There are few series that have revolutionized video games quite like Dragon Quest. Debuting all the way back in 1986, the first Dragon Quest made its mark by distilling the complex mechanics of early RPGs such as Wizardry and Ultima into a form that even casual gamers could enjoy. Featuring the artwork of the legendary Akira Toriyama, Dragon Quest took Japan by storm and birthed a whole new approach to the RPG. Whether youâre exploring the Viridian Forest in the first generation Pokemon games or changing your classes in Metaphor, you can feel the influence of Dragon Quest
Thatâs all history now, of course. The important question is, nearly 40 years and 11 mainline games later, why should you care about Dragon Quest?
Truthfully, most Dragon Quest games donât pack must-see storylines or innovative gameplay you canât get anywhere else. Instead, the best Dragon Quest games are remarkable because they nail the basics of what makes turn-based RPGs so fun. They feature hidden items around every corner, surprisingly methodical battle mechanics, weapons that can fundamentally change how each character attacksâŠI could go on. At the same time, Dragon Quest games rarely feel overwhelming. With easy-to-grasp mechanics and typically episodic storylines, Dragon Quest games are perfect palate cleansers after youâve strained your brain conquering heady games like Metaphor: ReFantazio
If youâve never played Dragon Quest before, where should you start? On one hand, every game is mostly standalone, with the first three games in the series featuring the most direct links between them. That is to say, you wonât miss out on any critical lore no matter where you start. On the other hand, depending on your tastes in RPGs, youâll want to prioritize certain entries over others to really see what makes this series so special. To help you start your journey, here are the games I recommend you take a look at first.
