DQ 9 is the only one I played that just didn't click with me. I never got to play the MP, which might be part of it. I'm yet to meet another DQ fan in the flesh.

But even if I had, it felt like the game sacrificed it's story to implement it. Having these companions without any personality alone killed a big chunk of the charm these games usually have.

I played all the DQ games on their original platform.

I owned a DS but for some reason, forgot all about DQ9. I remember reading about multiplayer, then learning DQ10 was multiplayer only. This was during the WoW era and even Final fantasy was going there. So I just stopped playing JRPGs.

I got PC Game Pass and decided to try DQ11. My god, it was awesome!

I really hope DQ9 gets a re-release. I can probably dust off the ol Nintendo DS. But I don't think I'm that into it.

The criticism probably came from people not owning a DS already and not wanting to buy one just for this.

It's been a long time since I played, but iirc, the online play totally broke the game if you played with someone higher level than you. I think I had beaten the game already when my brother joined. I posted online with him a few sessions and he was way overpowered after getting all the XP and weapons so the main quest was super boring for him.