The game’s aesthetic is wondrous, but you may remember Eastward most for its disrespect for the player’s time.
Its characters already lacked personality, and the 3D makeover is mostly successful at bringing that deficiency into sharper relief.
Though visually sumptuous, the game doesn’t do much to strike a bolder, more mature path within a tired series.
Dragon Quest VIII’s almost-random plot and character moments carry complex emotional weight.
The cluelessness-as-heroism and over-the-top fighting don’t fulfill or complement the infectiously positive tone.
The premise and its presentation, along with a generous difficulty curve, ultimately, if barely, saves the game.
The game’s progression, while unhurried in nature, stays true to the orthodox route of the conventional JRPG, keeping things engaging primarily by way of its kinetic, multi-faceted battle system.
Like all Dragon Quest games, a solid five-to-eight hours of dedicated gameplay is required in order for deeper strategic trajectories to present themselves.
The Drowned City isn’t for the fair-weather player.
One of the game’s biggest draws is its replay value. Side quests abound, and the alchemy system, which allows you to combine items to create rarer, more potent ones, will keep you busy.