Dragon Quest is a storied franchise, with the main series being a JPRG juggernaut for over 35 years. With 11 main entries forming the series’ backbone with fairy tale stories and genre-defining gameplay, it’s easy to see why. Dragon Quest is so much more than its key entries as the spinoffs are rife with the same design ethos and tone of the main games. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince snugly fits itself into this pantheon. Scout out the game with our Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Review!
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (known simply as Dragon Quest Monsters 3 in Japan) is the next entry in the Dragon Quest Monsters subseries. This is also a game that celebrates Dragon Quest Monsters’ 25th Anniversary! Congrats! To learn more about this treasured subseries, please take a look at our Dragon Quest Monsters – A Comprehensive History article!
The Titular Monsters
Putting the monster in Dragon Quest Monsters! This subseries focuses on taming and battling these iconic beasties! This concept was introduced as early as Dragon Quest V; however, these games go into more depth with full movesets and upgrade paths. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince features over 500 monsters!
Beastie Buddies
As you explore the world, you will encounter many monsters. Different monsters even come out to play during different seasons and weather conditions. Keep an eye out! You can recruit them to your team by scouting them or using food items to tempt them to your side upon defeat. Gathering many monsters is key to building a balanced team. Later, you can even Synthesize two monsters to make a new monster with a combination of abilities. Monsters also grow fast, making it super easy to constantly change up your team most of the game. This loop of experimentation with team composition and leveling new monsters was an addictive loop that had me hooked.
‘Goo’lorious Throwdowns
Raising monsters ties directly into battles. The time you spend raising and scouting new monsters directly correlates to a large ability pool. You can issue proper tactics and form powerful strategies with your main and reserve parties. The battles themselves are basically like normal Dragon Quest fare, except all abilities and spells are now in a consolidated menu. This means that the battle system is tried and true, so expect a solid experience that allows strategy.
The Essence of the ‘Quest’
What has cemented Dragon Quest as a flagship JRPG and shot it up to its legendary status is its very carefully crafted design. Everything from story, structure, and even menus is thought intently about. Yes, there have been changes and modernization, but that core set of beliefs is still there, evolving and changing while staying true to itself.
A really good way to learn more about the “Essence of Dragon Quest” is through an ‘Iwata Asks’ interview with Yuji Horii. You get to hear this straight from the source while hopefully developing some insight into why the series is designed the way it is.
The Series Defining Tone
In terms of story, I’d say one of Dragon Quest’s defining aspects is the theme of hope. This isn’t unique to Dragon Quest, especially in the world of JRPGs. However, I don’t think I’ve played another series that has the same story progression or presentation. Each story beat in these games tells you a tale that can be taken in as its own chunk while simultaneously being a part of the whole. There are many of these small story bits throughout the series that have moved me personally. I probably haven’t been articulating exactly what I mean properly, but there is definitely a different feel to these games.
Another important aspect is the tone of the gameplay. I feel Dragon Quest takes things people don’t always like in classic JRPGs, like grinding and making them a very intentional design choice. One of the best parts about this design is that it is specifically tailored to be accessible. Even required grinding is designed to be less of a progression gate and more of a badge of your progress. These games are designed to reward your time for however long you play it. A small 15-minute session can reward you with that one extra level you wanted, or a longer couple-hour play session can get you through a story arc or dungeon.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince keeps both of these traditions. The story structure and gameplay are up to snuff. However, I have a couple of issues. I feel the actual game structure is quite rigid, with little deviation. You go to the different zones as they unlock via a fast travel menu or teleportal. The world doesn’t feel interconnected. It’s not bad, but it makes it feel rigid. Although this did end up having that effect on me, I described earlier. I would make short-term goals of getting to the new dungeon and unlocking the teleportal at the end before the boss. It was enjoyable, and I respected my time. The next issue is that it takes some time to really get going. A problem that is also shared by Dragon Quest VII. This one’s more of a nitpick, but I know those who get impatient.
Look, Sound, and Feel of a Storybook
I feel that the graphics are a mixed bag. I ended up quite liking them, but there are a few things about them that don’t sit quite right with me. First up is the obvious Switch shortcomings. Lower res, less detail, etc. It is what it is. I still like the game’s looks (but hey, I won’t complain about a PC/PS5 port). The art style for environments is on the minimalistic side and can be quite gorgeous and creative. The changing seasons and weather exacerbate this, as the environment can change drastically. I do feel that the shaders for characters typically stand out a lot, but they also look great.
If you are familiar with the controversies surrounding the soundtrack of Dragon Quest XI, then I’m here to say that this game falls into a similar spot. Heavy reuse and synthesized instruments you may not be a fan of run rampant here. Personally, the latter has never been a problem for me. Although I do take issue with the former, the heavy re-usage of songs compliments the fanservice, but at what cost? A less distinct identity is what. I go more into depth on this specific topic along with its ramifications in our Dragon Quest – The Uncertain Future of the Soundtrack article.
‘Goo’d Lord the Perf…
The main issues I have with the game are on the technical side. The game has to load a lot, an aspect that is pushed even further by certain design choices. Here is a real example of what I mean. Let’s say you explored a new area of Nadira and want to return to Rosehill. You can cast Zoom and choose to teleport to your base tower or the town itself. You sit on a 10-15-second loading screen. If you went to your tower there, you must exit and sit through another load. If you select the town name, you get Zoomed OUTSIDE OF THE TOWN AND MUST WALK IN THROUGH ANOTHER LOADING SCREEN. What’s the deal with this? The same thing happens with the many dungeons in the game. You Zoom outside of them when you’re trying to Zoom into them. I can Zoom to Endor and field map locations just fine with only ONE loading screen. I wouldn’t say this is too bad, but it adds up while also feeling unpolished to me. At least battle transition loads are really brief; there are no complaints there.
The other main thing is the framerate. It’s highly inconsistent, dare I say bad. At least the Resolution and Graphics themselves are fine and understandable, considering the hardware. Even some of the performance issues are understandable, but it just does not do the game any favors. The constant dips and stutters really took me out of the game at times. To give credit where credit is due, the real-time weather and season changes that must load in at a moment’s notice could contribute to this. There are frame drops on those transitions. I just don’t know how to explain away the awful performance outside of those moments. Could it be due to how the game loads assets or monsters? Does it keep certain things loaded so it can swap at a moment’s notice? I’m not entirely sure. I’m fine with dips here or there, but this game often reminded me of the poor performance in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
Chapters of the (Un)Chosen
In this game, you take control of Psaro, a young half-human and half-monster deadset on exacting his own personal grudges and agendas by overthrowing his evil father, who cast him aside. Psaro is one of the key antagonists of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen! How interesting… Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince definitely keeps up the tradition of this subseries, adding on to a main entry. What twists of fate and deeper lore does this game hold?
Don’t worry; I’m not diving head first into spoilers; trailers have already touched upon what I’m going to say!
The game takes place during the same time period as Dragon Quest IV, meaning you get to view that world through a different lens while gorging yourself on some delicious fan service if you are familiar with DQIV. You get to see all kinds of charming monsters you know and love, of course. But you are also treated with a heaping helping of setting expansion by seeing more of Nadiria, topped with succulent nuggets of fresh lore. For dessert, you also get some key encounters with the Chosen and his comrades.
I understand that I’m being vague, but that’s the best way to skirt around talking about the surprises that are in store. Just know that when the plot kicks in after the opening sections, it sticks the landing.
Fin
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince displays and waves the banner of its pedigree proudly. It offers the same wonderful tone and gameplay as Dragon Quest with some nice twists. The game also gives fans of Dragon Quest IV, especially some lovely fanservice that ties in properly to the melancholic, yet hopeful, story. The loop of finding new monsters, training them, and synthesizing them is very addicting and streamlined. Making new teams and refining your strategy over time is super engaging. The only things that sully the charm of the series and the satisfying gameplay loop are its rigid structure and incredibly inconsistent performance.
Wanna try out the game? You can give it a whirl via the free demo on the Nintendo eShop! If you happen to enjoy it, I implore you to purchase yourself a copy. You deserve it! – Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince – Nintendo Switch
