Dragon Quest VIII is my favorite video game of all time because it contains everything I value in one beautiful package. Many people see DQ as a generic or uninspired series that refuses to evolve, I see the exact opposite. Dragon Quest is pure, it's wondrous, it's cozy, it's immersive, and it's unapologetically memorable. I feel right at home wandering around the towns, I feel like I am truly on an adventure when I get lost in the world, I feel victorious when I outsmart a boss, and I feel like I really got to become friends with the wonderful cast. This game is packed with so many moments that I can think back on fondly, it's got arguably the best soundtrack in video game history, and there are few things as addictive as leveling up my skills to learn a new spell or ability. I don't usually write reviews more than a couple of sentences, but for a game like this, it doesn't do it justice to skim over the impact it left on me. I have played more jrpgs than I can count at this point, but none have me sitting there reminiscing about my past adventures like DQ8 does. Absolutely perfect in every way. This is the type of game that has me reaching for my 3ds just to walk around and listen to the music and party chat with my companions months and months after the credits roll. Lots of games leave an impact on me, but this is one where I can say I don't think my life would be the same if it never crossed paths with me