I tried the demo for this first before I bought it and knew right away it was something I was going to enjoy. It does a good job of letting you experience the basic game play and get a feel for how it progresses. For anyone on the fence who hasn't tried the demo, they should go download that first. If you're a dragon quest fan then you'll likely want to buy this game.



The first time I played a dragon quest game was when I received a free copy of "Dragon Warrior" in the mail from Nintendo Power, and Dragon Quest Builders is bringing back all of the fond memories of the original from my childhood. The classic sound effects, music, items, and enemies are all there. You'll start off bashing slimes with a cypress stick, and even though it's an action based combat system it still felt like a 'dragon quest battle' because of all the assets involved. The results of these battles is probably about the same as it would have been for me if it were turn based. Some enemies are easier to dodge by moving than others, but I often just end up trading blows back and forth. More skilled players may be able to avoid more attacks, but for me it feels about right. I've only played for about 5-6 hours so far, and just learned my first sword technique (a charged up 360 attack like Zelda), but I imagine it will get deeper as I play more. Even if it doesn't, however, I'll still be satisfied.



That's because of the "Builders" part of the title. Not only do you get the classic dragon quest experience and story, but you also get to build your own town! You start off building a simple bedroom, but eventually learn (sometimes by accident - which is exciting) how to build more complex rooms. The rooms are defined by the objects in them (such as a straw bed and a light source for a simple bedroom) and as you learn how to make more objects, the number of different types of buildings you can construct grows. I've got a simple Inn, a shop, and some private houses so far, but I'm eager to see what else is coming. I've spent a great deal of time just trying to be creative in how I've organized everything.



On the surface this game looks like a Minecraft clone, and there's no doubt it was inspired by that game. You'll start off gathering blocks of dirt, coal, and metal, just like in Minecraft, but the similarities really end there. What sets this game apart is the sense of purpose along with the dragon quest story. As you progress in the game, NPCs will move in and give you objectives to complete. Sometimes they involve building something, but other times they require you to go out into the world and find someone or something. There is always an objective, which is something Minecraft failed at for me personally.



The interface is well designed also. As soon as you find a new material the game will tell you what new things you're currently able to build with it and the recipe goes into a categorized list you can browse. There's no trying to remember what combination of items you need to build something. NPCs will also use specialized rooms and place random things they've built into nearby chests, so it removes some of the tedium of having to build every single little thing yourself. You'll find things like doors and ladder segments, which will give you a head start when you decide to construct a new building. They'll also cook food for you, which is convenient when you want to go out adventuring and can just grab some on the way out. It helps breathe some life into the town and makes it feel more dynamic.



For those who want to just be creative and build without the objectives, this game has that also. I haven't unlocked it myself yet but from what I understand there is a free mode available once you finish the first island.



For dragon quest fans, I can't recommend this game enough. And for those who liked the idea of Minecraft but got bored of it after a few hours (like me), this game is for you also. It's actually game foremost, with sandbox elements build in. Unlike Minecraft which is the other way around.