Looking through your replies, it seems you will be grinding and enjoying it. DQ8 is a good game for that, because

Well I'm super annoyed. This game has set levels for when people join you? No one thinks that's important to mention? You can literally say it without any real spoilers since theyre on the game case. Now my opinions are kill Hero and Yangus then farm as Jessica, but not too much because then I get another person. Or just restart entirely and really watch my levels because it appears some random encounters can't be ran from so you're forced to gain certain amounts of exp outside of the boss encounters too.

I absolutely understand why this series is as popular. It blows and the fan base isn't helpful.