Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

 DS
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
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  1. Game Informer
    70
    For a gussied-up remake of an NES game, Dragon Quest IV features some nice touches.
  2. Wired
    70
    It's tough to make the distinction between where Square Enix was deliberately preserving the game's nostalgic appeal, and where it was just cutting costs.
  3. AceGamez
    70
    I feel as though I should be warning you that it's not just retro but positively a step backwards, and as we all know backwards steps are not good ones.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Gamer.nl
    70
    The game does a lot of things right, just like the early versions on the NES and the PlayStation. The game is easy to pick up without having a short lifespan. Nevertheless even the graphics seem to be copied from his early ancestors and the whole game concept feels a little recycled. Only die-hard RPG fans will find some pleasure in the game.
  6. games(TM)
    70
    It ingeniously updates all the problems with the original without destroying the core concept. [Dec 2008, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Modojo
    60
    If you have fond memories of it or you are an RPG fanatic, definitely check out this game.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best DS Game of 2008
18
#18 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
18
#18 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 72
  3. Negative: 5 out of 72
  1. ZeRo_Bahamut
    Oct 10, 2013
    8
    Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is the first DQ installment on the DS and an enhanced remake of the NES classic Dragon Warrior IVDragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is the first DQ installment on the DS and an enhanced remake of the NES classic Dragon Warrior IV

    Story:
    The story is divided into various chapters, all starring your future party members and their own story or quest, it is unique in a way that you get to know your party members and their personal motives behind it all.

    Eventually you'll get to the part where everyone joins forces and the main hero (you!) get introduced proper, from then onward you'll try and stop a certain Psaro the Manslayer (Who looks kinda like Sephiroth the elf?), who's out to evolve into the ultimate being and rid the world from all evil, after the story is beaten you can replay the ending with a twist, which I won't spoil here. ;-)

    There's some sidequests to be done, like casino games and increasing your frontier town by looking for people interested to move there.

    Gameplay:
    The gameplay is similar to any console-like RPG of it's kind, you train your party members as they gain XP and other stats, talking to people to get clues on where to venture next, defeating monsters to get coins to buy upgraded armor and weapons.

    There is a huge overworld where you to leave town in which you'll be able to ride a ship and even a hot air balloon as you progress trough the story.

    Battles are fought out in a 1st person perspective as you can see your enemies moving and doing their own thing, the pace of these battles you can decide yourself by manually doing everything or letting the AI decide the right course of action, it makes decent decisions and ensures you stay alive, tho I advice doing it manually at boss fights, I usually had the healer controller by the AI with spellcasters under my own command.

    Controls:
    I played this on a 3DS XL and I must say the circle pad was heavenly, as the characters can actually move in 8 directions, but it's really annoying to do on the D-Pad, other then that I have no complaints, everything is mapped to the right button, movement is fluid.

    Graphics:
    It seems to be using the graphic style found in Dragon Quest VII on the PS1, personally I think it has a charm to it, it's a 3D world inhabited by 2D/Sprite characters and objects, still they look quite good.
    I'm assuming it's hit or miss for some people, but it does the job well enough for me.

    Music:
    The music is your typical Dragon Quest kind, it's very melodical with a classical touch to it, some songs are better then others, I very much like the song Homeland, played when your hero traverses the overworld...

    Positives:
    + Charming graphics that capture the Dragon Quest spirit
    + Chapter system, showing you what drove your party members to join your cause
    + The battles are fun and paced to your own desire
    + Able to continue game after beating it with a suprise twist!
    + Some songs are amazing!

    Negatives:
    - Having no circle pad when not on a 3DS, seems annoying to move diagonally
    - While the story is good, it takes a backseat after the main quest starts
    - Some songs are not!

    Conclusion:
    This is an excellent game and Dragon Quest experience on the go, the story while lacking near the end still holds up pretty well to keep you going all the way trough. The battles are good and the overworld is fun to explore.    … Full Review »
  2. CorazonAzul
    Jul 25, 2013
    8
    The over-ambitious NES vision is properly realized on the DS with few flaws and great pace. A lengthy but satisfying quest that never takesThe over-ambitious NES vision is properly realized on the DS with few flaws and great pace. A lengthy but satisfying quest that never takes itself too seriously.… Full Review »
  3. dragoonie
    Jan 23, 2012
    9
    Outstanding port of one of my favorite NES games. I was anxiously looking forward to this one when I first heard it announced, and it did notOutstanding port of one of my favorite NES games. I was anxiously looking forward to this one when I first heard it announced, and it did not disappoint. The graphics update was sweet, and the extra post-game content, that much sweeter. The NPC's accents were laid on a bit heavy, but it does give the game a bit more character then it had the first time around.… Full Review »
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