Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince – PC and Mobile Ports Review
Last month, Square Enix made an exciting announcement that the once-Switch-exclusive Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince would be coming to PC and mobile devices, less than a year after its original release. While the news of a PC port was somewhat expected given Square Enix’s track record of porting games to different platforms, the simultaneous release on mobile devices caught many by surprise. At RPG Site, we had the opportunity to explore both the PC and mobile versions of The Dark Prince, and we’re here to share our impressions with you.
### Dragon Quest: The Dark Prince – PC Version Impressions
As someone who has played every mainline Dragon Quest title and several spinoffs, I was eager to dive into the Monsters sub-series with the release of The Dark Prince on PC. Having missed out on previous entries in the Monsters series, I approached this game with fresh eyes and a sense of curiosity.
The original Switch version of The Dark Prince faced criticism for its performance issues, particularly in terms of framerate. However, the PC version of the game runs much smoother, capable of reaching 4K resolutions and framerates well above 60 fps. While the game’s graphics settings are somewhat limited, with options for low, medium, or high-quality presets, it still delivers a visually appealing experience.
Despite the game’s charming art style and colorful presentation, it’s evident that The Dark Prince was designed with the Switch in mind. Environments are relatively simple, character animations can be stiff, and textures often have a flat, cell-shaded look. While it may not boast cutting-edge visuals, the game runs well on most modern PCs, making for an enjoyable gameplay experience.
In terms of gameplay, The Dark Prince offers a unique monster-collecting experience that differs from other entries in the Dragon Quest series. Progression through the Circles of Nadiria provides a structured and engaging gameplay loop, where players must capture monsters, assemble their party, and defeat formidable foes in coliseum battles. While the game may lack in visual fidelity compared to other titles, its gameplay mechanics offer a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
One notable change in the PC port is the removal of the ‘online battle’ feature present in the Switch version. While the reason for this decision is not explicitly stated, it may be due to concerns about cheating in online matches. Despite this omission, the overall improvement in performance and gameplay experience on PC makes The Dark Prince a worthy addition to the Dragon Quest series.
### Dragon Quest: The Dark Prince – Mobile Version Impressions
Following the release of The Dark Prince on Switch, the mobile version of the game has generated considerable interest among players. As someone who experienced the initial performance issues on Switch, I was intrigued to see how the game would fare on mobile devices, particularly newer models released after 2017.
The mobile version of The Dark Prince offers a similar gameplay experience to its PC counterpart, with a few notable differences. While the graphics settings are more restrictive on mobile, with preset options for low, medium, and high-quality graphics, the game still manages to deliver a visually appealing experience on modern devices.
One drawback of the mobile version is the lack of controller support, making it challenging for players to enjoy the game with external peripherals. However, the touch controls are responsive and functional, providing a satisfactory gameplay experience despite the limitations of mobile devices.
Overall, the mobile version of The Dark Prince offers a compelling alternative for players who prefer gaming on their smartphones or tablets. With content parity with the PC version and a launch discount available until a certain date, the mobile port presents a viable option for fans of the Dragon Quest series.
In conclusion, the release of The Dark Prince on PC and mobile devices expands the accessibility of the game to a wider audience. While each version has its strengths and limitations, both offer a unique and engaging gameplay experience that stays true to the spirit of the Dragon Quest series. Whether you prefer gaming on a powerful PC or on-the-go with your mobile device, The Dark Prince has something to offer for every type of player.