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Until I Beat It-Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King 3DS


Dai
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So, before the game released for Playstation, I saw this game in an article of Game Informer, and I was truly excited, and wanted to play it. Unfortunately, my Dad loathed Sony and I never had a PS2, thus I couldn't play it. I later saw an LP of the game, but I still had yet to play it, and had little hope that I would when the 3DS game was announced, as the track record for Dragon Quest games coming to the west had been...pretty poor. (And my iPhone was...finicky.)

Fortunately, the game was released, and I picked it up! Only to get sorely distracted by the Switch and Breath of the Wild. Now, since Smash Ultimate is coming out in less than half a year, I have hopes to beat this game. On average, it seems a playthrough of Dragon Quest VIII is around fifty-seventy hours, so I believe I can do it. I only have two days a week, however, that being Monday and Tuesday, as otherwise, I work five days straight.

Now, I must admit...I am disappointed by one aspect of this game. The DLC that was released after the game was going. I am glad that it was free, but the issues that plagued it were ridiculous, particularly with daylight savings time crashing the whole thing. And the fact that they had dropped the servers for it less than a YEAR after the game was released is just downright shameful. The items there, while not necessary, are useful, and the game feels incomplete without them. It really is just dumb. They should have simply made it possible to get the games from at least the blue chests, otherwise. It's just...dumb.

Otherwise, the game is quite pleasant. I don't recall much seeing as the LP I watched was eight years ago, so a lot of this is now fresh to me. I must admit, the visuals don't bother me, but I do feel that maybe they could be better? I feel like, Dream Drop Distance, despite being five-years-older, looked smoother.

But, I digress.

Currently, I have arrived at Alexandria. The Hero is at level ten, and is at work mastering swords, whereas Yangus, at the same level, is 16 points into Humanity for a bit of healing, 8 points into Axes for Helm Splitter, and is currently 8 points into Fisticuffs.

Gotta admit, the monsters that drop coins for bonus cash are kind of fun. Buffalo Bill was a nice challenge. Gotta admit, I'm looking forward to getting the alchemy pot. I wish it came sooner, though.

Edit: Does anybody know if wielding a shield counts against Fisticuffs?

Edited by Dai
Added a question.
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I enjoyed DQVIII, it's a good game. Simple for a JRPG, but I like it. Played it pretty thoroughly, although I didn't complete the optional gauntlet of doom at the very end.

The 3DS version is a bit easier I here due to a boatload of quality of life improvements and other touchups, but whatever little is lost in difficulty, is made up for in the extra convenience. Plus two extra PCs later in the game (as in over halfway in) is cool.

 

Not sure if you're playing blind or not, but can I offer two little tips? No spoilers, just putting it in them if you don't want to read it:

Spoiler

Invest in Axes on Yangus and Spears on the Hero, up until they get Executioner and Lightning Thrust respectively. These skills are AMAZING for Metal Slime grinding, which is the easiest way of getting EXP. You don't need to do it right away, just consider it at some point.

 

Revisit Khaldashera (however you spell his name) at some point eventually along your long journey. There is no time lock on it, and I forget when it first becomes available, but there is a good little 3DS addition you'll be able to trigger there. 

 

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16 minutes ago, Interdimensional Observer said:

I enjoyed DQVIII, it's a good game. Simple for a JRPG, but I like it. Played it pretty thoroughly, although I didn't complete the optional gauntlet of doom at the very end.

The 3DS version is a bit easier I here due to a boatload of quality of life improvements and other touchups, but whatever little is lost in difficulty, is made up for in the extra convenience. Plus two extra PCs later in the game (as in over halfway in) is cool.

 

Not sure if you're playing blind or not, but can I offer two little tips? No spoilers, just putting it in them if you don't want to read it:

  Hide contents

Invest in Axes on Yangus and Spears on the Hero, up until they get Executioner and Lightning Thrust respectively. These skills are AMAZING for Metal Slime grinding, which is the easiest way of getting EXP. You don't need to do it right away, just consider it at some point.

 

Revisit Khaldashera (however you spell his name) at some point eventually along your long journey. There is no time lock on it, and I forget when it first becomes available, but there is a good little 3DS addition you'll be able to trigger there. 

 

I have a guide just for items so I don't miss anything, and I have seen this game before, I just don't recall much.
 

Spoiler

I assume Kalderasha has something to do with a scene from Dhoulmagus. I saw the scene on YouTube, once.

 

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21 hours ago, Slumber said:

I believe you can safely use a shield and still get Fisticuffs on Yangus.

Good. Silly as it looks, I'd still like to tank hits. Dodging matters little if I can't take even one without needing to heal.

As it is, I didn't get too much done this week, what with a power outage causing me some problems. I did get to Pereguin Quay, and I've done all of Cameron's Challenges up to that point. I did lose to Khalamari once along the way, but the next time was easier with a quick change in tactics. The most important thing that I have now is the alchemy pot, however, I'm not quite certain where to start with it outside of the Thief's Key that I already made.

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5 hours ago, Dai said:

Good. Silly as it looks, I'd still like to tank hits. Dodging matters little if I can't take even one without needing to heal.

As it is, I didn't get too much done this week, what with a power outage causing me some problems. I did get to Pereguin Quay, and I've done all of Cameron's Challenges up to that point. I did lose to Khalamari once along the way, but the next time was easier with a quick change in tactics. The most important thing that I have now is the alchemy pot, however, I'm not quite certain where to start with it outside of the Thief's Key that I already made.

You start picking up stuff you can use in the Alchemy Pot in Peregrin Quay.

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Learned a few handy things while I was playing this weekend (Not the traditional Sat-Sun weekend others might be used to, just what I call my days off). Namely, that picking an item while doing alchemy shows you what you can merge it with, if you have anything at all. Wound up making some pretty decent stuff like a snakeskin whip for Jessica, a Stone Hardhat for Yangus, and a handful of bronze gear. Also wound up recruiting Angelo and handling the matter at Maella Abbey. The tale of the two brothers there still makes me a bit misty-eyed, I'll admit.

Wound up fighting quite a few metal slimes while traveling down the beach to snag some treasure on the path to Wisher's Peak...come to my surprise, I was unaware that you could only learn a weapon up to a certain skill threshold based on the level you were at, which means I must be a bit overleveled.

Edit: I'd also like to mention that it is frustrating that this game lacks a soft-reset function, and that I can't seem to climb ledges that are an inch high.

Edited by Dai
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After completing Ascantha, I spent some time once I got to Pickham playing Bingo, of which I got...quite lucky a few times. Thanks to that, I've got myself set up with some surprisingly good gear, namely a pair of white shields for Angelo and Jessica, Yangus got himself set up with a silver Cuirass after some experimentation with the upgraded alchemy pot, Jessica has a staff of antimagic, the hero has a mercury bandana, which I hear is really good and can last nearly the whole game, and Yangus has a Hermes' Hat, which now invalidates the 99 chimaera wings I bought a while back.

I've also completed up to seven of Cameron's Codex cards. I must admit, it is kind of a nice distraction. I also met Morrie, and I can't wait to try out the pit once I've finished the first memo, which is the slime. Unfortunately, I dunno how long it will be until I can get to Trodain to do so.

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Anybody got any good tips on stealing from Monsters? I want to get another Rockbomb Shard, but 1/64 odds, even with Steal Sickle isn't that good, and I don't have a Candy Cane to do chip damage with...though, given how often these monsters explode...

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On 8/21/2018 at 7:13 PM, Dai said:

Anybody got any good tips on stealing from Monsters? I want to get another Rockbomb Shard, but 1/64 odds, even with Steal Sickle isn't that good, and I don't have a Candy Cane to do chip damage with...though, given how often these monsters explode...

I don't bother stealing in DQVIII. The Steal Sickle and Stainless Steal Sickle are absolute crap. Matter of fact, Scythes are underwhelming in general, but better than going with Clubs/Hammers. That skill set is just straight trash.

The Candy Cane would help dearly though. Don't know why the special DLC items didn't rotate.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 8/26/2018 at 8:26 PM, Sword_of_Dusk said:

The Candy Cane would help dearly though. Don't know why the special DLC items didn't rotate.

I assume it has to do with the initial SNAFU regarding the original release, when DST kicked in and nobody could access it properly afterwards. Either that, or the game did not sell well enough to merit it continuing.

I didn't play much the past two weeks. I was busy cleaning out my room after not having done much after moving in.

I managed to get my shard by random drop, and so I made Jessica a really nice new Magma Staff. Once I got the ship, I explored a large majority of the free world, including Savella Cathedral, and that nifty Invisible Island (is there a major purpose for it?) I recruited Talos for Rank C of the Arena, but I wager I'll have to hold off on further levels. Next up is the western continent, where I'm looking forward to screwing around in the Baccarat casino.

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On 9/4/2018 at 6:17 PM, Dai said:

I assume it has to do with the initial SNAFU regarding the original release, when DST kicked in and nobody could access it properly afterwards. Either that, or the game did not sell well enough to merit it continuing.

I didn't play much the past two weeks. I was busy cleaning out my room after not having done much after moving in.

I managed to get my shard by random drop, and so I made Jessica a really nice new Magma Staff. Once I got the ship, I explored a large majority of the free world, including Savella Cathedral, and that nifty Invisible Island (is there a major purpose for it?) I recruited Talos for Rank C of the Arena, but I wager I'll have to hold off on further levels. Next up is the western continent, where I'm looking forward to screwing around in the Baccarat casino.

Once you get past Arcadia, you can get Curer. Little dude's invaluable for B rank and beyond, though a team of Talos, Dumbking, and Hackzilla should be able to clear C rank.

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1 hour ago, Sword_of_Dusk said:

Once you get past Arcadia, you can get Curer. Little dude's invaluable for B rank and beyond, though a team of Talos, Dumbking, and Hackzilla should be able to clear C rank.

I cleared C Rank already. It's B Rank and up that I won't be able to do. XD

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Well, I've gotten past Argonia now. Thought I'd be able to tackle Baccarat before that, but that certainly slipped my memory. All that's left now after I recharge the mirror is to tackle Dhoulmagus, which...I recall is quite a difficult battle. Thus far, I think it best I work on my gear, at least. Any recommendations?

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1 hour ago, Dai said:

Any recommendations?

If Angelo has learned Multiheal, then you're set. Although I've heard some people get through the battle without it, I do recommend having it.

An alternative is to load up on Yggdrasil Dew, which is fairly easy in DQVIII 3DS. Obtain a lot of Magic Water, I believe the Pickham Casino sells them, then park yourself in front of that tree that only appears at certain hours of the day. Take the Yggdrasil Leaf, mix with a Magic Water, take the new Leaf that appears and repeat until you run out of water or the tree goes away. This is possible thanks to the instantaneous Alchemy Pot of this version, in the original DQVIII, it wasn't possible because the Pot took time to finishing making something until the postgame.

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Was gonna wait until next week, but I went ahead and did it.Went in without Multiheal. Used up 6/12 Yggdrasil Dews, but kept my four Elfin Elixirs. Angelo died once, so I used my leaf up on that. But otherwise, first try, and the boss is down. I'm actually kind of surprised.

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After Dhoulmagus, I've had a fairly easy time of things. The events of Arcadia certainly weren't too difficult, although I still feel affected by David's death. I lament that they took out the dog-food eating scene, however. I find it hard to believe it's any worse a scene now as it was thirteen years before the remake came out.

The arena was surprisingly easy. I've heard horror stories of the higher ranks, but I was able to take down each of them first try. Of course, all that's left is Rank X, which I wager is post-game only.

Baccarat was done in short order as well. Angelo seems to be getting taken out a lot, though. Most enemies go for him. Now for the casino, and the ability to never worry about money again.

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Is Yangus' Nose for Treasure bugged? I've literally followed a guide to pick up all items through Argonia, and it still claims I'm missing two items. The bug would have to be that it's registering the barrel that comes in once the bazaar moves indoors, but I have no idea about the other one, or if that's the case.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, I've beaten the game. It still holds up really well, but I must admit, I'm rather disappointed that the 3DS version is...kinda wack. Particularly the localized version. The game-crashing Monster team move with the Jewelbag and Goldman, the weird naming issues amongst Charmles, Marcello, and Mazin, the lack of the orchestrated soundtrack, and the butchered DLC...plus, the weaker power of the handheld really did do injustice to the environments. It isstill very good, but I do hope they make a port in the future to the switch ttthat makes it the best of both versions, a-la Hyrule Warriors. That'd be really good.

Right now, I don't really plan to do the postgame, but I may at least bounce back after a bit of time with my PS4, since I did just get it.

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For the postgame, the Dragovian Trials are fine, if a little too easy with Red and Morrie (and some Metal King Slime grind). Memory Lane however, I made it 2/3rds through, decided to stop because a certain somebody kept Disruptive Waving away my attempts to Magic Burst him, besides the much too plentiful 1HKO critfest that place turns into.

Speaking the glitch Marcello's name instance, I noticed that for that event, he could use Kafrizzle, which I think was intentional. My reasoning being how they modified the one scene to having him shoot fire instead of stabbing himself, and his boss battle never actually had him cast a fire spell IIRC.

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1 hour ago, Interdimensional Observer said:

Speaking the glitch Marcello's name instance, I noticed that for that event, he could use Kafrizzle, which I think was intentional. My reasoning being how they modified the one scene to having him shoot fire instead of stabbing himself, and his boss battle never actually had him cast a fire spell IIRC.

He cast Kafrizzle in his boss battle. It was definitely in his repertoire alongside the likes of Disruptive Wave, Heavenly Portal, Wind Sickles, and Thwack.

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