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Creator: Square-Enix, Level 5.
Platform: Playstation 2
Year Released: 2004 (JP), 2005 (US), 2006 (EU).
Main Protagonists
Hero
The taciturn Hero is a royal guard of Trodain who journeys with the cursed King Trode to find a cure for his sire and his daughter. He travels with his pet mouse, Munchie, who always rides in his right coat pocket. As the only main character without a voice, the Hero may seem somewhat of a dunce or a "Yes or No" man. But through other characters, he is regarded as kind, honorable, lucky, a gentleman, and an able leader.
Yangus
Yangus is a former bandit who journeys with the Hero and King Trode. He is from the seedy town of Pickham (a possible pun on Peckham, an area of London), but grew tired of living as a thief and decided to leave and start clean. Yangus has a rough East London accent and appearance. Out of respect and admiration, Yangus refers to the Hero as "Guv."
Jessica
A well endowed, short-tempered, and tomboyish sorceress born to a wealthy family in the small town of Alexandria. Jessica's line has been known to wield magic.
Angelo
Angelo is a Templar in Maella Abbey's templar knights. His duties are to uphold the order of the Goddess, practice a sin-free life, and protect the Abbot. Ironically, he is a stark contrast; a playboy, a gambler, a cheat, and a womanizer. Despite his undying devotion to Abbot Francisco, he is mocked by other templars as a disgrace for his shameless activities, and is especially berated by the commander of the templars, and half brother, Marcello.
Other Major Characters
King Trode
King Trode is the King of Trodain and the titular character of Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. He was transformed into a toad-like creature by the evil wizard Dhoulmagus and is trying to find a way to lift the curse upon him. His "extraordinary," monster-like appearance is a large focus of the story's humor. He and Yangus engage in constant repartee. But because of his new apperance, he is feared and shunned by humans and stays out of their populated areas while the rest of the team are free to pass through towns as they please. King Trode, despite his regnal rights, is poorly treated on a daily basis and usually consoles himself in the comfort of his equally-cursed daughter.
Princess Medea
Medea is the daughter of King Trode. She was turned into a horse when her father was cursed by Dhoulmagus. She was betrothed to be wed to Prince Charmles of Argonia before these tragic events took place.
Rhapthorne
The game's main villain. His essence was trapped in a sceptre by the seven sages with Empyrea's help. But when Dhoulmagus released it from the magical circle in Trodain, he started to possess anyone who touched it in order to accomplish his task of killing each one of the sages's heirs to break the seal on the sceptre to free his soul and return to life. First he uses Dhoulmagus as his host body then Sir Leopold to kill two of the remaining three. Finally, he possessed Marcello, who killed the last heir, and freed his physical form. However the Hero, Jessica, Angelo and Yangus with the help of Empryea decided to fight him to the finish, finally destroying him again.
Dhoulmagus
Dhoulmagus is a power-hungry jester that wanted the power of the Trodain sceptre. He stole the sceptre, cursed Medea and Trode, and covered Trodain Castle in thorns. Possessed by Rhapthorne, he killed his first four victims: His former master Rylus, the swordsman Alistair, Abbot Francisco, and Mr. Golding, the casino owner. The Hero and party defeated him after a long chase, and for a while they thought their ordeals were finally over, until they discover he wasn't the true enemy.
It looks a lot different to the English version! :-P
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King review
Graphics 10/10 Absolutely beautiful graphics with stunning levels!!
Sound 8/10 Not bad, not bad.
Gameplay 10/10 Excellent Game!
Character Design 10/10 Some really good character artwork made by the artist of DBZ!
Storyline 9/10 A rather typical plot but still worth listening to.
