Dokapon Journey for Nintendo DS Reviews by Gamers

This game plays similar to the parcheesi boards in the latest dragon warrior(quest) games. It's more complex, though. Some elements remind me of the Mario party games as well. Unlike the Mario party games, you have to land exactly on the store spot to spend your money. Make sure you use at least one attribute point for your HP at the start of the game or you'll probably die at your first stop. When you die your out of the game for about 3 turns. This board is pretty big with alot to explore. You can even choose to rob a town, though it might not be worth it if you don't need the money. Instead of mini games you usually enter a battle after landing on a space unless that space is an item or store space. If you like board games and RPGs this might be the game for you.

As the title says, this game may be fun with friends who you can spend a long time playing with.

Unfortunately, I played story mode by myself and was highly disappointing. Even when the weakest AI were chosen to control the computer players, they constantly rolled the exact number they needed to exit a cave, grab a chest, or enter a town. It is not fun at all to be stuck in a cave for 20+ turns while all your towns are given away as the computer players effortlessly destroy monsters 9+ levels above them.

Also there seems to be inconsistency on the duel rules. Every time I fought another adventurer and lost, they took my weapon. That lead to many turns of trying to roll good enough to return to the weapon shop, since the game does not let you carry extra weapons. Conversely, when I beat the opponents, 1 time out of about 6 I would be allowed to take anything other than gold or changing their name. Even when they had just bought new gear.

It's an interesting concept, to be sure. Unfortunately, the effect of most powers are not told until you try them, which is often risky. Your towns being given away without even a battle for them is bogus. Some of the random events are interesting, but ultimately pointless.

I'd suggest renting this if you have no other game you could possibly want to play. Otherwise, I'd suggest exhausting the list of games you really want to play first. This title is disappointing.