How Long It Takes To Beat Every Mainline Dragon Quest Game

Key Takeaways

Dragon Quest titles range from 9 to 123 hours to complete, with added side content in each.
Longer game time due to factors like exploration, party systems, and world maps.
Mainline Dragon Quest games offer unique features and engaging narratives requiring time investment.

As a seasoned RPG enthusiast with over two decades spent traversing the magical realms of games like Dragon Quest, I must say that this list is as enlightening as it is fascinating. From the humble beginnings of Dragon Quest 1 to the expansive, MMO-style adventure of Dragon Quest X, these games have taken me on a journey through time and space, introducing me to fantastical worlds filled with dragons, heroes, and Metal Slimes galore.

Dragon Quest holds a significant place as one of the most influential Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) series ever created, with its primary series surpassing the ten-game mark and numerous offshoots venturing into diverse genres.

In the mainline games of this series, you’ll find mechanics similar to those often found in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). Consequently, it’s not unexpected that players might spend several weeks, or even more than a month, to finish all tasks and activities. Interestingly, some earlier versions can be fully completed within a single day.

The following times are courtesy of
HowLongToBeat
and refer to main story completion.

1 Dragon Quest

9 Hours

As an ardent fan, I’m excitedly sharing that you can anticipate immersing yourself in this legendary series for approximately 9 hours to complete the main tale on average. Yet, much like any other installment in this beloved franchise, wrapping up the main story is just the beginning. There’s a world of additional content waiting to be explored!

The game offers players an additional hour or two of supplementary content, which may not seem like a significant time leap but includes activities such as exploring optional dungeons, engaging with all non-player characters, and gathering every item available within the game.

2 Dragon Quest 2: Luminaries Of The Legendary Line

16.5 Hours

In my gaming experience, I noticed a significant leap in time required to complete the second installment, bumping up from around 9 hours to approximately 16.5 hours on average. This title is renowned for being one of the more challenging Dragon Quest games out there, which could be a key reason for this increase. Additionally, the world map expands significantly compared to the first game, introducing the need for a ship to navigate through it.

The ship feature has been a constant in every major Dragon Quest game since its debut in Dragon Quest 2, enhancing the maps exploration experience. When you consider all these aspects together, it becomes clear why playing this game might take more time. Yet, players will find only about an hour or two of extra content to discover beyond the main plotline.

3 Dragon Quest 3: The Seeds Of Salvation

28 Hours

Among Dragon Quest enthusiasts, there’s often one particular game that holds a sentimental value. A frequently mentioned favorite is Dragon Quest 3, belonging to the Erdrick Trilogy. This game stands out for its customizable party system, enabling players to experiment with various party configurations boasting different strengths.

The game will expand its scope with a bigger open-world, motivating players to venture beyond familiar territories and discover new areas. Additionally, there will be an abundance of supplementary missions, enhancing the overall playtime by approximately 5 more hours.

4 Dragon Quest 4: Chapters Of The Chosen

27 Hours

As a gamer diving into Dragon Quest 4, I found myself appreciating the streamlined narrative compared to its predecessor, Dragon Quest 3. Unlike the third game that sent us on extensive explorations, the fourth entry presented a more linear storyline. If Dragon Quest 4 had adopted the same approach as Dragon Quest 3, I might have faced a significant increase in the time needed to complete the game.

In Dragon Quest 4, you’ll find an abundance of extra content that will keep you engaged for approximately 43 hours if you aim to experience everything the game has to offer. While this isn’t quite double the time required to finish the main storyline, it’s still a significant boost in playtime.

5 Dragon Quest 5: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride

30.5 Hours

Among the cherished installments in the Dragon Quest series, none are perhaps more adored than Dragon Quest 5. Countless fans extol this game as the finest in the franchise, and it was here that the idea of monsters joining your team first appeared. This feature is often recognized as a precursor to the popular subgenre of monster-taming games.

The storyline is an exceptional work of art, weaving together a tale spanning multiple generations, guiding players through most of the main character’s life. Players also have the option to decide who their character marries, which increases the game’s replay value due to different endings. Even without replaying the game, completing additional content can extend the playtime to approximately 49.5 hours.

6 Dragon Quest 6: Realms Of Revelation

40.5 Hours

Developer: Heartbeat
Platforms: Super Famicom, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android
Release: December 9, 1995

In the latest installment of Dragon Quest 6, a dual-world system was introduced, making it one of the most explorative games in the series so far. This expansion has increased gameplay time by approximately 10 hours compared to its predecessor. The game features numerous towns to explore, dungeons to conquer, and provides ample opportunity for grinding to reach the maximum potential of each vocation.

Similar to previous Dragon Quest titles, gamers can expect a variety of side activities along with challenges that surpass those in prior editions. This expansion equates to approximately 26.5 extra hours of gameplay for the players to conquer.

7 Dragon Quest 7: Fragments Of The Forgotten Past

78 Hours

Dragon Quest 7 is a massive game, significantly longer than Dragon Quest 6 by approximately 37 hours. It offers a wealth of content for players to explore as they progress through the game’s main narrative. Like its predecessor, it uses time-travel mechanics and even has two worlds to navigate. Additionally, it boasts one of the most intricate and detailed class systems available in the series.

For those aiming for a complete conquest, the game requires a significant commitment, with approximately 157 hours expected from dedicated players. This time is spent uncovering additional dungeons, battling optional bosses, and unearthing hidden mysteries. With so much to discover, it’s no wonder these explorers are advised to map out their journey meticulously.

8 Dragon Quest 8: Journey Of The Cursed King

61 Hours

In essence, the playtime for Dragon Quest 8 has been reduced to approximately 61 hours primarily because it offers a more straightforward narrative and less emphasis on exhaustive exploration of its game world compared to Dragon Quest 7. Unlike Dragon Quest 7 where players had to gather crucial fragments to advance, such a feature is absent in Dragon Quest 8, allowing for unhindered progression.

Additionally, there’s a streamlined class system in place, making things more efficient and less challenging with fewer intricate riddles. This abridged version is highly acclaimed by fans as one of the best Dragon Quest games. If you delve into content outside the main storyline, you can expect approximately 114 hours of gameplay from this particular installment in the series.

9 Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Skies

48 Hours

In essence, Dragon Quest 9 provides an estimated completion time for the main story of around 48 hours. Unlike some other games, it offers a more concise narrative and a relatively compact map. Notably, this title emphasizes multiplayer features, enabling players to enjoy shorter gaming sessions, thus reducing overall game duration.

In simpler terms, Dragon Quest 9 provides a greater degree of repeat play due to its procedurally generated dungeons and treasures, which creates a more open-ended experience for multiplayer sessions. For those who strive for completion, it’s important to note that attempting to accomplish everything in the game could potentially consume over 740 hours of their time.

10 Dragon Quest 10: Rise Of The Five Tribes

123 Hours

Developer: Square Enix
Platforms: Wii, Wii U, Windows, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Release: August 2, 2012

Dragon Quest 10 stands out as the exclusive MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) edition of the game, experiencing a colossal surge in popularity when played online. The game also offers an offline version, but to fully immerse oneself in an MMO experience, playing with other players is highly recommended.

As an enthusiast myself, fellow fans keen on this captivating game should explore the steps to establish it in English regions since it’s not readily available locally. It’s essential to rally some friends who are ready to embark on the anticipated 123-hour journey with you!

11 Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age – Definitive Edition

57.5 Hours

Originally, Dragon Quest 11 was exclusively available on the Nintendo 3DS console in Japan. However, it subsequently saw releases on multiple platforms worldwide, boasting numerous enhancements. The optimal method to experience this game is through Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition, which takes approximately 57.5 hours to complete the final act.

Those who delve deep into all the side missions and tasks can stretch this game to around 130 hours. On the other hand, gamers intending to plow through every major Dragon Quest installment have a challenging journey in store, but one that’s worth the investment of their time.

Farming Metal Slimes is an excellent strategy for anyone playing Dragon Quest games, as it provides a substantial amount of experience quickly, thereby accelerating player advancement.

2024-11-12 05:04