A guardian sent to gather the fruit of a sacred tree, and an adventure that quietly settles into your heart.

Dragon Quest IX stands out through one strength that speaks for itself. Attachment climbs high, ahead of 89% of games on early returns, the bond truly forms. The rest of the profile is calmly steady: the desert island pick, fun, controller feel and art style all hover around the middle, and the sound edges slightly ahead, above six games in ten. No chasm here, rather a balanced game whose emotion is its real trump card. All on few votes, so to confirm.

Against the handheld RPGs of its era, Dragon Quest IX bets on the warmth of its journey and the company of its characters rather than on technical showmanship. It is the travel companion you keep, not the visual punch.

So who is it for? For you if you love a turn-based RPG that takes its time to bond you to its world and its party. Much less if you want explosive handling or an art direction that stuns you.