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The Hardest Part of Nottagen Isn't the Boss—It's the Choice
Recently, while replaying Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, I got stuck at the town of Nottagen.
Not because the monsters were too tough.
But because I realized this seemingly ordinary storyline hides a choice that affects your game state later on.
If you just follow the main path, you might miss hidden dialogue, miss free items, or even make a decision that causes the town to disappear entirely.
So I reorganized the entire Nottagen sequence.
This article isn't just about telling you "where the treasure chests are."
What I want to share is this: how to use a clear set of steps to complete the Nottagen storyline thoroughly, and understand the consequences behind each choice.
Before You Start: Understand Nottagen's Place in the Game
Nottagen is located on the northeastern pedestal of the red pillar in the Mystic Shrine.
After entering the new area from the pedestal, don't rush straight into town.
Before reaching Nottagen, there's a place you can enter first, called the Hill Near Nottagen.
There's a yellow shard on the ground there.
Pick it up first, then continue forward.
At the entrance to Nottagen, you'll be stopped by two Babygoyles, triggering a battle.
After winning, the story officially begins.
(Screenshot here: Nottagen entrance with two Babygoyles triggering a battle, arrow pointing to the battle prompt)
7 Steps to Complete the Nottagen Main Story
Step 1: Enter Nottagen and Talk to the Villagers
Once in town, don't just follow the story prompts.
My approach is to talk to every single villager.
This isn't just about gathering info.
The core of Nottagen's story is the villagers' predicament of being controlled by monsters.
Talking to everyone helps you understand why the "help or not" choice appears later.
(Screenshot here: Talking to a Nottagen villager, arrow pointing to the dialogue option)
Step 2: Investigate the Town's Anomaly and Head to the Church
Nottagen's problems are centered around the town's church.
The story will guide you to investigate the church.
Note here: some guides mention that the monster in the church, after you defeat the boss on your first visit in the past, will move to the well.
But this detail isn't clearly explained in many guides.
If you can't find the monster in the church, remember to check the well.
(Screenshot here: Investigating inside the church, arrow pointing to a possible investigation point that triggers the story)
Step 3: Go to the Past and Defeat Moostapha
Nottagen is split into two time periods: the past and the present.
You must first go back to the past to face Moostapha, the monster controlling the town.
This boss isn't particularly hard, but you should have your party's status in order.
From my experience, before the boss fight, have healing items and status spells ready.
After winning, the story progresses to the key choice.
(Screenshot here: Moostapha battle, arrow pointing to the command menu)
Step 4: After Winning, Return to the Well to Trigger a Hidden Battle
This is the step I think is most easily missed.
After defeating Moostapha, you can return to the well.
There, an optional battle will occur against Wrecktor.
Many players don't know to go back.
But this hidden battle is part of completing Nottagen's details.
If you care about story completeness, I recommend not leaving right away.
(Screenshot here: Wrecktor appearing near the well, arrow pointing to the optional battle trigger point)
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Step 5: Return to the Present and Visit Nottagen Again
After completing the past events, return to the present.
The state of present-day Nottagen is affected by your actions in the past.
If you visit again, you can go up to the second floor of Buddies.
There, you can get a free diamond.
This item is also not mentioned in many guides.
(Screenshot here: Buddies' second floor, arrow pointing to the free diamond location)
Step 6: Face Wiggles and Make Your Choice
The final key point in Nottagen is Wiggles.
You can choose to help the villagers and fight Wiggles.
Or you can refuse to help, letting Wiggles escape.
This isn't a simple good-versus-evil choice.
Because defeating Wiggles will cause Nottagen to be destroyed, and the present-day town will become inaccessible.
Refusing to help, on the other hand, allows Nottagen to survive in the present.
So think carefully: do you want the story rewards, or do you want to keep a present-day town to explore?
(Screenshot here: The choice screen facing Wiggles, arrow pointing to the two options)
Step 7: After Completion, Confirm Achievements and Area Unlocks
After completing the Nottagen storyline, you'll unlock the "Worst. Town. Ever." achievement.
At the same time, the next area will open up.
If you choose to defeat Wiggles, Nottagen becomes inaccessible in the present.
If you choose to refuse, present-day Nottagen remains, and you can return to explore it later.
(Screenshot here: Achievement unlock prompt, arrow pointing to the achievement name)
Summary of Nottagen Choice Consequences
Many people ask: Should I help Nottagen or not?
My advice is to first clarify your goal.
If you're achievement-oriented and want full collection, defeating Wiggles is one path.
If you value exploration and keeping the map, refusing to help and letting Wiggles escape is the more ideal choice.
There's no absolutely correct answer here.
Only the game experience you want.
(Screenshot here: Present-day Nottagen preserved, arrow pointing to explorable area)
Avoidance Guide: The 3 Most Easily Missed Things in Nottagen
Pitfall 1: Only following the main story and missing the yellow shard.
Before entering town, go to the Hill Near Nottagen to pick up the shard.
Many people rush straight into town and later realize they missed a collectible.
Pitfall 2: Leaving right after defeating Moostapha without returning to the well.
Returning to the well triggers the optional battle with Wrecktor.
This is an important part of completing the story.
Pitfall 3: Not knowing the consequences of defeating Wiggles.
If you choose to fight, Nottagen will disappear in the present.
This isn't a bug; it's part of the story.
So before making the choice, make sure you've completed everything you want to explore in present-day Nottagen.
Conclusion: For Nottagen, Just Remember One Principle
Nottagen taught me something: the key to a game guide isn't just about winning.
It's about knowing what you'll gain and lose with each choice.
If you follow these 7 steps, at least you won't miss hidden content.
If you're still hesitating about whether to help Nottagen, I'd say: explore first, then decide.
Complete everything you can get and see in the present, then go back to face Wiggles.
That way, no matter which side you choose, you won't regret it.
You can do it too.
Quick Start Checklist
- Before entering Nottagen, pick up the yellow shard on the Hill Near Nottagen.
- After entering town, talk to all villagers to understand the story background.
- Go to the church to investigate; if you can't find the monster, check the well.
- Go to the past and defeat Moostapha.
- After winning, return to the well to trigger the optional battle with Wrecktor.
- Return to the present, go to Buddies' second floor to get the free diamond.
- Before facing Wiggles, confirm you've completed present-day exploration, then make your choice.
References
- Nottagen Walkthrough Guide | Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined (DQ7)|Game8
- Should You Help Nottagen? | Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined (DQ7)|Game8
- Nottagen Region Past - Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Walkthrough - Neoseeker
- Monster Takeover - Nottagen Scenario - Walkthrough | Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past | Gamer Guides®
- Nottagen Past - Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Walkthrough - Neoseeker
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