What RPG are you playing right now?

[MrPopo]

If you enjoyed DQ II then you will LOVE DQ III. DQ III fixes all of the problems DQ II had (though I believe those problems aren't as pronounced in the GBC version) and expands your party customization with the class system. You can actually do things like reclass a Cleric into a Warrior and now your Warrior can cast Cleric spells; this sort of thing will keep showing up time and time again in later entries in the series. The game world is also vast and does a good job of giving you something interesting to do at each area.

[Exhuminator]

MrPopo, have you played both the GBC and SNES versions of III? Which do you prefer?

[MrPopo]

I have not played the SNES version of III. I've beaten the GBC version and I've played a little bit of the NES version. The GBC version adds the Thief class which really doesn't add much (the mechanic is it sometimes finds cheap items or a bit of gold after combat) and adds a board game minigame that gives some prizes and the mini medal shop. I can't comment on whether or not the game rebalances things much on the combat front, but at least in the beginning of the game it's about the same level of difficulty.

I do plan on beating the NES version at some point because that's the only one of the NES games I haven't beaten (woo for beating II on hardware with no save states).

[eggman]

I am in the Cave to Rhone in DQII. If i get it finished, I might jump right into DQIII asap. I am really enjoying II after beating I on GBC. Ive heard great things about III and will likely play the GBC version too. It is nice to play through the Gamecube then be able to take it with me via GBA.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Nice scans Exumy.

Those really take me back. When I was young a friend of mine and I used to have the typical Nintendo vs. Sega "console wars" debates. My trump card was the fact that Nintendo consoles were loaded with RPGs and the Genesis had nuthin'. He brought that magazine to school to silence me and the screenshots blew me away. I never actually got to try the PS games until my 20s though, unfortunately.

[Markies]

If you enjoyed DQ II then you will LOVE DQ III. DQ III fixes all of the problems DQ II had (though I believe those problems aren't as pronounced in the GBC version) and expands your party customization with the class system. You can actually do things like reclass a Cleric into a Warrior and now your Warrior can cast Cleric spells; this sort of thing will keep showing up time and time again in later entries in the series. The game world is also vast and does a good job of giving you something interesting to do at each area.

Yeah, the biggest complaint I had about DQII was my fellow party members. They were a little incompetent. Of course, a friend of mine had two completely worthless party members, so it wasn't as bad.

I know they added classes and if they fixed the party system, then I am even more excited. I also know that DQIII and FFI was released around the same time, so I am expecting that kind of game play which I love!

[MrPopo]

Yeah, DQIII gives you your base character as the Hero class (which is a solid all-rounder) and then three characters you get to build from scratch.

[Kidpanda]

How far are you taking this Phantasy Star thing?

I've beaten I and II yeas ago, but it's time to finish off the main games. I'm not looking forward to III, (although I may be surprised), and IV I've started so many times, it's time to end it. After those I may try to play the Gaiden games.

[Sarge]

Dragon Quest III is fantastic. It and Dragon Quest IV were my two favorite RPGs on NES.

I've played through two versions: the NES and GBC version. The NES version is probably not the best way to experience the game today, but it's still good. It's just got the sort of sensibilities you'd expect from the time. It's definitely balanced a lot better than earlier entries, the grinding isn't nearly as bad, other than right at the start. I've beaten the NES version many, many times.

The GBC version is effectively based on the SNES version. It looks better than the NES version due to having more colors, although it's also lower resolution. It has the animated battle sprites, too. It's also got a new class, the Thief, and a few new weapons, including Whips and I believe Boomerangs, which allow melee fighters to hit all in a group, or all enemies period.

The only completely new thing the GBC version brings to the table is Monster Medals, but that's rather superfluous in my mind. If you want to play it as it originally was, go NES, but if you want the best visual and aural experience, go with the SNES version. The translation seems alright with it, although I've caught a few typos in there.

[Exhuminator]

if you want the best visual and aural experience, go with the SNES version

Yeah I was looking at screenshots and reading reviews and the SFC version does seem to be the ticket. Although if someone chose the GBC version for portability I couldn't blame them.