Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

 DS
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies Image
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 65 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 278 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Developed by Level 5 (the developers of "Dragon Quest VIII," "Dark Cloud" and "Rogue Galaxy") Dragon Quest IX unites the key components that made the previous Dragon Quest titles such as success. Horii and Sugiyama are on board to provide their talents as DQIX takes the series in a decidedlyDeveloped by Level 5 (the developers of "Dragon Quest VIII," "Dark Cloud" and "Rogue Galaxy") Dragon Quest IX unites the key components that made the previous Dragon Quest titles such as success. Horii and Sugiyama are on board to provide their talents as DQIX takes the series in a decidedly different direction. For the first time, the DQ franchise has an action-oriented title where battles take place on the field (much like "Crystal Chronicles"). To cap off the presentation, SQEX announced that the game supports four-player multiplayer. [Famitsu/Square Enix]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 65
  3. Negative: 0 out of 65
  1. Cubed3
    Jan 3, 2011
    100
    With Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, Square Enix and Level-5 have delivered what is without doubt one of the most stunning RPG experiences not only on the Nintendo DS, but in existence, full stop.
  2. BigPond GameArena
    95
    Gameplay-wise there is a hell of a lot to do, with the focus primarily being on the endgame - you can still continue playing after beating the final boss and a lot of side quests even require it.
  3. Edge Magazine
    90
    Huge in scope and strong on detail, IX has ironed out the kinks that have made the series less palatable outside Japan, and with Nintendo's support, IX is sure to have the wider impact that the series has craved. [Aug 2010, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. N-Europe
    90
    An epic return for the series that once launched on a Nintendo console, we welcome Dragon Quest back with open arms and embrace it for the being the brilliant title that it is.
  5. GameCritics
    Jan 1, 2011
    85
    This is a really big game for something found on a handheld, an epic yarn that offers up hundreds of hours of gameplay for those willing to invest the time.
  6. GamingExcellence
    82
    What it really comes down to is if you're in the mood for some classic Dragon Quest gameplay, because though the game struggles to add a lot of different aspects to the gameplay such as switching classes and side quests, the most important parts of the game, such as combat, still have that distinctive classic flair.
  7. NZGamer
    75
    There's nothing really special to report in terms of the controls.

See all 65 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. spamtheAbutton
    Sep 9, 2010
    10
    Super addictive game that doesn't get weighed down by inane characters or story. Bright, fun graphics and the ability to personalize yourSuper addictive game that doesn't get weighed down by inane characters or story. Bright, fun graphics and the ability to personalize your characters appearance and skills = instant win. Best game I have played this year!… Expand
  2. Yaacgold24
    May 10, 2022
    10
    The DQ game i've spent most time ever. Truly rich in its gameplay. I hope they will do a remake of this one in the future.
  4. TheVolcano
    Jan 17, 2015
    10
    Dragon Quest IX is my favorite DS Game.
    This is the perfect JRPG. I have 200+ hours of gameplay on this and still haven't finished all the    Dragon Quest IX is my favorite DS Game.
    This is the perfect JRPG. I have 200+ hours of gameplay on this and still haven't finished all the
    sub-quests. It follows the original old-school JRPG Formula, but adds more to it.
    The graphic are one of the best graphics i have seen on the DS, the soundtracks are still into my mind and
    the story was great!
    Every single city has his sub-story which you get involved in.
    The map is huge and on 3 layers, one layer that you can reach by walking, one that
    you can reach by boat and one that you can reach only with...um... a flying train.
    The designer of this game is the legendary Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragonball
    and he worked perfectly on this game.
    It is a shame tat this game is not so famous outside of Japan, where it is the twelve best-selling game
    of ALL TIME.    … Expand
  5. NintendoPlayer1
    Oct 17, 2014
    10
    One of my favorite games! This game is so epic! The Story, the soundtrack... i love it so much!! The charakter designe is like in every DragonOne of my favorite games! This game is so epic! The Story, the soundtrack... i love it so much!! The charakter designe is like in every Dragon Quest Game nice.… Expand
  6. cvgz
    Nov 10, 2011
    9
    One of the best RPGs of the generation and its for the Nintendo DS! The story is very simple compared to past DQs but is still a pleasure toOne of the best RPGs of the generation and its for the Nintendo DS! The story is very simple compared to past DQs but is still a pleasure to play. Lots to do during and after the story is completed.… Expand
  7. Johnny_evil2101
    Jul 13, 2018
    9
    A traditional JRPG that does about everything right. It has the classic turn based combat system that we all know (and most people like/love)A traditional JRPG that does about everything right. It has the classic turn based combat system that we all know (and most people like/love) but it has an edge over the older JRPG's with the new addition of seeing random encounters on the overworld and because of that being able to dodge or attack specific monsters.
    The story is typical dragon quest, yet it has some refined edges around it that make it stand out in the series. Not to mention the sheer size of this game, just the story will take you over 50 hours to complete and none of it will feel like a bore.
    As usual with Dragon quest games: the music Is a piece of art written by the well known Koichi Sugiyama. His music sounds epic and nostalgic without being bloated or pretentious.
    The character designs are great as well, being made by the legendary Akira Toriyama (Dragon ball Z).

    What sets this game apart from the other Dragon quest titles:

    + Enemies visible when out of combat (no more pure random encounters)
    + Massive postgame content in the form of dungeons, weapons and much more (some are download by wi-fi and thus discontinued though)
    + Creatable characters: you create your own character AND companions (choosing their class and appearance)

    - The companions have pretty much no impact on the story since they're self-inserts

    For those new to Dragon Quest:

    - You can create weapons, armor and items by using drops or items that grow in the overworld
    - Turn based combat
    - Great music
    - Long interesting storyline
    -Class system (Warrior, mage, ranger...)

    Would definetly recommend this game to anyone who has played or wants to play a classic JRPG, heck I would recommend this game to just about anyone.    … Expand
  8. Zegram
    Jun 21, 2014
    5
    Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies just doesn't live up to its predecessor. This is mediocrity at its best.

    The story and most    Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies just doesn't live up to its predecessor. This is mediocrity at its best.

    The story and most of the characters are dull for the most part.
    The big draw to this game was supposed to be the four player co-op but I doubt a lot of people actually got to play it that way and as a result you end up with a group of silent protagonists which obviously doesn't help the plot.
    This game really seems to be aimed at a younger audience, nothing wrong with that of course, but it offers close to zero value for a more mature gamer.
    This was one of the few games that might've convinced me to buy a DS but instead it ended up making me take a pass.

    The art style is great but nothing new here since it's just like previous games.
    The only real positive thing about this game is the wide variety of customization options.    … Expand

See all 51 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2010
4
#4 Most Discussed DS Game of 2010
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2010