Introduction
Welcome to Dragon Quest Monsters The Dark Prince Switch Review. Dragon Quest has spawned many spin-offs over the years, and the latest, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, takes aim directly at the monster collecting genre popularized by Pokemon. Does it succeed? Let’s dive in and find out.
Story & Characters
The game follows the protagonist Psaro, who finds himself cursed and unable to harm monsters with traditional weapons. This forces him to become a “monster wrangler,” capturing and using monsters as his weapons. While the core motivation is clear, the side characters can feel underdeveloped. While the core motivation of seeking revenge makes sense, the side characters feel shoehorned in. Despite this, the humorous dialogue keeps things entertaining. The narrative might feel a bit scrappy, but it manages to have heart despite its confusion.
Gameplay
The core gameplay revolves around capturing and breeding monsters. The “synthesis” system is incredibly addictive, allowing you to combine monsters to create new and powerful creatures. This adds a layer of customization and strategy that is absent in many monster collecting games.
Dragon Quest Monsters offers a unique blend of monster collecting and battling. You can choose your movesets, directly control your team, and even Scout monsters to join your party. The Four Seasons system adds a clever twist, constantly shifting environments and introducing new monsters.
Exploration is divided into small, open-world environments with frequent fast travel options. This keeps the pace brisk and ensures you’re never far from a new monster encounter. However, the environments themselves can feel lifeless and repetitive.
Combat is turn-based, with you issuing commands to your monsters directly or allowing them to act autonomously. The ability to leave monsters on your back row and have them gain experience even when not in battle is a clever twist that adds strategic depth.
World and Presentation
The open world environments are small but diverse, with the Four Seasons system adding variety. However, the presentation is a bit disappointing, with low-resolution textures, pop-in, and occasional performance drops. The monster designs are quirky and charming, though.
Technical Aspects
Visually, the game is a mixed bag. While the monster designs are quirky and charming, the environments suffer from low textures, pop-in, and occasional frame drops. The soundtrack is a familiar mix of classic Dragon Quest tunes, but some tracks are overused and lack variety.
Sound effects and voice acting are excellent, capturing the classic Dragon Quest feel.
Content & Value
The base game offers a good amount of content, but the inclusion of a paid DLC that directly affects monster acquisition feels exploitative. This is especially true considering the price of the already-expensive deluxe edition.
Online play allows you to battle other players with your team of monsters, adding a layer of replayability.
Score
- Gameplay: 18/20
- Controls: 16/20
- Visuals and Performance: 15/20
- Sound and Audio: 16/20
- Value: 14/20
- Switch Up Score: 79%
Final Conclusion
If you’re a fan of monster collecting games and enjoy the Dragon Quest universe, you’ll likely find a lot to enjoy in The Dark Prince. Despite its flaws, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a highly addictive and enjoyable monster collecting experience. The synthesis system is incredibly deep and rewarding, keeping you hooked for hours. While the story and presentation could be better, the core gameplay shines through. With a Switch Up score of 79%, it’s definitely worth checking out for fans of the genre.
Hope this article on Dragon Quest Monsters The Dark Prince Switch Review is helpful. If you have any questions feel free to comment down below.
FAQs
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a monster collecting and training RPG spin-off of the popular Dragon Quest series. It features turn-based battles, monster synthesis, and a charming world to explore.
If you are a fan of monster collecting games or the Dragon Quest series, then Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is definitely worth checking out. It is a fun and addictive game with a lot to offer. However, if you are looking for a technical masterpiece, you may be disappointed.