I wanted to love Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, I really did. But try as I might, it just felt too unpolished for me to properly enjoy. As much as it has its redeeming qualities, most obviously being the fact it expands on lore from Dragon Quest IV, it fails to leave an impactful mark upon the player.
From the moment this Square Enix game started, I had trepidation, not least of all because it looked a lot more dated than I was expecting for a new game. However, I persisted because I didn’t want my expectations to prevent me from discovering another RPG for me to add to my growing collection. Unfortunately, the caution I had soon grew to disappointment, with the story so severely lacking it felt almost redundant throughout the game.
Check out the Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince launch trailer!
Arguably, this issue is made all the more noticeable because the protagonist is voiceless, with every interaction feeling like listening to only one-half of the conversation. Even though I’m used to playing my fair share of mute lead characters in RPGs, those experiences oozed with personality unique to that character, with their responses shaping the unfolding narrative.
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I’ll admit, the fact that we get a chance to see how Psaro became the Manslayer boss we’ve so zealously fought in the past is welcome, but the story is handled so poorly it doesn’t satisfy; it’s a problem I’d argue even longtime fans will have to admit exists. Obviously, The Dark Prince wasn’t created to be some standalone marvel that blows other titles from the franchise out of the water, but I think it’s fair to say that we expected and wanted more.
And despite the fact that this outing has more story than previous Dragon Quest Monsters instalments, it’s so choppy that it feels disjointed and unpolished. Granted, many gamers won’t be here for the story but for the monsters, however, that doesn’t mean the narrative should play like a stuttering vinyl.
Fortunately, one area we get more, especially when it comes to outlandish eccentricity and silly humour, is the monster wrangling. Oh yes, the weird and wonderful are in full swing in this Nintendo Switch escapade, with the designs iconic though rarely attractive; for anyone who complains at how ridiculous contemporary Pokémon look, I suggest they play this game and then take a seat. When it comes to absurd yet endearing creatures, The Dark Prince has Pokémon beat.
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In true collect ‘em all fashion, the monsters of the game are what keep you coming back for more, with the RPG aspects falling to the wayside. As the seasons change, the colours shining into brilliance then fading to a chilly white, so too do the monsters you can meet, battle, and call your own. Of course, as with Pokémon, repetition becomes the biggest obstacle to overcome as you start to feel trapped in an endless loop.
Beyond the monsters, there isn’t much in the game that made me want to stick around. I’m not a die-hard fan of the franchise so perhaps that’s the issue here, though I suspect otherwise. Although I’m not a devoted fan, I've played enough of the previous titles to know when a game feels lacklustre, its only merit based on resonating with nostalgia and delivering silly creations. That might be enough for some, but for me, it just left me underwhelmed and ready to move on to other adventures.
Nonetheless, while I didn’t love my time with Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, I appreciate the simplicity of its gameplay, with it undoubtedly offering fun in accessible bursts. Unlike richer, more immersive RPGs, there aren't any complex mechanics to get to grips with – you just get stuck in, the controls intuitive regardless of knowledge. This title won’t win awards, nor will it spark debates over the genre’s unique innovations, but it’ll offer some a means to while away the hours, lost in a sea of colourful monsters, which is sometimes all we ever really need.
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Pros: Charming retro graphics, expands on franchise lore, and offers hundreds of eclectic monsters to fight, catch, and tame
Cons: The story is severely lacking, with a choppy narrative arc, and a lead character who lacks impact
For Fans Of: Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest Monsters, Pokémon
5/10: Average
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is available on Nintendo Switch. Review code provided by the publisher. Read a guide to our review scores here.
Featured Image Credit: Square EnixTopics: Square Enix, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch