Dragon Quest VII: Fragments Of The Forgotten Past Preview
[Updated on 10/3/16 with More Tablets Video]:
[Updated on 9/23/16 with Traveller’s Tablets Video]:
[Updated on 9/16/16 with DQ7 Quick Start Guide]:
Now this is something new! In the absence of an official strategy guide for Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, Nintendo has taken it upon themselves to create a beginner’s walkthrough for the first twenty or so hours of the game. I was personally disappointed to learn that there wouldn’t be an official guide for the game, as I collect all of the Dragon Quest guides that get released. I enjoy the maps and the art and some of the advice on classes.
While this Nintendo effort doesn’t cover the entire game, it’s a fantastic tool to help people get on the right track. If you find yourself getting in over your head, don’t be afraid to take a look at the guide.
[Updated on 9/12/16 with Monster Meadows Overview]:
[Updated on 9/10/16 with UK DQ7 Overview Trailer]:
[Updated on 9/6/16 with UK Dragon Quest Commercial & PAX West 2016 Panel]:
[Updated on 9/1/16 with Nintendo Direct Footage]:
[Updated on 8/30/16 with The Haven Trailer]:
[Updated on 8/12/16 with Tactics Trailer]:
[Updated on 8/1/16 with Battle Trailer & Classes Trailer]:
[Updated on 7/13/16 with Discover The World Trailer]:
If you’ve been reading this site for the past six months, then it’s no surprise that I’m stoked for Dragon Quest VII for the 3DS. It’s one of my most anticipated games of the year, so any new information and videos immediately grab my attention. Nintendo has started a new series of videos that will delve into the world of Dragon Quest VII on the 3DS. Below is the first part, and I’ll continue to post them as they release. For more information, including videos and screens, be sure to read our preview.
[Updated on 6/15/16 with E3 Presentation Details]:
The Treehouse folks showed off Dragon Quest VII for the 3DS. The original version of the game came out on the first PlayStation way back in 2001. At the time of its release the graphics were quite dated. That’s why I’ve been anticipating this new release as the entire game has been revamped from the ground up.
Having played the original version of the game, I can attest that this new one looks miles better. Everything has a new look and the animations are very slick. The original core team of Dragon Quest series has been involved with every game for the past 30 years. The creators’ goals have been to make a game that can be played by players of all ages from beginning to end.
Since the Dragon Quest VII story has many bite-sized areas to explore and to experience, the developers thought it would be a good fit for the 3DS where players sometime only have an hour or so to play at a time. There’s a function built-in that can remind you what you were doing the last time you played.
Like in some of the previous Dragon Quest games, you will be able to change your characters’ vocations (jobs). As you level up, you can change it up and learn new abilities and spells, while retaining all of the ones you’ve learned up to that point. One of the vocations is called the Monster Masher. This allows him or her to morph into the monsters, complete with their skillsets. There are 34 monster-type jobs to enjoy.
The main character is about 17 years old and is a son of a fisherman. He comes from a very rural environment where they think the entire world is just their own island. Soon events take place that will allow your character break away and discover a whole new world.
There’s a place in the world called The Haven. You can persuade monsters to join your cause, this town will grow, giving you access to Travelers Tablets, which can warp you to remixed versions of places you’ve visited before.
When entering a battle you’re in first person view and can get close up to the monsters. As you select your attack strategies, the monsters are full animated waiting for your input commands. Once the battle begins, the camera pans back and behind your party. The entire battle is highly animated, and the viewpoint reminds me slightly of some of the older Phantasy Star titles on the Genesis. There are 457 monsters in this game, so expect a ton of variety.
Square Enix had no plans to release Dragon Quest VII in the United States because of how much dialog there is in the game to translate. However, because of fan support and all of the people petitioning for this game to be released, they decided to just “go for it” and release it in North America and Europe. Yes! They really do listen.
It’s coming out on September 16, 2016 in North America. I can’t wait!
[Original Story]:
I’ve been a longtime Dragon Quest fan ever since the first one came out in 1989 for the NES (then called Dragon Warrior). The first four games came out on the NES and I beat each and every one of them. Then the long wait began for parts five and six, which wouldn’t come out on the Super NES in the U.S., so Dragon Warrior VII was the return of the series. The problem was that it had really outdated graphics even when compared to games that came out many years prior to its release. Also, the PS2 was on the verge of releasing, so it really didn’t have a good launch in the U.S., and I hate to admit that I never did finish it on the PlayStation.
That’s why I was so excited to see it come out on the 3DS in Japan. I had almost given up all hope that we’d see it release in the States because of its huge amount of text that needed to be translated. Luckily Nintendo and Square Enix teamed up to get it done and we shouldn’t have to wait too much longer. While it was previously slated for a Summer 2016 timeframe, it now just has an ominous 2016 release date. I’m hoping it wasn’t pushed too far back as part VIII is supposed to be coming out Fall 2016. Of course, if VII is delayed, I wouldn’t be shocked to see VIII get pushed back into early 2017.
Regardless, I’m stoked to finally get to play through Dragon Quest VII with updated graphics and an all-new translation. In this game you’ll need to travel to the past to save the present. You’ll customize your party with over 30 classes and, in traditional Dragon Quest fashion, battle scores of enemies to earn experience and level up to learn new spells and abilities. Much of the game has been retooled to make it a more pleasant experience.
We’ll have much more on the game as it approaches release. It’s my most anticipated RPG of the year!
Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.
