[Update: We're hearing grumblings that Dragon Quest X may require you to have your console connected to the internet for the majority of the game's running time, even if you're playing single player. More on this as we get it.]
The first footage and details on Dragon Quest X were announced last night. Those of you with ADD, I hope you took your Adderall this morning, because there is a lot of info here.
First up is the announcement that the game follows the MMO-style structure of like Dragon Quest IX, though the game will feature a "huge story", and it's possible to play it to 100% completion off-line. Online does sound like it will be the focus though. You can see other players battling online that aren't in your party, gain fame from other players who use weapons and armor in battle, and even let other players use your character when you're not playing. Like Tony told you last night, there also be new quests added online post launch like in Dragon Quest IX. All this will require Wii owners to use additional USB storage in order to play the game, or they can wait for the enhanced Wii U version to be released at a later date. The Wii U version will be 100% online compatible with the Wii version, so early adopters wont be punished. On top of all that, the game also has 3DS Streetpass compatibility. The game is set for release in 2012, though there will be a online Beta beforehand.
This sounds like the perfect Wii U game, as most families aren't going to be too psyched about having the living room TV monopolized by little Jimmy (or Satsuke) playing Dragon Quest for +100 hours.
See the ten minute presentation for the game after the jump, and more details below via GoNintendo.
Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer.
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Gotta say, I'm a bit disappointed. From the small nuggets of info I heard, I thought we were getting another DQ8, a proper, turn based, story focused classic JRPG.
They say story is still a large part but it won't be the same at all tbh. Especially any form of character development.
Can SE just try and give us one more classic JRPG that isn't a remake?
@ Static Jak- You're too negative! There is no reason why the game can't have character development as well as heavy character customization and online features.
Anyway, we've got our story focused JRPG bases covered with Xenoblade, at least for the moment, right?
Honestly I am pretty happy about this game if it takes IX and makes everything better. Better story, better quests, better characters, same turn based combat and the ability to play it offline and be able to access all the content just like IX.
Watched the stream last night and loved it. I'm looking forward to buying it with my WiiU. The only thing that worries me is the battle system, especially for players who don't play online and have to work with an AI controlled party.
@Jonathan Holmes - I just can't stand MMO style gameplay tbh. It just puts me off ever since Final Fantasy went a similar route with 11.
I can't really see how they can have real defined character development when most (party members) will probably be either custom characters or online players.
Like, say DQ8, most characters had strong ties to the actual story and the other characters involved. While this could go the route of a disconnect between the characters and the story that always pulls me out of the experience.
I'm just a bit bummed out about this right now. It's been soo long since I've played a classic like DQ8 that I was hoping to see a return to form. And this really wasn't what I was hoping for.
I'm sure there's a big audience that will love this but I don't think I'm part of that group.
To add something positive, I like the art style and music. Always have with DQ.
@ Static Jak- Well they managed to have character development with Mass Effect, despite a highly customizable lead and a variable cast of part members, so it's possible. It could be that the main story only involves your lead and NPCs, and that the other characters are just hired help "extras", but it doesn't have to be that way.
@Jonathan Holmes - Well, Mass Effect had set characters that were a part of the story, had narrative and so on.
A lot of the time I find the lead in RPGs of any kind are dull or blank slates. Mostly for you to fill that role and make of it what you will.
It's the other characters I'm worried about. I can't imagine single player party members like Yangus, king Trode and the other party members mixing in well with what seems to be a largely focus, MMO style RPG.
For me, it's the characters that make up a large hunk of JRPGs. Memorable characters make for a memorable game. DQ8 had a pretty basic story but the characters really fleshed it out for me.
If it's only basic, customizable characters to fill in the missing slots of online players, I feel like a large chunk of what I like about this series is gone.
I still won't dismiss the game completely though. It's still early days and they might show more that grabs my attention. Just that first impressions haven't been great for me.
It just feels JRPG titles like this and FF are jumping off of the genre to grab something else, leaving a nice little hole in my favourite genre. Maybe it's a spot that smaller studios (and hey maybe indie devs eventually) will take advantage of.
Sounds like DQIX with updated graphics and such. RIGHT UP MY STREET!!! I can't wait for this. Questing at Best Buy and Gamestop events with other adventurers was seriously some of my favorites gaming times of late. :) And getting new grotto maps just by walking around malls and such?? Awesome. I need more people who share my interests IRL. :(
@Static Jak
Dragon Quests III and IX both had customizable, personality-less characters and they still managed to be fantastic JRPGs by focusing on developing NPC characters. I don't think it will matter that much once X comes along.
Well, it does look pretty good so far but I really hope that they are not going to focus too much on the online aspect. I still want the option to play the game completely offline and dont want to miss an epic storym character developement etc.
DQ IX was very good although your party members had no personalitiy at all, but it wasnt as awesome as DQ VIII was ;) Dont screw up that one, Enix!
I like that early adopters won't be penalized, but I can't get around the fact that I'll need USB storage to fully enjoy the game at a later date. I think I'll hold out for the Wii U release. Having that tablet to take with me if my friend wants the TV will be cool, as well.
Jesus, if you're gonna reference the brand name of a pharmaceutical and not the drug name [mixed amphetamine salts], at LEAST spell Adderall right. "addarol", hahaha.
You're writing articles that are showing up on the front page of Destructoid, I'd think you'd do a little research.
[doesn't read article because of terrible lack-of-care]
@ Jon kinney
Now that you have corrected him. Do you feel better about yourself? The grammar and spelling police online are a joke. Get a fucking life. Mr Holmes is the best reason to be on this site. Respect mother fucker respect.
"it's possible to play it to 100% completion off-line"
This was not said at the press release. They said "It's possible to play it to 100% completion single player using AI allies." That's not the same thing at all.
And according to andriasang, http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/09/06/dqx_offline_play/ , only the first few hours can be played offline. (Their source is the dqx support page, addressing this very question.)
I'm not a fan of MMO style games, but I think I'll be checking this out. Dragon Quest, while not my favorite JRPG series, is fun enough that I'd be willing to play online. The fact that it's also coming to the Wii U is interesting too since I'm curious to see what changes Nintendo made with their online infrastructure, if they made any changes at all.
Actaully, you can't play it to 100% completion offline according to GoNintendo. Also, this is the first Squarenix in-house developed Dragon Quest. No more Level 5 guys... That really concerns me.
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Contest:
9:40 AM on 09.05.2011 | 
They say story is still a large part but it won't be the same at all tbh. Especially any form of character development.
Can SE just try and give us one more classic JRPG that isn't a remake?
All I need to know
This is a turn based story focused classic jrpg with an mmo quest system.
Whatever it turns out to be, right now it looks awesome in my book. Can't wait for the Wii version!
Anyway, we've got our story focused JRPG bases covered with Xenoblade, at least for the moment, right?
DQ IX was the highest selling DQ ever in japan. What were they suppose to do?
They smell money , so they are using the same systems as IX but making everything better.
It sounds fine to me.
I can't really see how they can have real defined character development when most (party members) will probably be either custom characters or online players.
Like, say DQ8, most characters had strong ties to the actual story and the other characters involved. While this could go the route of a disconnect between the characters and the story that always pulls me out of the experience.
I'm just a bit bummed out about this right now. It's been soo long since I've played a classic like DQ8 that I was hoping to see a return to form. And this really wasn't what I was hoping for.
I'm sure there's a big audience that will love this but I don't think I'm part of that group.
To add something positive, I like the art style and music. Always have with DQ.
Guess we'll find out soon enough!
A lot of the time I find the lead in RPGs of any kind are dull or blank slates. Mostly for you to fill that role and make of it what you will.
It's the other characters I'm worried about. I can't imagine single player party members like Yangus, king Trode and the other party members mixing in well with what seems to be a largely focus, MMO style RPG.
For me, it's the characters that make up a large hunk of JRPGs. Memorable characters make for a memorable game. DQ8 had a pretty basic story but the characters really fleshed it out for me.
If it's only basic, customizable characters to fill in the missing slots of online players, I feel like a large chunk of what I like about this series is gone.
I still won't dismiss the game completely though. It's still early days and they might show more that grabs my attention. Just that first impressions haven't been great for me.
It just feels JRPG titles like this and FF are jumping off of the genre to grab something else, leaving a nice little hole in my favourite genre. Maybe it's a spot that smaller studios (and hey maybe indie devs eventually) will take advantage of.
Now I'm officially buying a Wii U.
Dragon Quests III and IX both had customizable, personality-less characters and they still managed to be fantastic JRPGs by focusing on developing NPC characters. I don't think it will matter that much once X comes along.
DQ IX was very good although your party members had no personalitiy at all, but it wasnt as awesome as DQ VIII was ;) Dont screw up that one, Enix!
You're writing articles that are showing up on the front page of Destructoid, I'd think you'd do a little research.
[doesn't read article because of terrible lack-of-care]
Now this gives me a bit of a trouble though. Confusions... Which one should i go with ? wii version or wiiU? :D
Now that you have corrected him. Do you feel better about yourself? The grammar and spelling police online are a joke. Get a fucking life. Mr Holmes is the best reason to be on this site. Respect mother fucker respect.
Are you mad because a spelling teacher fucked your girl?
Dude.
...by so much Dragon Quest.
This was not said at the press release. They said "It's possible to play it to 100% completion single player using AI allies." That's not the same thing at all.
And according to andriasang, http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/09/06/dqx_offline_play/ , only the first few hours can be played offline. (Their source is the dqx support page, addressing this very question.)
How is that not the same thing? You use AI allies offline without ever touching an internet connection. That's 100% offline.
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/09/06/dqx_offline_play/
Now when people say "Who pissed in your cornflakes?", I can say "Everyone, thanks to Square-Enix!"