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Going back to genre roots is always interesting so let's open shop and explore Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD.

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Wake up, Torneko! We have adventuring to do! Meet Torneko

You know Torneko, right? That plus-sized muumuu-wearing kind-hearted lovable goofball merchant from Dragon Quest IV? Well, he starred in a spin-off back in 1993 for Super Famicom that marked the very first Mystery Dungeon game and Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD brings this classic back with modernised visuals and some niceties. It's super-cool that this one game spawned so many iterations and with franchises like Final Fantasy and Pokémon as well as unofficial genre entries from series such as Touhou and Zelda. 🧝‍♀️ v1d30chumz cyzttywqtyzzq

It's really awesome how it all started with this and the delightful presentation of Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD really shines with its adorable sprites, cute animations like when Torneko gets dragged from the dungeon whenever he fails, and super-catchy music that plays on iconic Dragon Quest melodies. The only downside is how most dungeons look rather drab and there isn't much visual variety in the environmental designs. However, I love that equipment is reflected on Torneko's sprite which is super-cute! 🛡️

Tessie's always looking out for Torneko and li'l Tipper, too Learn the ropes

If you're new to Mystery Dungeon, Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD is played by moving Torneko within grid-based dungeons while monsters take a step whenever he does. You can move and attack in 8 directions and there are hallways that connect rooms which restricts your movement and attack range. This premise creates a strategic formula where every step matters so you really have to constantly think if you want to minimise damage to Torneko and maximise damage to your enemies as you try and level-up and improve your gear. It's intuitive and simple stuff but there are a lot of possibilities so let's talk about items and see how it all opens up. 🎒

Use clever items

The most important element to mastering Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD is balancing your inventory and using everything in it to gain the upper-hand. From wands that can put enemies to sleep to scrolls that warp Torneko to a random part of the current floor to escape a sticky situation and meals that fill your hunger to herbs that restore HP, there's a lot. I particularly enjoy the arrows which let you attack faraway foes to whittle their HP down before you face them for realsies. Aspects like identifying items before equipping them to increase their potency, rust-proofing your shield, carrying a walking stick so you don't trip-up on certain traps, and enhancing your gear with scrolls make for so many growth opportunities and strategies that you'll constantly juggle what you have on-hand. 🤹‍♀️

Plus, an element that adds a welcome sense of accomplishment is that as you collect different items types, fight new monsters, and such, you'll automatically fill-out collection menus so aiming to discover everything is a satisfying endeavour indeed! 📋

Finally, I turned the tables and put a legerdeman to sleep! Deal with randomness

For the record, I don't think Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD is a difficult game or that it's unfair because you can almost always formulate some strategies that go a long way with your ability to survive in the dungeons. However, some runs are challenging to start because you may not get any equipment whatsoever for 4 or 5 floors which really puts you in danger. Once you start gathering gear, though, then the rest of your run will be much more doable, especially if you play smart so it's mostly in the early goings that randomness can be harsh. Also, I have to say that certain enemies are so incredibly maddening that you'll freeze-up whenever you come across one such as legerdemans who put you to sleep then keep attacking while you're powerless and imps who steal your items. Argh! 💢

Expand your shop

Considering Torneko is a merchant, the goal of Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD is to earn money and reclaim valuable goods in the dungeon and as you do so, you'll upgrade your shop and it's always rewarding to watch it expand as Torneko's adorable wife and child cheer him on whenever he's back from adventuring. There are 2 elements that I love about this gameplay loop with the first being that you can find scrolls which teleport you back out of a dungeon so you can retain your entire haul; keep in mind, if you fail, you only get half of your cash. Also, aiming to reclaim valuable treasures is a nifty system that may unlock some clever things so look forward to that. Oh, and if you're struggling, there are some excellent accessibility settings that let you adjust things like drop rates. Yay! 🌿

Uh-oh... what did Torneko get himself into now?

It's wonderful to be able to play such an influential yet underrated icon and Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD is super-fun to boot as you formulate strategies and consistently watch your adorable little shop expand.

Watch A.J. play Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Classic HD 10:08

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Filed under: Reviews › PlayStation 5.