Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

 3DS
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 146 Ratings

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  • Summary: Uncover the story of the Cursed King as you save the world from a twisted magician in this genre-defining role-playing game. Across the vast world you'll wage turn-based battles against more than 250 monsters designed by famed artist Akira Toriyama. As you level up, upgrade your warriors'Uncover the story of the Cursed King as you save the world from a twisted magician in this genre-defining role-playing game. Across the vast world you'll wage turn-based battles against more than 250 monsters designed by famed artist Akira Toriyama. As you level up, upgrade your warriors' skills to learn mighty attacks. Untold possibilities await. After setting off into the unknown, you'll find monsters roaming the field—these are no mere random encounters. There's a satisfying rhythm to traveling, fighting monsters, earning items, crafting something useful with them using an alchemy Pot, and returning to battle, stronger than ever. To some, it's pitch-perfect RPG gameplay, complete with additional content outside the main storyline. In the Monster Arena, you'll form and battle teams of monsters to climb the ranks. It's but one of many features that makes this RPG a classic among classics. [Nintendo.com]… Expand
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Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Official Trailer 2

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. Gaming Age
    Feb 6, 2017
    100
    The story is exciting and fun, plus the characters are very memorable. Dragon Quest VIII is a must-have for JRPG fans and should earn a permanent place on your HOME screen.
  2. COGconnected
    Jan 24, 2017
    90
    Dragon Quest piles on the enhancements in the 3DS version, and these tiny improvements are so numerous, that Dragon quest VIII feels far less dated than an RPG over a decade old should feel.
  3. RPG Fan
    Mar 13, 2017
    90
    Dragon Quest VIII is a JRPG-lover's JRPG that holds up fantastically more than a decade after its original release on the PlayStation 2. It may do nothing to change your mind if you're not a fan of the genre's tried and true formula, but every JRPG fan owes it to themselves to check out this classic.
  4. IGN
    Jan 10, 2017
    88
    Dragon Quest VIII was one of the finest JRPGs upon its initial release and it manages to retain that lofty status through this 3DS edition. Its adherence to the traditional rules of the genre is where it pulls its strength from, the familiarity of the template allowing the design team to worry about making sure each element is as good as it can possibly can be.
  5. Wccftech
    Jan 11, 2017
    85
    Dragon Quest VIII is hailed as a classic, and rightly so. Dragon Quest VIII on 3DS is a great place for new fans to jump on, as well as a perfect way for those who played it to relive a classic – and on the go, too. One of the PS2’s very best JRPGs is back, and it hasn’t aged a day.
  6. Vooks
    Apr 6, 2017
    80
    Occasionally, the gameplay changes up by throwing different mechanics every now and then, including one section where you assume control of a hamster to explore small nooks and crannies. However, these sections just feel tacked on and the hamster section felt fiddly and imprecise to control on the 3DS. These sections are irregular, allowing the focus to remain solely on the solid RPG mechanics.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Jan 30, 2017
    60
    Dragon Quest VIII‘s almost random plot and character moments carry complex emotional weight.

See all 58 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. DeviousB
    Feb 19, 2020
    10
    Very addictive, rewarding and deep. The voice acting, story, art and graphics are top notch. Just what I was looking for, 11/10 must play.
  2. Justos91
    Sep 18, 2019
    10
    I was really impressed at what they managed to get running on the 3ds hardware. I never played this as a kid or anything, but i can reallyI was really impressed at what they managed to get running on the 3ds hardware. I never played this as a kid or anything, but i can really appreciate it as is now. Beautiful game, great music, and story that touches on so many human topics. Just lovely.… Expand
  4. Electabuzz26
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Excellent game. Couldn't be more sublime. Every single aspect, playability, and graphics, are excellent. Loving this game more every day.
  5. YasmineEva
    Mar 12, 2017
    9
    Loved the original on PS2 so I definitely felt a need to pick this us. Definitely one of my favorite games to play on the DS. I've beenLoved the original on PS2 so I definitely felt a need to pick this us. Definitely one of my favorite games to play on the DS. I've been playing this non stop on my commute to work.… Expand
  6. otakon17
    Jan 21, 2017
    9
    As someone who played the original release of this game on the PS2 over 10 years ago now, I might be a little biased. Hell I still have myAs someone who played the original release of this game on the PS2 over 10 years ago now, I might be a little biased. Hell I still have my copy of the game and the memory card of my final save after besting the absolute final boss, the only thing left to do in the game being reach level 100 with every character. I've enjoyed Dragon Quest games for years and this re-release is no different.
    The graphics take a bit of of a hit when coming to the 3DS however it's still a good looking game with very smooth animations both in the overworld and in battles. There are a host of "convenience" changes like when you level up you fully heal and encounters are now represented by monsters on the field and in dungeons. The sound is still enjoyable, the voice acting just as punny as it was in the original with little loss of sound quality despite being jammed on a 3DS card. The story is fairly simple and most folks who get this will have owned it originally. I highly recommend this for RPG lovers.    … Expand
  7. davila
    Feb 20, 2017
    9
    It was one of the best jrpg in PS2 and still it's one of the best 3DS games. The narrative is perfect. The new additions are pretty good too.It was one of the best jrpg in PS2 and still it's one of the best 3DS games. The narrative is perfect. The new additions are pretty good too. It's not a remake but this version has a better gameplay than the PS2 version. All is perfect 11 years later. A great DQ and one of the best 3DS games.… Expand
  8. gmanxp
    Jan 31, 2017
    8
    An excellent port of a good game:

    Pros: +Random Encounters are replaced with enemies in the world +Voice Acting is present +Great use of    An excellent port of a good game:

    Pros:
    +Random Encounters are replaced with enemies in the world
    +Voice Acting is present
    +Great use of the second screen (Maps, Player Information, Icons, etc.)
    +Runs with no slowdown (For reference, I've been playing for about 30 hours. I would normally not post a score for a game that I haven't finished, however I've played through the PS2 version and can say that the bulk of the game is the same.)

    Cons:
    -Draw Distance is pretty bad (Unfortunately, this is to be expected for a 3DS game.)
    -No orchestrated sound track (This makes no sense, considering the Japanese version of the game has the orchestrated soundtrack, which is far better than the MIDI versions present in this version. The exclusion doesn't make sense in any way; the orchestrated soundtrack was made for the Western audience in the original PS2 version. There is a way to get around this if you have a modded 3DS [which luckily I do, so I was able to take advantage of this], however I can't contribute this workaround to the overall score of the game. Also, let me be clear that I performed the mod using a purchased copy of the game.)

    Overall, I would have much preferred an HD Remaster of DQVIII, however I can't deny that the 3DS version is still a great way to play the game. With this title and many other games coming to the 3DS this year, it's going to be a good while before I'll have to buy a Nintendo Switch.    … Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best 3DS Game of 2017
14
#14 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
9
#9 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017