Square Enix’s Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age remains one of the strongest traditional JRPGs of the modern era. While many franchises have pivoted toward action-based combat, Dragon Quest 11 proved that turn-based gameplay and classic storytelling still have a firm place in the genre. With Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate in development and likely still years away, there has never been a better time to revisit its predecessor.
The recent success of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake also highlights a shift in the series’ direction, emphasizing the contrast between the older pixel-art aesthetic and the fully realized 3D world of Dragon Quest 11. Revisiting the game now offers an opportunity to appreciate what it accomplished and speculate on how its legacy may influence future installments.
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Dragon Quest 11 is a Classic JRPG That Has Aged Gracefully
Despite being released in 2017, Dragon Quest 11 still holds up remarkably well. Its art direction, inspired by Akira Toriyama’s signature style, remains vibrant and detailed, bringing the world of Erdrea to life in a way that few other RPGs manage. The game balances its classic turn-based combat with deep character progression, skill trees, and an emotionally engaging story that keeps players invested from start to finish.
The Definitive Edition, Dragon Quest 11 S, refined the experience further, offering new character stories, an orchestrated soundtrack, and the ability to play in 2D mode, bringing the game closer to its retro roots. It also introduced quality-of-life features that smoothed out the pacing. With these enhancements, Dragon Quest 11 remains one of the most polished JRPGs available today.
A Perfect Game to Fill the Gap Before Dragon Quest 12
With Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate still deep in development, revisiting Dragon Quest 11 provides an opportunity to speculate on where the series is headed. Yuji Horii has hinted that the next installment will be darker and more mature, featuring player choices that impact the narrative. While Dragon Quest 11 largely adhered to the series’ traditional formula, its third act offered a glimpse into what a more nonlinear and choice-driven Dragon Quest could look like.
The time-travel mechanic, which allowed players to change past events, presented a rare moment of narrative flexibility within the franchise. If Dragon Quest 12 expands on this idea, Dragon Quest 11 could serve as a foundational experience for understanding the series’ evolution. Moreover, with Dragon Quest 12 expected to run on Unreal Engine 5, playing Dragon Quest 11 now allows players to appreciate the visual and mechanical leaps that the next entry may introduce.
Dragon Quest 11 is a Tribute to the Artists Behind the Series
Revisiting Dragon Quest 11 is also an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of two legendary artists who helped shape the franchise: Koichi Sugiyama and Akira Toriyama. Sugiyama, the longtime composer for the series, passed away in 2021, making Dragon Quest 11 one of the final games to feature his music. His orchestrations have been a defining aspect of the series, and experiencing them in their full glory through Dragon Quest 11 S is a fitting tribute.
Toriyama, who passed away in 2024, left an equally significant mark on Dragon Quest, shaping its distinctive art style. Dragon Quest 11 stands as one of the last major works to showcase his character designs in full 3D, making it an essential experience for fans of his art. Given the uncertainty about how the series will handle character design moving forward, Dragon Quest 11 serves as a farewell to an era of Dragon Quest shaped by Toriyama’s vision.
The Contrast Between HD-2D and Fully 3D Dragon Quest Games
The success of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has demonstrated a strong market for remastered classics, but it also highlights the distinct appeal of Dragon Quest 11’s fully 3D world. The two approaches cater to different experiences—while HD-2D remakes emphasize nostalgia and traditional pixel-art aesthetics, Dragon Quest 11 offers a modernized take on the series with fully animated cutscenes, expansive environments, and immersive exploration.
This contrast makes Dragon Quest 11 feel even more unique in hindsight. Whereas the HD-2D style pays homage to the series’ roots, Dragon Quest 11 represents its modern evolution. Playing it now serves as a reminder of how much the series has grown while also highlighting the variety of artistic approaches Square Enix is willing to explore.
Dragon Quest 11: A Timeless RPG Worth Revisiting
Dragon Quest 11 remains one of the finest examples of a turn-based RPG, and with Dragon Quest 12 still a distant prospect, there’s no better time to dive back into Erdrea. The game’s blend of storytelling, exploration, and combat holds up even years after release, and with its significance as one of the last major works of both Sugiyama and Toriyama, it stands as a defining entry in the Dragon Quest franchise. Whether playing for the first time or revisiting old memories, Dragon Quest 11 offers an experience that remains as captivating as ever. Its impact on the series and the genre as a whole is undeniable, making it well worth another playthrough in 2025.
- Released
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September 4, 2018
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol