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Review of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 on Nintendo DS

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Sep 2011
Cover image of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 on DS
Gamefings Score: 8.5
Platform: DS DS logo
Released: 19 Sep 2011
Genre: Role-playing
Developer: TOSE
Publisher: Nintendo

Introduction

Welcome to the whimsical world of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2, where battle-hungry monsters and overzealous pet owners collide! You, the wannabe monster tamer, embark on a journey filled with playful battles, epic fails, and questionable life choices (like dancing your way into a boss battle). Put your brain to the test as we dive into the challenging aspects and skills required to conquer this RPG gem!

Gameplay

Get ready to unleash a monster mash-up of major proportions! The gameplay in Joker 2 builds off its predecessor like an overzealous toddler on a stack of enfuriating blocks-not exactly a stable configuration but very entertaining nonetheless. You explore vibrant areas to catch wild monsters who become part of your team; it's like Pokémon but with a bit more flair and less 'gotta catch 'em all' guilt. Here, it's not just about tossing a Poké Ball but strategically selecting, training, and evolving your dream team of fantastical beasts. Combat is turn-based, and you can command up to three monsters at a time. Direct commands are your best friend, unless you're devastated by indecision or rapidly draining snack charges-at which point, you might want to rely on one of the game's four AI settings, effectively unleashing your monsters into battle like they're part of a chaotic circus act. The game also introduces new monster sizes, so think of it as trading in your moderately sized cats for a feral dog the size of a Volkswagen. That's right; we've got large and gargantuan monsters commandeering slots in your monster roster like true kings! Get ready to meld, combine, and bond with an impressive roster of 311 available monsters, with a few newbies thrown into the mix because why not? Prepare your best 'Oh-no-you-didn't' face when the monstrous creatures come to play, and remember-you're not alone! Joker 2 has Wi-Fi support, allowing you to connect with up to eight players to challenge their monster teams while gathering bragging rights like they're trading cards. It's like Pokémon battles crossed with a competitive dog show; now that's a spectacle! And speaking of challenges, don't underestimate the skills required to progress! You'll need top-notch strategizing and resource management as you collect items, upgrade your team, and unlock side-quests aplenty. Prepare yourself for every battle, especially against bosses; they are little more than bloodthirsty beings hungrily awaiting their next meal. "Prepare to crunch on some epic battles, and bring plenty of healing items because your monsters will breathe fire, and not all their fiery breath will be directed at your opponent!"

Graphics

Visually, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 sticks to the bright, magical aesthetic fans have come to love! With character designs from the legendary Akira Toriyama, expect the imaginative creatures and environments to be delightfully colorful and charming. Think animated fairy-tale land crossed with slightly scary creature features! The graphics are sharp, vibrant, and tailored for the DS, promising not to wear your retinas out when binge-gaming through the night. Each creature leaps to life, making you feel like you're part of an amusing anime episode at every turn. However, let's be clear-some of these battles play out as if they were drawn by a toddler fueled on a diet of sugar and chaos, so don't expect high-art visuals here, but you definitely won't complain!

Conclusion

In the end, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 is a delightful journey for aspiring monster tamers and those who enjoy a bit of competition without all the soul-crushing stress. The challenge is real in this RPG, where preparation, finesse, and a dash of strategy can keep you from being completely flattened by a gargantuan monster. Whether you're grinding through battles, forming your ultimate dream team, or collecting rare items (because hoarding is always a valid strategy), this game will keep you entertained for hours. So, dust off that DS and charge it up! An enchanting adventure awaits you, and those monsters aren't going to catch themselves. Remember, when life hands you lemons, grab a monster and tell it to breathe fire at your challenges instead. Quite frankly, nothing screams "challenge" like taking on gigantic creatures with the hopes of becoming the ultimate monster tamer while dodging-let's be honest here-ridiculously humorous dialogue. It's a cute, comical experience rife with whimsy, ready to swallow up your free time and leave you itching for more. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and become an undeniable monster-taming legend!

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