Dragon Warrior II (NES)

Dragon Warrior II
Also known as: Dragon Quest II Akuryou no Kamigami (JP), Dragon Warrior Part 2 (title screen) Developer: Chunsoft Publisher: Enix Platform: NES Released in JP: January 26, 1987 Released in US: December 1990 This game has unused items. This game has regional differences. This game has a prerelease article This game has a Data Crystal page

To do: Make a page for the localization prototype.

Dragon Warrior II is the sequel to Dragon Warrior aka Dragon Quest, introducing multiple party members and monster formations to the series (Instead of the one-on-one format of the previous game), alongside other series staples such as ships and gambling. And Enix even published it in America this time! (Okay, so it took them nearly four years, but still...)

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Prerelease Info

Unused Items

Item $36 is named みみせん (Earplugs) in the Japanese version and an empty string in the US version. When used, it displays the same message as the Golden Card, but it doesn't actually function as one (it doesn't give you a discount in shops).

Item $3E is named しのオルゴール (Music Box of Death) in the Japanese version and "Perilous" in the US version. It has no effect when used either on the field or in battle.

Japan	US

The Japanese names of these two items hint that they were meant to be used together--perhaps using the music box to kill or weaken some monster (like the Fairy Flute and Golem in the first game) while wearing the earplugs for protection.

A design document reveals the location of the Music Box before it was cut.

Regional Differences

To do: Glitches for someone who speaks Japanese: Is there an equivalent to the "TUT" glitch in the JPN version? Using the same hex values for the name does not lead to the glitch in the JPN version. Presumably several glitches exist in the JPN version which were fixed for the US version. See the 3 pages of cheats and tips in Famimaga March '87, + a section in Famimaga June '87: stat manipulation, getting the Princess stuck in a mountain on the world map; also Famitsu #0019 + #0022: empty text window in the ending, more stat manipulation, walking on water etc

Title Screen

Japan	US

The localized game was, like its predecessor, given the name Dragon Warrior. This time, Enix completely changed the title screen and added fancier animations.

Name Entry

• In the Japanese version, the name entry only accepts 4 characters maximum. The US version doubles that count, however the name will be shortened to four characters in several circumstances, such as in the stats window in and out of combat.
• The Japanese version has a cheat code which allows the player to name the Prince of Cannock and the Princess of Moonbroke, it can be inputted when starting a new game or using a password. The US version does not allow to name the other two characters at all.

Saving

Japan	US

While the Japanese got a password system, Enix let America use battery-backed saves.

Intro

The Japanese game simply begins with the injured soldier speaking to the king. For the localization, Enix greatly expanded the intro, now featuring scrolling text and a cutscene showing what happened to Moonbrooke.

Graphical Differences

Japan	US

In the North American version, the churches are known as Houses of Healing, with their crosses replaced with stars.

Japan	US

The priests were completely redesigned and lost their crosses.

Japan	US

In the North American version, defeated party members follow you around as ghosts. In the Japanese version, they are represented by coffins with crosses on them.

Japan	US

In the chamber where you access the second floor in Hargon's Castle, the safe floor is in the shape of a large cross in the Japanese version. The North American version changed it into a square with an extra indication on where to access the second floor. This room change also forces the player to use the Stepguard-spell more than once to avoid damage.

Japan	US

The church in Cannock Castle didn't have any crosses in the Japanese version but two star icons were added in the North American version.

Japan	US

The North American version received a fancier ending screen showing the Sword, Shield, and Helmet of Erdrick/Loto/Roto.

Enemy Stats

Experience values for almost half of the enemies were increased for the North American version, most notably for enemies at the start and at the end of the game.

A lesser known fact is other enemy stats were changed:

• Slime had its HP changed from 6 to 5, and its attack from 8 to 7.
• Big Slug had its agility changed from 4 to 3, and its attack from 11 to 9.
• Iron Ant had its attack changed from 13 to 11.
• Drakee had its attack changed from 14 to 12, and its defense from 10 to 8.
• Wild Mouse had its agility changed from 7 to 8.
• Army Ant had its HP changed from 13 to 12.
• Magidrakee had its HP changed from 20 to 12.
• Lizard Fly had its HP changed from 16 to 15.

Note that only early game enemies had such stat changes . All changes were stat reductions, except for Wild Mouse which gained 1 agility point. Outside of Magidrakee which lost 40% of its HP, most of these stat changes can seem subtle, but the game deals with small numbers, for instance the defense and HP changes may lead to requiring one less turn to dispose of the enemy.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Other Differences

• In the North American version, the priest in the Monolith of Rhone will automatically revive any dead party member in addition to fully restore all party members' HP/MP. In the Japanese version, he only restores your HP/MP.

• Besides the graphical censorship, the North American version removed all religious content from the game's script. The High Priest Hargon is referred to as a wizard and sorcerer, Shrines became Monoliths and so on. Finally, the game's full title in Japan (seen on the box and manual) is ドラゴンクエストＩＩ：悪霊の神々 (lit. Dragon Quest II: Demon Gods).

• In the Japanese version, HP and MP can be restored for free by using a password.