Line #18 VideoGame/DragonQuestX


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/813jnsplnkl.jpg]]
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3	''Dragon Quest X: Awakening of the Five Tribes'' (approximate translation), is the tenth installment of the ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' series, released on multiple platforms over the course of its existence. The game takes place in the world of Astoltia, which is the home of five different races of people: Ogres, Wetlings, Elves, Dwarves, and Poppets (Humans are also present, but they're rare).
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5	The game is an {{MMORPG}} that features CharacterCustomization and [[AnAdventurerIsYou Vocations]], similar to ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX''. Once you've created your character, you can send them to meet the characters of other players. You can form a party of up to four characters, who can then go together on adventures. One major thing about this game that makes it unique from the others in the series is that the multiplayer is handled online.
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7	This game was released in Japan on August 2, 2012 for the Platform/{{Wii}} and on March 30, 2013 for the Platform/WiiU by Creator/SquareEnix, with a PC version later released. The game has also received a port in Japan to the [[Platform/{{Android}} Android devices]] and for the Platform/Nintendo3DS, both using streaming technology to enable the games to function and interact with those playing Wii, Wii U or PC. The Wii client was discontinued in 2017 due to obsolete technical specifications, and Wii U and 3DS will be discontinued in 2024. It also gained yet another port for the Platform/PlayStation4 and Platform/NintendoSwitch in 2017. It is so far the only mainline ''Dragon Quest'' title to be [[NoExportForYou unreleased outside of Japan]].
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9	The game has received multiple major expansions, which often come with "All In One Package" {{Compilation Rerelease}}s. The base game is considered ''Version 1'':
10	* ''Version 2: The Sleeping Hero and the Guided Allies'', released on December 5th, 2013. Despite defeating Nelgel, who had destroyed the Hero's hometown, the barrier he had placed over the entire central continent was still in place. What could possibly be the cause of this strange phenomena? The expansion also added new Monster Master and Item Master vocations that both tame monsters as allies.
11	* ''Version 3: Legend of the Ancient Dragon'', released on April 30th, 2015. It introduced Dragons as a new NPC race, as well as the Dancer and Fortune Teller vocations.
12	* ''Version 4: The 5,000-year Journey to the Distant Hometown'', released on November 16th, 2017. It adds the Druid and Gadabout vocations. This version also marks a major change in the supported consoles, as the [=PS4=] and Switch versions of the game were added in the months prior while the Wii was dropped from the lineup.
13	* ''Version 5: The Maiden of Thorns and the God of Destruction'', released on October 24th, 2019. While one-off Demons had already been present as {{Big Bad}}s in prior versions, this expansion introduces them as a full NPC race. It also adds the Death Master and Demon Swordsman vocations.
14	* ''Version 6: Heroes of the Heavenly Stars'', released on November 11th, 2021. It also adds the Pirate and Guardian vocations.
15	* ''Version 7: The Door to the Future and the Slumbering Girl'', released on March 21st, 2024. It also adds the Dragon Magician vocation. The Wii U and 3DS versions will also be discontinued at about this time.
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17	An ''Offline'' version of the game was released on September 15th, 2022 in Japan for the [=PlayStation 4=], [=PlayStation 5=], Switch and PC [[MilestoneCelebration in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the overall franchise]], while Version 2 for the Offline version was released on May 26th, 2023, just a day before Dragon Quest day.
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19	The Japanese website for the game can be found [[http://www.dqx.jp/ here]].
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21	!!This game contains examples of:
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23	* AnAdventurerIsYou: All of the player characters can choose a job class, which can be changed at a later time.
24	* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: In a sense. You start as one of a pair of human siblings; after plot happens and the main 'online' game opens up, you get to select/design a new character from one of the five races. There's also an 'offline' plot revolving around your sibling.
25	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: ''Dragon Quest X'' has some new features that make the game more easy to play.
26	** Skills and spells are now marked with red for attack skills and spells, green for healing, blue for buffs, purple for debuffs, and yellow for field, making it easier to figure out what to use during battles.
27	* ArbitraryHeadCountLimit: Most [=MMOs=] can have raiding parties in the tens to hundreds. ''X Online'' maxes out at four. That's ''four people total''. Averted with the ''Offline'' version, which always has a party of four, with the fifth character being a guest character.
28	* BambooTechnology: Bambooligans and their relatives such as Bamboozlers and Bamboogiemen make their first appearance in the series, while Bambooligans themselves can be recruited with the Item Master vocation.
29	* BigBad: Nelgel is this for the base game. [[spoiler:The 1st expansion has Maldragora, while the 2nd expansion has Nadraga, the 3rd expansion has Kryonos, the 4th has Jagonuba, and the 5th has Jia Red Genos.]]
30	* BigEater: Sage Horro, who helps you penetrate Nelgel's barrier.
31	* BigRedDevil: How Ogres look. [[spoiler: This is also Jagonuba's body after he is freed from his seal.]]
32	* BookEnds: In the opening video, an Ogre warrior bails out the human Hero from a Golem, then gives him a thumbs-up before leaving. After gathering a party and becoming an experienced warrior himself, the hero and his new friends return the favor, backing her up during a boss fight with a Night Clubber. As the ogre recognizes him, he flashes her a quick smile and a thumbs-up.
33	** Notably, the intro cutscenes of each version show the steady improvement of the equipment of his allies as their adventure progresses in said cutscenes, with most of the screenshots being of his party.
34	** The first Final Boss of the game, Nelgel was fought as a giant monster, while the first phase of [[spoiler:Jagonuba is fought the same way, although their abilities and fights differ.]]
35	* CallForward: Elements from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestXI'' such as [[RedEyesTakeWarning Monsters going Vicious]] and Pep Powers [[note]]Though only through Master Vocations, with Guardians being the first to demonstrate this[[/note]], abilities like Well Weird Dance, [[note]]Though the Crack-Billed Platypunks who use it don't regain their MP from drained opponents yet[[/note]] and monsters (Clockwryms, Ursa Pandas, Lamplings, Iron Maidens, Succubats, Fruity Succubats, Lava Lamplings, Leafy Lamplings, Vampire Succubats, Golden Girls, and Dread Dragooners), as well as guest appearances from [[EarlyBirdCameo Erik and Sylvando]] are present in the game.
36	** ''Dragon Quest X Offline'' goes even further with Character Builders.
37	* CharacterCustomization: Allowing you to tweak your height, hairstyle/color, eye shapes/colors, skin tone, and other basics. Notably, you're also given the chance to design your sibling.
38	* ContinuityNod: Menet Village, one of Zenias's villages, has its citizens and even the livestock in eternal slumber, much like [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIII Norvik]], though it's more sinister since an evil owl sorcerer called Demowl is sending its Sleepowl minions to do so.
39	* ConvenientlyAnOrphan: Though the Hero lost their parents while young, they still have their sibling. [[spoiler:Version 4 reveals they never lost their parents and were sent from the past to fulfill their destiny.]]
40	* CreepyDoll: The Needleman monster line is introduced to the series from Version 2 onwards, being tiny ragdolls that stuff cactus needles into them to prick their enemies. They can also be recruited to the player's side via the Item Master vocation.
41	* CutscenePowerToTheMax: The hero in the opening cutscenes? Has, as of Version 3, over half a dozen allies. As mentioned above, there's no way to have more than FOUR people in a party period in-game.
42	* DamageOverTime: New to the series are the [[DishingOutDirt Rubblerouser]] and Tox spells, which damage enemies with earth damage for the former and poison for the latter, which is learned via the Mage's Knife skill tree from the first half of 5.5 onwards.
43	* DarkerAndEdgier: Probably THE darkest Dragon Quest game in the entire main series, with the Hero being killed right at the beginning of the game, as well as [[spoiler:by an ally they trusted]], an evil god that once ruled over the Dragons getting sliced in half, Astoltia being an apocalyptic wasteland from a great evil that utilizes time travel if said evil isn't stopped, a sea of blood in the Netherworld, etc.
44	* DeflectorShields: One can be seen covering Rendashia, or at least what's left of it.
45	* DemonLordsAndArchdevils: Many bosses are given titles such as "Demon" or "Devil," a prime example being the base game's BigBad, who uses the title ''Meiō,'' which translates to '''Hell Lord.'''
46	* DishingOutDirt: The Rubblerouser spell line makes its debut as mentioned above, while Version 7 introduces Dogan, an entirely new spell line that is the earth version of the Frizz spell line and is learned by Dragon Magicians.
47	* DoomedHometown: [[spoiler:Tenton, unsurprisingly. It gets rebuilt after Maldragora and later, Nadraga are dealt with, though.]]
48	* DragonRider: The Dragon Riders make their retroactive return to the main series from 5.3 onwards, while the Dread Dragooners make their retroactive debut from 6.2 onwards. The Dragooners are absent, however, due to their Japanese name sharing the kanji as the Guardian vocation, itself introduced from 6.4 onwards.
49	* {{Elfeminate}}: Elf player characters are almost universally androgynous (as in it is next to impossible to tell the males from the females), though older [=NPCs=] will occasionally grow mustaches.
50	* EndangeredSpecies: According to a [[http://the-magicbox.com/1109/game110910a.shtml magazine scan]], Humans. [[spoiler:Subverted by the first expansion onwards, since they're still doing fine despite being under attack by monsters.]]
51	* EliteMooks: In addition to new regular monsters like Visor Kaisers and Queen Slimes, and classic monsters such as Knight Abhorrents, Night Riders, and Tormentaurs, the game's first update adds the new rarefied monsters, which are a cut above normal monsters like 24-Carrot Bunicorns, Type G0s, Snooty Slime Knights, and Shadow Nobles.
52	* EvilPowerVacuum: While [[spoiler:Maldragora's death]] was a good thing, since it freed the humans from his tyranny, it also let more powerful forces like Dragons out [[note]]Although Crow seals the door after they come out[[/note]] and indirectly creates a power struggle in the Netherworld [[DividedWeFall with three factions fighting over who will be the best of them all.]]
53	* FantasyCounterpartCulture: The Elves have a very Medieval Japanese architecture, Wetling buildings seem to be influenced by Polynesians, and the Dwarven cities all have a {{Mayincatec}} style.
54	* FaunsAndSatyrs: The Satyrs, Pan Pipers, and Silenuses make their return in this game, while new relatives, Angoras and Celtic Fauns, make their debut.
55	* FeatheredFiend: In addition to the usual Chimaera monsters and other Bird monsters, the Canarynio monster line makes its debut from 4.5 onwards, after getting a boss version named Sparky introduced from the start of Version 4 onwards.
56	* FirstEpisodeResurrection: The connection between the prologue and the main online game. You start off as a human, but your village is attacked by Nelgel, leading to your death. Fortunately, you resurrect as one of the other playable tribes. You're eventually restored in order to travel in time, but have the choice to stay in your new body or return to being your original human self.
57	* FinalBossPreview:
58	** Version 4 has [[spoiler:Kryonos]] in this trope. By fighting an ever-evolving villain near the end of every story who gets harder and harder to beat, he's still one step closer to succeeding in his goal. The fact that the Hero's [[spoiler: [[LukeIAmYourFather biological father, Padre]]]] helping him get stronger and stronger [[HeelFaceTurn before he later helps you near the end]], is just the icing on the cake.
59	** [[spoiler: Jagonuba tops Kyronos in this department, starting by awakening slightly when Nalasia wanders too close to his body and summons Daviyaga, one of the 7 Dark Deities. He even pierces Luchenda's barrier, and [[NearVillainVictory nearly kills the Hero, Anlucia, and Shaka]] had [[BigDamnHeroes Sage Marine]] not shown up. He later one ups this by [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu defeating Luciana in combat]] despite her reawakening.]]
60	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
61	** After you defeat Nelgel, he warns of dark powers beyond his control before dying. [[spoiler:Said powers turn out to be his master Maldragora, the Dragon God Nadraga and others like Kryonos.]]
62	** While escorting Anlucia through a cave, she is attacked by a [[VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII Great Argon Lizard]] while the other Anlucia and her two guards [[BystanderSyndrome watch, but don't help her]], though a barrier of light suddenly appears and repels the monster before it could hurt her. [[spoiler:That is because she is the REAL Anlucia while the other is the Maluminary and her two guards are monsters and they were trying to get her killed before she remembers who she is]].
63	** Crow and Orstov also have visions of what will happen next in the Version 2 and Version 3 storylines such as characters going through certain events and/or developments. While Crow's last vision shows [[spoiler:Maldragora in some form]], Orstov's last vision doesn't show any real evil at the end before he is captured and put into the dungeon. [[spoiler: It turns out he was EvilAllAlong and was manipulating the Hero into [[NiceJobBreakingItHero helping Nadraga get resurrected by reunifying the territories of Nagaland]].]]
64	** Nalasia has red eyes when Jagonuba starts to awaken. The red eyes are also present on him while Illusia suffers a headache when trying to strengthen the seal on him after Daviyaga's defeat. Later, Nalasia suffers a similar headache when Luchenda and later, Marine try the same thing, with the latter glaring at her. [[spoiler:This is because he is the human avatar of the Great Source of Darkness and he doesn't want the Goddess or any of her allies to interfere again.]]
65	* GlobalAirship: Players can fly on dragons from Version 2 onwards, while various modes of transportation, from the returning Magic Carpet and Flying Bed, to the newly introduced Convenient Conveyance, make walking through the overworld and dungeons a breeze.
66	* GreaterScopeVillain:
67	** [[spoiler:Maldragora, the BigBad of Version 2, is revealed to be the mastermind behind Version 1, being the ruler of the Demon realm and made a pact with Nelgel in order to destroy the hero before they could become a problem.]]
68	** [[spoiler:The Great Source of Darkness, Jagonuba, which is invoked by Nelgel, Maldragora and Nadraga, and is revealed in 5.2 to be responsible for the creation of the Demon race.]]
69	* HappyEndingOverride: [[spoiler:Version 7 reveals that Earth Zenias/the Eternal Cradle was the [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIX Protectorate]], meaning that all the Hero went through to save humanity from the Gittish Empire and Corvus, as well as other evils, [[AllForNothing was rendered moot when the Jia Kut Clan attacked the world]], forcing Luciana to flee with the survivors.]]
70	* AHomeownerIsYou: Complete with AnInteriorDesignerIsYou (and Exterior Designer).
71	* ItemCrafting: Takes the form of 7 {{MiniGame}}s: Weapon Crafting, Armor Crafting, Sewing, Woodworking, Cooking, Pot Alchemy and Lamp Alchemy in this game. There's even a "Renown System" where your status rises up according to how many people use the equipment you've made. You can only choose one crafting system for long-term crafting though, so choose wisely.
72	** Version 3 introduces the Master Orb system, which grant players various effects, such as Fuel for the Fire, which increases Tension after defeating an enemy in battle, and Whipping Ploy, which reduces the damage taken from enemies when using Whipping Boy.
73	** ''Offline'' strangely forces you down the Weapon Crafting path, with the other 6 crafting paths locked to ''Online''.
74	* JobSystem: The classic Job system from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'' onwards is implemented, with 6 initial classes to choose from when starting up a new file. This gradually expands until you have over 20 different classes to choose from. Interestingly, you're actually encouraged to sample each class, as their exclusive vocation skill trees grant stat passives to all classes.
75	* KidHero: Among your design choices at the start of the game is whether your character appears to be in their upper teens/early adulthood or is noticeably younger. Same goes for your sibling.
76	* MiniMecha: The Face Invaders, Masqueraiders, and Visor Kaisers make their debut in this game, wielding 2 horns as weapons and shields, in addition to having [[BreathWeapon fire, ice, and dark breath attacks]], increasing their Tension with Psyche Up, and other skills.
77	* MythologyGag:
78	** General Zobris being sealed in a weapon, only to be freed by someone looking to use said weapon for the war between the various kingdoms of the Netherworld calls to mind [[Anime/DragonQuestLegendOfTheHeroAbel General Rudolph]].
79	** [[spoiler:Jagonuba is defeated by Kazapple, the spell being made possible by the thoughts of everyone throughout the whole world and giving the Hero strength to do so, just like Mortamor in ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVI'''s Land of Illusion Manga]].
80	* OminousOwl: Hootingham Gore from ''Dragon Quest IX'' makes his return as one of the game's bosses, while a boss monster that looks just like him, Demowl, is sending Sleepowls to put Menet Village's citizens and livestock to sleep.
81	* OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame: Averted big-time. These dwarves are nothing like the normal bearded Scottish type, instead looking like green-skinned, beardless toddlers using {{Magitek}} technology with a distinct {{Mayincatec}} design. They're still short and technologically advanced, though.
82	* RetGone: The plot of Version 7 is that people from the Kingdom of Tenton are disappearing left and right such as Marone, while people who haven't disappeared, such as Padre, don't remember seeing the disappearances, causing the Hero to go on yet another adventure, this time to the world of Earth Zenias, aka [[spoiler:the Protectorate]].
83	* RichBitch: Runana, due to her late father's reputation among the Dwarves.
84	* TheRival: Hussar serves as one for the Wetling Hero/Heroine, Asanagi for the Elf Hero/Heroine, and Jīganfu for Aroldo.
85	* RoyaltySuperPower: [[spoiler:The Hero is part of a royal family that had the ability to control time.]]
86	* ScrewballSquirrel: Version 2 of the game marks the debut of the Red Squirrels and their relatives, Blue Minxes, Lemming Stars, Tail Squirrels, and Grinsquirrels[[note]]The last of which is introduced from the start of Version 6 onwards[[/note]], who can mess up opponents with skills and spells like Sultry Dance, Deceleratle, Kafuddle, Kasnooze, Kaswoosh, and Kazammle.
87	* SiblingTeam: You and your sibling start out as this.
88	* SinisterSentientSun: An artificial sun commanded by Razerburn, one of Nelgel's commanders, is used to menace a village. [[spoiler:It shows up again in the present time at the end of the 3rd episode of the 10th Anniversary Quest, however, causing Eruju to faint upon seeing it]].
89	* StandardFantasyRaces: The setting has powerful, warlike Ogres, fairy-like Elves, technologically skilled Dwarves and -- unusually -- very rare Humans.
90	* StatusBuffDispel: In addition to Disruptive Wave and Rake 'n' Break, a single target variant of the former is introduced in the form of Clear Your Mind.
91	* StealthSequel: [[spoiler:Version 7 of the game reveals the whole game to be one for ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'', when the Hero visits Zenias, or as it was once known, the Protectorate.]]
92	* {{Tengu}}: 2.4 of the game onwards introduces the Tengu Crows, a rarefied variant of the Hawk Men that have the usual look, which also resembles the Super NES remake coloration of the Gargoyle in ''Dragon Quest II''. In addition, Galengus, an entirely new monster, make their debut in the series from the start of Version 6 onwards.
93	* TenMinuteRetirement: Starting with Version 3, the Hero is thrust back into the adventure, just when they can finally relax after defeating the final bosses of each Version, be it from kidnapped royals, a small time traveling fairy showing the Hero Astoltia's end from Kyronos, Pujyu stealing the Shock Seed during the celebrations, Angels visiting Astoltia to meet with the Hero, and people vanishing from the Kingdom of Tenton left and right.
94	* VillainousHarlequin:
95	** Pujyu seemingly is one throughout the game's story, but is actually something far, far worse by the time of Version 5's story.
96	** Pantomines and Indojesters, little humanoid creatures riding Rockbomb monsters [[LawOfChromaticSuperiority depending on which one is faced]] also make their debut in the series.
97	* WhatTheHellHero: At the start of the Wetling storyline, a villager calls out your rival Hussar for [[spoiler:taking advantage of your hero's guard being dropped during a sparring session]], which resulted in [[spoiler:their death]].
98	* WhipOfDominance: Mystical Juliante is a whip-wielding HotAsHell demoness that has the overall [[DressedLikeADominatrix look of a dominatrix]], complete with [[HellBentForLeather black leather]] outfit and [[HighHeelPower high-heeled boots]] that are [[SpikesOfVillainy studded with spikes]].
99	* {{Youkai}}: The Ogre race hits pretty much all the hallmarks of traditional Japanese ''oni'': giant bodies, red skin, horns, mountain-dwelling, clad in animal-skins, etc.

Context VideoGame / DragonQuestX