Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

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  • Summary: This entry in the Zenithia Trilogy follows a journey that transcends three generations. Travel alongside your father on his quest to see the world, grow to set forth on a journey of your own and face life-altering decisions as you continue your family’s legacy. [Square Enix]
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 46
  2. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. 100
    DQV is a great RPG just in terms of its mechanics, being built on the series' time-tested fundamentals while throwing in enough improvements to make it feel far fresher than its predecessor. Factor in the game's story, though, and it becomes truly exceptional: an intimate, personal odyssey of a kind rarely seen in this medium.
  2. Also, this game is long. As of press time I wasn't able to beat the thing.
  3. 90
    Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is the best DS RPG.
  4. This game takes what it needs to become one of the greatest RPGs of the Dual Screen, with a superb story that pushes everything what we've seen so far beyond the limits. Its not the perfect Dragon Quest though,with too many combats and a weak monster system that still have to prove its real value. We'll be looking forward to DQVI.
  5. Fans of RPGs and especially Dragon Quest can give this one a go without further hesitation. Everyone else should probably give it a more thorough thought as the missing story and some strange decisions concerning the design, like the saving system and the grouped monsters, may give you a hard time.
  6. Edge Magazine
    80
    Seasoned with tragedy and humour, it’s a poignant tale that courts cliché but which, thanks to its charm and creative twists on well-worn themes, represents one of the narrative high points of the series. [Apr 2009, p.123]
  7. Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a solid, old-school adventure with the same problems and delights that any title from the period has. If you’re supporter of the series or just a sucker for this type of action, then you probably won’t be disappointed. But for the rest of you, HotHB does nothing that will change your stubborn opinions.

See all 46 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Nov 18, 2011
    10
    a game that took a classic and added on few things and made it better. the squel to DQ IV: chapters of the chosen, it takes place aa game that took a classic and added on few things and made it better. the squel to DQ IV: chapters of the chosen, it takes place a significant time after the previous game but makes refernces and shares a dungeon. the addons are game changing, making it easier to progress in the story and adding a new possible party member. the story is 99% the same. there is a mode for wireless communication but it is local and is basically useless. the story and characters are well done, there is a feature to rotate the camera, and a board game type mini game that gave me much needed armor and weapons. this game is on the list of top ten games I have ever played and I don't see it leaving that list anytime soon. Expand
  2. May 22, 2021
    10
    Still the best Dragon Quest for what concerns story and characters, but being able to recruit monsters was amazing too.
  3. Mar 8, 2023
    10
    One of my favorite JRPGs of all time! I love the story, the graphics, and the soundtrack. But above all else, I love how the combat makes youOne of my favorite JRPGs of all time! I love the story, the graphics, and the soundtrack. But above all else, I love how the combat makes you think. Some will argue that you hammer the A button repeatedly (probably true in the early parts of the game). But it felt like a good balance between using skills, buffs, de-buffs and items all in tandem, especially when taking on a major boss. Since completing this, I've beaten DQ8 and I'm currently working on DQ6, so clearly this game turned me into a fan of the series. Expand
  4. Jul 2, 2022
    9
    One of the greatest JRPG stories I have ever experienced, this game follows the entire life of the main protagonist. This makes you heavilyOne of the greatest JRPG stories I have ever experienced, this game follows the entire life of the main protagonist. This makes you heavily invested in the characters (especially the main protagonist). If this sounds like something you will enjoy, please do yourself a favor and play through this no filler adventure. Expand
  5. Oct 12, 2010
    9
    Dragon Quest V is simply a great game. I can't really compare this DS version to any of its previous versions, but it's clear that the USDragon Quest V is simply a great game. I can't really compare this DS version to any of its previous versions, but it's clear that the US certainly got a great remake. The story is surprisingly deep, and the mish-mash of 2D sprites and 3D rendered areas look pretty good. Going through the life of the main character really gives a feeling for him, and makes the events that happen have just that much more of an effect, in my opinion. The battle system is straight old-school RPG, so if you're looking for something new and inventive, you won't find it here. It can also be difficult, especially in earlier parts when you don't have static party members. Overall, though, it's a great experience, and a definite recommendation for any RPG fan. Expand
  6. Aug 25, 2017
    8
    Pros:
    - Sweeping epic of a story that spans the entire life of the protagonist. The plot is gripping, the characters are engaging, and the
    Pros:
    - Sweeping epic of a story that spans the entire life of the protagonist. The plot is gripping, the characters are engaging, and the emotional highs are conveyed exceptionally well despite the simple visuals.
    - The sprite-work is nothing phenomenal, but it matches well with the 3D models and the mood of the game. Although none of these are exceptional on their own, they synergize well to create a strong overall visual experience.
    - Recruiting monsters is a interesting new addition that would go on to become a staple for the series. Although I did enjoy collecting a number of monsters to use in my party, the system is not interactive enough to salvage the vanilla combat of DQV. This is because monsters are captured simply through defeating them and without any additional input from the player, thus more just feeling like a bonus rather than something you go and actively seek out.
    - Introduction of more in-depth puzzles are great for increasing variety in dungeons, which I very much welcome. The puzzles themselves were interesting and relatively challenging, despite the age of the game.

    Cons
    - Combat is fairly linear and uncreative until the last ~5 hours or so of the game, where there are many more impactful choices in battle. While I don't necessarily have anything against the classic DQ battle system, it is definitely getting old with little to no innovation from DQIV. The boomerangs and the whips are welcome additions, but they do not add enough strategic depth to the early and mid games.
    - While the OST is rather good, the songs are repeated far too often and get grating after awhile.

    Final Word:
    Dragon Quest V truly feels like a journey, with a memorable cast and story that will stick with you for years to come.

    True Score: 8.2
    Expand
  7. Oct 28, 2020
    5
    I loved Dragon Quest 4, but i just couldn't bring myself to finish this one. It's just boring some how. The pacing, the areas, the fact thatI loved Dragon Quest 4, but i just couldn't bring myself to finish this one. It's just boring some how. The pacing, the areas, the fact that you have monsters as party members instead of characters. I just couldn't get excited once I became an adult. The childhood part where you go explore a haunted castle was great fun however. Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

9
16
#16 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
11
#11 Most Shared DS Game of 2009