How difficult is the game with or without Dragonian Trials?

[Yerocha]

Started this game up today and noticed the challenge options. I decided to switch on No Escaping, cause I rarely do that in other RPGs anyway, but it sounds like the game is too easy without them turned on. I'm early enough that I can just restart if that's the case, so I'd like to be sure now. Note that I've beaten other DQ games before, so if the difficulty is on par with them I'm okay with playing as is.

[NutellaOrgies]

It's extremely easy, barely tried levelling much (like I'll attack a monster so I could have it added into my defeated monsters list and then avoid it as much as I can after) and I've only had a problem with one boss which only took me 3 tries to beat.

 

But I play mostly play games for the stories so I have all the challenges turned off.

Edited October 8, 2018 by NutellaOrgies

[Reaper-BEL-1991]

Only had problems with 1 boss in the main story, it's the final final secret boss you'll have to worry about. (at least if you don't look at strategies on youtube...)

[DennisWilles]

You have to absolutely set it to tough enemies. That way it's actually fun and feels about as challenging as DQ8 was. Without you will never have to grind or even upgrade your gear. 

[Yerocha]

So I did set it to Tougher Enemies, as well as lower EXP and no running. I do wish the game had more difficulty settings than "Easy" and "I Can't Believe It's Not SMT".