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Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies landing in Europe on July 23rd

The huge Japanese RPG for Nintendo DS is finally making its way westward

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies landing in Europe on July 23rd

A phenomenally popular Japanese RPG for Nintendo DS is soon hitting European shores.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies has already gathered itself over four million Japanese gamers since release last year, and now Square Enix is hoping Europeans will be just as keen.

Players take on the role of a guardian of an ancient city, who sets out on a quest to find a sacred tree which grants wishes.

The quest involves traveling the world, defeating monsters and playing your part in an epic storyline. Don't be fooled, however - this is far more than your average RPG title.

Hero customization is a big deal, with over 1,000 pieces of clothing, armour and weapons at your disposal.

But it's the multiplayer options that really make Dragon Quest IX stand out from the crowd. Up to four players can battle through the main quest together via a local wireless connection, tackling monsters and dungeons co-operatively.

If one player wants to take a short break, they can active 'Canvassing Mode', allowing them to shut their Nintendo DS but still be a part of the action, reaping the rewards from their active team-mates.

Apart from the main quest, there are also a variety of side missions to accomplish. Additional side-quests will be provided as a free download over time.

If you're an RPG fan, this is one title you'll want to keep your eye on. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies launches on Nintendo DS in Europe on July 23rd.

Mike Rose
Mike Rose
An expert in the indie games scene, Mike comes to Pocket Gamer as our handheld gaming correspondent. He is the author of 250 Indie Games You Must Play.