Laynos, Cerebralbore101, thanks for the responses.
I think the non-random encounters will make a difference. While random encounters worked fine in 2D RPGs when not crazy, after the advent of 3D RPGs and the game Skies of Arcadia, despite loving the game, it became apparent that they were going to be a problem - I did all I could to avoid them in SoA.
Slow burn stories with Mcguffin scenarios aren’t an issue if the world is interesting, I find, that’s basically The Witcher 3 and Xenoblade Chronicles X, both games that I like quite a lot. Although, those scenarios are also world building, and where I find much of the brilliance of each of those two games lies.
It sounds like I’ll enjoy it. I hadn’t considered the non-random encounters, and even the faster pacing, in DQ9 might be why I enjoyed that one more than the few before it. That’s a good point. I also recall crafting/menus were massively improved in DQ9 as well.
Anyway, thanks for the great responses!
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
