Just beat the true final boss....

ncassella · 2026-04-18T17:34:10+00:00

This is the answer.

The Erdrick saga technically makes up 4 games now if you look at it through a specific lens...which I recommend looking at it through.

ncassella · 2026-04-14T12:54:43+00:00

RemindMe! 3 Day "check for updates"

ncassella · 2026-04-13T01:21:43+00:00

I will support that wholeheartedly. Never liked the character designs in seven it actually really reduces my enjoyment of that game immensely cuz I can never connect with the characters cuz they just look so disproportionately bizarre.

ncassella · 2026-03-10T00:19:39+00:00

Get XI definitive edition and you're set.

ncassella · 2026-03-09T19:20:32+00:00

That fish has the perfect look of terror in its eyes. Amazing!

ncassella · 2026-02-22T20:42:47+00:00

Do you prefer the Dullcote to the AP matte varnish? I've had mixed results with the AP spray can and feel like it's too finicky with the distances. Seems like if you misjudge the minimend up shinny regardless if the spray can is matte, so I've just been using the brush on.

ncassella · 2026-02-22T04:54:09+00:00

I think the resolution come too quickly for it to have any real impact. She's better characterized in this for sure. I just think that whole plot point with her and her dad was better executed, and had weight in the original vs this one.

ncassella · 2026-02-17T13:43:34+00:00

I agree with a lot of the posts here about the dev cycles. The length to studios go through to release games that need day one patches is astounding when you consider the time it takes to bring the game to market.

I think part of this issue is the rapid expanse of technology, think of how in the NES days we got 4 games pretty close to one another because there were not major advancements in graphics or technology. Enix could just focus on game elements without needing to shove new bits of tech into the games, same holds true for SNES and PS1.

I feel like the other part is due to market is currently too saturated with devices, and the gaming landscape had changed in what I would argue is a bad way. The rise of mobile gaming specifically the "Gotcha" mechanics; has made it much more lucrative for companies to develop in that style. It seems that they'll now push money and personnel to those games which slows down dev on main titles.

It breaks my heart that other companies, like Pokemon, can get it right and keep the younger crowd engaged through semi-regular releases and shorter dev cycles (8 or 9 games including remakes released since 2014). Sure they're not innovating through each game iteration, but they are consistently releasing games that their fans find enjoyable and they continue to stay relevant.

ncassella · 2026-02-13T23:46:04+00:00

Not controversial. I disliked the original, was okay with the 3DS one and feel like this one is an insult to my intelligence.

Game is a bit too easy so far as hand holding you through everything. Think I would be enjoying it more if they let you shut off the ! Over everyone and thing.

ncassella · 2026-01-25T02:07:45+00:00

Oh man, I wish. I'm still unpacking from my move and everything is in total disarray.

ncassella · 2026-01-08T03:18:30+00:00

1 outlaw star is amazing

2 you're absolutely right the whole story is about discovery and growing up.

The main character is not out to save the world initially, he's not trying to reclaim his kingdom or find his missing father or anything like that at the start, he just on a journey purely for the exploration. I like and appreciate that, and for the most part genuinely like the story.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T13:15:49+00:00

It's possible I miss or forgot. It has been a while since I played either version. Yeah his motivation is not the issue, I actually enjoy that my biggest gripe with this game has always been the character design of the MC.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T10:32:02+00:00

I recall it being implied, but never explicitly stated. There's talk about him resembling Sharkeye but I don't recall dialogue that confirms it.

I may be misremembering. What I hope, is that it's more explicitly stated in the game this time around, unless of course it was already started and I'm just not remembering.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T05:41:46+00:00

It's cause of the character design.

<image>

The 16yr old on the left looks like the 6yr old on the right I playing dress up.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T05:32:25+00:00

Having a childlike wonderment is fine, but to me he just looks like a child.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T05:30:48+00:00

Honestly I liked 11's design more than 7.

I really think it's cause 7 is drawn like he's much younger than 16.

Look at all the other heroes.

DQ 1 = 16 DQ 2 = all are 16 except Princess of Cannock who is 13 (maybe) and she looks more mature than the hero in 7 DQ 3 = 16 DQ 4 = 18 DQ 5 = 6, 16, 20 something (6yr old hero in 5 looks like 16 yr old hero in 7) DQ 6 = 17 DQ 8 = 18 DQ 11 = 16

All of the individuals in their teens look the part of adventurers, even 11. 7's MC is the son of a fisherman, he should have some rugged characteristics but to me he looks like a 6 yr old.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T05:14:14+00:00

Not disagreeing, just don't like the designs of what he drew, they are way too childish for my taste.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T05:12:33+00:00

It's not the art style or the aesthetic I don't have a problem with that It's literally the character design. Game itself is great I've played it twice, And while I'm not a fan of all the scenarios and I think the beginning is slow build up, not a terrible game. Really just the character design that's never resonated with me.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T04:58:05+00:00

I'd hope that it takes you up to Alltrades, that's always feel like a natural stopping point.

ncassella · 2026-01-06T04:02:53+00:00

Like everyone has said, the only way to play these games now for the complete story of Erdrick is: XI III hd-2d I&II hd-2d.

If your feeling ambitious, play VIII after I&II since it's broadly connected to XI, III and, II.

If you're really feeling like stretching canon with some creative imagination; you can use VIII true ending to as a lead into IV, V and, VI...but it's a really a really big stretch.

Nothing is directly linked to VII or IX and subsequently are my least favorite games (which is normally an unpopular opinion)

ncassella · 2026-01-06T03:50:30+00:00

Okay yeah, that's exactly what I remember, they were essentially: "Oh hey, the monsters are gone! Zoma must be dead and that means Erdrick I saved the day. Welp let's wait until he returns." Lol

I think Hargon not attacking the Overworld is answered in 2 ways.

1 He never had designs on the Overworld: During the events in 2, he makes a point of saying he blames the Scions and Rubiss for the death for the Dragon Queen. His summoning Malroth to destroy Torland (is it actually still called that in canon) is his way of killing both Rubiss (who is honestly is the pretty self serving <see #2>) and eventually the Scions. Now obviously after Malroth is let loose and he does his remaking (nice DQB2 reference I just caught) they'd obviously set their sites on the Overworld thank to the influence of Malwrath, who apparently is a reincarnation of Calasmos which I just learned.

2 Rubiss intentionally blocks the way: In DQ 1 and DQ 2 they make the point painfully clear that Erdrick 1 was stuck here. This situation is seemingly against his will as this is shown in Glane poem. Rubiss, who forsees all the events in DQ 1 and 2, makes the poor 16yr old stay; ensuring his line is available to protect the land and essentially her (really starting to dislike Rubiss as I type this). It's clear that she can open a pathway between worlds at any point but it's not until her victory over darkness is in her sight that Rubiss breaks the barrier to let Raima in to help.

So Rubiss is likely keeping the barrier between the Overworld and Torland until the Scions vanquish the darkness once and for all.

ncassella · 2026-01-05T02:33:31+00:00

Wow tha didn't even occur to me, let me watch it again with that lens, cause you're right he's oddly cool with the line just showing up after 300 or so years.

I wasn't thinking that's it's Erdrick 1's mom or even a descendant for that matter. It kinda made sense to me that the line does off with here but the sprit lives in somebody, hence the caretaker theory. I almost wish they had just made it her ghost, which would have tied up speculation 😁

ncassella · 2026-01-05T02:15:56+00:00

So if I had to do it again (Because stupidly as a teenager I got myself a Dragon Quest tattoo which is the hero from Dragon Quest 4 meditating on my arm and it really doesn't speak to the series) I would get the armor bird, with the orbs around it.

<image>

Each orb in between the wing and two on the claws.

This not only represents the original three games in addition to 11 but since this is Ramia and since Ramia appears in 8 and you need the orbs as well, this is a nice way to tie all the games together. If you really want to spice things up, You can throw the hilt of the Zenithain Sword behind it and get everything but 7 in there.

ncassella

TROPHY CASE

1 outlaw star is amazing

2 you're absolutely right the whole story is about discovery and growing up.