64-Bit Gems #31 – Dragon Quest VIII (PS2)

Posted by Roo-CotGW on Sunday, April 1, 2012 · 48 Comments

Roo takes advantage this April 1st to talk about an RPG that gets just about everything right – Dragon Quest VIII, for the Playstation 2. Watch for an explanation of why this is a game any JRPG fan can’t pass by.

PDesena 2012

Ben1842

Isn’t this a 128-bit gem?

Bob

The PS2′s processor was 64-bit.

Ben1842

Hard to find solid info but Wikipedia says:

“The PlayStation 2′s CPU (known as the “128-bit Emotion Engine”) has a 64-bit double precision core based on MIPS architecture.
It includes three separate execution units inside the one processor and
each one is capable of executing two instructions per cycle. The PS2′s Graphics Synthesizer
has fast dedicated video memory, though it is limited in the amount of
data it can hold. Consequently, many of the PS2′s games have reduced
textures compared with versions for other consoles. It also does not
have a transform and lighting unit like the ones found in the Xbox and GameCube GPUs.”

Ben1842

Also on the page for the Emotion Engine page it seems to back that up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion_Engine

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001582780112 Roo Cotgw

Yeah, this is something I mulled over for awhile – the main problem is that consoles after the late 90′s became less constrained by the “bit” hype due to complex architectures, which is why you don’t hear anything about that anymore.

As far as the PS2, it had a 128-bit instruction architecture, but that was basically a kluge of 2 64-bit arithmetic logic units – basically the heart of the system. In reality, there are very few CPUs even today that are purley 128-bit – which is why it’s uncommon to find one even when building a PC.

the reason being that constructing a single CPU with over 1.84467441 × 10^19 integer units is normally overkill.

But in the end, it’s just a way to title the April Fools’ video. The Turbografx-16 had an 8-bit CPU, but it’s rarely described as such.
Masterofmedia

and systems like the XBOX had a 32 bit CPU (and a 256 bit GPU), it never really mattered past the late 80′s and early 90′s
bytex666

The “bit wars” were a bigger matter in the 80s and 90s since there was such a big difference between 8-bit and 16-bit games..graphics and soundwise..now it’s not so important anymore. PS360wii whatever.
2Pboy

Because the site is called Retroware TV, you could call everything that was released after the PS/Saturn/N64 simply “Next Generation”, if the number of bits wasn’t important anymore.

Jobocan

Great review. Makes me sad that I stupidly got rid of it (along with a bunch of other PS2 and Gamecube games) when the current generation started… but it’s quite cheap now so I’m probably gonna pick it up again sometime down the road.

Can’t wait for the next review!
http://www.retrowaretv.com Kevin Willingham

Well I’m going to buy this game. Maybe I’ll get some actual use out of my PS2 now!
Guest

don’t you just love it when Nintendo releases Dragon Quest 1, 2, and 3 collectors edition in Japan only………..WHY DO THEY DO THAT!? and on ebay it’s freakin’ expensive! i think there is a big enough market here for that collectors edition.
http://twitter.com/adeceku alan cavazos

Roo what is your fav DQ game? DQ VII
Aceofopus

This is probably one of my favorite games that I own on my PS2 if not my entire collection. As bare bones as it appears, everything it has is pretty much perfect. In addition, due to the fact that this soundtrack is orchestrated it is one of the few RPGs I will actually keep the sound on all the time while playing (grinding makes almost all of even the best battle themes grating after a week of playing).
http://twitter.com/GamingHistorian Gaming Historian

Great review, Roo. You summed up this game perfectly. It is hands down my favorite Dragon Quest game.
http://twitter.com/GNARK1LL420 George

Nice this is easily in my top 5 RPGs of all time.
Earthbound_X

Yep, amazing game, I really need to go back and start and actually finish it, another game where I got distracted by something else while playing it.
Cynic667

Just finished this one, absolutely a stellar game and great choice for the aprils fools review, Joey!
a little WTF moment in the Review: around 5:00 at describing alchemy there were 23 (!) Orichalcum in the bag… how…? why…?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001582780112 Roo Cotgw

Ha, I actually had no time to collect video for this entire game by myself (as with most RPGs, it’s pretty long), so I found a LPer on YouTube who was willing to donate his footage. He’s pretty hardcore. He has over 2500 minutes on this game, and that’s with some stuff left out.

Konondrum

Can’t say I really get what all the hype is about myself. I am definitely an RPG fan, but I’ve tried to pick this game up several times on other people’s suggestions and I just can’t get into it. I’ve never been able to get than a couple of hours in, I don’t know if it’s the plot, the characters, the interface or what, but I find it incredibly tedious. Oh well to each their own I suppose.
Cynic667

oh, just one more thing: There are random encounters on the overworld (and not to little of them): the monsters that are visible are only the more beefed up ones that are able to be recuited.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001582780112 Roo Cotgw

You make a great point – I simply goofed there. Don’t know what I was thinking. It will be shortly corrected.

Cynic667

Maybe you had DQ IX, where the visible monster thing was the case, in the back of your mind. Not too far off, being the other Level-5 made DQ installment.

Marvelmite

Been playing this game myself for the last few months (have about 80 hours in) and yeah I agree it has become one of my favorite games, sitting shoulder to shoulder with any Final Fantasy, Chrono, or Xeno game. Everyone should try it
http://twitter.com/derekalexander derekalexander

Once again Roo is fucking on point. Probably the best RPG on the system and one of the best in last 10 years.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001582780112 Roo Cotgw

Our conversation concerning this game at MAGfest was a big motivator for me to tackle it. Glad I’m not the only one who loves it.

Shithead

Most I remember is running around in a circle with auto battle on 30 hours in and falling asleep. Early game drags with all the trips back to the church to make sure you don’t get wiped with 40 minutes of progress. Later on once you take advantage of zoom it’s all over and you can just blow through all the bad anime horseshit. Perfect for those who love blob combat.
CronoT

While I don’t begrudge anyone who enjoys the DQ series, when I consulted a walkthrough at the 80 HOUR mark for this game, and found out I wasn’t even halfway through it, I called a Nerf and sold the game. A similar thing happened with DQIX on the DS, when I got ALL THE WAY to the end section of the game, and found out I would have to gold and EXP grind for hours to get through it. Nerfed and sold.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Austin-Kelly-Mackert/100000790359124 Austin Kelly Mackert

Judging by its price, I didn’t think this would be the overlooked gem that it [apparently] is. I might have to check it out. Excellent review!
Venom

Tough I’m more of a Shadow Hearts/ SMT: Lucifer’s Call fan, I have a lot off fond memories on Dragonquest VIII. It seems like everything you need is in the game. Tough it was the vivid artstyle that drew me in.

I’m glad to hear that you wanna do the rest of the series, but could you also do Shadow Hearts and the Shin Megami Tensei series.
Marineldmstr

I remember vividly every second of the 115 hours I spent on this game. Well worth the almost under $20 you can get this game for nowadays.
Evan

Roo- I’m really glad you chose to showcase this game. I finished this game a couple weeks ago and I would say that it’s the most polished RPG that I’ve played. No one aspect of the game is mind-blowing by itself, but the culmination of all the parts is excellent. The musical score, art design, combat, dialogue, cutscenes, and pacing make this game my favorite of the previous generation of consoles.
JohnD

This game has been perpetually on my “must play” list since I bought it the week it came out. Too many games! I must play this.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Cameron-Ward/100001209355282 Cameron Ward

I’d Recommend it John. I gave it a perfect score and it is very impressive in what it does.

SPac316

Yes this is a good game. I have it. Bought it brand new for $20.
DeanWhipper

Thanks Roo! You’re the best!
http://www.facebook.com/kawaiineru Amber Short

I actually enjoyed this game. :> But there is a part of me that still favors the first. What sold me about VIII was the music. <3 I love it so much, I even bought the suite soundtrack. I really felt the music was well done. Very well done if I do say. If only Xenogears was like this.
http://www.facebook.com/billy.w.hudson Billy Hudson

I really should play this. I loved Dragon Quest IX.
Lmayberry86

Hey look fan service
Gold_Ultima

This is why I love your reviews. You always review things outside of my genre comfort zones, then I pick them up and have a blast. I’ll at this one to the list of must get games, I guess.
http://profile.yahoo.com/CTMCQK35AUT37FP7ULITVC4DOQ eric

I consider FFXII the best in the series and superior to DQVIII but its an awesome game that deserved way more attention than it got.
http://www.facebook.com/tenfoottapeworm Randy Worsnup

The only dragon quest i played, I really like it not as much as FF12 i know a lot of people didn’t like the combat but if you hunted down the side bosses, constantly changing party AI to match the different phases the bosses had was really fun and challenging
AlbertoAshikawa

This game is simple but marvelous, if you have played a old RPG you will like immediately the mechanics. The graphics are amazing it’s like watch a anime. Must play if you like RPG.
AManofClay

That clinches it. You are an exceptional pitchman. I’ve had DQ8 sitting in my collection ever since it came out, and I never could get into it. The first Dragon Quest turned me off RPGs for a time. That does color my view of the series a bit but, as you say, the series doesn’t change much. Story carries a good RPG for me, this has a sparse plot. Random encounters are a major turn off, contrary to the video, the game has them in spades. That said your point’s so well presented. You “polish” the gem so well. I had to go back and give DQ8 another try, and I’m sort of loving it.
nrrork

Can’t
agree more. I’ve said for years that this game is HEART-BREAKINGLY
good, because I see every Square Enix offering released since 2001, and
I look at Dragon Quest VIII and think “This is how good that game COULD’VE
been.”
John Courchesne

Lol, I love how you used Veteran0121′s LP videos for this. I love his videos.
http://twitter.com/The_Arab1 The_Arab

nice review Roo. as always. but i have to be honest i didn’t like that game all that much. it was boring for me. i couldn’t finish it because of how board i was. the story was OK for the most part but not enough for me to keep on. i don’t know maybe i was spoiled by complicated twist filled stories or something. i just couldn’t get into it. the overall ridiculous enemies bugged me too. this works for Zelda games but i guess because i’m used to Zelda. this was after all was my first Dragon Quest game. all in all i don’t think i’ll be playing anymore Dragon Quest games unless some sort of a miracle happens. thanks again for the great video and still waiting on you NeoGeo game reviews.

peace
http://www.facebook.com/people/Marc-Black/100001793987174 Marc Black

Hahaha! That was a wonderful review! I found it sweet you used the German game cover because I am from there and since the time I watched a trailer for the game I fell in love with it since I adore classic Japanese styled RPGs and Dragon Quest VIII is for me probably the very best RPG I’ve ever played since it entertained me so much in every possible way you already pointed out. Actually the way how huge and well designed the game world was and how much fun it was to explore every corner for getting treasures, talking to people, finding the metal slime kings, battling the dragons in the dragon sanctum….Simply amazing!
Also, it portraits Toriyama’s artstyle just wonderful! I actually just can say it what I already told all my friends:

NINTENDO/GameFreak needs to make Pokémon like Dragon Quest VIII!
This seems not fitting here maybe but just…Wow! What amazing would be a cell-shading Pokémon game be that had an open game world like this great RPG and also would whole shown in the artstyle of Pokémon artwork designer Ken Sugimori! Putting in an orchestral soundtrack, Pokémon that run around, hiding in the high grass, in trees, disguising them as rocks like Geodude does. You could watch your Pokémon like you do with your party members here, you could throw Pokéballs with the Wiimote and so much more possibilities!

Sorry, I got carried away! I simply can repeat that I love DQVIII and say thanks for the nice review! ^_^
MegaMonkey

Exactly why I bought DQ8! First thing I did was play that demo.

I also completely messed up my skill selection which made the game really hard.