11,286
edits
Dragon Quest IX: Difference between revisions
cleaned up a little, added lots of multiplayer info
Adan Aileron (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
FlyingRagnar (talk | contribs) (cleaned up a little, added lots of multiplayer info) |
||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies''''' (''Hoshizora no Mamoribito'', ''ドラゴンクエストIX 星空の守り人'') is the ninth installment of the main [[Dragon Quest]] series, and the first to be initially released on a handheld console. The game was released on July 11, 2009 in Japan. | '''''Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies''''' (''Hoshizora no Mamoribito'', ''ドラゴンクエストIX 星空の守り人'') is the ninth installment of the main [[Dragon Quest]] series, and the first to be initially released on a handheld console. The game was released on July 11, 2009 in Japan. It will be released in July 2010 in both North America and Europe. | ||
==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
Dragon Quest IX continues the Dragon Quest tradition of turn-based combat, but is much harder than its previous titles. The game allows players to have a cooperative wireless multiplayer experience with up to four players | Dragon Quest IX continues the Dragon Quest tradition of turn-based combat, but is much harder than its previous titles. The game allows players to have a cooperative wireless multiplayer experience with up to four players. | ||
The game includes a quest system. Quests serve as side-stories helping non-player characters around the game's world. Multiple quests can be performed simultaneously with some even interlocking and unlocking various stages in fellow quests. Early quests include gathering magical spring water, slaying monsters and stealing for a fellow thief. Unlike previous Dragon Quest installments, Dragon Quest IX contains many open ended mini-quests. Upon completion of the quests, a "Quest List log," serving as an in-game achievement list. | The game includes a quest system. Quests serve as side-stories helping non-player characters around the game's world. Multiple quests can be performed simultaneously with some even interlocking and unlocking various stages in fellow quests. Early quests include gathering magical spring water, slaying monsters and stealing for a fellow thief. Unlike previous Dragon Quest installments, Dragon Quest IX contains many open ended mini-quests. Upon completion of the quests, a "Quest List log," serving as an in-game achievement list. | ||
| Line 31: | Line 30: | ||
* The touch screen will be used for inputting commands during battle | * The touch screen will be used for inputting commands during battle | ||
* Real time map like to ''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]'' | * Real time map like to ''[[Dragon Quest VIII]]'' | ||
==Multiplayer== | |||
Dragon Quest IX features various forms of multiplayer using the Nintendo DS's built in wireless. There are 3 different modes. | |||
=== Co-op Mode === | |||
Co-op mode consists of up to 4 DS systems linking together using local wireless (similar to Pictochat) to play together. The 3 guests join the host system's world and can go anywhere which the host has explored. Guests are not required to stay with the host, but rather can wander wherever they like. Battles can be fought as a group with the host having the ability to summon the other players into a battle using the 'Call to Arms' command. Guest players are given a special 'Watchers Wing' item which allows them to teleport back to the inn where wireless can be exited. Players can leave multiplayer at any time by speaking to [[Pavo]] at [[Quester's Rest]]. | |||
=== Wifi Shop === | |||
Dragon Quest IX features an online wifi shop which can be accessed from Quester's Rest. This shop sells items and treasure maps which the player can purchase. The contents of the shop vary each week from player to player, so 2 different players will likely have different items for sale each week. Nintendo and Square have used the shop to distribute special bonuses such as bonus party members from past games ([[Hassan]] from Dragon Quest VI) and treasure maps which lead to caves featuring past bosses ([[Zoma]], [[Dragonlord]]). The wifi shop can be accessed by talking to [[Sellma]] at Quester's Rest. | |||
The wifi shop is the only multiplayer mode that uses WAN internet rather than the DS-to-DS wireless. | |||
=== Tag Mode === | |||
Tag Mode is Dragon Quest IX's passive wireless mode which is active only when the DS is placed into sleep mode. Tag mode is activated by speaking to [[Erinn]] at Quester's Rest and selecting the 'Canvass for guests' option. While in tag mode, Dragon Quest IX looks for other Dragon Quest IX games and exchanges data with them. | |||
When data is exchanged, a clone of the main character from each game is placed in the other player's Quester's Rest. This cloned character holds an item which can then be received by talking to him/her. The clone then continues to stay in the upper floors of Quester's Rest unless dimissed by the player. Using tag mode like this, players can exchange various items including equipment and treasure maps with other Dragon Quest IX players. | |||
Tag mode is wildly popular in Japan, breaking several records for most players communicating wirelessly while playing a video game. Treasure maps in particular are highly sought after as some are extremely rare with special items/equipment, while others contain excellent enemies for building levels. Tag mode, however, is dependent on the number of other Dragon Quest IX players using tag mode in any local area. | |||
==Development== | ==Development== | ||
| Line 44: | Line 60: | ||
===Japan=== | ===Japan=== | ||
Dragon Quest IX shipped with over 2 million pre-order sales. While the official release date for Dragon Quest IX was July 11, 2009, some retailers had already shipped orders; one such dealer asked its customers to not play the game until the official release date. In spite the large number of pre-orders and additional release shipments by Square-Enix, lines still formed for the release. Within a two period the title had sold 2,318,932 copies out of an estimated 3 million copies that had been shipped. Some analyst say that 3 million may be too conservative and expect 5 million copies sold in Japan alone with large overseas sales expectations that could break previous Dragon Quest sales records. The sale is the largest post 2000 debut week sale which was previously held by the former title, Dragon Quest VIII. | Dragon Quest IX shipped with over 2 million pre-order sales. While the official release date for Dragon Quest IX was July 11, 2009, some retailers had already shipped orders; one such dealer asked its customers to not play the game until the official release date. In spite the large number of pre-orders and additional release shipments by Square-Enix, lines still formed for the release. Within a two period the title had sold 2,318,932 copies out of an estimated 3 million copies that had been shipped. Some analyst say that 3 million may be too conservative and expect 5 million copies sold in Japan alone with large overseas sales expectations that could break previous Dragon Quest sales records. The sale is the largest post 2000 debut week sale which was previously held by the former title, Dragon Quest VIII. | ||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||