How "Dragon Quest Heroes II" Managed To Improve (MOSTLY) From "Dragon Quest Heroes (Some Spoilers)

 

Dragon Quest Heroes has had two entries. So far, there aren't even hints that a third game is in the development. If a third game comes out then it should introduce the handheld-only characters as part of the crossover. The game apparently doesn't take place in the first Dragon Quest Heroes game. The first Dragon Quest Heroes game was more linear and map-based. The second one may follow the same formula but with significant modifications. 

I confess I enjoy the brokenness of the first game. It was easier to get all psyched-up to fire up a High Tension move. However, the second game manages to make it harder to psych up -- presumably for balancing reasons. It sort of ticked me off but I got used to it. The first game also somewhat overpowered the Monster Medals. The second game tries not to do that. I wasn't a big fan of the Substitute type of Monster Medal. However, it was probably meant to balance out combat. 

It would be interesting to see some familiar faces return. For example, Angelo and Jessica (there's no mention of Yangus) from Dragon Quest VIII maka  guest role in this What If sceanario. It was interesting to have Maribel and Ruff from the OVERLY SLOW Dragon Quest VII. Maribel carries on her somewhat stuck-up attitude while having some character development. Maribel also equipped boomerangs -- something she NEVER equipped in any of her other incarnations. Dragon Quest VI characters to return are Terry and Carver. As always, don't expect them to make mention of the first Dragon Quest Heroes game. The whole game is a huge What If crossover only. Pretty much, just play and enjoy it. 

The gameplay shows some significant changes 

There's more open exploration in the fields. Sure, it lacks the whole big world of a typical Dragon Quest mainline game. The first game had the events happen in the Stonecloud -- a huge flying castle. The second game takes place in Accordia -- the main kingdom of the Seven Realms. Dragon Quest Heroes II goes on with some extra exploration than just fighting monsters all the time. Some tasks involve talking with NPCs in other cities -- unlike the first game. Pretty much, one only bought equipment at the CENTER OF THE GAME. 

The second game presents a more interesting dynamic. It was 1,000 years of peace AND suddenly war breaks out. Who could've been responsible for the war? Cesar's father supposedly killed by the King of Harba? An attack on Ingenia? One could easily predict that some malevolent force of evil was responsible. In fact, it is and I think the lore of the second game -- was a huge leap from the first game. 

The first game featured Velasco as the secondary villain. Velasco sought to release the Sealed Evil in a Can with Shadroth. Shadroth was certainly a behemoth of darkness. However, Shadroth was pretty much The Voiceless -- only speaking in growls like most mystical monsters or Ultraman series kaijuu. Not so with Fractos (or Zaram) as he was the manipulator of all events. Fractos was the one who performed a lot of despicable deeds so he could rule for all he cares. I'd say Fractos might be one of the most evil Dragon Quest villains to be conceived. Rhapthorne in Dragon Quest VIII was also manipulative. Dragon Quest VII had Orgodemir. Fractos even has TWO FORMS which makes him truly a force to behold.

I lost to Fractos a lot more than Shadroth. I even used Victory's Secret to defeat him after so many FRUSTRATING TRIES. The post-game would even feature ultra-challenging bosses for die-hard completionists. The fact Fractos spoke legibly, insulted your party REPEATEDLY, and has the POWER TO BACK IT UP makes him formidable. It's kinda like how Shao Kahn insults you in every Mortal Kombat game where he's the final boss -- then BEATS YOU UP LIKE CRAZY! Fractos was truly someone who was a braggart BECAUSE he could back it up. The final form is one monstrously ugly form  that only someone with a Pure Evil heart could take. Fractos is truly the DEVIL in Dragon Quest Heroes II.

It gets more interesting when the game has more OPTIONAL bosses -- mostly harder than Shadroth. The Dragonlord from the first game was truly MUCH HARDER than the actual boss Fractos. Fighting across various optional mazes was a test of one's own playing. Many of them are really THAT HARD. It can be a good test of one's abilities and I had fun with them -- even as a casual gamer. It's true most of them can be that hard. However, they can be an interesting challenge for those seeking a much harder fight than the main game.