Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels Starry Sky for Nintendo DS

It's a well-implemented example of the genre, but not remarkable beyond that. Turn-based combat,nice character customisation interface and good inventory system. Some of the menus are a little scrappy though.. making them a bit non-intuitive for younger players. My son and I have been playing this for weeks already and although he's showing no signs of disinterest, I've come to a stage aboard my own boat where the combat is relentlessly hard and the option to flee rather than fight is 100% denied whenever I try. More often, my entire party is killed by a random encounter fight at sea which I couldn't avoid and I am set back to the last point that I saved the game at a designated save point (as opposed to merely a "quick save"). These points can be few and far between, so this set-back is not inconsiderable. This is starting to grate now.

Overall, it's a very polished game that lovers of this genre (that being Final Fantasy and it's ilk), will enjoy. It starts to punish the long term player though, later on.. rather than encourage. I am usually a completist when it comes to games but am finding the intervals between my putting this in my DS are getting longer and longer. I've been playing it avidly for about a month.

Update to the above after playing it for much longer. I got past the grind of having weak and vulnerable characters, easily killed. I've had more than my money's worth from this game. It's great. Shame about the menus though.

I had recently owned the game and enjoyed it, perhaps because I am drawn to games where you can create a custom character. The story is quite good and has a few twists which I didn't see coming.
I like this type of genre, like Final Fantasy games but eventual the turn-based fighting can get a little too repetitive with monsters jumping at you every 20 seconds.
All in all, I enjoyed this game and recommend it!

From start to finish, a hugely-enjoyable and remarkably polished RPG that blissfully balances children's humour and the expansive and gripping character and equipment advancement.

It is obvious in every aspect of this title that the developers have not only taken the time to give each element of the title unique charm but also to give the whole affair a charming personality that makes it a pleasure to play through.

Graphics, sound and controls are all spot on and well-suited to the DS screens and the multiplayer features are a joy on their own, allowing for you to not only play side-by-side with friends but also to have people simply explore and interact with your game world totally independently of your characters.

The only drawbacks being that the abilities associated with party member roles can be a little confusing and restrictive, and that for such a vast item and equipment creation system I would have actually liked to have gotten to create/use more of them (right through the game I wanted Tracksuit Bottoms and at no point have I found how to get them).

Overall, my personal favourite RPG on the DS and one of the most impressive and entertaining experiences to ever appear on a handheld.

Amazing game and very quick delievery. i enjoy the game, how it is easy to follow but its also very addictive. I enjoy playing it with my brother as we can monitor our progress but also link up with each other.

good graphics good game play according to my 10yr old. You start off as an angel but then get into main game which is cool.