Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors

"An RPG swing on a FPS.. interesting."

Storyline - 6/10: The game itself follows a very strict plot that cannot be changed in many ways at all. Unlike most RPGs, which offer some deviant of story based on actions, the actions in this game are restricted to having the story go in one direction. This does not make the story plain, by any means, but it does limit the amount of creativity the user can input into it. Also, aside from that, the story cay be quite childish.

Graphics - 8/10: Personally, not being a fan of cel-shading, this game was amazing for a first-person RPG. It immersed the player in a world only Dragon Quest can deliver, each character has its own details that make them different from one another. Battles are great with how the monsters split from the user's attacks, and the enemies looking better than ever as they pummel round after round of slow, but interesting, attacks.

Music - 6/10: As with any DQ game, the music is once again in symphonical harmony with the game actions, although by now most of it is more nostalgic than anything. Each area has its own soundtrack but, in all, it just isn't enough to justify the monsterous amounts of fighting undergone in each area.

Gameplay - 9/10: There are many pros and cons to the gameplay in this innovative game, but overall it is a breakthrough to this new era of gaming. Coming from the Wii, this game was already expected to break new ground, but as the special strikes show - it has far surpassed this. Drawing figure-eights or swirling the Wii-mote in the air to power up your attack, then slash at the screen to obliterate the enemies. It can be the most fun ones ever had on a first-person game. One of the major downfalls of the game, as stated in the storyline, is how the complicated parts associated with RPGs have been "dumbed" down to better fit a genre that younger generations can easily pick up and not be confused with. Limited movement in dungeons is another flaw, but is somewhat easily forgotten when you can revisit them to travel in untrodden paths from the first walkthrough.

Overall - 7(.5)/10: A game worth renting and/or buying, but get used to the fact that the story is set and there is very limited choices available, aside from choosing equipment. No real side quests aside from tempering and mini-medals, but those are something that hardcore gamers will spend hours on hours to achieve either way.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/27/08

Game Release: Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (US, 02/19/08)