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I already played through the SNES version a year prior, but upon discovering that there are remakes of this game (the PS2 version included), I knew I had to see it and play it for myself. As of today (the day I'm writing this review), the only overseas release of Dragon Quest V is the DS version. That version, IMO, is like if you combined the SNES version as a base, then added the PS2's QoL changes and gameplay enhancements, and then some. Some may argue that it's the overall definitive version of the game because it has the most content (notably it has a 3rd girl you can pick as your wife, the PS2 has the original two), but what is sorely missing in the DS version is the PS2's absolutely GORGEOUS orchestraic (is that even a word?) soundtrack. This, to me, is what sets it apart from the DS version and heavily surpasses the MIDI-like DS soundtrack and the early orchestra, NES-like SNES soundtrack. As a result, I ended up playing through the PS2 version mainly because of this fact and also because the original DS version is pretty expensive to get on the 2nd-hand market (I prefer to play on original hardware where possible to avoid any potential bugs that could be present in emulators, no matter how small or big. Also my main computer is ill-equipped for emulators). In addition, playing though this specific fan translation of DQV is one of the main reasons that made me motivated to get a PS2 in the first place (though multiple ones overtime, but the 3rd one I got, the others being an unmodified NA and JP models, is the one that I played this fan translation on). The other reason was to play Chrono Cross on it.

The overall translation is excellent and I never found any bugs (oddly, I was able to load the save file that I made with the fan translation on the original, vanilla JP PS2 game without problems - though it was only brief and on emulator solely for testing...didn't test it all the way through so I never really bothered) nor any grammar or translation errors while playing through it on original hardware*. The script felt very truthful to the original script, the only times where it was really "localized" is the accents of each person talking. Some of them were worded like they have a Scottish-like accent, and some even have a country-like accent like Bianca has (at least, I think so). I'm not much of a fan of localization (especially nowadays) when it comes to translating Japanese because I believe a direct, clean translation is the best, but if it's done only when necessary, it can yield pretty good results. This, I feel like, is a pretty good example of such a translation. (Oh how I yearn for reading Japanese fluently so that I won't need a middleman to understand the original script, not just DQV. I need to get my butt off and start doing it!)

Now, with fan translations come with incompatibilities in reading online guides and wiki sites. This is the only downside in dealing with something like this. Unlike the SNES version's fan translation which DID have some dedicated guides that were made around it, the PS2's fan translation can be a bit of a challenge to search up various things, mainly because sometimes you'll be seeing the DS names rather than the one that's named in the fan translation and it conflicts. This has two versions - I'm more familiar with the Dragon Warrior style version, but I went with the Dragon Quest style translation because I wanted to have the original names of monsters, equipment, and the like (the Dragon Warrior version is more akin to what the SNES fan translation had). Unfortunately, some names have been spelt or named differently and it makes it hard to look at guides and wiki sites at which item, monster, or place is what because sometimes they conflict with the DS version! Luckily, some guides like the RPGClassics guide for the SNES version is still somewhat relevant to follow because it, being a PS2 remake, still has things that are the same, like where each small medals are (only a few are located differently, but it's mostly because of the different assets of the area, so the devs had to put them somewhere). However, you should definitely refer to the guides that revolved around that version more often since the remakes have balance adjustments and other shenanigans that are specific to it, like GameFAQs. There are actually MORE small medals in the remakes than in the original version!

One additional downside is that the PS2 version doesn't have the SNES Easter egg of having the Hero hold a specific set of items in a specific order (though you get this in the later parts of the game due to one of the items you get) that makes every hit a critical hit (if your weapon is not one that deals damage to all/groups of enemies) and recruitable monsters insta-join. So if you plan to have a Liquid Metal Slime/Metal Babble on your side, get ready to spend a good chunk of time hunting one down for that 1/256 chance (or so it was calculated on guides online). I spent about a week hunting one down, so good luck.

Overall, this is a game and fan translation worth playing. This is, IMO, the overall definitive version to play DQV. If you already played the DS version (or the SNES version like I did prior), give this a try because this will make you yearn for a proper DQV remake with the PS2's soundtrack. And like I mentioned in the SNES fan translation review, this is probably one of the manliest RPGs you'll ever play, haha!

(*MechaPwn'd 70001 PS2 with the disc being Master Disc patched.)

EDIT 2023/6/30: Apparently, as I looked at guides on GameFAQs more often, the Dragon Warrior style translation is what I'm more familiar with because it was more akin to what the SNES fan translation had (the fire spells are a good example of that). So if you are used to the SNES version, get the Dragon Warrior style, but if this is your 1st time playing DQV, or if you want it to be more in line with the original Japanese names and stuff like I did, go with the Dragon Quest style.

Dragon Quest V is my favorite in the series. VIII is fantastic, and XI is probably one of the greatest RPGs of this generation. Something about V though has always stuck with me. I mean, the story is just SO good, not to mention the whole aspect of marrying a lucky gal, the story spanning several generations, and just generally saving the world with your own freakin' family. When I think 'Dragon Quest,' this is the first game that comes to mind for me.

The PS2 version is actually the last version of this game I've played even though this translation has been out for a decent while now. Played a translation of the SNES version WAY back in the day and then the DS one many, many times before this one.

This translation compared to the DS one in particular makes me realize how 'localized' the DS's script is. The translation for the PS2 version seems pretty faithful to the original script, while whoever did the script for the DS version clearly had some fun. Sancho in particular talks pretty normal in the PS2 game but has a stereotypical Spanish or Mexican accent in the DS. There's a lot more characters like this too. Whether this bothers you or not is obviously up to tastes as DQV is pretty damn enjoyable no matter what console you play it on. Official DQ scripts have always been like this though, so to me, it's not that big a deal, but the PS2 version here might be good for anyone out there who may not have like the DS's script.

I've run into no glitches/bugs/translation errors while playing this patch and have generally had an enjoyable experience re-experiencing this game on the PS2. This version is missing some features from the DS version (mainly the third girl you can marry) but other than that, it's pretty damn good. The graphics aren't great anymore (especially upscaled in PCSX2), but other than that, there aren't any major complaints I have with either the game or the translation patch.

Whether you go with this one or the DS version is kind of a toss up. Like I said, the DS version has some extra content, but the graphics on the PS2 are in full 3D. It's pretty cool seeing all the monsters, towns, and NPC with polygons instead of sprites.

There are two version of the translation patch. One is more faithful to the original Japanese release of DQV in terms of names, while the other is for people who prefer the ones from the DS version.

This patch feels like a solid translation made by Enix before they merged with Square. It reads like an uncensored Dragon Warrior VII with less translation mistakes (or none, I'm not sure) and a hint of influence from modern Dragon Quest localizations.

Character accents/localization liberties are not as thick/prevalent in this PS2 patch, especially when compared to the official DS version. For a comparison, here is the same line in both the DS and PS2 version (NOTE: the person talking is a ghost king).

Official DS Version: "Ooooooh! Yooo are ze first people tooo have ze courage tooo come zis far!"

PS2 Fan Patch: "Oh, such brave souls! This is the first time anyone has made it this far."

I'll let you decide which is better.

With the above being said, I think DQ Translations's PS2 work is 100% enjoyable. Dialogue sounds natural and the hacking job is clean. Any small issues I had with the script are nulled by the improvements the PS2 version provides.

Play this patch if you want the PS2 remake with a script that reads like a mix of old and new Dragon Quest translation styles. Play the official DS translation if you want a portable version with a Buffalo & Ranch – Tongue on Fire script (which is fun too).

NOTE: There are two versions of this patch, one for Dragon Warrior name/spells and the other for Dragon Quest name/spells.