Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

 3DS
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 162 Ratings

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  • Summary: Uncover the story of the Cursed King as you save the world from a twisted magician in this genre-defining role-playing game. Across the vast world you'll wage turn-based battles against more than 250 monsters designed by famed artist Akira Toriyama. As you level up, upgrade your warriors'Uncover the story of the Cursed King as you save the world from a twisted magician in this genre-defining role-playing game. Across the vast world you'll wage turn-based battles against more than 250 monsters designed by famed artist Akira Toriyama. As you level up, upgrade your warriors' skills to learn mighty attacks. Untold possibilities await. After setting off into the unknown, you'll find monsters roaming the field—these are no mere random encounters. There's a satisfying rhythm to traveling, fighting monsters, earning items, crafting something useful with them using an alchemy Pot, and returning to battle, stronger than ever. To some, it's pitch-perfect RPG gameplay, complete with additional content outside the main storyline. In the Monster Arena, you'll form and battle teams of monsters to climb the ranks. It's but one of many features that makes this RPG a classic among classics. [Nintendo.com]… Expand
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Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Official Trailer 2

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. Gaming Age
    Feb 6, 2017
    100
    The story is exciting and fun, plus the characters are very memorable. Dragon Quest VIII is a must-have for JRPG fans and should earn a permanent place on your HOME screen.
  2. COGconnected
    Jan 24, 2017
    90
    Dragon Quest piles on the enhancements in the 3DS version, and these tiny improvements are so numerous, that Dragon quest VIII feels far less dated than an RPG over a decade old should feel.
  3. RPG Fan
    Mar 13, 2017
    90
    Dragon Quest VIII is a JRPG-lover's JRPG that holds up fantastically more than a decade after its original release on the PlayStation 2. It may do nothing to change your mind if you're not a fan of the genre's tried and true formula, but every JRPG fan owes it to themselves to check out this classic.
  4. IGN
    Jan 10, 2017
    88
    Dragon Quest VIII was one of the finest JRPGs upon its initial release and it manages to retain that lofty status through this 3DS edition. Its adherence to the traditional rules of the genre is where it pulls its strength from, the familiarity of the template allowing the design team to worry about making sure each element is as good as it can possibly can be.
  5. Wccftech
    Jan 11, 2017
    85
    Dragon Quest VIII is hailed as a classic, and rightly so. Dragon Quest VIII on 3DS is a great place for new fans to jump on, as well as a perfect way for those who played it to relive a classic – and on the go, too. One of the PS2’s very best JRPGs is back, and it hasn’t aged a day.
  6. Vooks
    Apr 6, 2017
    80
    Occasionally, the gameplay changes up by throwing different mechanics every now and then, including one section where you assume control of a hamster to explore small nooks and crannies. However, these sections just feel tacked on and the hamster section felt fiddly and imprecise to control on the 3DS. These sections are irregular, allowing the focus to remain solely on the solid RPG mechanics.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Jan 30, 2017
    60
    Dragon Quest VIII‘s almost random plot and character moments carry complex emotional weight.

See all 58 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. dalyw
    Sep 28, 2021
    10
    One of the greatest JRPG's of all time. The 3DS is the better of the 2 versions but I can't wait for the day it gets ported to Switch orOne of the greatest JRPG's of all time. The 3DS is the better of the 2 versions but I can't wait for the day it gets ported to Switch or whatever other console I need to buy! Beautiful world, simple but deep battle system, great characters and a solid story that keeps you engaged.… Expand
  2. Justos91
    Sep 18, 2019
    10
    I was really impressed at what they managed to get running on the 3ds hardware. I never played this as a kid or anything, but i can reallyI was really impressed at what they managed to get running on the 3ds hardware. I never played this as a kid or anything, but i can really appreciate it as is now. Beautiful game, great music, and story that touches on so many human topics. Just lovely.… Expand
  4. DeviousB
    Feb 19, 2020
    10
    Very addictive, rewarding and deep. The voice acting, story, art and graphics are top notch. Just what I was looking for, 11/10 must play.
  5. DudeFromIceland
    Aug 17, 2018
    9
    The PS2 game was one of the strongest RPG's on the system and this version does it justice, there are few tweaks in the 3DS version that makeThe PS2 game was one of the strongest RPG's on the system and this version does it justice, there are few tweaks in the 3DS version that make it slightly better. For one, you can speed through the battles a lot quicker and you get more money from fighting. In the PS2 version it would take ages to grind to get enough money for certain weapons or armor.

    Dragon Quest always holds up the quality with wonderful animation and graphics, fun battle system and good stories. To date this is my favorite Dragon Quest game and I highly recommend it for any RPG fanatic.    … Expand
  6. YasmineEva
    Mar 12, 2017
    9
    Loved the original on PS2 so I definitely felt a need to pick this us. Definitely one of my favorite games to play on the DS. I've beenLoved the original on PS2 so I definitely felt a need to pick this us. Definitely one of my favorite games to play on the DS. I've been playing this non stop on my commute to work.… Expand
  7. Tanky86
    May 22, 2022
    9
    The second dragon quest game I've played (that I didn't drop after like 10 minutes in) and it is really good. I never played the original PS2The second dragon quest game I've played (that I didn't drop after like 10 minutes in) and it is really good. I never played the original PS2 version so I didn't really care for the graphical downgrades. The gameplay was decent but I mainly stayed for the great story and the loveable characters. The game is a bit long but it wasn't like it was dragged out too much. Makes me realize jrpg's are not so bad after all… Expand
  8. Tabbou
    Jul 10, 2021
    7
    Des tas de reviews positives, sûrement parce que c'est un dragon quest, franchement je ne l'ai pas trouvé si bien que ça, ok l'histoire et pasDes tas de reviews positives, sûrement parce que c'est un dragon quest, franchement je ne l'ai pas trouvé si bien que ça, ok l'histoire et pas mal mais très peu de classes et de skills disponibles, les monstres sont, en gros, les mêmes que dans les autres opus et les personnages ont une personnalité assez cliché… Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best 3DS Game of 2017
11
#11 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
9
#9 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017