Dragon Quest X Review – A Legacy Continued and Transformed

Dragon Quest X was originally released in Japan in 2012 for the Nintendo Wii and later ported to several other platforms, including PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, it has not seen a Western release, making it one of the most enigmatic entries in the Dragon Quest series for international fans.

• Game Developer: Square Enix
• Game Publisher: Square Enix
• Release Date: 2012
• Platforms: Wii, Wii U, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch
• Official Website: Square Enix’s Dragon Quest X Page
• Genre: MMORPG, JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game)

Gameplay

Dragon Quest X was originally released in Japan in 2012 for the Nintendo Wii and later ported to several other platforms, including PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, it has not seen a Western release, making it one of the most enigmatic entries in the Dragon Quest series for international fans. Despite this, the game has enjoyed considerable success in Japan and has even ventured into offline adaptations and spin-offs.

Class System

Dragon Quest X takes the traditional job system seen in earlier entries of the series and adds layers of complexity suitable for an MMORPG. Players can change jobs, improve skills, and specialize in different areas, creating a rich and engaging progression system.

Quests and Storytelling

Unlike many MMORPGs that treat narrative as a secondary aspect, Dragon Quest X places a heavy emphasis on storytelling. The game is divided into multiple episodes, each adding a new chapter to the overarching narrative, complete with its own quests, characters, and world-building elements.

Crafting and Economy

The game also includes a robust crafting system, allowing players to create a wide variety of items, from weapons to food. This feature integrates seamlessly with the game’s economy, letting players trade crafted goods and form guilds.

Community and Social Interactions

Dragon Quest X is also known for its dedicated community. With various in-game festivals, events, and group activities, the game goes beyond the traditional grind of most MMORPGs to foster a sense of community and collaboration among players.

Challenges and Limitations

While Dragon Quest X offers an abundance of unique features and content, it does face challenges, most notably the lack of an international release. This has limited the game’s reach and has left many international Dragon Quest fans clamoring for a Western version.

Conclusion

Dragon Quest X is a standout title in both the Dragon Quest series and the MMORPG genre. It successfully combines the engaging storytelling and aesthetic charm of Dragon Quest with the social and gameplay mechanics of online RPGs. Although it remains largely a mystery to Western audiences, its unique take on MMORPG tropes and focus on community and narrative make it a game that deserves more attention.

For fans of MMOs and RPGs, Dragon Quest X offers an experience that is both familiar and innovative. Despite its limitations and challenges, it serves as a testament to the potential of MMORPGs to be more than just a grind – they can be rich, story-driven experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways.

And so we wait, hopeful that one day, Dragon Quest X will extend its reach beyond Japan, allowing gamers worldwide to experience its unique blend of storytelling, community, and gameplay mechanics. Until then, we can only dream and keep our fingers crossed.

Dragon Quest X System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Memory: 1 GB RAM
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon X600 Series or NVIDIA GeForce 210
• CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1.8GHz / AMD Athlon XP 1700+
• File Size: 7 GB
• OS: Windows XP (32-bit)

Recommended Requirements

• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon X1900 GT or NVIDIA GeForce GT 340
• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 2.0GHz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+
• File Size: 7 GB
• OS: Windows XP (32-bit)