Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 389 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 339 out of 389
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 389
  3. Negative: 33 out of 389
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  1. Ronsio
    Feb 2, 2023
    10
    I played this game all the time when I was younger. It's got a great story, a good soundtrack, fun characters, and it's simply just really fun to play. There's very few actual flaws that I can think of, and even if there were, this game is just so good that the flaws don't matter in the long run.

    Highly recommend.
  2. Crimson9
    Dec 12, 2022
    8
    This is one of the only games that gave me a true sense of adventure. I'd argue that the random encounters actually enhanced that, because traversing the overworld wasnt just something that cost time, it cost resources. It almost became a survival game where you had to make sure you were stocked up before leaving a town. That was an experience I never experienced before or since. It wasThis is one of the only games that gave me a true sense of adventure. I'd argue that the random encounters actually enhanced that, because traversing the overworld wasnt just something that cost time, it cost resources. It almost became a survival game where you had to make sure you were stocked up before leaving a town. That was an experience I never experienced before or since. It was great.

    In general the game's world is amazing and so adventurous. The characters are pretty goofy, and the art style is adorable, and that gives the game a very wonderful feel to it. The combat is also significantly superior to that of Final Fantasy. Characters have limited resources to use in battle, and the game is legitimately challenging. That said, you can unfortunately just grind your way through everything. There also isn't too much depth to either its characters or its story. Thats not quite what its going for, but its what keeps it from being a masterpiece for me.    … Expand
  3. spreyz
    Aug 11, 2022
    10
    One of the best RPG's ever and one of the best DQ games for sure.
    A switch remake would be so amazing.
  4. grimreapersims
    Feb 16, 2022
    9
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  5. PsychoJoona
    May 8, 2021
    8
    Characters and the story is good. Combat feels like an DQ game combat should. There is grinding LIKE IT SHOULD... Overall I would give it 7... BEST VIDEO GAME OST EVEERR!! Every theme is amazing! With just the music I give this game 8/10!
  6. samuelrw
    Jul 13, 2020
    10
    15 years later this game still holds up. Story, adventuring, levelling up all still great experiences. Good for playing on sick days off.
  7. iKen
    Apr 14, 2020
    8
    Played on PlayStation 2.
    Gameplay: GREAT.
    Story: GOOD.
    Graphic: GREAT.
    Music/Sound: GOOD.
    Dialogue: GOOD.
  8. VendonJura
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    One of the best RPG games I've played as I was young. I've beaten the game 100%. Finished all secret dungeons etc. Wish to play this game again on the PS4 with more content for the arena with full party and not for your monsters which you can catch only.
  9. Ilimitado
    Apr 27, 2019
    8
    One of the best aclaimed JRPG'S for the PS2, features an absorving story full of diverse caracters with good caracter development. It has it few share of plot twists, and many comedic relief moments.

    The gameplay is good enough but it's class system is clearly unbalanced and putting too many points on the wrong class, will get annoying, especially because there is no way of relocating    One of the best aclaimed JRPG'S for the PS2, features an absorving story full of diverse caracters with good caracter development. It has it few share of plot twists, and many comedic relief moments.

    The gameplay is good enough but it's class system is clearly unbalanced and putting too many points on the wrong class, will get annoying, especially because there is no way of relocating skill points.

    The length of the game is long (When i played this game as a Kid lasted me for a whole year) even though it has few side quests and your main way of progressing is farm a few levels between each quest and its post game content its amazing and should be a must in all JRPG'S.    … Expand
  10. SkyLake_6700
    Oct 23, 2018
    10
    My accurate score is 9.8 and not 10 because you can always improve but it's more close to 10 than 9.
    i think this game is amazing,
    Best RPG game i ever played.
    Excellent Music
    Very long and fun game
    interesting plot
    Great characters
    Unique Visual Style
    Highly recommended for anyone that is looking for a great RPG game.
  11. quinciniho
    Jun 10, 2018
    10
    Undoubtedly the greatest game ever made, so under appreciated, everyone needs to clock this game at least once, even the 3DS port is fantastic.
  12. sixtysixstyx
    May 7, 2018
    10
    Easily the best PS2 era RPG. They need to make a PS4 remaster of this game so bad.
  13. Player999
    Jul 1, 2017
    10
    Great story, great graphic, great music and nice classic combat system.

    Probably best jRPG ever produced.

    PS. PS2 version have best music, which is a big part of playing emotions in that title.
  14. JoseAn13Torres
    Mar 22, 2017
    8
    Arduos combates por turnos, personajes entrañables, un estilo anime impresionante y un mapa a mundo abierto gigantesco fueron los culpables de que me enamorase de la saga Dragon Quest, mi primer juego de la saga, menuda manera de conocerla, inmejorable,
  15. Slamix123
    Sep 28, 2016
    10
    I can talk all day about this beautiful masterpiece. Everything is perfect! The story, the gameplay, the world etc. If you like turn based combat (like me) or can endure it, then this is a must buy. Buy it!
  16. Calandria
    Jun 30, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dragon quest is magic:
    Story:10/10 is incredible, sympathies with the characters and wish follow with until finish(I have finished this game in 25 hours) after the principal's story, the post game is a big battle with the king's dragon(the boss is strongest, i needed to rise my level until 70 to beat him)
    Playability:10/10 it's great, is a free world and fights are for turns
    Soundtrack :10/10 it's amazing, i love it, and always listen in my computer when i can
    Bosses: 9/10 majority are very well ,but many are very easy
    Conclusion:
    10/10 it's a masterpiece    … Expand
  17. Kirillito
    May 20, 2016
    9
    This is one of the most beautiful games you can find on PS2. The graphics, voice acting and characters are all amazing.
    The story is great but, IMO, weaker than in DQ4/5/7.
    The reason why I gave it only 9 lies in DQ series overall tendency to stay loyal to its roots in some parts of the gameplay. Random battles and saving in churches are slowing down the game's pace and become really    This is one of the most beautiful games you can find on PS2. The graphics, voice acting and characters are all amazing.
    The story is great but, IMO, weaker than in DQ4/5/7.
    The reason why I gave it only 9 lies in DQ series overall tendency to stay loyal to its roots in some parts of the gameplay. Random battles and saving in churches are slowing down the game's pace and become really annoying by the middle of the game.

    Nevertheless, the game is really fun to play, especially if you are DQ fan.    … Expand
  18. Empyrea
    May 10, 2016
    9
    If you have this game you know that you have in your hands one of the greatest rpgs for ps2. The graphics are really good. It's like living in an anime serie. The plot is also good and I higly recommend to continue the optional part of the game at the ending if you want more information about of the story of the main character. It has some funny moments that lack in FFX and FFXII. TheIf you have this game you know that you have in your hands one of the greatest rpgs for ps2. The graphics are really good. It's like living in an anime serie. The plot is also good and I higly recommend to continue the optional part of the game at the ending if you want more information about of the story of the main character. It has some funny moments that lack in FFX and FFXII. The soundrack is also excellent; I would give it a 10. This game is long and like a lot of rpgs games there are moments that can be repetitive because of the battle system but specially if want to raise the level of your team. It's 2016 but I really enjoyed this game. It took me 100 hours but it was worthwhile.… Expand
  19. vahn
    Oct 24, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I gave it a 7 because of how cheap it was, being a game only playable with a guide.

    But tonight this game raises up to a 10 for one reason: my dearest pet parrot loved its music, it was "our" game, we loved its music and we spent days listening to the intro theme.

    I only wanted to re-write this review because I felt the need to say that for as much as it's flawed, it'll have a special place in my heart because of my pet, who passed away after 13 years together. You loved this music and I made you listen to it before you left me.

    Rest in peace, dear friend Chico. Your journey has ended, and now you deserve your rest.    … Expand
  20. BlacksitePSU
    Feb 16, 2015
    10
    As a longtime Dragon Quest fan, Dragon Quest VIII still wears the crown of the best Dragon Quest game in the series. From the beginning to the end, it's a charming, imaginative experience of a role-playing game with traditional turn-based gameplay mechanics, beautiful open-world environments, memorable music and a unique, interesting cast of characters. With the series' recent return toAs a longtime Dragon Quest fan, Dragon Quest VIII still wears the crown of the best Dragon Quest game in the series. From the beginning to the end, it's a charming, imaginative experience of a role-playing game with traditional turn-based gameplay mechanics, beautiful open-world environments, memorable music and a unique, interesting cast of characters. With the series' recent return to PlayStation, I can only hope that Dragon Quest XI will be just as amazing.… Expand
  21. banda89
    Dec 31, 2014
    9
    Great game, different from modern versions of RPGs. Not for everyone, the cheesy british voices may not be for everyone, but IMO adds charm to this amazing game. I've read some negative reviews, most of them saying that its to diffcult and unfair, while I admit that leveling up can be a bit frustrating it does't overshadow most of the gorgeous masterpiece that is this game. this is noGreat game, different from modern versions of RPGs. Not for everyone, the cheesy british voices may not be for everyone, but IMO adds charm to this amazing game. I've read some negative reviews, most of them saying that its to diffcult and unfair, while I admit that leveling up can be a bit frustrating it does't overshadow most of the gorgeous masterpiece that is this game. this is no final fantasy, this game's hard if you are underlevel, but not impossible, not having save points inside dungeons, well this is an "old school" rpg, not final fantasy or any of the new ones that has a save point every new screen, you need to think your battles and know when its okay to fight and when you have to flee,

    Pros: Tons of secrets, quick learning curve, hints to make better weapons, side quests, mini games, MONSTER ARENA, lovable characters, 60+ hours worth. No wonder DQ series is so loved in Japan.

    Cons: excesive grinding, until you learn zing theres no cheap way to revive a fallen comrade,    … Expand
  22. Abalue
    Nov 27, 2014
    10
    To give a basic review of how great this game is I have over 1000 hours of game time including 2 complete play throughs. This RPG ticks all the boxes for the perfect game in it's genre.
  23. Kaprawiec
    Oct 13, 2014
    9
    Great game! One of the games i look foward to play again - would love to see HD remake on PS Vita.
    When playing this game You can almost feel the atmosphere of great adventure in the air + i loved concept of collecting monsters to add them to Your team. And the alchemy was also fun. Only true flaw for me was the idea of silent main character.
    I sold my PS2 and now this is the one game    Great game! One of the games i look foward to play again - would love to see HD remake on PS Vita.
    When playing this game You can almost feel the atmosphere of great adventure in the air + i loved concept of collecting monsters to add them to Your team. And the alchemy was also fun. Only true flaw for me was the idea of silent main character.
    I sold my PS2 and now this is the one game that I soo miss.. This and Odins Sphere.
    Graphics 9/10
    Sound 9/10
    Gameplay 9/10
    Verdict: It doesnt get full 10, because it hasnt got that good story, it makes You fight silly thing like slimes, but its really so damn fun and You get to appreciate this title after You finish it and when You think of this game You feel that You miss that something what You had when You played it..    … Expand
  24. Johnnyfaye-Hero
    Apr 27, 2014
    10
    This game currently holds the title for the ultimate and maybe even the pinnacle of your Dragon warrior (sorry can't help myself) experience. There is no better DQ game in the world today, due to the smashing heart break of DQX and the fun but somewhat just short of the mark DQ9 I recommend playing this game last because...you will be left saddene by the fact that you have no where else toThis game currently holds the title for the ultimate and maybe even the pinnacle of your Dragon warrior (sorry can't help myself) experience. There is no better DQ game in the world today, due to the smashing heart break of DQX and the fun but somewhat just short of the mark DQ9 I recommend playing this game last because...you will be left saddene by the fact that you have no where else to go. A true masterpiece....in ever possible way.… Expand
  25. blackbox64
    Apr 18, 2014
    10
    This is the game of my childhood. It is far to amazing for words. Expansive world, amazing characters, and the soundtrack is just breath taking! I have sunk so many hours into this game and I have never regretted it. If you enjoy JRPG's, this is one of the best to play.
  26. Wolfie1987
    Mar 24, 2014
    10
    The best Dragon Quest ever made. An ageless masterpiece, probably the best RPG for PS2. It's a gorgeous cel-shaded open world, nearly a decade later it still looks luscious and vibrant. My only complaints are that only a select few armours appear wearable when the character equips them, also the NPCs just run around in circles instead of having daily schedules. The day/night cycle isThe best Dragon Quest ever made. An ageless masterpiece, probably the best RPG for PS2. It's a gorgeous cel-shaded open world, nearly a decade later it still looks luscious and vibrant. My only complaints are that only a select few armours appear wearable when the character equips them, also the NPCs just run around in circles instead of having daily schedules. The day/night cycle is beautiful aesthetically & it influences NPCs and monsters. You can collect monsters for your monster team, which reminds me very much of Pokémon games. A ton of content, exquisite polish, unbelievable that this is a PS2 game, truly squeezed each drop out of the system's capabilities.… Expand
  27. MasterLink
    Feb 24, 2014
    10
    This is a world that for 100+ hours will suck you in and won't let go until you're done. Beautiful graphics, extraordinary soundtrack, supreme dialogue and characters and some uber-cult-epic side-quests that it's certain that you will never forget. If you're a fan of classic JRPGs, level-grinding, Akira Toriyama, Piccolo or OUTSTANDING games, then enjoy the journey and never look back.
  28. besttuanlong
    Mar 13, 2013
    10
    My best Game of ALL TIME, if anyone ever ask me which game I like the most and my answer is THIS. Story 10/10, Gameplay 10/10, music 12/10, graphic 10/10.
  29. Caestus
    Mar 1, 2013
    8
    Dragon Quest VIII has a traditional turn based battle system, an orchestral soundtrackm and good voice acting (Yangus). But most of all i like the world in which DQ VIII takes place.
  30. omegaferrari
    Jul 25, 2012
    10
    this game just reminded me of how much we pc gamers need good jrpgs, i owned this game on my ps2 and it looks gorgeous now in HD,emulated. the story is great its probably the way lunar the silver star would look like if it was released in 3d ,a complete fun and involving story, great and varied enviroments , its really good! and the psyche up is so cool , the fights and battle system neverthis game just reminded me of how much we pc gamers need good jrpgs, i owned this game on my ps2 and it looks gorgeous now in HD,emulated. the story is great its probably the way lunar the silver star would look like if it was released in 3d ,a complete fun and involving story, great and varied enviroments , its really good! and the psyche up is so cool , the fights and battle system never gets boring, so fun , recommended 1000%… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PS2 Game of 2005
10
#10 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 63 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 63
  3. Negative: 0 out of 63
  1. games(TM)
    90
    For the first time in the series’ beleaguered overseas history, the game is going to hook westerners long enough to draw them in past the insane difficulty and into one of the most rewarding, player-loving games of the last decade. [JPN Import; Feb 2005, p.86]
  2. RPG Fan
    93
    Dragon Quest VIII may not revolutionize the console RPG genre, but it has done one thing that all the older RPGs have strived to be: it has become the greatest classic RPG experience of all time. [JPN Import]
    Read full review
  3. Weekly Famitsu
    98
    10 / 9 / 10 / 10 - 39 platinum [Dec 2004]
See all critic reviews »