Dragon Quest VIII - Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi (Japan)
also known as Dragon Quest VIII - Journey of the Cursed King
Nintendo 3DS
🇯🇵
Reviewed in 2015
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✪ Reviewed on May 28, 2023
80
Dragon Quest VIII on 3DS is a superior version of the PS2 masterpiece. The hero of cursed King Trode in a vast colourful world. 3DS exclusive additions including playable Jessica and Morrie. The definitive version of a monument.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
A knight struck by jester Dhoulmagus's curse sets out to defeat him before the curse's poison kills the king and princess. Published by Square Enix, released in Europe in January 2017. Turn-based combat, colourful open 3D world, alchemy combining items, 3DS-exclusive full voice acting, new characters. Multilingual version.
Dragon Quest VIII - Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
A cel-shaded open world where Toriyama's creatures come to life under vast painted skies: the adventure breathes the open air. The crisp outline of the characters and the warm light elevate every panorama. This colourful elegance, faithful to the master, remains a peak of aesthetics for the series.
Koichi Sugiyama's majestic overture, now emblematic, sets the tone for an orchestral epic of rare nobility. Broad strings and triumphant brass accompany the crossing of immense landscapes with a constant emotion. This sumptuous score remains one of the symphonic peaks of the JRPG.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Roaming a vast cel-shaded world, alchemizing items and equipment in the cauldron and growing your skills weaves an adventure where every horizon invites exploration. The hunt for recipes and monsters prolongs the journey. The turn-based combat stays conventional, but the world's charm and the freedom of progression hold you for the long haul.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Chasing the jester Dhoulmagus across a vast open world unfurls an epic generous in exploration, quests and alchemy. The ample main quest, a bestiary to complete and the alchemy pot to experiment with hold you for long hours. This JRPG classic, both accessible and deep, keeps a reputation as an adventure you take your time to savour.
The Japanese edition of the 3DS remake carries the same aura the PS2 original holds for local players, where Dragon Quest VIII is seen as the series' stylistic peak in open-world form. The Japanese box keeps the domestic visual coherence, more restrained than the Western covers. Its collector value comes from being the only port shipped with Japanese voice acting recorded for 3DS, never released outside Japan.
Is Dragon Quest VIII - Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2015 in Japan then 2017 in the West on 3DS, Square Enix's project brings to the handheld one of the most beloved Dragon Quest games, whose charm lies in a rolling open world, Akira Toriyama's visual touch and an adventure of classic gentleness. The clear turn based combat, the alchemy system for crafting items and weapons and an endearing companionship carry a long and warm quest. This version adds playable characters, scenarios and an eased pace. A few technical compromises on the handheld show. A great accessible Japanese RPG, recommended for any fan of classic adventure.
