Dragon Quest Builders

Dragon Quest Builders (ドラゴンクエストビルダーズ アレフガルドを復活せよ) is a sandbox game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita.

The Builder is tasked with rebuilding the world after it was destroyed by the evil Dragonlord. The game features gathering and building elements, similar to Minecraft and Terraria. The game was released in Japan on January 28, 2016, in North America and Europe on October 11, 2016.

Setting

The game is set in Alefgard, the world of the original Dragon Quest game, and players gradually rebuild each area of it, including Cantlin, Rimuldar, Kol and Galenholm, using materials they find. The game is based on a parallel ending of Dragon Quest: before the final battle, the hero accepted the evil Dragonlord's suggestion - each rules a half of the world. But that's indeed a trap, and the hero was eliminated, then the world was dominated by monsters. With time passing by, a new hero (the player character) appears to revive the desolate world.

Gameplay

The aim in Dragon Quest Builders is to rebuild the central town in each chapter, with both the quality and quantity of the buildings and decorations contributing to an overall Base Level. The higher a town's Base Level, the more citizens it will attract, and better quality items will become available. Inhabitants of a town will give the player quests in order to better their surroundings. The game also features a day/night cycle which affects the type of monsters that appear as well as their ferocity. Monsters can attack what the player has built and lower the town's Base Level as a result. Furthermore, the player will periodically need to defend the town against a horde of monsters, usually led by a boss monster.

The player character has both a health meter and a hunger bar, both of which can be restored, through healing items and food items, respectively. The game also features a crafting system by accessing workbenches. New crafting recipes can be discovered as the player progresses through the story, as well as acquiring new resources.

The game is divided into chapters (one for each town) accessible through the main menu once unlocked. At the end of each chapter, a boss is fought (a golem for Cantlin, a hades condor for Rimuldar, etc.). Each chapter can be replayed until the desired points are accumulated using a checklist as a guideline.

List of characters

Name Area Where Found Description
Pippa Cantlin Pippa joins the base immediately after the player places the Banner of Hope. She offers a number of quests, but avoids battle.
Larouche Cantlin Larouche appears at the base once the player acquires the blue teleportal. Larouche doesn’t engage in combat, but does provide quests that improve the base.
Kenelm Cantlin Travel through the blue teleportal, defend Kenelm from skeletons, and he gratefully follows the player to the base. He becomes a vigilant defender of the base and teaches the player a special combat technique.
Sheridon Cantlin Sheridon arrives at the base after the player places the red teleportal. While he does not participate in battles, he shares the secret of building wrecking balls, which are the key to defeating a powerful enemy.
Magnus Cantlin A renowned blacksmith, Magnus has been locked up by evil forces. Once set free, he eagerly engages in battle at the player's base and shares his knowledge.
Cherie Cantlin Cherie pops up at the Banner of Hope after the green teleportal is earned. She isn’t a fighter, but she does pitch in by creating items in the workshop.
Gerontius Rimuldar The learned Gerontius becomes a valuable asset after he is recruited to the cause. He is a scholar, but has no problem getting dirty while battling monsters. His anguish is tied to the secrets he keeps.
Nosh Rimuldar Nosh is the first of many diseased people that must be carried back to the base. When he’s healthy again, Nosh becomes the driving force behind learning about how to fish.
Casey Rimuldar Casey must be rescued from the island beyond the blue teleportal. Casey’s illness requires two treatments, but she protects the base as soon she’s out of the sickroom.
Hazel Rimuldar Hazel’s rescue involves a trip through the red teleportal and vanquishing a group of treefaces. Feed her four meals to restore her health. She isn’t a fighter, but she builds items when the player creates the proper rooms.
Burley Kol and Galenholm Burley is a kind-of-but-not-really vegetarian that must rescued from a desert cave on the chapter’s starting island. Burley is a fearless fighter who defends the base and joins expeditions outside the base with equal zeal.
Cecille Kol and Galenholm After rescuing Cecille from a trio of killing machines beyond the red teleportal at Baird’s behest, she quietly settles in at the base. Later, she pops up again, when odd singing disturbs her sleep.
Launce Tantegel Guards the Princess with his life.
Trystian Tantegel Guards the Princess with his life.
Androoo Tantegel Androoo is a monster taking on the appearance of a human that can potentially be recruited to the base. Androoo has been shunned by other monsters, because he doesn’t hate humans. Androo works so hard at passing for human that he’s willing to attack other monsters when they attack the castle.

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External link