Metascore
84 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 46
  2. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. 100
    DQV is a great RPG just in terms of its mechanics, being built on the series' time-tested fundamentals while throwing in enough improvements to make it feel far fresher than its predecessor. Factor in the game's story, though, and it becomes truly exceptional: an intimate, personal odyssey of a kind rarely seen in this medium.
  2. If you have a Nintendo DS and you love the RPG genre, Dragon Quest V is nowadays one the best options to enjoy the classic gameplay of an epic adventure with a retro taste.
  3. Although it has been ported to the DS, Dragon Quest V is one of the biggest RPGs of all time, and it is certainly an adventure worth taking, even if it has taken more than a decade to be released!
  4. I don't get the opportunity to use the words frequently enough in RPG reviews, but the only fitting description for the reward of grinding your way through Dragon Quest V's story is deep satisfaction.
  5. Also, this game is long. As of press time I wasn't able to beat the thing.
  6. If you own a DS this is one title you must go out and buy and if you do not have a DS go out and buy one for this game as this is certainly by far the single best Role Playing Game on Nintendo’s amazing handheld platform. A near perfect game for RPG fans to enjoy for years to come.
  7. An exceptional DS RPG. [Apr 2009, p.83]
  8. DQ V is a missing link for western gamers, a step forward in RPG design that, when played now, puts many design choices in later works into perspective. And though current titles have built on its innovations in the years since its release, this advancement in storytelling is still captivating now.
  9. Probably my favorite entry into the Dragon Quest series.
  10. It's a deep adventure game full of memorable characters and an epic story. It's a game that takes you on a journey that lasts some twenty years. And best of all, it's a quest you likely have never gone on. For that reason alone, Dragon Quest V is a must-own!
  11. In the meantime, go out and get Dragon Quest V, and enjoy one of the best "lost" RPGs of the Super Nintendo generation.
  12. 89
    Dragon Quest V is a must-play RPG, pure and simple. By extension, that means that Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is also a must-play RPG, though I can’t help but wish we were getting it sooner than 17 years late, and with a bit more fanfare and polish.
  13. 89
    A genre classic. Though its component pieces may be basic, they all conspire together to create an experience that’s the measure of anything to have come out of Square or Enix’s collective stable, and whether you’re a veteran of the series or a debutant, this is a slice of indisputable role-playing perfection - and one of the greatest RPGs the DS has to offer.
  14. 90
    Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is the best DS RPG.
  15. Beautiful and epic RPG fairytale leaves the shores of Japan for the first time to amuse European players. A remake of the historic SNES game is truly a jewel you can't miss.
  16. If you like classic JRPG's, you can't go wrong with this amazing remake of one of the historical landmarks of the genre. Square Enix did a great job by crafting a brilliant re-telling of one of the greatest and most amusing stories ever told in the videogame industry.
  17. It may be 17 years old, but this may just be the best RPG on the DS. You need this.
  18. Dragon Quest V's western debut has been a long time coming but this reshaping of an undisputed genre classic in the form of Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a must for RPG fans.
  19. This new edition of Dragon Quest is with no doubt one of the best RPG titles up to date in the console portfolio. Despite that it is basically an old title, with a very classic game system that doesn't take advantage of the Nintendo DS possibilities, and an improved yet retro technical aspect, nonetheless it was and remains being a milestone in the RPG genre history.
  20. I highly recommend Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride because it's an example of great storytelling, solid gameplay and excellent overall presentation.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. 10
    a game that took a classic and added on few things and made it better. the squel to DQ IV: chapters of the chosen, it takes place a significant time after the previous game but makes refernces and shares a dungeon. the addons are game changing, making it easier to progress in the story and adding a new possible party member. the story is 99% the same. there is a mode for wireless communication but it is local and is basically useless. the story and characters are well done, there is a feature to rotate the camera, and a board game type mini game that gave me much needed armor and weapons. this game is on the list of top ten games I have ever played and I don't see it leaving that list anytime soon. Full Review »
  2. By far one of the best games of the system, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is an example of a JRPG done right. I have nothing bad to say about this game, all of my expectations have been met and exceeded. Full Review »
  3. Dragon Quest V is simply a great game. I can't really compare this DS version to any of its previous versions, but it's clear that the US certainly got a great remake. The story is surprisingly deep, and the mish-mash of 2D sprites and 3D rendered areas look pretty good. Going through the life of the main character really gives a feeling for him, and makes the events that happen have just that much more of an effect, in my opinion. The battle system is straight old-school RPG, so if you're looking for something new and inventive, you won't find it here. It can also be difficult, especially in earlier parts when you don't have static party members. Overall, though, it's a great experience, and a definite recommendation for any RPG fan. Full Review »