The Dragon Quest series' success outside of Japan has always been on shaky ground. Though it is a staple of the impressive selection of RPGs in the Land of the Rising Sun, the games have never truly caught on in the same way out west. Though this DS incarnation is a remake of a game that launched nearly two decades ago, it's a rehash worthy of any RPG buff's time and attention. From an engrossing plot to extremely slick presentation, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a generation-spanning, rewarding adventure that is sure to delight both new and old series fans.

For a change of pace, Dragon Quest V's subtitle has very much in common with the actual events of the game. As the game progresses, you will see the unnamed protagonist subjected to various tragedies throughout his young life: his father slaughtered before his eyes, a life of slavery, and ten years of grueling, hard work. The epic story, spanning over ten years, is not your average "save the princess/world/galaxy" struggle. Instead, it tugs at the heartstrings with an introspective look at life and how fleeting even the happiest moments can be. Rather than focusing on a ragtag bunch of individuals and their interaction between them, Hand of the Heavenly Bride seeks to involve the gamer on a much more personal level. For example, it is even possible for the protagonist to choose between multiple candidates for marriage. It is safe to say that Dragon Quest V's most notable aspect is indeed its storyline.

Lush and vibrant graphics serve to enhance this remake.

Otherwise, this is, for all intents and purposes, your typical RPG. Guiding your hero through various locations is the ultimate goal. Battling, bosses, villages, inns - you name it - every conventional RPG staple is here. With that said, it's inevitable that there will be skirmishes in the form of random, turn-based battles. During these, you can instruct all members of the party while pertinent information is displayed on the top screen. All the carnage is depicted on the lower screen. You have the typical host of RPG battle commands at your disposal, but if time is of the essence or issuing commands individually is too tedious, there are options to heal, attack, or conserve magic. This is a fantastic option for those who would rather speed through unwanted random encounters, and helpful when throwaway party members are implemented. Though randomized enemies are the bane of many gamers' existence due to their banality and infinite palette swaps, DQV switches things up a bit. According to your location on the map and what time it is in-game, different monsters will appear. Where other games would tend to get bogged down in this respect, DQV excels because of its enemy variety.

The monster selection is so varied in fact that the game hosts a Pokémon-like taming system. You can enlist the help of different types of enemies throughout the game and equip them with armor, level them up, and treat them as regular party members. Up to eight party slots can be filled with monsters, but when the vacancies have been filled, recruits can be stored at a daycare facility comparable to Bill's PC from the Pokémon series. One downfall that this system presents, however, is the fact that recruiting cannot be controlled. If you have your eye on a specific creature with abilities you fancy, be prepared to wander for quite a while until the monster decides to join up. Luckily, you are able to train monsters efficiently via the usage of a wagon. Poor, low-level monsters can mellow out in the wagon until they have been brought to a sufficient level, because without this safeguard, frequent death is certain.

Outside of battle, DQV utilizes both screens of the DS quite well by giving you an ever-present map on the top screen, and placing gameplay on the bottom. Veterans of sparse RPG terrain will appreciate the aid of a map that is always at hand in dire instances. As players progress, it fleshes itself out more and more until a complete picture has been created. A new and useful addition to the mapping system is a listing of items found in each town's shop. This way, you can peer into the inventory whenever needed - saving precious time that could be spent performing other deeds.

This trek is a timely one; clocking in at over 40 hours. Though the engrossing storyline shouldn't bog you down, there is a variety of other activities to partake in should monotony occur. Scattered throughout the world are medals to collect that can be bartered for unique equipment, which should keep collectors busy. Also, the game world boasts casinos, board games, and a bonus dungeon to test your skill. If the need arises to play with others, DQV provides the option to create and swap customizable items with friends. True, this is not a full-blown multiplayer option, but it does provide a nice little time waster when the main quest isn't feeling so imperative to complete.

Tactical control of the party ensures that strategy, even in small skirmishes, is a must.

Since this is a remake of a classic Super Famicom title, certain upgrades are to be expected. DQV delivers with new playable characters and locations, but where the polish is most evident is in the graphical update. Detailed and intricate 3D environments are displayed across both screens. Rich pastels and colorful landscapes are pleasing to the eye, as well are the sprites designed by prolific creator Akira Toriyama. This is a gorgeous update from the original game that rivals only Square Enix's recent re-imaginings of Final Fantasy III and IV. Your time spent in the world of Hand of the Heavenly Bride is keenly scored with lilting orchestral movements with majestic fanfares abound. Though lacking in the memorable aspects that Final Fantasy and the like seem to flourish, the music never feels any less than epic, and that's what this Dragon Quest is all about.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a masterful remake of one of the most influential RPGs of the 16-bit era. Whether you enjoyed it via fan translations or in any other way you could get it, there is a lot to like in this delightful little package. It's a brilliant tribute to a long-running, successful series that will hopefully make a few more stateside debuts in the future. If you haven't experienced a Dragon Quest title before now, this is the game to begin with.