world is enjoyable even with its many similar areas, the music and sense of secrets in various nooks and crannies give it a new life. Only downside is Random Encounters were still the norm at the time (Mother 2 and Chrono Trigger being the exceptions) and while that makes me tolerate them more it doesn't mean I like 'em. While it doesn't entirely make up for it, the charming animations of the monsters certainly help. The Orb Quest was particularly notable in exploration, as the game lets go of your hand for you to search this entire world on your own. When you figure something out and it leads to an Orb or a Key it feels great!
Simple and Earnest can go a long way, and DQIII is proof of that.