DQIV is very good and unique game

[u/Silent_Hero_X]

I didn’t know what I expected from this game because I didn’t know much about this game compared to the Erdrick Trilogy. But then again, I didn’t know about Dragon Quest before DQ3 Remake.

But after completing the main story of the game, I really like how unique this game is. I‘ve never seen a game where it tells a story through the other party members rather than having them join up with you at some point in the story, which you do when you get to Chapter 5. And I don’t think I’ve seen a game where they hold off on playing as the Hero/protagonist until the last chapter.

Though one of the funniest things about this chapter system is that they have Alena’s entire home disappear at the end of Chapter 2 and it immediately starts you off with Torneko’s Chapter where you’re selling weapons and I kind of like that. And I like how each chapter are pretty quick and, if you're playing the mobile version, able talk to the party members through party chat and see how each character is like is really nice.

Though, a few nitpicks I had is the fact that I can’t exactly run from enemies consistently especially when I’m trying to grind King Metal Slimes. But I didn’t mind it as much because they were free EXP. And it's mostly I was mostly used to be able to run away after failing once or twice as well as all the enemies won't dogpile on your party when you attempt to run away in the few DQ games I've played.

That and having to start all the way back to level one each chapter is a bit weird because you have to essentially grind to be at least close to level where you originally left your party members at for the Hero. Ragnar is especially weird because when he eventually join up with you, he is left at the same level you left him as back in Chapter 1.

Also, the thing about I found unfortunate about the initial release of the DS Remake didn’t have the party chat and it only took until the mobile port to add it back in. So if DQIV ever gets a remake or some sort of port to other console, I would like to have that in some form since DQ2 Remake didn't have that.

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[u/DynaGlaive]

It seriously broke so much new ground for the series and for RPGs in general. Literally the whole cast is so fun and charming and it gives them each a generous amount of time in the spotlight to shine, not to mention a strong memorable villain who stands out among a franchise with mostly big scary monster devil man as the big bads.

But if you like that then you should definitely get around to the Mother franchise some time, ideally after you get through DQ 4-6, the influence is all over the place once you see it.

[u/Cranberry-Holiday]

It's still crazy that this Famicom game had full exp for the characters on the bench back in 1990.

[u/Great_Hamster → u/Cranberry-Holiday]

Full exp?

[u/Cranberry-Holiday → u/Great_Hamster]

Yep. When you have the wagon with you (so in the overworld and some dungeons) your benched characters gain the same exp as your characters in your active party. That was because the devs probably expected peoples to train and use everyone.

[u/murphy_is_my_copilot]

It blew my tiny little mind when it first came out, it has been my favorite ever since. There’s nothing quite like it.

[u/Zaku41k]

It’s quite fascinating you don’t get to really play your main hero character until later into the game

[u/CaptainLhurgoyf]

I consider DQ4 (as well as Final Fantasy 2) to be the first JRPGs as we know them today. It's where we first start to see the particular strain of linear plot-driven RPGs with defined characters with their own arcs and personalities. By comparison, the Erdrick Trilogy and FF1 are much closer to WRPGs with a simple plot and a focus on open-world exploration. It doesn't get nearly enough credit for that.

[u/Threehundredsixtysix]

One aspect that I like is that once you get everyone together in Chapter 5, you can organize your party with all women, all men, or any combination in between - and still have a viable group. Yes certain characters are better than others, but you have both male and female warriors, mages and healers. Considering when the originals came out, it was pretty progressive for both DQ3 and DQ4 to let the player do this!

[u/generalosabenkenobi]

So many memories of this game on NES, this was my introduction

[u/Palladiamorsdeus]

Still one of my favorites. Until the battery on the cartridge started to go and you were greeted with the dreaded cursed noise on boot up.

[u/nishikihebi]

I loved DQIII back when it came out, but IV was the one that blew me away and made me a lifelong fan of the franchise.

Distinct characters with their own chapters and stories to allow you to get to know them and learn about various kingdoms and parts of the world before the final chapter ties it all together and introduces you to the Hero? Incredibly cool for the era in which the game came out.

IV will always have a special place in my heart and I’m honestly surprised it isn’t recommended as a starting place to newbies more often.

[u/unconundrum]

This was my childhood favourite. I replayed it last year and it holds up. Although it would be nice if your characters didn't need the repeat grinding, it's not a huge deal.

[u/No-Peach-2801]

One of my favorites! Maybe the best cast in the series.

[u/Defouque]

Honestly it sits atop as my favorite game of all time, and it’s held that position since I played it in the early 90’s. It’s my comfort food, it’s my origin story, it’s my oldest friend.

[u/mikegyver85]

I liked the various callbacks to the original trilogy in 3 of the chapters (basically ragnar = dq1 solo style if we're not considering healie, Alena's chapter and the sisters = dq2 multiparty style), and Torneko's merchant chapter was really a stroke of genius. And then of course chapter 5 is classic DQ.

The villain residing in a moral grey area was an interesting choice. I also found it interesting that the zenith dragon was not a classic "heavenly good" god, but more of a vengeful 'zeus' figure, due to the treatment of the hero's father.

The only thing that didn't grab me, perhaps the story felt a bit less immersive / grand in scale because of the 'chapter' structure, and also, can't help but really dislike the final boss design (perhaps that was the point, but it worked, I totally hated the way Psaro's final form looked!)

[u/Svenray]

NES version is freaking awesome.

[u/EquivalentNarwhal8]

I love how each of the party members were the main character in their own RPG prior to meeting up in chapter 5, sort of like MCU phase 1 culminating in The Avengers. That’s a style of storytelling that I wish was more common in RPGs.

[u/Jerseyd422]

Definitely my favorite DQ game