As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that the mobile version of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince has certainly piqued my curiosity. Coming from a life where every new console release was an event to be celebrated, I found myself drawn to this portable adaptation like a moth to a flame.
Just last month, Square Enix disclosed that the previously Nintendo Switch-exclusive title, “Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince,” will be available on PC platforms. This move comes only nine months after its initial launch. Admittedly, the news of a PC port doesn’t come as a shock given Square Enix’s history of similar releases in recent times. However, what was less anticipated is that the game would simultaneously be released for mobile devices.
Here at RPG Site, we’ve had the opportunity to examine not only the PC, but also the mobile version of The Dark Prince. Our thoughts on the game are detailed in the following sections.
Dragon Quest: The Dark Prince – PC Version Impressions
Author: Adam Vitale
I’ve played every major release of the Dragon Quest series, excluding the MMORPG, Dragon Quest X, which hasn’t been released in English. I’ve also tried many spinoffs, like the latest, Dragon Quest Treasures. Given my extensive experience with Dragon Quest, it’s fair to say I’m a dedicated fan of the franchise. However, the Monsters spinoff series, which has a rich history, is one I haven’t explored yet. With the recent PC and mobile port of the latest Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, I finally ventured into this sub-series for the first time.
Previously this year, Cullen assessed the Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. His analysis is meticulous and offers valuable insights into the game’s mechanics and systems. If you seek an in-depth review, I recommend checking out his write-up. Unlike Cullen, who approached The Dark Prince as a fan of Dragon Quest IV, eager for another story within that universe, I viewed the Dragon Quest IV aesthetic more as a decorative layer – a style intended to enhance what promised to be an engaging monster-collecting experience.
Initially, the original Switch edition of The Dark Prince suffered from performance problems, particularly with its frame rate, often failing to maintain 30 frames per second across many parts of the game when it was first released. However, the PC version performs significantly better in terms of framerate and resolution; it can handle 4K resolutions and consistently achieves framerates over 60 frames per second.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that the customization options for this game’s PC version are somewhat limited. There are presets for low, medium, and high-quality graphics, along with similar settings for anti-aliasing. The resolution & framerate section, VSync toggle, and that’s pretty much it. It’s impressive that the game can run smoothly on most modern computers, considering the recommended GPU is a GeForce GTX 950, a graphics card that was first released nearly a decade ago.
Though The Dark Prince boasts an enchanting art style and vibrant presentation, it’s evident that it was primarily designed for the Nintendo Switch. The environments are kept relatively basic, character movements can be slightly rigid, and textures generally adopt a flat, cell-shaded appearance. Compared to Dragon Quest Treasures – another Switch exclusive made available on PC – The Dark Prince appears somewhat less polished. Interestingly, Dragon Quest Treasures offers a wider range of configuration options. Despite this, The Dark Prince is visually appealing and runs smoothly; however, don’t anticipate cutting-edge visual quality.
Regarding the game, my thoughts are somewhat reminiscent of what I experienced with Dragon Quest Treasures. Although the structure varies significantly, with a sequential advancement through the Circles of Nadiria rather than the free-roaming exploration in Treasures, there’s still an endearing quality to it.
A significant point to highlight is that the DLC from the initial Switch launch is part of the standard cost for these updated versions; however, the ‘online battle’ feature found in the original game has been eliminated completely. Though no definitive explanation is provided, it seems likely this action was taken as Square Enix deemed managing cheating during online matches to be more trouble than it’s worth. While this choice might make sense, it’s still a letdown.
As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge that while the game’s port may seem simple compared to other titles, it undeniably outshines its Switch version. Despite not being a graphical powerhouse, it’s a noticeable step forward in my book.
Dragon Quest: The Dark Prince – Mobile Version Impressions
Author: Cullen Black
Last year, there was quite a lot of excitement about the release of “The Dark Prince” on Nintendo Switch. At its launch, the game’s frame rate was very unstable, and even after a performance update a month later, it struggled to maintain a steady 30 frames per second. This piqued my interest regarding potential Android and iOS versions of the game given my experiences with the Switch version. As expected, modern mobile hardware (released post-2017) appears to run the game smoothly without many problems. However, there were some minor hiccups during my testing on a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 (launched in 2023).
The graphics settings in this version of the game are comparable to the Steam version, but with slightly fewer customization options. The only adjustable setting is the graphical preset; controls for Antialiasing, Frame Rate, and V-Sync are missing. It appears that these settings have been grouped within the presets, though I can only speculate since they’re hidden behind them. As I played, I noticed three presets: Low, Medium, and High. The Low setting seems to cater to most phones but makes the game so blurry that it might be difficult to play. The Medium graphics seem comparable to a Nintendo Switch. The High setting matches your phone’s display resolution and is the only graphics mode where the Frame Rate is boosted from its standard 30 FPS cap. One inconvenience of this version is that you cannot adjust the preset while the game is running; you’ll need to return to the main menu every time you want to change settings. If you find that the High setting provides a visual and performance experience that exceeds your phone’s cooling capabilities, consider lowering it to avoid overheating issues.
If you’re looking to enjoy this game using a mobile device or controller, I have to disappoint you as there’s currently no support for controllers. My efforts to run the game with my Dualsense synced to my phone were unsuccessful. While the touch controls are serviceable, they can be limiting during extended play sessions, especially when navigating the expansive zones in the game. I found the camera control particularly challenging on a wide phone like mine. However, battles still work fine with the touchscreen menus. Despite this, the game’s scale might be a bit too ambitious for the casual mobile gaming experience it seems to aim for.
There’s something irresistible about playing this game on my smartphone. Despite not being the best version possible, it still gets the job done. Modern phones are likely more capable of running The Dark Prince than even an OLED Switch, with better visuals overall. I wish they had put a bit more effort into improving it. Features like vertical display options, customizable graphics settings (a framerate cap would be helpful!), and controller support could make this the preferred version of the game. It’s quite appealing because it matches the PC version in content and is currently discounted at $23.99 until 9/22/2024. For now, I prefer using the Steam Deck instead.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince mobile screenshots
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2024-09-16 03:26