Dragon Warrior IV (1990). Play Free Online

Summary

Dragon Warrior IV breaks the series’ formula by dividing the adventure into five distinct chapters, each following a different future companion before converging on the final quest. This design lets players experience the world from several viewpoints, a novelty that keeps the early game fresh. The NES version adds day‑and‑night cycles, travel by ship and a hot‑air balloon, and three tiers of keys—Thief, Magic, and Ultimate—to open special doors on the map. I love how the wagon lets me pick which characters actually fight, while the Hero retains the strongest spells. An AI‑driven Tactics menu lets you set each party member to prioritize offense, healing, or MP saving. The game also hides items in drawers and jars, introduces Small Medals as tradeables, and even includes a casino with slots, poker, and monster betting. Saving is streamlined at the House of Healing, with separate commands for saving and gaining EXP, and a top‑level menu shortcut for opening doors when a key is held. The NES cartridge boasts one of the few battle tracks to use a crescendo, a rare trick for the hardware. Nintendo Power named it a Game of the Year runner‑up and awarded it “Best Challenge,” and despite modest U.S. sales of about 80,000 units, it remains the last Dragon Quest title Enix America localized before the office shut down.

Storyline

Dragon Warrior IV (also known as Dragon Quest IV) is divided into five chapters, with the first four providing back‑story for the party members and the fifth focusing on the Hero. Chapter One follows soldier Ragnar McRyan, who rescues abducted children, befriends a Healslime named Healie, and learns the monsters are searching for the Legendary Hero. Chapter Two follows Princess Alena, her tutor Borya and chancellor Kiryl as she restores her father’s voice, wins the Endor fighting tournament, and investigates the disappearance of her castle’s inhabitants. Chapter Three follows merchant Torneko, who works favors, opens a shop in Endor, and funds an underground passage to seek legendary weapons. Chapter Four follows sisters Maya and Meena, who seek revenge on Balzack for their father’s murder, infiltrate Palais de Léon with Oojam, and escape after his sacrifice. Chapter Five follows the Hero whose hometown is attacked by Psaro the Manslayer; the Hero gathers the companions, defeats Marquis de Léon and Balzack, assembles Zenithian Armor, confronts the awakened ruler Estark, and finally thwarts Psaro’s plan with the Armlet of Transmutation after Rose’s death, ending with a decisive battle in Nadiria.

Edited by Maya Carter