Dragon Quest launched all the way back in 1986 and has since become a staple in the JRPG genre. You'd be hard-pressed to find a fan of the genre who hasn't heard the series' bombastically heroic opening theme. While it initially struggled to find popularity in the West, with the release of Dragon Quest 11 fans from all across the globe have now been introduced to the legendary series.
One of the Dragon Quest series' strongest assets is its incredibly immersive locations. From casino ships to mighty cathedrals, the Dragon Quest games have a wide range of awe-inspiring locations to visit. And while exploring them virtually as heroic adventures is a lot of fun, being able to visit them in person would be even better.
10 The Venturo - Dragon Quest 5
The Venturo is a boat that can be accessed via the island of Pontoon. It appears only in the remakes of Dragon Quest 5 and is host to the player's wedding if they choose to marry either Nera or Debora. While the island of Pontoon is pretty special in its own right, it is the Venturo Casino Ship that steals the show.
Once onboard, the player can explore its vast decks and talk to all manner of people. They can also engage in the T 'n' T board game which is a great way to kill some time. Being able to visit a casino on a boat in person and even have a quick round of T 'n' T would be incredibly exciting.
9 Greenthumb Gardens & Wilted Heart - Dragon Quest 7
The Dragon Quest games are set in fantastical lands, and as such verdant valleys of lush green grass and towering trees aren't scarce. But towns, especially in the earlier games, tended to be made up of cobblestone houses, thatched roofs, and stone walls. Fortunately, Greenthumb Gardens and its successor Wilted Heart are filled with beautiful flowers and ornate fountains.
Unfortunately, due to Wilted Hearts prospering, the once beautiful Greenthumb Gardens succumbs to ruin and becomes nothing more than wilderness. Should it still exist, then visiting it in person would be a refreshing respite from the concrete jungles of the world. Similarly, Wilted Heart, with its myriad of colorful flowers, would also be a joy to visit.
8 Coral Cave - Dragon Quest 7
A good JRPG would be nothing without interesting dungeons to explore. Fortunately, the Dragon Quest series is packed full of them. One of the standout dungeons in Dragon Quest 7 is Coral Cave. It's accessible via a lotus flower that quite literally engulfs the player and their party before dragging them down beneath the water.
While visiting it in person may be a little tricky without professional diving equipment, being surrounded by its monolithic stone archways and vibrantly striking underwater flora would be an incredible experience.
7 Savella Cathedral - Dragon Quest 8
The Dragon Quest games frequently feature a lot of religious iconographies from grandiose cathedrals and fallen angels to save points literally being found in churches. However, while plenty of these religious places found throughout the series are incredibly impressive, the most profoundly magnificent is Savella Cathedral.
Savella Cathedral appears in Dragon Quest 8 which, according to Metacritic, is considered to be one of the best JRPGs of the 2000s. While Savella Cathedral mimics a lot of real-life locations, its sheer size and intricate detail make it a sight to behold. Having the opportunity to visit it in real life would be a tremendously powerful experience.
6 Stornway - Dragon Quest 9
Stornway is one of the first towns the player will encounter in Dragon Quest 9. From its towering castle looming in the distance to the bustling town before it, Stornway is the epitome of medieval fantasy towns. It features some great locations such as the aforementioned castle as well as the cozy Quester's Rest.
Stornway may not be the most visually striking location to explore in Dragon Quest 9, but thanks to some fantastic music and bubbly characters it is certainly the most memorable. Being able to visit it in person would likely bring up a lot of nostalgia for those who played this DS classic when it came out.
5 The Observatory - Dragon Quest 9
The Observatory is one of the most visually impressive locations in Dragon Quest 9 and is very reminiscent of the Studio Ghibli classic Castle in the Sky. While a floating castle housing celestial beings doesn't sound terribly realistic, it would be an incredibly interesting place to visit nonetheless.
From cascading stone structures to lush foliage snaking between towering pillars, The Observatory is truly a mesmerizing sight to behold. While most locations in Dragon Quest feel somewhat rooted in reality, The Observatory is truly a one-of-a-kind place. To be able to explore its winding corridors and gaze upon the majestic tree at the top would surely be an astoundingly life-changing experience.
4 The Starflight Express - Dragon Quest 9
Dragon Quest 9 has some of the best side quests in the series. But completing them all, especially earlier on can be a bit of a chore as they are scattered across the game's enormous world. Fortunately, after finishing the game, players unlock the wonderful Starflight Express run by the plucky Sterling and Stella and can use it to fly from one end of the map to the other in a dash.
Not only is the Starflight Express an incredible vehicle to behold, but is also capable of flying into the stars, hence the name. While mankind has already reached the stars, doing so via a golden train run by a fairy would certainly be a unique experience.
3 Phnom Nonh - Dragon Quest 11
Phnom Nonh is by far one of the best locations in Dragon Quest 11. It is a small village tucked away between towering cliffs on either side. It is the type of location in video games where players can't help but slow to a crawl and bask in its beauty.
From its hanging lanterns washing the pathways with a crimson glow to its Japanese-inspired architecture, Phnom Nonh is truly wonderful. While Dragon Quest 11's locations tend to share a lot more similarities with real-life locations, the more fantastical elements of Phnom Nonh would make it a location well worth visiting.
2 Gondolia - Dragon Quest 11
Dragon Quest 11's pack of places for the player to peruse with their peppy party of perfect characters are truly one of a kind. However, Gondolia is one of the more vibrantly colorful places to explore. It is the perfect version of Venice, an already beautiful city, and offers a jaw-dropping moment when the player first encounters it.
As with most of the locations in Dragon Quest 11, exploring Gondolia in real life would be a fantastic experience, if only to soak in its serenely sunny atmosphere.
1 Cobblestone - Dragon Quest 11
Cobblestone is where the player will start off their adventure in Dragon Quest 11 before setting off on what is considered one of the best turn-based RPGs on the PlayStation 4. It is a small, homely village filled with kind-hearted people and a warm sense of community. Essentially, it is the perfect place to rest after a long and arduous journey.
For every life-changing location, complexly capacious cathedrals, and tantalizingly thrilling trains, players need a quiet town with a calm river flowing throughout. After visiting all of the other locations, Cobblestone would be the perfect place to end a journey to have a warm meal, a hearty chat, and a well-deserved rest.