- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: Feb 19, 2008
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90Not the long epic DQ adventure people want, can be fun to play while it lasts, but some might not be compelled to play for a while it once it's completed.
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Its great story, wonderful voice acting, and some pretty awesome Wii-mote gameplay make this a pretty good bet for the casual gamer, and who knows, maybe even a hardcore gamer or two as long as they don't mind the simple nature of the game.
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A quite interesting actionadventure. The hack'n'slash-battles are simply entertaining. Too bad the movement is too restricted. [Aug 2008]
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80Still, Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors offers a unique blend of game genres that coalesce together into an interesting game experience. [Mar 2008, p.84]
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A simple but fun on-rails slasher. [May 2008, p.84]
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This won't appeal to everyone, but those willing to put up with tired genre formulas are bound to have some fun. [Mar 2008, p.102]
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73A relatively short game, SWORDS is imminently accessible by gamers of all ages.
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72It’s not an ideal experience on any level: it’s too long as an arcade game, and too short as an RPG, but it’s sure to find a niche--especially by trumpeting the brand it’s built upon.
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70Dragon Quest Swords, despite it's rather unfortunate full name, is an all-round solid title.
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A Wii game that at least goes through the motions of telling a story is something; I suppose half an epic is better than none.
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70If you’re looking for a hardcore, 50+ hour experience, this isn’t it. What DQ Swords brings to the table, however, is an extremely accessible role playing experience that works to capture new gamers in the world of Dragon Quest.
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70If you're looking for an on-rails slasher that is good for 7-10 hours, you will probably enjoy this title. If you’re looking for a full-fledged RPG experience, however, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
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Still, while Dragon Quests Swords isn't exactly epic, it is entertaining overall. [Mar 2008, p.88]
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This is like an indie version of DQ--a sweet little aside between epics. [Mar 2008, p.50]
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The Dragon Quest atmosphere of Dragon Quest Swords only goes so far before you start itching for some gameplay variety (although the visuals never get old).
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70Dragon Quest Swords was originally intended to be a launch game for the Nintendo Wii system and it definitely shows.
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Ideal for anyone looking for a very casual RPG, but DQ Swords will prove far too simple a game for almost anyone else. [Issue#23, p.70]
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70Fans probably won't be bothered by being forced to muck through the multiple load-screens or unskippable cut-scenes, but gamers just here for the action may find these elements too much to bear.
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70It isn’t the prettiest title for the Wii, but if RPGs tickle your fancy, it’s still worth a try.
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The usually reliable series runs aground in a Wii game that's equally diverting and dull. [June 2008, p.70]
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67It works well as a beginner RPG, and even provides a solid, but simple play thru for RPG vets. Just don't expect anything mind blowing or new, and realize that the motion controls aren't quite perfect, and you should have a pretty good time.
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If you can get past the shaky controls and low replay value, you'll have a fun experience, especially if you're a Dragon Quest fanatic. However, if the controls aggravate you, the entire experience is going to be more of a chore than a game.
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65So is Dragon Quest Swords a game you should rush out and purchase on a whim, without thinking about paying your rent or eating for a day or two? I wouldn't go that far, but it certainly is a good diversion for gamers looking for something to sate their gaming tastes.
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65Perhaps the most casual Dragon Quest game to date, TMQATTOM is a case of too little, too late, and is difficult to recommend to anyone but a casual or perhaps younger gamer.
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64While Dragon Quest fans can rejoice in a good game to enjoy, it just doesn’t offer the same kind of quality experience that its roman numeral brethren have pulled off so well.
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60It's a game best recommended to non-RPG fans, those who want a short, light adventure that eschews grinding (until the final area at least) and detailed stat-management for bright character and brevity. But even on these terms, the recommendation is at best a very gentle one.
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60Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is a decent attempt at bringing the Dragon Quest series to a new, much younger or more casual audience while trying to cater for long-time fans.
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60There's just not much to do. The story is dull, the game is short, the voiceovers are horrible and - thanks to the on-rails mechanic - there's nothing to explore. The gameplay is there, but with a total lack of depth, most gamers will get bored in about two hours (if they haven't succumbed to carpal tunnel by then).
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60As an introduction to RPGs Dragon Quest Swords might find an audience, but anyone hoping it will be a proper entry in the hugely popular series will be severely disappointed.
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60With nice presentation values and a generally easy challenge, it isn’t hard to overlook the game's flaws. However the poor design choices and questionable accuracy on the IR aiming really keep this game from coming close to legacy of the main series.
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59Folks who like an epic RPG with many characters, a lot of equipment and a big world to explore should better buy another game. The game dynamics seems to be innovative on the first sight, but after a few hours they turn out to be very confining.
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This is a truly sub-par DQ effort. Genius Sonority managed to spoil "Pokemon Battle Revolution" and they weave that same inept magic here. [JPN Import; Oct 2007, p.64]
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58A sense of antiquation to the whole design reverberates throughout, which some people will enjoy out of nostalgia or for the simplicity compared to modern RPGs; others will be disgusted by what they find to be a regression for the genre.
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It's too poky and awkward to work as a new-age light-gun shooter, too shallow to work as an RPG, and too mediocre to merit attention.[Mar 2008, p.74]
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When a game is this easy, predictable and limited, hardcore gamers are too busy praying for DS versions of the original Dragon Quest games to be bothered with it.
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55This disappointing, bare-bones spin-off has its moments, but not enough of them to make it worth playing.
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55Even when considered as an action-driven arcade game though, the awkwardness of controlling the namesake swords takes too much away from the overall enjoyment.
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55By no means is Dragon Quest Swords a bad game. Rather, it is just too repetitive, simple and shallow to warrant the attention of most gamers.
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You're given the story setup, the potential of the control system, and a sharp visual style....but it comes with training wheels. [Spring 2008, p.50]
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50Most of the gameplay consists of weak slashing attacks, some of which don't read clearly in the heat of combat. The lack of exploration and a solid storyline hurt as well. These Swords dull way too quickly.
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If the main Dragon Quest series is the main course, then Dragon Quests Swords is a frothy aperitif - not enough to fill you up completely, but appetizing enough to get you interested in the next meal.
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42A game that fails to deliver. The visuals and sound are mediocre. The battle system is repetitive and mind-numbing. The level design is linear. The story is confusing and lacks depth.
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40The series had some good games but this latest addition doesn't convince us. The storyline and fighting are simply poor. The movements just aren't right. The developers probably had good idea, we just don't see them in-game.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 3 out of 4
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Mixed: 0 out of 4
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Negative: 1 out of 4
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AndyH.9
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TashaB.3