This game is the latest numbered Dragon Quest on a handheld, and I think it's a good one. Like all Dragon Quests before it, it's a fun filled adventure with a ton of puns. The story is simple, but then again it's not supposed to be a super complicated mess, a breath of fresh air from all the cinematic games on the console market.
The story starts off with you as an angel, guarding your village in an attempt to go to a paradise through good deeds and the essence you receiving after receiving thanks. Well, we can't have that so after a disaster occurs you lose your wings and become *gasp* human. You then travel around the world in an attempt to get your wings back and save humans and angels alike.
Your character is somewhat customizable, leading to my first complaint, not enough options for customization. You also customize your party members like this, or you can take what the game gives you. However, what I like is that you can choose your profession. Not at first, of course, but if you wanna chuck fireballs or punch foes' lights out you can after you unlock the opportunity. Your party and yourself are silent so you simply watch as events unfold around you, seeing how it affects those you help and meet. Some like it, some don't, me I don't really have much to say about it. On one hand it's refreshing from hearing your protagonist whine or comment on situations, rather they get up and do something about it. On the other hand having a blank protagonist who simply nods can get annoying.
The combat is straightforward, it's like all other Dragon Quests, you choose what your party does to the foe or have them decide for themselves. It's turn based but can get complicated later on as your jobs and your foes become more extravagant and stronger. I do like the combat like with its predecessors.
The part that I love the most is the multiplayer and dungeons. You can go spelunking for good with buddies, or progress in the story with a friend. The only hazard is that your friends don't progress with you so it can get dull if you have to do the adventure 4 times. That's where the dungeons come in. In the game you get maps to take you to places with plenty of monsters, but you also get plenty of treasure in return. Such adventures can easily occupy your time and break up the monotony of the story. If you go online you can also download quests which can also take up lots of time to get stronger stuff (note: I'm not completely sure if it's still being supported, but it's always worth a shot).
So, in my opinion, Dragon Quest IX is a journey worth taking, the laughs at the ridiculous puns, the multiplayer, and the sheer amount of content from the dungeons and story overtakes most lacking features the game has.
8/10
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