Dragon Quest Monsters: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox VG
''This is an article on the spin-off series '''Dragon Quest Monsters''' by [[Enix]]/[[Square Enix]].  For the first title in this series, see [[Dragon Warrior Monsters]]''.
|type=Spinoff games
 
|title=Dragon Quest Monsters
{{seriesinfobox
|image=[[Image:DQM.jpg|300px]]
|title = Dragon Quest Monsters
|developer=[[TOSE]]
|image =
|publisher={{vgrelease|JP=[[Enix]]}}{{vgrelease|NA=Enix/[[Eidos Interactive]]}}
|genre = monster catching/breeding
|designer=[[Yuji Horii]]
|publisher = [[Enix]] (prior to April 1, 2003)<br>[[Square Enix]] (after April 1, 2003)
|series=''[[Dragon Quest Monsters]]''
|developer =  
|engine=
|creators = [[Yūji Horii]], [[Akira Toriyama]], [[Koichi Sugiyama]]  
|released={{vgrelease|JP=September 25, 1998}}{{vgrelease|NA= December 31, 1999|vgrelease|EU= 1999}}
|duration = 1998 - present
|genre=[[Wikipedia:Console role-playing game|Console role-playing game]]
|sales = 6,472,912+
|modes=[[Wikipedia:Single-player|Single-player]], [[Wikipedia:multiplayer game|multiplayer]]
|websites =  
|ratings={{vgratings|ESRB=E (Everyone)|ELSPA=3+}}
|platforms=[[Game Boy Color]], [[mobile phone]]s
|media=16 megabit [[Game Boy Color]] [[Wikipedia:Cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]], backwards compatible with [[Game Boy]]
|requirements=
|input=
}}
}}
'''Dragon Quest Monsters''' ('''Dragon Warrior Monsters''' when brought to the states) is a spinoff game in the ''[[Dragon Quest (series)|Dragon Quest]]'' series.


Whereas most game in the series focus on the adventures of a [[Hero]] rising up against the forces of darkness, ''DWM'' is the much smaller-scale story of a little boy and girl, [[Terry]] and [[Milayou]], the heroes of ''[[Dragon Quest VI]]'', when they were just small children. It opens with Milayou's kidnapping by an evil creature called [[Warubou]], after which another called [[Watabou]] appears, explains the situation, and starts Terry off on his quest to rescue his sister.
'''Dragon Quest Monsters''' (ドラゴンクエストモンスターズ ''Doragon Kuesuto Monsutāzu'') or '''Dragon Warrior Monsters''', as it was first known in North America, is a spin-off series of the ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' games. Published by [[Enix Corporation]] until the merger with Square, newer titles have since been published by [[Square Enix]].  ''Dragon Quest Monsters'' sets the player in a medieval/fantasy world filled with magic, monsters and knights, yet unlike the original ''Dragon Quest'' games, the player's character doesn't do any of the fighting in battles; instead the player has to rely on capturing, breeding and raising monsters to do the fighting for them. The concept originated from monster catching introduced when ''[[Dragon Quest V]]'' was released in 1992. The character and monster designs are by ''Dragon Ball'' creator, [[Akira Toriyama]].
 
== Games ==
=== Dragon Warrior Monsters (1998) ===
''see also: [[Dragon Warrior Monsters]]''
 
The first title in the series was released in Japan on September 25, 1998 (as ''Dragon Quest Monsters'')[1] and in North America in December 1999.[2] It was released for the Game Boy Color before the console itself was released, however the cartridge was backward-compatible with the older Game Boy in black-and-white.


''DWM'' took the monster-recruitment elements of ''[[Dragon Quest V]]'' and expanded upon them, also borrowing a few mechanics from the ''Pokemon'' series, setting the standards for what would become the "Dragon Quest Monsters series." The basic concept is that Terry, as a young boy still too weak to fight for himself, must enlist the help of various creatures to act in his stead. Collected monsters level up and grow like a character in a main-series ''Dragon Quest'' game might. As he progresses, he is able to add more and stronger monsters to his collection, which stands in for usual ''Dragon Quest'' power escalation elements such as steadily strengthening spells.
===Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 (2001)===
''see also: [[Dragon Warrior Monsters 2]]''


It generally makes quite good use of ''DQ'' staples already in place, such as character growth through battling, [[Travel Gate]]s, the [[Monster Arena]], [[Tiny Medals]], and general progression.
The second ''Dragon Warrior Monsters'' game for the Game Boy Color featured two different versions of the same game, Cobi's Journey (Ruka's Journey in Japan) and Tara's Adventure (Iru's Adventure in Japan). Unlike the first game, this one focuses on attaining keys to unlock new worlds to explore and find monsters.


[[Breeding]] is one of the game's most complicated and involving aspects, and one of the player's primary motivations for continuing to play even after having seen the ending.
===Dragon Quest Monsters 1*2 (2002)===
''see also: [[Dragon Quest Monsters 1*2]]''


==Story==
''Dragon Quest Monsters 1*2'' is a remake of the original Game Boy games for the PlayStation, and was released only in Japan. The game featured updated graphics and a new interface.


In the days before Dragon Quest VI, when Terry and Milayou were just children, a strange monster appeared one night and snatched Milayou away. Soon after, another monster, similar to the kidnapper, appeared and told Terry his sister was kidnapped by the evil Warubou. He informs Terry that his name is Watabou and must accompany him to the Kingdom of GreatTree. After his arrival, Terry met the King and received Slib the slime, his first monster to train. If Terry wins the Monster Trainer's Starry Night Tournament, he will be granted a wish. So Terry sets out with his team to explore the many monster dungeons to win the tournament and rescue his sister.
===Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart (2003)===
''see also: [[Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart]]''


==Gameplay==
''Caravan Heart'' is the third game in the series, released only in Japan for the Game Boy Advance, although a Fan translation exists. It features Keifer, the prince from ''[[Dragon Warrior VII]]''.


===Breeding===
===Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (2006)===
After beating Class F in the Arena, the player can breed monsters if they are at level 10 or above at the Shrine of Starry Night, which is taken care of by the current Master Monster Tamer. Breeding requires one male and one female monster. The result of the breeding will be an egg, containing a level 1 monster which has characteristics of both parents, including skills and stats. The egg can then be left in the monster farm or hatched, which costs a small fee. The monster born will have a plus number next to it, the number generally signifying the greatness of the monster's stats, the higher being the better. It costs more money to hatch a monster with a higher plus number than one with no plus number. Also, the number beside the plus multiplied by two is added to the limit for the maximum level for the monster.
''see also: [[Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker]]''


===Genders===
''Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker'' for the [[Nintendo DS]], initially revealed through the publication ''Shonen Jump'' was released in Japan on December 28, 2006 and in North America on November 6, 2007.  It is the latest installment in the series and the first to be featured in full 3D. The game is set around a tournament referred to as the Joker GP. It also features Wi-Fi multiplayer play through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service and full 3D movement and battles. Unlike the other games in the series, this game has no random battles.
Once the Egg Evaluator is available for use, eggs can have the gender of the monster they're containing checked and changed. Both requires a small fee which is paid to the Egg Evaluator. The fee increases depending on the monster's plus number.


===Monster Farm===
==Game mechanics==
A storage place for your monsters, where they can be picked up or dropped off. There is an option to put monsters at the farm to sleep, which allows them to maintain their wilderness level but not grow in level. There can be 19 awake and 19 asleep monsters at any one time.
===Battle system===
A battles consist of one to three opposing monsters displayed in the center of the screen, with your own monsters Name, HP, MP and Level displayed at the top of the screen.


===Leveling up===
Once the battle has begun, the player will be given four battle commands:
Just like in most RPGs, monsters are able to gain EXP (Experience Points) and level up. Each monsters' requirements for EXP to level up varies, depending on their plus number or even what monster family they belong to. When they level up, they gain stats and sometimes skills. All monsters can carry a maximum of eight skills; if a monster can gain more than eight skills you have the option of replacing old skills with new ones.


===Travelers' Gates===
*'''Fight''': simply lets your monster attack.
The player moves around to other worlds through warp gates, called travelers' gates in-game, which are located underneath the throne room. To access these gates, the player needs to defeat a class ranking. There are a certain number of areas in a world and at the last one, the player needs to defeat a boss. Other gates are hidden throughout Great Tree, such as one in the library that is only accessible after befriending over 100 different monsters.
*'''Plan''': opens up another menu with another four commands
**'''Charge''': will attempt to make your monster attack with its most direct and powerful attack.
**'''Mixed''': will attempt to make your monster use support abilities, such as shields, stat enhancements, summons and the like.
**'''Cautious''': will attempt to make your monster use defensive abilities, such as heal, revive and abilities that remove harmful stat effects.
**'''Command''': not able to be used in arena battles, command allows you to give direct orders to your monsters.
*'''Items''': opens up your items list and lets you use that item, either on the opposing monster or your own.
*'''Flee''': attempts to flee from the enemy.


===Bosses===
====Personalities====
Players of other games in the Dragon Warrior series will recognize many of the bosses and boss levels. Examples include the Golem guarding the town of Mercado and the Dragon holding Princess Lora captive (both from the original Dragon Warrior). Some bosses in the game offer to join the player's party automatically, some have to be won over with meat, and some will not join at all.
A message may appear that says "will attempt" for some of the commands; this is because each monster is given a certain personality depending on the player's actions used in combat. Those actions are '''Charge''', '''Mixed''' and '''Cautious''', which when used can raise/lower one of three hidden stats, '''Bravery''', '''Prudence''' and '''Caring'''.


===Arena Battles===
Basically this means a monster high in one of the three stats will be better at using an attack of that type and more likely to obey, for example a monster with the Personality type Reckless (which is high in Bravery but low in Prudence and Caring) will be more likely to use a Charge attack, whereas a monster with the Personality type Careful (a type high in Caring but low in Bravery and Prudence) will be more likely to use a Cautious attack. Personalities change quickly at lower levels than at higher levels, also monsters with a high wildness are harder to change personalities.
In this game the player goes through ranks that consists of three different battles that must be won before the player can advance to the next ranking. Each rank provides harder challenges: the higher the rank, the harder the monsters. The battles you able to start at are from Rank G and go to Rank D and later in the game you are able to go from Rank C to Rank A and then Rank S. These battles open up gates for the character to explore and are necessary to progress through the story.


===Tiny Medals===
The best personality in the game is Hotblood, which is a monster high in everything, and the worst being Lazy, a type low in everything. Personality's make the game more challenging in the arena battles, where the option to give direct commands to your monsters is not available. A monster can have one of 27 personalities.
These medals are scattered throughout different worlds and are randomly picked up. In the game, there is a man who collects these medals and will give certain items for how many the player gives to him.


===Foreign Masters===
====Wildness====
While in other worlds, the player can encounter other trainers that they can battle with. There are different types that will give or do something for the player if they beat them:
Another reason monsters might not obey commands is their wildness (WLD in the game). A monster with a high wildness is less likely to obey commands. Newly caught monsters will have high wildness, and also monsters kept in the farm for long periods of time. To lower a monsters wildness, the player just needs to keep them in the party for a while or by feeding them meat items.


'''Priest''' - Will heal the player
===Capturing monsters===
[[Image:Monstercatching2.png||frame|Monster requesting to join your party.]]


'''Bard''' - Will give the player medicine that will raise the monsters' weakest stats.
As with other RPG's once the player defeats the opposing monsters and the battle ends, he or she is awarded a certain amount of experience points (EXP) which are used to level your Monsters. At the end of the battle, there exists a small chance the opposing Monster may join the party. In the newest addition to the series, ''Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker'', you actively scout for monsters during battle.


'''Merchant''' - Will give the player assorted items (such as Sirloins)
This chance is increased (though not guaranteed) by the use of meat items which lower a monster's wildness. The more the player uses, the lower the monster's wildness will be and the more likely it is to join. Certain types of meat lower a monster's wildness more, thus increasing the chance of catching them.


'''Soldier''' - Will give the player random items
===Currency and items===
[[Image:DWM3S3.png|thumb|left|Exploration in Caravan Heart]]
The currency used in the series is gold (G). Basic items that can be found in all the Dragon Quest Monster games can be found in the Dragon Quest Monster series. Examples include herbs and antidotes. Items are usually bought from vendors, found in dungeons, found in chests, or won from arena battles.


'''Wizard''' - Will transport the player to the last portal in the gate, or twenty levels down if the gate is more then 20 levels
==Release dates and systems==
'''In Japan,'''
*''Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland'' (1998) - [[Game Boy Color]]
*''Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru's Adventure'' (2001) - Game Boy Color
*''Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Lucca's Journey'' (2001) - Game Boy Color
*''Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2'' (2002) - [[PlayStation]]
*''Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart'' (2003) - [[Game Boy Advance]]
*''Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker'' (2006) - [[Nintendo DS]]


'''Traveler''' - Will give the player two random items, just like the soldier
'''In the US,'''
*''Dragon Warrior Monsters'' (1999) - Game Boy Color
*''Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara's Adventure'' (2001) - Game Boy Color
*''Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Coby's Journey'' (2001) - Game Boy Color
*''Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker'' (2007) - Nintendo DS


==References==
==References==


{{Wikipedia}}
* 1. MobyGames. [http://www.mobygames.com/game/gameboy-color/dragon-warrior-monsters/release-info "Dragon Warrior Monsters Japan release date information"]. Retrieved on September 4, 2007. 
{{Wikipedia-ja}}
* 2. IGN. [http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/objects/012/012825.html "Dragon Warrior Monsters United States release date"]. Retrieved on September 4, 2007. 
 


==External links==
*[http://www.square-enix.co.jp/dragonquest/psdqm12/top.html Square Enix's Official ''Dragon Quest Monsters I & II'' PSOne Port website]
*[http://www.square-enix.co.jp/dragonquest/ch/top.html Square Enix's Official ''Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart'' website]


{{DQM}}
{{DQNavbox}}
{{Dragon Quest series}}
[[Category:Monsters series]]{{Wikia}}