Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Few JRPGs dare to tell a story spanning three generations of one family – Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride did it back in 1992, and its 2008 remake on the Nintendo DS finally brought this exceptional saga to the West in full glory. Many fans still regard it as the pinnacle of Square Enix's entire famous series.

The player lives through the hero's life journey from childhood through adulthood to the moment he becomes a father himself – and his children join the party. It is this cross-generational story arc, steeped in love, loss and fateful choices (including the unforgettable choice of bride referenced by the subtitle), that gives the game an emotional depth long unique in the genre. The battle system also lets you catch defeated monsters and recruit them into the party, making Dragon Quest V one of the forerunners of mechanics that Pokémon would later make famous.

The DS remake added more detailed graphics, new content and a long-awaited official translation. For retro gamers it is the ideal gateway into the world of Dragon Quest – a moving, timeless story combined with classic turn-based combat that ages with incredible grace.