Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen Image
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80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

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  • Summary: A tale of epic proportions told through a unique chapter sequence that enables players to experience multiple character perspectives. Embark on an adventure with characters from different walks of life, all destined to unite with you, the hero, to save the world. [Square Enix]
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 44
  2. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. Highly recommended, and something that every RPG enthusiast should definitely check out.
  2. 88
    But I can say with confidence that Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is a must-own for nearly all JRPG fans.
  3. All in all, Dragon Quest IV is an excellent addition (or duplicate) to any RPG fan's collection. I recommend checking it out if you missed it the first couple of times as it'll keep you busy until the brand new Dragon Quest IX releases later next year.
  4. 80
    But if you're looking for a good, simple RPG that you can pick up and play without chaining yourself down, you should definitely choose Dragon Quest IV this fall. [Oct 2008, p.91]
  5. The Chapters of the Chosen is a deep, well conceived, measured and expertly delivered title that is as rewarding to play as it is aesthetically pleasing. A title that is both a fascinating glimpse into the past and a wonderful vindication of the importance and durability of solid game design.
  6. Games Master UK
    79
    This adventure isn't perfect, but stick with it and you'll discover another worthy addition to the DS's growing library of RPGs. [Oct 2008, p.72]
  7. 60
    If you have fond memories of it or you are an RPG fanatic, definitely check out this game.

See all 44 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. UltioE.
    Oct 16, 2008
    10
    Many reviews of this game convey certain connotative caveats:
  2. Oct 27, 2010
    9
    It's great to see a remake of a game that is finally stateside! I remember Dragon Quest Seven's graphics and this title must be using the sameIt's great to see a remake of a game that is finally stateside! I remember Dragon Quest Seven's graphics and this title must be using the same engine. DQ IV is very colorful and vibrant and the characters are so well done, I care for each character as they go through their adventures. If you have yet to play a DQ game, this is a very good starting point. Expand
  3. Jul 22, 2020
    9
    ***set game text speed to 1 for quick battles, and there is a setting in "miscellaneous" called 'heal all' that makes a non-equipped character***set game text speed to 1 for quick battles, and there is a setting in "miscellaneous" called 'heal all' that makes a non-equipped character heal everyone quickly!

    Wow what a game. I was not expecting to shed happy tears as the story came to an end. What crunchy combat. What beautifully animated enemies that are surprisingly 3D! Each character has there own prologue chapter that shows what set them on the path of helping you, the main character. This really makes each character feel more alive, and makes the party feel more like a party. No wonder this game is considered a backbone of RPG's as whole!
    Expand
  4. Jan 23, 2012
    9
    Outstanding port of one of my favorite NES games. I was anxiously looking forward to this one when I first heard it announced, and it did notOutstanding port of one of my favorite NES games. I was anxiously looking forward to this one when I first heard it announced, and it did not disappoint. The graphics update was sweet, and the extra post-game content, that much sweeter. The NPC's accents were laid on a bit heavy, but it does give the game a bit more character then it had the first time around. Expand
  5. Jul 25, 2013
    8
    The over-ambitious NES vision is properly realized on the DS with few flaws and great pace. A lengthy but satisfying quest that never takesThe over-ambitious NES vision is properly realized on the DS with few flaws and great pace. A lengthy but satisfying quest that never takes itself too seriously. Expand
  6. Oct 10, 2013
    8
    Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is the first DQ installment on the DS and an enhanced remake of the NES classic Dragon Warrior IVDragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is the first DQ installment on the DS and an enhanced remake of the NES classic Dragon Warrior IV

    Story:
    The story is divided into various chapters, all starring your future party members and their own story or quest, it is unique in a way that you get to know your party members and their personal motives behind it all.

    Eventually you'll get to the part where everyone joins forces and the main hero (you!) get introduced proper, from then onward you'll try and stop a certain Psaro the Manslayer (Who looks kinda like Sephiroth the elf?), who's out to evolve into the ultimate being and rid the world from all evil, after the story is beaten you can replay the ending with a twist, which I won't spoil here. ;-)

    There's some sidequests to be done, like casino games and increasing your frontier town by looking for people interested to move there.

    Gameplay:
    The gameplay is similar to any console-like RPG of it's kind, you train your party members as they gain XP and other stats, talking to people to get clues on where to venture next, defeating monsters to get coins to buy upgraded armor and weapons.

    There is a huge overworld where you to leave town in which you'll be able to ride a ship and even a hot air balloon as you progress trough the story.

    Battles are fought out in a 1st person perspective as you can see your enemies moving and doing their own thing, the pace of these battles you can decide yourself by manually doing everything or letting the AI decide the right course of action, it makes decent decisions and ensures you stay alive, tho I advice doing it manually at boss fights, I usually had the healer controller by the AI with spellcasters under my own command.

    Controls:
    I played this on a 3DS XL and I must say the circle pad was heavenly, as the characters can actually move in 8 directions, but it's really annoying to do on the D-Pad, other then that I have no complaints, everything is mapped to the right button, movement is fluid.

    Graphics:
    It seems to be using the graphic style found in Dragon Quest VII on the PS1, personally I think it has a charm to it, it's a 3D world inhabited by 2D/Sprite characters and objects, still they look quite good.
    I'm assuming it's hit or miss for some people, but it does the job well enough for me.

    Music:
    The music is your typical Dragon Quest kind, it's very melodical with a classical touch to it, some songs are better then others, I very much like the song Homeland, played when your hero traverses the overworld...

    Positives:
    + Charming graphics that capture the Dragon Quest spirit
    + Chapter system, showing you what drove your party members to join your cause
    + The battles are fun and paced to your own desire
    + Able to continue game after beating it with a suprise twist!
    + Some songs are amazing!

    Negatives:
    - Having no circle pad when not on a 3DS, seems annoying to move diagonally
    - While the story is good, it takes a backseat after the main quest starts
    - Some songs are not!

    Conclusion:
    This is an excellent game and Dragon Quest experience on the go, the story while lacking near the end still holds up pretty well to keep you going all the way trough. The battles are good and the overworld is fun to explore.
    Expand
  7. AlexanderO.
    Sep 18, 2008
    4
    The graphics ruined everything for me.

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

18
18
#18 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
18
#18 Most Shared DS Game of 2008