Xbox 360
The very best RPGs may vary in plot, character development and style, but all have one thing in common: depth. From the complex fates of Final Fantasy to the child-friendly Pokémon franchise, all succeed in transporting the player to an alternative world, engaging morals and emotion as you guide your character through their epic journey. And there is none so epic a journey than Dragon Quest, a role-playing adventure with a distinct Japanese fan base and storyline so deep it'll leave its mark long after you've finished playing.
Hand of the Heavenly Bride is the fifth Dragon Quest title. To be specific it is an updated port of the NES classic Dragon Wars, but even those who know little or nothing of the franchise can pick up and play without missing out on the action.
The plot development focuses a lot on the attachment to your character as you progress from childhood to adult years. You can even start a family and marry, making important decisions that will influence both present and future.
Despite a notable lack of tutorial, getting to grips with the button-based navigation is painless. It doesn't take long to familiarise yourself with the basic game mechanics and before you know it you'll be item collecting, questioning characters and seeking the true hotspot of any RPG — battles. As is customary with the role-playing genre, battles are turn-based affairs with hitpoints, level upgrades and aid items. There are a variety of monsters to conquer, and some are even available to recruit as helpers. It is worth noting that time affects each species, so fighting at night will often reveal different types of monster than daytime brawling.
Indeed there is a wealth of land to explore, so much so that a mini overview is provided on the top DS screen. This is particularly handy as it tracks explored areas, leaving undiscovered parts blacked out. There are also special medals to locate, ideal for those patient people who enjoy item collecting.
The orchestral score also deserves a special mention for its rich inviting sound. The original 8-bit tracks have been remixed with spectacular results. Cheerful upbeat music accompanies your adventure while darker melodies haunt those less inviting venues. Bright 2D sprites provide a familiar welcome, merging with 3D views (rotated with the DS's L and R shoulder buttons) providing a seamless 360 degree view of your surroundings.
The developers have worked wonders with story, sound and visuals. Everything that a good game should be is sure to be included, though inevitably there are a few niggles that some players may find slightly off putting. Perhaps the most obvious is the lack of stylus use — after the first ten minutes of gameplay I gave up waiting on its impending use and concentrated on the control pad (I almost forgot the DS had such a thing!). This is by no means a bad thing, as D-pad navigation is far more suited than attempting to balance a pen while controlling interaction. Really, it's a matter of personal preference.
The next issue is battle sequences, which are more often than not randomly instigated. You can be walking along quite fancy-free one minute but suddenly attacked the next. Constant battling can become tiresome after some time, when really you just want left alone in peace to continue on your travels. The best solution is to flee battle when possible, reserving your strength for more powerful foes.
It seems inevitable that despite the glowing reviews, the series will once again be given back-shelf priority from both retailers and the public. It's a shame really, because it is one of the most endearing, quality titles out on the DS at the minute, putting shame on the usual mess of casual gaming releases. Still, it's fantastic to see a true gaming gem ported to the DS, proving that not everyone is jumping on the casual bandwagon. But don't take my word for it. Try it yourself. This game must be played to be fully appreciated.