Culturally speaking, this is no surprise.  Like you said, comfort food.  The status quo is really interesting.  I think this became especially apparent when everyone absolutely flipped out over the fresh The World Ends With You.  We realized--hey, wait, this is actually new!  And it forced us to reflect on how everything else wasn't.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though.  Innovation's been the big buzz word for years now, but we forget how fun the "same old thing" can be.  Dragon Quest offers no surprises--you know what you're getting, and you're either really, really happy about that, or you just don't buy it.  No harm done.  In fact, I think many people were worried that the simple merging of Squaresoft and Enix was going to change Dragon Quest VIII.  Man, could you imagine JRPGs with BioWare-esque dialogue choices?  DQ has tried this since game one, but that's always been a big flopperoo.

I would not expect any dramatic changes in the 9th installment.

Oh, and, a name's a name, as far as I'm concerned.  To be honest, "sentinel" makes me think of Warcraft III.

Talk to strangers.  Don't be shy.

I think after DQVIII's success (insane graphics are good for something!) we can expect Dragon Quest games to pick up here in the States.

Ah, the sincerest form of excitement--when small little updates like this get you all energeticified and giddy.

VI or IX, makes no difference to me.  I want it all.  Gimme Taloon's Quest!

I must have this.

Really, though, I don't think an American audience will appreciate this game.  That's why we don't get a lot of the more interesting, horrible games from Japan.

Any idea how many shades of brown it'll have?

newegg.com is great for piecing together your own PC.  Tons of ridiculous deals there constantly.  Just get a tech-savvy friend.  Don't have to touch anything with commercial markups, save a small fortune.  Top of the line PCs for $800 (monitor included).  Unless, of course, you're buying something else that can't be as easily pieced together.

Howdy, folks.  Hope I'm welcome here!  First substantive post here in the community, and I'll be using it to request help (what a guy!)

I'm looking to buy my brother a Christmas present or two, and since we're both pretty big fans of OotS, I thought he might enjoy some of the backstory books offered there.  I'm looking at Start of Darkness and On the Origins of PCs, specifically.  Anyone read these who can comment on their worth?  Seems like a solid deal, and I've heard some good things on the forums over on giantitp.com, but I thought I'd get more candid responses here.

Also, just for shits and giggles, can anyone comment on the other books offered there, or even the board game?  All look good, but I'm not too keen on buying books of the comics rehashed if I can just view them online.

Thanks in advance!

Was that a lollipop on the house?