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Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen | 
| From: Square Enix
Category: Video Games
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $35.95
You Save: $4.04 (10%)
New (19) Used (4) from $34.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 397
Platform: Nintendo Ds
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Media: Video Game
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Nintendo DS
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0 x 0
MPN: 90813
Model: 90813
UPC: 400009416572
EAN: 0662248908137
ASIN: B001AF1NVY
Release Date: September 16, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Embark on a journey to explore the land, seas and skies of the DRAGON QUEST universe in this grand entry from the Zenithia Trilogy. Soon to follow are DQ V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and DQ VI: Realms of Reverie, never before released in North America | | • | Indulge in the colorful DRAGON QUEST world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience | | • | Experience the world of DRAGON QUEST through the perspectives of multiple characters with a unique, chapter-driven storyline while you journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters | | • | Enjoy an all-new English translation that incorporates 13 known dialects from around the globe, bringing the diverse world and characters of DRAGON QUEST to life | | • | Unravel the ancient mystery behind a cursed kingdom by expanding your town via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
In a far-off land, a group of disparate individuals soon will come together to embark on a journey they never could have imagined. Among them are two sisters seeking to avenge their father's death, a merchant longing to open his own shop, a princess desiring to test her skills outside the palace walls and a respected army captain. As the hero of this compelling tale, you will join these seemingly unrelated companions for an incredible adventure. Battles, mysteries and an engaging cast of characters await as you take off on an epic journey. | Dragon Quest IV Features - Embark on a journey to explore the land, seas and skies of the DRAGON QUEST universe in this grand entry from the Zenithia Trilogy. Soon to follow are DQ V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and DQ VI: Realms of Reverie, never before released in North America
- Indulge in the colorful DRAGON QUEST world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience
- Experience the world of DRAGON QUEST through the perspectives of multiple characters with a unique, chapter-driven storyline while you journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters
- Enjoy an all-new English translation that incorporates 13 known dialects from around the globe, bringing the diverse world and characters of DRAGON QUEST to life
- Unravel the ancient mystery behind a cursed kingdom by expanding your town via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection
Exclusive to the Nintendo DSWith Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, a full-fledged Dragon Quest adventure comes to Nintendo DS for the first time. The talents of series creator Yuji Horii, world-famous manga artist Akira Toriyama and renowned composer Koichi Sugiyama combine in this thrilling, chapter-driven tale that preserves all the beloved charm of the original game while infusing it with additional excitement with incredible 3D graphics, dual-screen presentation and newly animated monsters. Multiple character perspectives bring the game to life as you explore a fantastic, dazzlingly rendered world filled with adventure and surprises. | 
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Product Description
A prestigious army captain, an adventurous princess seeking to test her skills beyond palace walls, a humble merchant aspiring to open his own shop, and two sisters who wish to avenge their father's death? These seemingly unrelated individuals will soon cross paths when fate brings them together to journey alongside you, the hero. Dive into this unique adventure, and discover an epic tale told through the experiences and emotions of characters from all walks of life. Experience an adventure of epic proportions, presented through a unique portrayal of multiple character perspectives. While retaining the classic look and feel of the original release, this remake breathes new life into a much-loved entry in the DRAGON QUEST series with 3D graphics, dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 absolutely impressive! October 12, 2008
This version of the Dragon Quest gives introductions on all the supporting characters allowing you to get accustomed to their abilities and to level them up before the real deal. The dual screen gives a good sense of space and perception. I am impressed by the stories and the art designs. If you are an anime or a manga fan who just happens to enjoy the work of Akira Toriyama, definitely do pick this one up.
 Good game, but only 30 hours worth October 6, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Like many previous reviewers, I grew up with Dragon Warrior and look forward to the newest Quest games. I'd been a little worried that a DS game would be simpler than a full release - and it is. This is a 30 hour game, and at $40, it just isn't worth it yet. It has great game play, same basic plot, and the same mechanics and casino logic as all the previous ones. But you can beat it (even with spending way too much time getting the best gear in the casino) too quickly. I'm regretting not waiting till it went down in price.
Dragon Warrior Redux September 23, 2008
It is good to have this excellent RPG back in circulation. The story and gameplay are intact, with the handful of new features we have come to expect with 2000's reissues of 1990's games: a tough bonus dungeon, a town to develop as in Dragon Warrior 7, and lots more statistics-keeping. Also, one of the original DW4's weak points has been eliminated; you can now control all characters in the last chapter.
The strong point of this game, as of all Dragon Warrior/DragonQuest games except DW1, is the battle gameplay. The variety of different groupings, spells, and abilities that the enemies bring to bear on each instance of combat bring interest even to the lengthiest level-building sessions. The updated graphics vary from excellent (the battle backgrounds and monster portrayals/animations) to dreary (the towns).
The one thing undone I wish they had done is to rethink the whole story structure. Since the least interesting section of an RPG tends to be the beginning levels, when characters have the fewest spells and abilities and face the weakest and smallest groups of monsters, it is of questionable gaming value to make us go through these stages five times.
Still highly recommended, especially for those who have not played the original DW4.
 Slime after Slime September 21, 2008
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
I was fairly excited about this release. I tore the box open this week, ready and willing to relive hours upon hours of my wasted youth. I squeed with delight as the Dragon Quest theme began playing in all its tinny regal splendor. And then the game began.
Let me say, first and foremost, that I did enjoy playing Dragon Quest IV. Arte Piazza, the art directors from Dragon Quest VII, took the lead on this remake, and it shows. The refresh on the art is welcome, but not intrusive or overdone. Akira Toriyama's monster design is still charming and bright, including the bosses. The sound is a near-perfect translation of the original and still rings true after fifteen years. The problem is that most of the mechanics are also still the same after fifteen years, and they don't quite stand the test of time.
JRPGs are known for slow-paced combat, and DQ is the grandaddy of them all. Twelve year-old me had no problem with this, probably because I didn't know anything else. DQIV is turn-based, and forces you to go through several menus to choose exactly what everyone wants to do, every time. Unlike the recent re-release of Final Fantasy IV, there is no Auto-Attack option. This means is that early fights can take forever as you whittle down slime after slime.
Inventory is annoying. When I didn't know that only being able to hold eight items per person (plus one overflow bag) was an arbitrary difficulty modifier, it didn't bother me. Today, trying to stock up on Medicinal Herbs that don't stack and cannot be used except by the player who is holding them is nearly unforgiveable. This is particularly true in the early stages, when those herbs are your lifeline, and its a long way back to the save point.
Ah, yes, saving. Another "fun" DQ innovation. In DQ, you save by "confessing" at a church. That's it. No save points in dungeons, no way to port out and port back in, nothing. This means that if you trudged all the way out to some Light forsaken tower and spent two hours grinding through it just to die on the final boss, you are out of luck. Do it all again. This time with feeling. And mana regeneration? Forget it, until you can obtain items that will do restore your juice. So make those spells last. They're the only ones you've got.
Finally, level grinding. I'm a 4-year WoW player, so level grinding is nothing new to me. That being said, years of playing WoW and Final Fantasy games have conditioned me to expect that if I play through a game normally, entering dungeons and facing bosses in sequence as I meet them, I stand at least a fair chance of prevailing. Not so in DQ. Most of the time, if you try to take on a challenge as soon as you encounter it, you're going to die. End of story. Expect to wander around aimlessly looking for fights for at least an extra level, better two, beyond the level you are when you first encounter The Next Big Thing. Oh well, at least you make lots of gold, right? Wrong. Forget being able to get the latest and greatest gear available from each new town, at least at first. DQ is stingy with the money, and dungeons drops are rare. Be prepared to wander.
I knew all of this going into the game, though. I knew that there were things that were going to bug the heck out of me because I've come to expect more from my RPGs since 1992. That's why I still enjoyed DQIV so much.
The storyline is still fairly epic, even by today's standards. The characters have life, and feeling, and the localization teams have done their best to make each Chapter feel like it takes place in a completely different part of the game world. Even if this does lead to some horribly funny Japanese-to-Russianesque-to-Rusjapenglish in Chapter 2, it gives you the feeling that you are a large world with varied ethnicities and real danger.
My favorite Chapter is still 3, the tale of Mara and Nara, the dancer and the fortuneteller. As a kid, these ladies inspired me even more than warrior princess Alena. That part hasn't changed a bit. Fighting with clubs and daggers is de rigeur, but using fans, claws and cards as weapons is a blast. Grinding through the merchant quest still sucks, though.
I also have to give credit where credit is due. What little new stuff there is here really works. The DS two-screen approach offers a lot of screen real estate for this game. This is invaluable in dungeons because it lets you get a better sense of where you are going, and cuts down on the random lost roaming of the original. The towns look lovely, almost on par with Dragon Quest VII. There is an online Chance Encounter mode that allows you to expand your own town through Nintendo WiFi play. If you have other nostalgia-starved friends who pick this title up, you'll enjoy sharing your own little piece of Heaven with them.
All in all, I think Arte Piazza did a good job updating this classic for the modern era. I hope this brings a new generation of proto-geeks to DQ, and to the appreciation of substance over style (I'm looking at you, Final Fantasy X-2). I'm looking forward to the ports of Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie, the second and third titles in the so-called "Zenithia trilogy". Most Americans (including me) have never had the chance to play DQV and VI. DQV was released in Japan in July, so hopefully the U.S. release isn't far behind. Maybe they'll even evolve out some of the rough parts this time.
(From PlayingWithMyWeiner.com - gaming at the mercy of miniature daschunds.)
Simply amazing September 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you loved the old school rpgs from the nes and snes days then you'll love this game. As stated in other reviews, if you're a new gen gamer into awesome graphics and cut scenes with minimum strategy and storyline, then you may want to look somwhere else.
The other reviews pretty much hit it dead on so i'd just like to add a little more about the extra content that wasn't mentioned.
The original game consisted of 5 chapters and when you beat the Final boss in chapter five you completed the game. Now there are 6 chapters. After you beat the main game and finish the credits you can't start chapter 6. I don't want to spoil too much for you so i'll just say that there is an extra(and really long) dungeon with access to new items. There is also a mini game where you build your own village kind of like the one in DQVII. If you build your village to its maximum level, you will have access to some really strong items not found in the main story. There is also a secret character you can recruit. Again i won't spoil too much but this character is a powerhouse and an amazing addition to your entourage. Lastly, there is a new final boss, but you can only fight him with the addition of the secret character in your party.
I really think anyone could get into this game as long as they can get over the outdated graphics, but i think DQIV was already one of the best rpgs i've ever played, and the DS version perfected it in my opinion.
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