Julian DayI play an annual game of FF1. A few years ago, I replayed Dragon Warrior IV. I think it's time to revisit the best overall NES RPG, Dragon Warrior III. #dw3 #jcddw3
I rarely strayed from taking a Soldier, a Pilgrim, and a Wizard as companions as a kid, so this time I'm doing Merchant, Fighter, Pilgrim. I think I used a Fighter once. I never took a Merchant. Time to play. #dw3 #jcddw3
Cleared the cave west of Noaniels. Got the dream ruby, gave it to the elves. The villagers wake. Back to Kanave. Shampagne awaits. #dw3 #jcddw3
Cleared the Tower of Shampagne, made my way to Assaram and Isis, cleared the Pyramid. Got the magic key and Golden Claw (the latter stashed due to the insane encounter rate it generates). Got all the magic key-hidden treasures, then made my way to Portoga. That's all for today. #dw3 #jcddw3
Went to Portoga, got the scroll for the dwarf, then made my way east to Baharama, dealing with Kandar a second time. Freed Galen and Tania, and got pepper for the king, who rewarded me with the ship. Solidly mid-game now. #dw3 #jcddw3
Raised the shrine out of the sea with the Vase of Drought. Obtained the Final Key. Entering the late midgame. #dw3 #jcddw3
Completed Garuna Tower. Belar the Merchant had just hit level 20, and I used the Book of Satori to turn him into a Sage. Right now is my planned end-game party (for now?): Hero, Fighter, Pilgrim, Sage. #dw3 #jcddw3
Retrieved the green, purple, and red orbs the day before yesterday/yesterday. Grabbed the echoing flute from the Tower of Arp today. Not having any real problems with my party.
I'm at the point in the game where I don't remember any of it, it's all new. Unlike Final Fantasy (which I've replayed dozens of times) or Dragon Warrior IV (once), I don't think I've ever played Dragon Warrior III on emulator. The last time I would've played it would've been...grade seven?...on my NES.
I always remembered Final Fantasy being my sentimental favourite, Dragon Warrior IV having the ambitious converging storylines, but Dragon Warrior III being the best overall game. I think I still hold to that. There are sidequests that are totally optional, you can rebuild your party, take new classes, etc. A huge amount of choice relative to a game like Final Fantasy, where you have to basically visit everywhere and the classes and skills are far less interesting.
Got all the orbs but one. Almost ready to tackle the Necrogond - just need to grind a bunch more levels, first.
And visited the village of the Soo (described in-game in Edinbear as "Indians", oof) and the game is giving most of the townsfolk primitive dialog (oooOOF). A different age. Hoping this is treated better in future localizations.
Well, grinded the levels this morning. Now at around L30 with the hero. Threw the Sword of Gaia into the volcano and opened the (surprisingly dangerous) path southward. Grabbed the Sword of Thunder and Swordedge Armour from the Necrogond Cave. Still need to finish it and go through, but I'll save that for another day.
Did the Necrogond a few days ago, and have been using the cave to grind exp a bit, because I remember Baramos being tough. And the fight was rough. Baramos attacks twice, hits like a Mack truck, and casts powerful spells. However, once you weather the first few rounds, and cast Increase/Bikill/SpeedUP/Defense, he becomes a lot less dangerous. Defeated him, returned to Aliahan, and Zoma made his appearance - entering the last phase of the game. #dw3 #jcddw3
The old man was up early, so, I was up early. Fed all three dogs (we're corgi-sitting for our friends) and let them out, then sat down for a couple hours. Burned through most of the World of Darkness - got the scattered equipment of Tintegel, Rainbow Drop, etc. Ready to take on Zuma, though I need to grind out more levels first, need to make sure all the characters have all the spells for their classes. Had my first total KO, in the cave NW of Tintegel. #dw3 #jcddw3
Grinding the last few levels right now. Using the Silver Harp northwest of Rimuldar to get insta-battles and thirty-five years later, the dopamine rush of criticalling a metal babble is still undefeated.
And done.
Just an excellent game, start to finish. The story not quite as good as Dragon Warrior IV, but the overall experience better (you can control every character's actions - no extremely bad decision AI!).
The combo of Merchant, Fighter, Pilgrim was good, Merchant being a decent attacker and quick to level 20 (for becoming a sage). When I replay this, whenever that is, maybe I'll finally take a goof-off and roll into the endgame with two sages.
The best game on the NES.
Brian Jeffears@juliancday 100% of rpgs should've leaned into and expanded upon the sheer moment of suddenly expanded, unknown horizons that happens when you fell your first metal slime/babble without, especially for the former, Any Idea what is about to happen vs how you presumed things could go in the adventure due to all prior experiences.
@getter7seven When you nail one and get that miraculous amount of exp - it's so good!
@juliancday You can do narrative machinations with it even: "Level Up! But it keeps happening, escalating, the power surges as the body strains, suddenly a booming voice is heard from (a deity) nowhere yet everywhere.."
@juliancday Tangential bookmark prompt as also the mass level up experience somehow always strikes to mind the Zoma theme that matches the intrigues:
Dragon Quest III [Symphonic Suite] - Flying in the Sky / Heavenly Flight [SC-88]
@getter7seven My favourite theme from the game. Been thinking of putting together a medley for my woodwind quintet at some point. Our flautist is excellent, and would do amazing things with this.
alex䷰stopheles@juliancday i've never actually played *any* of the DQ games (outside of Builders 2 which doesn't really count) but have a bunch of them on my handheld emulator now, so that's about to change
@technihilism I love IV, because it managed to do about as much with its story as you could do on a NES cartridge. But III is very polished and complete for its era. It's grindy, but that's NES RPGs.
@juliancday i'm finding i kinda like the grindy on the handheld, it's perfect for bus trips
@technihilism I mean, I grew up in that era, I think you roughly did too, I don't mind it. Something Zen-like about spending 30-40 minutes just walking in a circle and killing monsters.