Dragon Quest Roars Onto PS2s in Europe
The game that kick started the console RPG phenomenon in Japan is at long last getting an official release in Europe.
Despite birthing the console RPG genre and dominating sales charts in Japan, Square Enix's Dragon Quest series has been denied an official presence in Europe. Until now. RPG fans can look forward to losing their lives to the spellbinding eighth instalment in the series when it hits Europe later this year.
Developed by Dark Cloud creator Level 5, Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King is a gameplay focused RPG experience designed to overwhelm you with options and sap your life away with its epic story.
You could be forgiven for thinking that Square Enix would be lackadaisical in its rejigging of the game for domestic sentiments, given how niche the RPG genre is here, but it does seem to have been rejigged for its European debut.
The local release features vocal performances by British voice actors and a fully orchestrated score to accompany the now-vivid gameplay mechanics.
Should you be interested in this if you've never heard of the series? If the character designs by Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama don't convince you, perhaps the 3.6 million sales the game has racked up in Japan will change your mind.
Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King will be released only for PlayStation 2 in April.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare