XIV........................FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...................DQIX14

Find answers to common Dragon Quest IX questions, including release date, game length, number of quests, and tips for leveling up.

Japan Release Date: July 11, 2009.

Battle System: The game retains the series' traditional turn-based battle system, a decision favored for preserving the core Dragon Quest experience.

Worth for RPG Enthusiasts: Highly recommended for fans of old-fashioned, turn-based RPGs; it is considered one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo DS.

Similar Games on DS: If you enjoyed Dragon Quest IX, consider Dragon Quest IV and V on DS. Final Fantasy III and IV, and the upcoming Golden Sun: Dark Dawn are also recommended.

Developer: Level 5.

Game Length: The main story takes approximately 35-40 hours to complete. The post-game content is very substantial and may take a long time to finish entirely.

Number of Quests: There are currently 120 quests available, with an additional 60 planned for release via Wi-Fi download.

Best Vocation: Vocation choice is subjective, but Paladins and Sages are noted as popular and effective choices.

Party Creation: You can create your party before facing the Wight Knight. Speak to King Storn, then go to the inn in Stornway and talk to Patty.

Vocation Change: To change vocations, speak to Jack at Alltrades Abbey after defeating the boss in the Tower of Trades.

Blue Chests: These chests contain random items and their contents (respawn (be brought back to life at a checkpoint after death)) periodically. Any character in your party can open them.

Missable Items: The chests located in the Observatory are missable. After obtaining the Ultimate Key, you will visit the Observatory as part of the plot. Open the cell door and collect these chests, as they cannot be accessed in the post-game.

Quick Leveling: Efficient leveling can be achieved by fighting Metal Slimes in the Quarantomb, Metal Medleys in the Bad Cave, and Liquid Metal Slimes in the Bowhole. Metal King Slimes and Platinum King Jewels appear in treasure map dungeons (grottos). The Slime Hill north of Angel Falls is also an option, accessible via the Starflight Express.

Quick Money Gain: Fight Gold Golems in the Djust Desert. Alternatively, purchase Silver Mail in Bloomingdale, and a Gold Ring with a Gold Bracer in Porth Llaffan. Combine these to craft Gold Mail and sell it. Repeat this process to accumulate wealth.

Puns: The game features numerous puns in town names, enemy names, and boss names as a characteristic of the Dragon Quest series' localization, which is known for its quirky naming conventions.

Fast Travel in Towns: Use the Chimaera Wing item or the Zoom spell for quick movement within towns.

Overworld Treasure Chests: There are no treasure chests located on the overworld map.

Casino: Dragon Quest IX does not feature a casino.

First Treasure Map: Obtain your first treasure map as a reward for completing Quest 015 in the Heights of Loneliness, or receive one from King Storn. Quest 062 offers a Legacy Boss treasure map.

Starflight Express Access: After beating the game, go to Porth Llaffan and speak with Jona in her house to begin Quest 039.

Post-Game Story: Yes, there is story content after the main game concludes, much of which is related to downloadable content (DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch)).

Tower of Nod Boss: For strategies on defeating the creature at the top of the Tower of Nod, refer to Quest 162.

Legacy Boss Treasure Maps: To acquire more Legacy Boss treasure maps, level up Baramos to level 16. He will then begin dropping new Legacy Boss treasure maps. Repeat this process to unlock all Legacy Bosses; some are exclusive to Wi-Fi downloads.