80
MONSTER
"Dragon Quest Builders is a sandbox action RPG where your imagination is the limit! Everything plays out in real time and the world is made entirely of blocks (although it may not look that blocky) and you can use these blocks to build pretty much whatever you want. Building is easy and can be done in three steps: 1. Plan what you’re going to build! 2. Gather your resources! 3. Begin construction and create your masterpiece! There is an overarching main storyline to follow in Dragon Quest Builders so if you want a narrative to get attached to and pull you through, that’s in there too. It wouldn’t be a Dragon Quest game without one after all! Oh and there’s plenty of quirky side quests and NPCs to give you that full RPG experience, just with the additional sandbox gameplay and monsters to battle as well."
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
82
Dragon Quest Builders story receives mixed reviews: Critics praise engaging narrative and clear objectives but criticize lack of depth and forgettable plot points. Overall, the game blends RPG elements with a creation simulator, offering a charming and enjoyable storyline with room for improvement.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
82
Positive (80-100)
84%
Mixed (50-79)
16%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Dragon Quest Builders story receives mixed reviews: Critics praise engaging narrative and clear objectives but criticize lack of depth and forgettable plot points. Overall, the game blends RPG elements with a creation simulator, offering a charming and enjoyable storyline with room for improvement.
Gameplay Mechanics
Expand for full analysis
88
Critics praise Dragon Quest Builders' engaging gameplay reminiscent of Minecraft, with resource gathering, crafting, building, and combat. The game successfully blends building mechanics with RPG elements, offering a rewarding and addictive experience. While some criticize the reset of progress in new chapters and repetitive combat, overall, the game strikes a balance between structure and freedom, providing a satisfying gameplay loop with a variety of quests and challenges.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
88
Positive (80-100)
78%
Mixed (50-79)
22%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Critics praise Dragon Quest Builders' engaging gameplay reminiscent of Minecraft, with resource gathering, crafting, building, and combat. The game successfully blends building mechanics with RPG elements, offering a rewarding and addictive experience. While some criticize the reset of progress in new chapters and repetitive combat, overall, the game strikes a balance between structure and freedom, providing a satisfying gameplay loop with a variety of quests and challenges.
Graphics and Visual Design
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81
Critics generally praise Dragon Quest Builders for its charming, colorful aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft, blending Dragon Quest series' style with voxel design. While some critics note graphics shortcomings like lack of detail and stiff animations, the game's overall appeal lies in its cute characters, vibrant environments, and nostalgic elements. The consensus is that Dragon Quest Builders successfully captures the essence of the series while offering a visually pleasing experience for both new and longtime fans.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
81
Positive (80-100)
51%
Mixed (50-79)
49%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Critics generally praise Dragon Quest Builders for its charming, colorful aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft, blending Dragon Quest series' style with voxel design. While some critics note graphics shortcomings like lack of detail and stiff animations, the game's overall appeal lies in its cute characters, vibrant environments, and nostalgic elements. The consensus is that Dragon Quest Builders successfully captures the essence of the series while offering a visually pleasing experience for both new and longtime fans.
Music and Sound Design
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77
Critics have mixed feelings about the Sound Design and Music of Dragon Quest Builders. While some praise its nostalgic appeal and well-suited additions to gameplay, others find the soundtrack grating and tunes unmemorable. Positive feedback includes appreciation for remixed classics, character designs, and orchestral score, but criticisms mention repetition, poorly-synthesized instruments, and technical issues like stuttering. Overall, opinions vary, with some leaning towards the positive side and others towards the negative, highlighting the subjective nature of the experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
77
Positive (80-100)
59%
Mixed (50-79)
41%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics have mixed feelings about the Sound Design and Music of Dragon Quest Builders. While some praise its nostalgic appeal and well-suited additions to gameplay, others find the soundtrack grating and tunes unmemorable. Positive feedback includes appreciation for remixed classics, character designs, and orchestral score, but criticisms mention repetition, poorly-synthesized instruments, and technical issues like stuttering. Overall, opinions vary, with some leaning towards the positive side and others towards the negative, highlighting the subjective nature of the experience.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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72
Dragon Quest Builders received mixed technical reviews, with the PlayStation 4 version facing camera and control issues while the Nintendo Switch version was generally praised for its stable performance. Despite some stuttering and framerate drops, both platforms offered an enjoyable gameplay experience, with the Switch version benefiting from portability. Critics noted minor technical hiccups but agreed that they did not significantly impact gameplay.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
72
Positive (80-100)
30%
Mixed (50-79)
70%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Dragon Quest Builders received mixed technical reviews, with the PlayStation 4 version facing camera and control issues while the Nintendo Switch version was generally praised for its stable performance. Despite some stuttering and framerate drops, both platforms offered an enjoyable gameplay experience, with the Switch version benefiting from portability. Critics noted minor technical hiccups but agreed that they did not significantly impact gameplay.
Replay Value
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78
Critics generally praise Dragon Quest Builders for its strong replay value due to modes like Terra Incognita and Free Build, offering endless possibilities and rewards. However, some mention setbacks like starting over in each chapter and potential grindiness. Overall, the game's addictive nature, hundreds of hours of gameplay, and creative freedom make it worth revisiting despite minor flaws.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
78
Positive (80-100)
48%
Mixed (50-79)
52%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Critics generally praise Dragon Quest Builders for its strong replay value due to modes like Terra Incognita and Free Build, offering endless possibilities and rewards. However, some mention setbacks like starting over in each chapter and potential grindiness. Overall, the game's addictive nature, hundreds of hours of gameplay, and creative freedom make it worth revisiting despite minor flaws.
Overall Verdict
80
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
80
Positive (80-100)
89%
Mixed (50-79)
11%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Dragon Quest Builders is a hit among critics, praised for its fun single-player experience, charming art style, and engaging gameplay mechanics. While some critics noted setbacks like lack of multiplayer and outdated graphics, overall consensus is that the game offers a unique mix of crafting and RPG elements, making it a must-play for fans of creative, relaxing gaming experiences.
80
MONSTER
Reviews
172 reviews found95
GameGrin
Oct 26, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is one of the best games the reviewer has played this year, with solid gameplay and simple storytelling.
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95
GameCritics
Nov 10, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is a more focused and accessible version of Minecraft, offering a satisfying gameplay experience with a strong emphasis on community-building.
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90
NZGamer
Oct 27, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is a game that takes building games to new heights, providing an engrossing story, RPG systems, and a sense of structure.
90
Gameplanet
Oct 21, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is a fun game that combines sandbox building with questing and exploration. It offers a lot of content and will likely keep players engaged for a long time.
90
GameSpew
Oct 4, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is both a fantastic game and a testament to the incredible versatility of the Dragon Quest series. It is a culmination of everything that the series is known and loved for, combined with the strongest elements of Minecraft. With solid gameplay, a gorgeous world, and genuinely funny writing, even those unfamiliar with the franchise can easily find something here to enjoy. Everything Dragon Quest Builders offers comes together beautifully to form a unique and immensely rewarding experience.
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90
CGMagazine
Feb 7, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review praises Dragon Quest Builders for its simplicity, charm, visuals, and amount of content, and recommends it for the Nintendo Switch.
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90
Time
Oct 4, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is a voxel-informed, crafting-focused game that strikes a balance between structured and freeform play. It is recommended for those who find Minecraft's appeal intriguing.
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90
USgamer
Oct 7, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest: Builders is an addictive and involving adventure that combines the best of both console RPGs and construction games, offering a unique and satisfying experience.
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90
PlayStation Universe
Oct 4, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Quest Builders is praised as a game of the year contender, delivering in every way with its enjoyable settlement building mechanics and sense of direction.
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90
The Digital Fix
Nov 7, 2016
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is fun, highly addictive, and worth the time and investment.