"The game that surpasses all benchmarks of perfection...."

Dragon Quest Monsters Joker is a spin off of the popular Dragon Quest series. Dragon Quest has been around since the Nintendo days. In Japan, the game is a humongous hit, though here in the US, it is only mildly successful, which is a real bummer as Dragon Quest is the greatest RPG series out there. Unlike another game, Dragon Quest does not rely on graphics and complex gameplay and story, The charm comes from its simplistic graphics and old school style gameplay. Dragon Quest has had a different cast of characters from game to game, but the charm has remained the same.

As said before, Monsters is a spin off of the Dragon Quest series. It's basically a monster catching game in the veins of Pokemon. But to popular belief, Dragon Quest actually had the concept first of monster catching first, though it wasn't the main idea as it was in Pokemon.

Note: This will not be a review to compare Dragon Quest Monsters Joker to Pokemon as they are not carbon copies of each other.


Graphics:

One word: SPECTACULAR. Dragon Quest Monsters Joker has some of the best graphics in a DS game. The game utilizes the Dragon Quest VIII system where the whole world is in full 3D, and here on the DS, it's nothing different. The graphics really stretch the limit of the DS with a nice, cell shaded look. Impressive. Everything is hand drawn which gives every location its own look and fantastic appeal.

The character designs are once again headed by none other than Akira Toriyama himself, and one can't help but note the many similarities to Dragonball characters. Alas, the character designs are very good. Although DQMJ retains the few NPCs design evident in the past Monsters games, one can't help but note how well crafted they are.

And this wouldn't be a review without talking about the monsters now would it? Each monsters has its own animation, and boy are they awesome. Toriyama really did a number with the monster designs here.

All in all, the graphics are very gorgeous and really pushes the DS to its limits.


Gameplay:

Here's is where things get interesting. Several people have complained that DQMJ gameplay requires a lot of grinding. Well, yes and no. Don't get me wrong, DQMJ is a good game, but it is not for the faint of heart who are used to today's easier RPGs where everything is handed to you. DQMJ requires the player to put some effort into it. This isn't a game where you can go in with one monster and attack the boss. You'd get defeated in a heartbeat. DQMJ keeps this from happening, which is a good thing as it makes the gameplay more balanced.

DQMJ sort of retains the ideas from past Monsters games. One of them is breeding, which is actually called synthesizing in this game. Different name, same concept. Rather than have gender based monsters, DQMJ introduces a system where each monster is either positive(+), negative(-), or neutral. This idea makes much more sense in a game with a more serious tone. Anyhow, in breeding, you can't breed two positive or two negative monsters. They have to both be either positive or negative while the other is the reverse or neutral. Neutral monsters can breed with either one. Through breeding, you can pass along stats and a new concept called skill sets.

DQMJ introduces the skill set system where you get points after some battles to add to a set of skills. Some of them are unique in that they pertains to the monsters personality, which is pretty cool. Anyhow, the skill sets allow the player to assign points to whichever one they choose. This gives you more hand in developing your monsters.

In order to get the monsters, DQMJ introduces a new system called Scouting. Scouting does away with the cumbersome recruitment style of the previous Monsters games by making it much more easier to obtain monsters. See a monster you like in battle? Choose Scout and all your monsters light up with a blue energy and attack the monster you are trying to recruit. Depending upon how much damage is done, the monster may join your party. The higher the percentage, the better the chances are, BUT that does not mean they'll still join. Sometimes it takes a few tries, which can cause the enemies tension to rise increasing their attack power. It's much easier to scout monsters that have a similar to a lower level than your own monsters. Trying to scout a monster that's much stronger than your monsters is pretty ineffective. However, that's what makes DQMJ so much fun.

The overworld itself tends to have minor puzzles and such that require you to work them out in order to continue on. They aren't brain busters like Golden Sun's puzzles, but they do add in a nice variety.

So to say DQMJ is all about grinding is an oxymoron, it just requires you to do the same that you do in any other traditional RPG.


Sound:

The sound in DQMJ is pure epic. The music totally fits the mood of the game. When you're in caves and dungeons, you hear the traditional Dragon Quest music in the background. It would not be a Dragon Quest game without the traditional background music. The battle theme is my favorite. it is basically a remix of the theme from the past Monsters game. The same goes for the boss music. There's not much to say on the music and sound effects, but they do get the job done. It just wouldn't be Dragon Quest without the usual music.


Replay value:

Tons. There is a ton of replay value to be found in Joker. For starters, the main game will last up to 40 hours. That's more than the amount from the previous Monsters titles. There is an abundance of sidequests in Joker. Not only that, but there's the option of making your monsters into the strongest they can be. And if you want to, you can take the battles into the Nintendo Wifi Connection and face in the Wild Card competition against random, computerized monsters based on players from around the world. It's a nice way to allow fans of Dragon Quest to connect and battle each other.

All in all, Dragon Quest Monsters Joker is the best game on the Nintendo DS. It's sheer scope and brilliance is not matched by any DS game on the market. The game does away with fancy graphics and gimmick based gameplay and sticks to what makes an RPG good, simplistic gameplay. Some people have addressed that DQMJ is too difficult and that it requires 'grinding' in order to be on the top. Any game requires effort to be on the top. DQMJ is no different. DQMJ is a game that can and will stand the test of time and become what games like Zelda Ocarina of Time, Grand Theft Auto 3, Super Mario 64, and countless others have become-All Time Classics. Dragon Quest Monsters is sheer perfection in gaming form.

Pros:
+Very good graphics
+Engaging gameplay
+Distinct monster choice

Cons:
-Very minor camera issues
There really aren't any cons to speak of

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/08, Updated 08/28/08

Game Release: Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (US, 11/06/07)