DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS™ 2
" Charming action-adventure RPG with robust building and co-op, but basic combat and verbose dialogue "
DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS™ 2 Review
Dragon Quest Builders™ 2 is a charming blend of action-RPG and sandbox building set in the beloved Dragon Quest universe. Players take on the role of a young Builder in a world where creation is outlawed, partnering with Malroth to restore building arts across diverse islands. The game offers a rich narrative with heartfelt storytelling, engaging quests, and nostalgic nods for longtime fans. Its building mechanics are robust and intuitive, catering to both casual and dedicated players, while cooperative multiplayer and quality-of-life features enhance exploration and creativity.
The game’s art style, inspired by Akira Toriyama, is vibrant and colorful, complementing the whimsical characters and expressive dialogue. Although combat is simple and not the main focus, it supports the gameplay well. Minor issues include verbose dialogue, occasional AI quirks, and some building limitations compared to Minecraft. Overall, it is a highly enjoyable, creative experience that balances structure with sandbox freedom, appealing to a wide audience and offering extensive replayability.
Highlights
Players praise the game’s engaging storyline and charming characters, which provide a heartfelt and nostalgic RPG experience. The building mechanics stand out as intuitive and versatile, allowing for creative freedom and satisfying construction. Graphics are colorful and vibrant, heavily influenced by Akira Toriyama’s iconic art style, enhancing the game’s whimsical tone. The inclusion of cooperative multiplayer and quality-of-life improvements such as fast travel and terrain manipulation further enrich the gameplay. The Isle of Awakening offers a persistent sandbox that encourages creativity and community sharing, significantly boosting replay value.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the verbose and sometimes repetitive dialogue, which can slow down gameplay pacing. Players find the AI companion Malroth occasionally intrusive, especially during building tasks. Combat is viewed as basic and lacking depth, which may disappoint RPG fans seeking complexity. Some building constraints and mechanics feel limited compared to other sandbox games like Minecraft. Multiplayer features are considered underwhelming by some, as visiting other islands offers limited interaction. Lastly, certain thematic elements may not be suitable for very young children.
Pros
- • Engaging and heartfelt storyline with nostalgic Dragon Quest elements.
- • Robust and intuitive building mechanics catering to all player types.
- • Vibrant, colorful graphics inspired by Akira Toriyama’s art style.
- • Cooperative multiplayer enhances creativity and exploration.
- • Quality-of-life features like fast travel improve gameplay fluidity.
- • Diverse islands with unique biomes and building challenges.
- • Persistent Isle of Awakening sandbox boosts replayability.
Cons
- • Verbose and repetitive dialogue can slow game pacing.
- • AI companion Malroth often obstructs building activities.
- • Combat system is basic and lacks depth for RPG fans.
- • Building limitations compared to other sandbox games.
- • Multiplayer features are limited and lack meaningful interaction.
- • Some thematic content may not suit very young children.
- • Certain AI behaviors can be unpredictable or frustrating.
Rating Criteria
DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS™ 2 is a block-building RPG set in a fantasy land threatened by an evil cult. Explore, battle, build and harvest in the charming single-player campaign or build big projects in the online sandbox mode for up to 4-players.
