In the world of Japanese Role Playing Games two names rule supreme, Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. While the Final Fantasy games have tried to fully embrace the next generation with eye blistering graphics and computer generated cinemas, the Dragon Quest series has found its niche staying as comfortable as possible by changing as little as possible. From its “cute” cartoon style graphics to the decidedly “old school” style battle systems, the Dragon Quest games have seemingly refused to evolve – a strategy that has for the most part paid off.
After a highly successful PS2 release of Dragon Quest VIII many gamers thought the next logical step would be onto the PS3 or Xbox 360, instead the developers at SquareEnix decided to buck the trend by releasing the follow up DQ9 onto the Nintendo DS, which was itself followed by a remake of DQ4 a year later. Then when word began leaking of a tenth Dragon Quest entry earlier this Summer, many gamers were left wondering one very large question – “Which system will it be on?”
Well today we have an answer.
Dragon Quest x: The Wake Of The Five Tribes: Online will be released on Nintendo’s Wii system and an “enhanced” version will be released later onto the Wii U. And yes, you read that title right – Dragon Quest X is going to be an “Online” Role Playing Game.
While further details of the title haven’t been released (or more accurately: translated) it does appear that the title will carry an as of yet undetermined monthly subscription fee based on details that were released. No release date was given either, but considering that the Wii U isn’t expected to be in stores until AT LEAST next Holiday season, chances are gamers won’t be seeing DQX on shelves before then. There was also brief mention of cross 3DS support using the handheld’s “Street Pass” functionality.
Until more news is released, we have a handful of screen shots to tide you over:
With SquareEnix's history with MMO's combined to Nintendo Wii's online service ... I think we can safely assume this will be a failure of epic proportions.
Y'know, they said similarish things about DQ9 when it was first announced. It was going to be an action-RPG where you'd have to recruit friends in order to have any kind of backup. Obviously things changed considerably between announcement and release. HOPEFULLY DQ10 will experience a similar change, because you're totally right, Crim: neither Square-Enix's MMO history nor Nintendo's online service history gives me a reason to be even cautiously optimistic.
I know some people would argue that FF11Online was good, but on the while, S-E bombed out hard in the online space.
I'll echo that Crim
PASS
I wonder if Nintendo asked S-E for it to be online, as to draw people to the WiiU's online system. They brought in external help to make sure it'd be any good this time around, wouldn't be unthinkable if they were asking developers for games that made good use of that.
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A couple of "new" bits came out recently as well:
According to the recently translated FAQ here are a couple of "interesting" points.
The game WILL allow you to play offline and solo... for a couple of hours. But then something happens that requires you to play online. So anyone thinking of getting the game to play solo offline will be out of luck as it will require an online aspect as you get further into the game.
And the game WILL have a monthly subscription cost. So again - no solo offline mode, and you HAVE to pay to continue to play.
Now all this IS taken from a translation of a Japanese FAQ so the language is a little harsh and may seem like rules of an Iron Fist or something... just remember that the tone of the translation may not always get the proper meaning across.
Still - the more I'm hearing of this title the less and less I want to even know about it. And like a certain couple others on the board - I LOVE Dragon Quest games.
sounds like it might be sort of like monster hunter. i.e., there is an offline mode but you've got to take it online to get the most out of it
also monster hunter tri had a monthly fee in japan, but they knew we wouldn't pay that outside japan so they removed it