Dragon Quest VI
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Dragon Quest VI | |
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Cover of the Super Famicon box, depicting the main characters (front: Hero, left: Hassan, right: Mireyu). |
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Developer(s) | Heartbeat |
Publisher(s) | Enix |
Release date(s) | JPN December 9, 1995 |
Genre(s) | RPG |
Mode(s) | Single player |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Super Family Computer |
Media | Cartridge, (SFAM) |
Dragon Quest VI Maboroshi no Daichi (ドラゴンクエストVI 幻の大地 Doragon Kuesuto Shikkusu Maboroshi no Daichi?, lit. "Dragon Quest VI: Great Land of Illusion"), the last Dragon Quest game on the Super Famicom, was released on the 9th of Decemeber, 1995 in Japan. It was not released in North America. The game was developed by Heartbeat, whereas the previous Dragon Quest games were developed by Chunsoft.
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[edit] Gameplay
Dragon Quest VI is a traditional, turn-based RPG which features random encounter style battles and a class / job system that the hero and his fellow party members can learn to gain new skills and spells. As in most RPGs, the hero gathers a party throughout his adventure and travels from town to town. Other new features were added, such as the monsters now being animated when they attack you. The Slime Arena and Best Dresser Contest were the new mini-games introduced. The human warriors can learn "techs" similar to their monster party members. There are bonus features like an extra dungeon at the end of the game (similar to most Dragon Quest games) and an extra character. Finally, Dragon Quest VI does not have a day and night phase.
[edit] Plot and setting
[edit] Story
Awaking near a camp fire, your companion Mireyu asks if you slept well. She's worrying because Hassan has left a while ago to check for Mudo's castle. Suddenly Hassan appears and tells you the castle is indeed down the cliff. You all get to the cliff. Then Mireyu starts playing on an ocarina and a dragon appears which the three of you mount. It flies you to Mudo's castle while a fierce storm is raging.
Eventually, it turns out that Mudo was merely a pawn in the plan of a much greater evil: The demon emperor, Deathtamoor. The party also learns that there is a dream world and a real world and they must travel across both to advance in the adventure. Along the way, they get the opportunity to change classes at Dhama Shrine, travel the sea in a boat and a floating island, and even ride on a flying bed (much different than the normal flying bird of Dragon Quest games).
[edit] Characters
- Eiyu (The Hero): He is the main character of the game from the town of Lifecod. It turns out in the "real" world, he is the prince of Reidock.
- Hassan: Hassan is the natural fighter of the party and the son of carpenters. At first, he appears to be a childhood friend of the Hero, but it turns out he is from San Marino, where his parents recognize him. At first, he does not believe them, but after visiting Mudo, he remembers his past.
- Mireyu: Muriel in one translation. She is the mage type of the group, good with attack and healing magic. She lives with her fotrune telling grandmother near San Marino. Even though the party is invisible, she can still see them and helps them become visible.
- Barbara: Barbra is the other mage of the group, though she uses mostly attack magic. The party meets her in the Mirror Tower and she remains quite mysterious until the party reaches Calberona.
- Chamaro: He is the typical cleric character from the Gent clan, a town known for their healing remedies. He joins the party because he can steer the Divine Ship.
- Amos: Amos is the protector (and resident monster) of Monstoru. He is a secret character that joins you if you deafeat him and bring him the Seed of Reasoning.
- Terry: Terry is a knight that defeats the monster terrorizing Arcbolt. He becomes important later in the game.
[edit] Setting
Like every other Dragon Quest game, the setting in Dragon Quest VI is very medieval, complete with castles, knights, and magic. Unlike games like Final Fantasy 7, there is no technology in this world. The main world is divided into the Real World and the Dream World, each with a separate, but similar map. To get from one world to the other, the party uses special warps (such as in wells) or by ascending/descending stairs on the world map. If something cannot be found in the Real World, chances are it has appeared in the Dream World, such as with Miralgo's Tower, in the middle of the quest.
[edit] Development
As in all other Dragon Quest games, the art work and design are made by mangaka Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame, who also worked on Chrono Trigger, Tobal No.1, and Blue Dragon. The scenario designer, like always, is Yuji Horii. This is the last game in the series to feature the Heaven Legend.
[edit] Translations
Several unofficial English translations were attempted by several different groups. While none of them have ever been fully completed, NoProgress did complete the main storyline arc of the game before apparently abandoning the project. As of August, 2006, the online translation group DeJap has released a translation in which approximately 95% of the text is translated[citation needed].
[edit] Soundtrack
As with every Dragon Quest, Koichi Sugiyama composed the music and directed all the associated spinoffs. Here is the tracklisting of the Symphonic Suite:
- Overture (1:20)
- At the Palace (3:40)
- In the Town ~ Happy Humming ~ Inviting Village ~ Folk Dance (7:02)
- Through the Fields ~ Wandering through the Silence ~ Another World (5:03)
- Ocean Waves (5:11)
- Flying Bed (2:08)
- Pegasus ~ Saint's Wreath (5:39)
- Evil World ~ Satan's Castle ~ Frightening Dungeon (4:22)
- Brave Fight (6:23)
- Melancholy (3:11)
- Ocarina ~ The Saint (2:07)
- Devil's Tower (1:36)
- Dungeons ~ Last Dungeon (5:52)
- Monsters (4:36)
- Demon Combat (5:15)
- Eternal Lullaby (6:46)