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Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden
Platform: Playstation Publisher: Enix Developer: Enix Projected Release Date: August 2000 (Japan)
As the supreme rival to the Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest has given gamers some of the most immense, engrossing console RPGs ever. Staying stride for stride with Final Fantasy, a see-saw battle ensued between Enix and Squaresoft for console RPG supremacy. Oddly enough, the Dragon Quest series disappeared leaving the flood gates wide open for Square to become king of the mountain. Now Enix is ready to throw the gauntlet back in the arena with Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden for the Playstation.
As is the tradition in the Dragon Quest series, players will name the hero at the onset of the game. In this case the hero is a young fisherman who wants to grow up to be as successful in the trade as his dear ol' dad.. From there they will be joined by Maribel, a life long friend of the hero, and daughter to an influential family. Also joining the team is Keifer Gran, the local prince. He would much prefer to be out enjoying life than performing his princely duties, so he often sneaks away to hang out with the hero and Maribel, developing a strong kinship with the hero.
The most interesting feature in Dragon Quest VII is by far its occupation system, that has been inherited from previous installments in the series. With this system players will be able to pick and choose from various occupations for their characters to have such as a bard, magician, priest, thief, seaman, monk, and warrior. Like in the past players will be able to switch professions, while retaining the skills and abilities gained from the occupation they are leaving. Players won't be able to change their occupation at a whim however, they will be required to journey to the Dharma Shrine in order to do so. Also of note is the ability to combine occupations so that players can have warrior priests, and the like.
Going for a simpler animation style, Dragon Quest VII has move the series into the 3D world, but it keeps a cuter, super deformed presentation. Battles are set to keep the first person perspective found throughout the series, with improved graphics. Also being added are FMV cut scenes, but the goal is to keep them short so as to keep the player feeling involved in the game.
It may be taking a long time for the game to be released, but the simple fact that it is in development is good news all of its own. With the huge following the series has in North America and the recent opening of a new Enix office in the U.S. it seems like only a matter of time before North Americans will finally have a new Dragon Quest to play. Let's hope the wait isn't too much longer!
Previewed by Kaspian May 11, 2000
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