"Dragon Quest VIII" is often cited by fans as the best in the entire series. The original launched for the Playstation 2 back in 2004 in Japan and 2005 in the US. A 3DS remake has been in the works, and it launched in Japan back in 2015. Following numerous delays, the game is now launching for the 3DS in North America in January next year.
Nintendo has released a brand new trailer showcasing how well the game has been ported from the PS2 to the Nintendo 3DS. Voice acting is still present and many of the game's visuals and open-world content are still present. However, this is not a direct port as Cinema Blend reveals there are several improvements being added.
According to the report, the game now features a quick-save feature. This will allow players to quickly save and resume their game even when on the go. This will be a big departure from the original as saving was limited solely to the game's temples, a mechanic that has been in the franchise since the very first "Dragon Quest" title.
Gamers will also have a "speed up" feature that will fast forwards the gameplay, allowing them to speed through battles and dialogue segments. This has become a staple of Square Enix games, and it is noted that it was featured in "Bravely Default" and, most recently, in "World of Final Fantasy."
This speed-up feature will become useful particularly when players want to skip through cutscenes or when they have to grind through battles to level up or farm for special gear and items.
The 3DS remake is also going have the option of taking snapshots of the game, and these photos can be shared through Street Pass. However, this function will not be active during combat or in the middle of a story cutscene.
"Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King" for 3DS rolls out in North America on Jan. 20, 2017.
