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Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 45 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 14 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: ArtePiazza

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: February 16, 2009

Summary

This entry in the Zenithia Trilogy follows a journey that transcends three generations. Travel alongside your father on his quest to see the world, grow to set forth on a journey of your own and face life-altering decisions as you continue your family’s legacy. [Square Enix]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

1UP

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.

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100

Gaming Age

Probably my favorite entry into the Dragon Quest series.

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Cheat Code Central

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!

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GameFocus

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.

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Game Revolution

Also, this game is long. As of press time I wasn't able to beat the thing.

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Gaming Nexus

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!

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Worth Playing

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.

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Kombo

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is the best DS RPG.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

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.

Pocket Gamer UK

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.

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Destructoid

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.

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Multiplayer.it

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.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

It may be 17 years old, but this may just be the best RPG on the DS. You need this.

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Games Radar (in-house)

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.

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3DJuegos

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.

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IGN

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.

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IGN UK

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.

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GamingTrend

In the meantime, go out and get Dragon Quest V, and enjoy one of the best "lost" RPGs of the Super Nintendo generation.

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Vandal Online

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.

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Games Master UK

An exceptional DS RPG. [Apr 2009, p.83]

RPG Fan

After playing this game, and taking time to weigh out all the good and bad in this review, the only thing left for me to say is this: "I can't wait for Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie!" Let's hope Square Enix does another excellent job localizing that one as well, so we'll have a wonderful, complete trilogy for the Nintendo DS.

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NintendoWorldReport

Dragon Quest V is a fantastic RPG. While this conservative update is still mired by old-fashioned game mechanics, the fifth entry in the fabled series is carried by its unique story structure and the once-innovative and still engaging monster collection. It is highly recommended to all RPG fans, but newcomers to the genre should cut their teeth elsewhere.

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Nintendo Power

It's done a beautiful job of preserving the game's soulful story. [Mar 2009, p.90]

GameSpot

Dragon Quest V’s compelling North American debut offers a gripping story and enthralling gameplay.

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Meristation

This game takes what it needs to become one of the greatest RPGs of the Dual Screen, with a superb story that pushes everything what we've seen so far beyond the limits. Its not the perfect Dragon Quest though,with too many combats and a weak monster system that still have to prove its real value. We'll be looking forward to DQVI.

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Gamer 2.0

This is one of the few RPG’s that truly make the player feel like he or she is playing the role of the hero, and it’s seriously been a while since an RPG has had that kind of impact.

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GameZone

Dragon Quest fans shouldn’t miss out on finally playing Dragon Quest V for the first time in America.

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Gamers.at

Fans of RPGs and especially Dragon Quest can give this one a go without further hesitation. Everyone else should probably give it a more thorough thought as the missing story and some strange decisions concerning the design, like the saving system and the grouped monsters, may give you a hard time.

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Edge Magazine

Seasoned with tragedy and humour, it’s a poignant tale that courts cliché but which, thanks to its charm and creative twists on well-worn themes, represents one of the narrative high points of the series. [Apr 2009, p.123]

G4 TV

The game’s only real misstep comes in the character Sancho – a friend of the hero’s family who speaks in a shameful caricature of a Mexican accent. Luckily, these slimy moments are scarce and nowhere near nasty enough to ruin such an engaging, delightful, and expertly crafted game.

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GamePro

Painful level grinding aside, Dragon Quest V is a fantastic, innovative experience.

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VideoGamer

If you love early 90s JRPGs, or loved The Chapters of the Chosen, then you'll be fine, and will easily sink a good 30 hours of your life into the game. If the idea of random battles, saving only at far away points and sink or swim gameplay gives you the fear, however, steer clear. Get the more accessible Chrono Trigger instead.

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Gamer.nl

Dragon Quest V shows a lot of similarities with Dragon Quest IV. What makes this title a little bit better than Dragon Quest IV is its storyline. The gameplay tweaks just add up to an already terrific concept. That's why Dragon Quest V scores better than its predecessor.

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Game Positive

If you haven't experienced a Dragon Quest title before now, this is the game to begin with.

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Total Video Games

This is a fantastic well crafted adventure with an epic story and plenty of aspects to keep you busy for a long time indeed.

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Eurogamer

It's a game that boasts an indisputable wider significance - but today, it's worthwhile primarily because it's a joyfully innocent fable, albeit one whose impact lies in the telling more than in the tale.

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NGamer UK

Another strong offering for RPG fans to sink their teeth into, with some great graphical updates, but be warned: this is two parts work, one part play.

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Game Informer

Old-school fanatics should enjoy the gorgeous audio and visuals, but beware the slow crawl to victory. [Mar 2009, p.94]

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InsideGamer.nl

This remake of the fifth part of the Dragon Quest series is a game which does what’s it’s supposed to do. It is a good game, but it could have been a lot better. The battle system works and the training of monsters is also very recognizable. Nevertheless, you still get the feeling it could have been more innovative. We do like the story, because it keeps you going. Whenever you feel like putting down your DS, you still want to know what is going to happen next. Dragon Quest isn’t as good as Chrono Trigger, but it’s still a fun game to play.

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AceGamez

When compared to other Square-Enix remakes of late, such as Final Fantasy IV and Star Ocean: First Departure, Dragon Quest: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride just feels far too archaic.

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Teletext GameCentral

There's a lot to admire in this role-playing classic, but still just as much to infuriate and bore.

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n-Revolution Magazine UK

Great for those who haven't played the original, not so thrilling for those who have. [Issue#26, p.81]

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RPGamer

There are a few things done unusually well in this specific title, namely a story the player should actually care about, an even and consistent pace that was missing in Dragon Quest IV, less need to level grind, a party-forming mechanic that gives the player several diverse options to consider, and an overall experience that develops and changes over the course of the game, flowing naturally with the plot and maintaining a fresh feel for the battle system.

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Cynamite

The age of this game is way too obvious. After 15 years the dungeons seem too small and the story is not spectacular. But training monsters to fight alongside your party is still fun!

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D+PAD Magazine

Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a solid, old-school adventure with the same problems and delights that any title from the period has. If you’re supporter of the series or just a sucker for this type of action, then you probably won’t be disappointed. But for the rest of you, HotHB does nothing that will change your stubborn opinions.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Wallid K gave it a9:
WOW. This game is a lot of fun. I played a fan translation of this game awhile back, and despite its archaic look, it was a lot of fun. Now, 17 years later, this game has been improved on so much that it feels fresh again. There's a casino, new monsters to catch, and even a new bride to choose from! The only problem I had with this game is that most battles require little to no strategy and you just need to click "Attack" a lot of the time. besides that, if you liked DQIV or RPGs in general, I suggest that you pick this one up.

Matthew gave it an8:
Quite an impressive remake of an already great game from the SNES era. Simple yet deep gameplay abound, if a little bit on the old school side (not that ; as expected of the granddaddy of Jrpgs. The only real drawback is the localization, which changes the original names of characters to suit a certain pun, to reference something or someone, or, in quite a few cases, no reason whatsoever. This of course is small compared to the script itself, which is just littered with butchered English that substitutes for accents were the game actually using voice acting, which it and almost all other games of the series do not have (VIII being the exception only due to the localization it received when being brought overseas, and even then it only had European accents, unlike V's ridiculous attempt at a Mexican, Hick, and even, for god only knows reasons, a Ned Flanders accent). This doesn't just make the lines harder to read than necessary and making the game harder to access for newer gamers, it also takes any seriousness from the games scenes away due to the needless attempt to bring humor to the game and makes what should be a simple sentence that can be read in a few seconds a chore, not to mention that it resulted in changing certain characters personalities for little to no reason (besides, last I checked people with natural accents don't spell the way they speak). Despite the rather glaring flaws in the localization, the game is still really good. Next time, however, I hope that Square Enix's US localization team realizes that needless changes to the games script can be more harmful to the overall product than they realize and look unprofessional at the same time. Also, they should keep in mind that a good localization is to be simple, accurate, and have little changed.

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Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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