"I beat up a Slime with my face"

Enix's Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior in U.S.) series has been a gigantic success in Japan. However, it doesn't receive the recognition it deserves in the U.S. (Well, all that is beginning to change with the release of DQ VIII thankfully). The seventh installment in the series, (disregarding the DW: Monsters and GBC remakes of Dragon Warrior1-3) Dragon Warrior VII doesn't stray far from previous titles. Dragon Warrior has been known for simplistic, yet strategic and challenging gameplay, and a large variety of exploration. I personally, think Dragon Warrior VII outdoes itself.

Dragon Warrior VII takes as long time to beat. This game can take up to 200 hours. 300 if you max out the character classes.

The story to the game involves you reviving lands that were banished by the Demon Lord, Orgodemir. That's about as in depth as it really gets for the majority, and that's perfectly fine. Um...since story doesn't matter...Onward! The gameplay and stuff now!

The battle system to Dragon Warrior VII is exactly like it's predecessors. It has the text box that displays the information for what is happening and who's turn it is, and how much damage is inflicted, etc. It's the classic RPG battle system that practically all RPGers should be familiarized with.

The exploration to Dragon Warrior VII is superb. You constantly explore new places, and finding items and gold is a real thrill. The exploration never dies down. Exploration is one of the major necessities in most RPGs, however Dragon Warrior VII takes this element and abuses the hell out of it, which in turn keeps the game constantly fresh and exciting. Townspeople might even drop hints as to were some treasures might be so be sure to talk to as many people in towns as possible.

Once you reach Dharma Temple, you can obtain character classes. While this may not be new to the series, this is as in depth as it has ever been. To advance your class, you must get into battles. How many battles you participate in, your character class will increase. You usually need 20-40 victories before you can advance on your class. When your class advances, you normally learn a spell or skill. When you master particular classes, new classes will automatically be combined to form an even better class. If you master enough character classes, the best class, hero, will be available. You can also find items known as "monster hearts." Give these to the priest at Dharma Temple, and you can get a monster class and learn skills and spells of monsters.

The bosses in the game are as hard as bosses in Devil May Cry, Gradius 5, or Ninja Gaiden. The only difference is that it is turn-based of course. I've never encountered bosses in an RPG this strategic or intense. Many of the bosses can inflict unbelievable amounts of damage, can attack two or even three times a round, are lengthy, and are really determined to kick your ass. They are merciless. Here's an example. One of the boss's puts you up against four bandits: Brigand, ShrubMage, Epong, and Bandit. The Bandit's expertise is constantly confusing your characters. The Brigand specializes in physical attacks, and powering himself up to unleash massive amounts of damage. The ShrubMage casts damage inducing spells and using a decent physical attack. And finally, Epong focuses on poisoning your characters, and stealing your party's MP with his RobDance attack. Each have a moderately high HP count, and are all extremely difficult. Even one alone is somewhat of a challenge.

The music to Dragon Warrior VII is pretty good. (Especially the boss music and the opening cinema). Like the rest of the Dragon Warrior games, the music is greatly influenced by orchestration and classical tunes and is composed by the awesome old guy, Koichi Sugiyama.

The graphics in Dragon Warrior VII are mediocre and not much to be impressed by. The enemy sprites however, are definitely something to check out though. They have a shiny, polished look to them and the animations move so smoothly. Other than, the graphics are mediocre, but acceptable.

Other things are a monster capturing game comparable to the Dragon Warrior Monsters games on the gameboy, a place in which you can construct your own town, casinos for gambling and obtaining new and secret items, two secret lands to unlock, a variety of over 250 enemies, a huge variety of spells and skills and character classes, etc.

In conclusion, this game is addictive, deep, and challenging. If you own a PS1 or PS2, get this. This is a title you mustn't pass on.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/17/06