Gameplay and design
Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2 merges the two Game Boy titles onto the PlayStation, with the core gameplay still revolving around capturing, raising, and battling with monsters in a team. Since the PS lacked a link cable, the original multiplayer battles were replaced with a system that reads monsters from other save files on memory cards, supporting one or two players. While this design forgoes real-time versus play, it lets players borrow powerful monsters from friends, offering a workaround for social interaction.
The game also introduces a timed command system, where players must select commands within a time limit during battles, adding tension. However, the battle animations are simplified compared to the Game Boy versions; enemy attacks are depicted through scaling and rotation effects rather than the full monster animations seen since Dragon Quest VI. This trade-off may have been to accommodate the PS's performance, but veterans might find it less impactful.
The breeding system is central to the Monsters series, and this game adjusts the combinations, differing from the Game Boy originals. In Terry's chapter, new breeding methods can produce monsters not found in the GB versions, offering freshness to returning players. Additionally, a hidden monster, Zoma's Demon, was added, enriching the collection aspect. Notably, the 'Summon' ability typically doesn't level up and requires combining with specific abilities to strengthen, a subtle system change.
The game also supports connectivity with the mobile version, Dragon Quest Monsters i/S, allowing players to exchange monsters via passwords and even obtain hidden ones. This cross-platform feature was quite ahead of its time, enabling interaction between console and mobile. However, the mobile version was only available in Japan, so this feature was limited to Japanese players.
In terms of content cuts, Terry's chapter removes many special rooms from the GB version, such as treasure rooms and the arena, and the interaction where monsters sit when the protagonist sits in the arena chair is also gone. Additionally, the keys obtained after clearing Dragon Quest Monsters 2 on GB no longer appear. These changes make this game more of a streamlined port than a full remake, which may disappoint players familiar with the originals.
Background and release
Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2 was released by Enix for the PlayStation on May 30, 2002, marking the series' first home console title. Previously, the first two games, Terry's Wonderland and 2: Maruta's Mysterious Key, were Game Boy handheld titles, and this compilation brought them together on the PS, allowing players to relive the classics on TV.
The full Japanese title is Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2: The Starfall Hero and the Ranch Companions, with 'The Starfall Hero' and 'The Ranch Companions' corresponding to the protagonists of the two games. As a compilation, it is not a new sequel but a remastered collection of the first two games, hence it does not use the GB subtitles but adopts a new naming scheme.
In terms of sales, the game performed steadily in Japan, selling 292,275 copies in 2002, ranking 38th on the annual sales chart. While this number doesn't compare to the series' peak, it's reasonable given that the PS was in the late stage of its lifecycle and this was a port compilation.
This is the only PS title in the series, as subsequent new entries moved to other platforms. In 2003, Enix merged with Square to form Square Enix, making this one of the last Dragon Quest-related titles Enix released before the merger.
The game received the Gold Hall of Fame award in Famitsu's cross-review, indicating media recognition of its quality. Official strategy guides were also published by V Jump Books and ENIX Best Mook Library, providing detailed information for players.
Development
The game was developed by TOSE, a company known for outsourcing projects and involved in several Dragon Quest titles. Enix likely chose TOSE for the port due to their experience with handheld game development and familiarity with the series.
During the porting process, the development team cut and adjusted content from the GB versions. Besides removing special rooms and the key system, they changed the locations of some monsters, such as the hidden monsters Lamia, Dimension Dragon, and Invisible, appearing in Terry's, Ruka's, and Iru's chapters respectively. These changes may have been to balance difficulty or adapt to the PS's hardware.
The game adds new BGM for the castle, mid-boss battles, and the final boss of Dragon Quest Monsters 2, with some scene music also altered. These new tracks offer freshness to veterans and enrich the atmosphere. However, the simplified battle animations might be because the team focused on system adjustments.
The connectivity with the mobile version Dragon Quest Monsters i was a forward-thinking design. Through the PS's i-Mode adapter, players could upload monsters to the mobile version, enabling cross-platform interaction. This feature not only increased replayability but also reflected Enix's strategy in the mobile space.
As the series' first home console title, development likely faced challenges. How to port the handheld experience to a home console while maintaining the series' identity was a key issue. The final product shows enhanced graphics and systems but also compromises, reflecting the trade-offs of the technology at the time.
Reception and legacy
Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2 holds a special place in the series' history as the first home console entry. It allowed players to enjoy the Monsters experience on TV and provided new platform options for future titles. Although it's the only PS game in the series, its attempt laid the groundwork for later 3DS remakes.
The game's connectivity with mobile was a pioneer in cross-platform play. Though limited to Japan, it demonstrated the potential of combining games with mobile devices, influencing later cross-platform developments in the series. Today, mobile gaming is mainstream, and looking back, this connectivity design seems prescient.
In terms of reception, the game earned the Famitsu Gold Hall of Fame, indicating media approval. Players generally appreciated the enhanced graphics and systems, but the content cuts sparked some controversy. Nevertheless, as a compilation, it offered veterans a chance to revisit the classics.
While sales were not outstanding, its role in the series is significant. It proved that the Monsters series could succeed on home consoles, paving the way for titles like Dragon Quest Monsters 3D. In a sense, it was a key step in the series' transition from handheld to multi-platform.
Today, the game is a footnote in series history, but its memory card battles and mobile connectivity are still fondly remembered by fans. For those who love the Dragon Quest Monsters series, this is a nostalgic title that captures the technology and creativity of its era.
