Coverage in all other areas is superb–maps of dungeons, explanations of skills/spells/character growth, etc. Everything that was done right in the DQ4 guide is still here, but with some major additions and some weaknesses of the former resolved.

DQ5 isn’t the sort of game that requires a strategy guide, but the book is so high quality that it will undoubtedly make your experience much more enjoyable.
Rating: 5 / 5

The guide starts with a quick prologue to introduce you to the story. It then jumps quickly into the characters section. This is where we first get the feeling that we’re dealing with a guide that has more than just random tips. It will tell you about each character first, and also give you an abilities list. Every character also has a stat chart that shows you there growth from level 1 to 99 on a graph. Every stat is represented. And to make matters even better, there is a long detailed discussion about how to use the character effectively in combat. It also list all the weapons armor, helmets and accessories that the character can equip.

After this we get into the Game Basics section, which is entitled “Becoming a Champion.” Generally these types of sections rehash most of what is in the instruction manual. Indeed this guide does just that. It’s useful if you’re new or if you bought the game used and it didn’t have an instruction manual. However, there is still a lot of detail here. Going from the basic of basics, to a few more advanced tips. This section also talks a lot about the abilities and how they work. The last portion of the basics section is reserved for talking about combat. Here, you get a lot of advanced tips. Including how best to take actions in battle, and even a snippet on gaining levels.

After this, we get into the section just before the walkthrough where the guide gives you world maps. First an overall world map and then a map for each region on the following pages. It’ll also give you the stats of each monster in that area.

After sixty pages of introductory details and tips for the basics of the game, we finally get to the walkthrough. Each area begins by showing you the maps for the area, and pointing out any items you might find on those maps. There is also a world map on each page to show you just where it is you are. After this, it list all the objectives in order, noting optional ones that you can do. And then there’s an items list which tells you where every item is in the area.

The walkthrough itself can be a little wordy at times, though. It’s a very detailed walkthrough that takes you through everything, but it does at times meander and go on and on. At times the walkthrough reads like a story. This might please some, but just the same, you wish the walkthrough would get to the point instead of taking time to explain what it is the player already knows and might be witnessing. That’s not to say the guide is packed full of story spoilers (though Dragon Quest V isn’t known for having a fantastic story), it most certainly is not. There are also tips called out as you go through. At the very least, we can definitely say the walkthrough is very well organized. The maps are incredibly useful, and some of the tips outlined through the walkthrough are very helpful (including hot spots to level up). Finally, each area has a recommend level to give you, which for a Dragon Quest game is VERY useful given the amount of level grinding you must do.

There are also boss strategies scattered throughout and they are really good strategies, and really helpful. Far better than what Bradygames usually does with their strategy guides. Many screenshots are big and detailed. They’re clear and not too fuzzy.

After the exhaustive and very helpful walkthrough, the guide goes into sidequests and mini-games. Many of these are called out in the walkthrough but it recounts much of it here. The Casinos, T ‘N’ T board, and several other things are covered in a ton of detail. There is also all the descriptions of mini-medals. Put simply you might begin to suffer from information overload.

After all this we get into all the appendices. For weapons, armor, accessories, items etc. Each of the equipment shows you a chart to show you who can and can’t equip everything. Then there’s the bestiary which shows you all the details of every monster. It isn’t alphabetical order, rather it’s numerical. However, they’re all called out in the walkthrough… along with their number. So it’s easy to find them in the bestiary nevertheless. The bosses, on the other hand, have their own section in the bestiary so you don’t have to go sifting through (but all their stats are called in the walkthrough as well).

As you no doubt know, there are plenty of monsters you can catch and put in your party in Dragon Quest V. One of the best sections in the entire guide is dedicated to taming and using all of them in combat. There’s details on every last one. How difficult it is to recruit them, and how they level. It’s just like the characters section, even giving you tips on how to utilize them in combat. There’s also a chart that shows you everything they can equip.

If there was any complaint about Bradygames Dragon Quest V guide, it would be that the reader is apt to get a severe case of information overload. There’s just so much packed between the covers. It’s organized well, but you might still find there to be a lot of page flipping. Nevertheless I’d rather have a guide with all the information than most of the information. And this guide certainly has all the info.

At 288 pages, there’s a ton of info here and it’s all useful. If you must master Dragon Quest V this is by far the best resource you can use.
Rating: 5 / 5

If you like to play with a guide or just want something on the shelf in case you get a little lost or have some questions you can’t beat this. I love to actually have these vs. going to an online walkthrough. Although the latter are fine when it is a game I know I will love I usually invest in the guide. Plus the art of Dragon Quest is one of its main draws for me and to enjoy more of it with pictures – well that is a treasure.

Highly recommended!
Rating: 5 / 5

We want complete game info, plus LOTS of artwork.

Don’t let us fans down, BradyGames……

This one gets my recommendation!

Rating: 5 / 5