My impressions after 3 hours of playing Dragon Quest 11 (3DS version)

Having finished the game I was currently playing, I've finally decided to buy Dragon Quest XI (3DS version).
I've played Dragon Quest 1 through 8, but I've only played a little bit of 9.
This time, number 11 has received fairly good reviews, so I have high expectations.
Okay, after playing for about three hours, I've moved to a different continent and am now near the first town.
It's just starting to get interesting.

① Impressions of the story
② System aspects
③ Combat
④ Other comments

① Impressions of the story
It's still early days, so it's too early to say anything.
However, I think it has a driving force because it has a larger purpose: to find out who you are.
I feel like I'm starting to get a vague idea of what the subtitle means.

I felt that the way Camus joins the party was a bit forced, or rather, the reasoning behind it was weak.
However, if you think about it carefully, Dragon Quest IV was similar, and I'm not looking for realism in Dragon Quest.

Having a grand objective, yet venturing into an unfamiliar land and excitedly visiting a new town—it reminds us of the fundamental appeal of RPGs.

② System aspects
The ability to switch between 2D and 3D is a major feature, but this proved to be quite challenging.
In terms of game efficiency, 2D is overwhelmingly better.
The fields, towns, and dungeons are all very easy to navigate, and items are easy to find, so it's a stress-free experience.

The battles also progress at a good pace because the main characters don't take any action.
However, event scenes and such aren't very enjoyable unless they're in 3D.
In 3D, characters' facial expressions and movements are depicted with richer detail.
In 2D mode, the pixelated characters just stand there talking, and it's hard to tell what's going on.
Since it's a game, I think I'll try enjoying it in 3D for now.
I think 2D is better for leveling up or playing through the game a second time.

③ Combat
I personally found it refreshing that I could obtain so many items that restore MP.
In Dragon Quest, the only ways to restore MP were at inns, the Ring of Prayer, and Holy Water of Magic, and all of these were considered precious.
Perhaps because of that, the battles have been going fairly smoothly so far.
For now, I can defeat them just by overwhelming them with attacks and healing.
Even in 3D mode, the combat speed is still a bit slow, even at the highest setting.

④ Other comments

One overseas game review described it as "a NES game made with the latest technology," and that's exactly how it feels.
Even though it's made using traditional techniques, I think there are areas for improvement throughout.
I think they're continuing to make subtle improvements, such as increasing the amount of equipment you can carry, the types of bags available, and the ability to set individual strategies.

In contrast to Final Fantasy, which has undergone dramatic evolution with each new installment, I feel that Dragon Quest is loved for remaining unchanged.
However, I believe the fundamental appeal of Dragon Quest lies in its excellent game balance.
Even if you level up by one level, you won't become dramatically stronger, but it will feel a little easier.
Furthermore, I feel that things like the length of the dungeon, the strength of the monsters, and the strength of the bosses are all meticulously designed.
For now, I've only just started playing, so I'll continue writing my impressions in the future.