This is considered an excellent one. It's often considered the best in the franchise, or very close to Dragon Quest VIII.

This and DQ VIII are the most accessible to people that are used to PS2 JRPGs.

Easily in my top 10 jrpgs.

best DQ game to date

I've played most of the DQ games and I say this is easily the best one.

I don't think there's a single bad DQ game, they're all worth playing if you like this kind of RPG. but DQ11 really is a special once in a generation game.

I gotta warn you though it can be quite a long game. You might want to pick one of the others if you want a shorter RPG experience

This is one of those classic '90s-style JRPG with modern QoL. It's great and there's not a lot that's like it.

With respect,

Without emulation, you can't play another, aside from the remake of DQ3.

It's good

Doesn't quite reach the absolute perfection that is DQ8 in my opinion, but still good, easily one of the best.

DQ9 is a really good one if you care for gameplay, it's probably the one that you can play the longest in the series with a gigantic post-game, and with the most interesting progression system (classes usually beat plain old preset characters by a long shot)

It has less "personality" when it comes to story or characters though

You could try DQ5 if it's not too old for you, story was definitely a highlight

Man I wish they remade DQ 8

I do not enjoy how Dragon Quest has gotten progressively more cartoony and childish. I know, I know, the demographic. But for me, 1-7 are the only worthy ones, with 7 being REALLY iffy. And remakes have tarnished the seriousness of the world building, even though admittedly I can’t go back to pre-QOL.

i think dq11 is the best dragon quest there is honestly even better than dq8

I think it's the best in the series. And I'm a massive DQ fan

Had the same question, thanks for all the answer above, probably will try demo before buying it, or would watch some videos. May be 2 years later on 50% sales I will pick up new remakes.