Dragon Quest XI: In Search Of Departed Time Preview
Dragon Quest XI Japanese Release Date & Trailer
Updated 4/11/17
In a live stream presentation, Square Enix announced that Dragon Quest XI will release on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS on July 29 in Japan. While it has been previously announced that the game would be coming to the Nintendo Switch, no further details were given for that version.
In addition, there’s no word yet on when Dragon Quest XI will be releasing in North America. Given previous games in the series, we don’t expect it to come out until sometime in 2018 at the earliest, but we’d be happy to be wrong and see it released sooner. Check out the new trailer for the PS4 and 3DS!
New Dragon Quest XI Screenshots
Updated 3/13/17
It’s been a long time in development, but Dragon Quest XI looks like it’s nearing completion. It’s currently scheduled to release this year in Japan, and although no official announcement has been made for the west, it’s a pretty sure bet that at least the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions should make it out sometime in 2018. Hopefully the 3DS version would be localized as well, but it’s hard to know whether or not the 3DS market will be viable next year or not, and whether Nintendo would help out like they have with parts VII and VIII.
Square Enix updated their official site today with some brand new screens of Dragon Quest XI for the PS4 and 3DS. Although it has been announced as coming out for the Nintendo Switch, there still isn’t a dedicated spot on the site for that version, and we have yet to see official screens or video showing what it’s going to look like. Given the power of the Switch, we expect it to be a port of the PS4 version, but until an announcement is made, it’s pure conjecture.
The PS4 version looks fantastic, with bright colors and fantastic locales. The amount of detail in the towns is unparalleled in the history of the Dragon Quest franchise, and we’re already eager to explore every square inch.
The 3DS version also looks very good, especially for the aging handheld. The graphics look better than those seen in the recent Dragon Quest releases over here, and the option to play it in a 3D world or retro with 2D graphics is certainly appealing.
Original Preview
Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Departed Time is one of the most anticipated games of 2017 in Japan. The franchise has been huge since the 1980s and it’s a household name in that country. So far we’ve seen screens and video from the PlayStation 4 and 3DS versions. The game is also making its way to Nintendo’s new system, the Nintendo Switch. However, we still don’t know what that one will look like, but hopefully that will be revealed soon (perhaps at the Switch event on January 12?).
As is usual for Dragon Quest games, you play a silent protagonist that you get to name. The game begins with him turning 16 and discovering he’s a reincarnation of a hero that once saved the world. Since the name of the world is Lotozetasia, and Loto was the original hero from the first Dragon Quest (Erdrick in the U.S.), it seems logical that this game has a definite link to the original game.
As your journey begins you’ll come across some companions that will aid in your quest. Emma is a close friend from the same village and just happens to be born on the same day as you. She will no doubt be a close ally. Camus is a thief with blue pointy hair. Expect him to offer some some sarcastic remarks throughout your journey. Other characters have been shown in the trailers, but they’re still shrouded in mystery.
For now, take a look at the new screenshots from the official Dragon Quest XI Japanese site. The 3DS version of the game will allow gamers to play the game in two different graphic modes. The 3D graphics option will show off the areas in high detail and allow for more dramatic battles. The 2D graphics harken back to the days of 16-bit and will feature traditional battles, which are sure to stroke that nostalgic feeling in those who grew up playing the series. At the beginning of the game, the top screen will display the 3D world and the bottom will show off the same scene in 2D. The player will pick which version he or she prefers, but later in the game this option can be changed when a certain location is discovered.
The PS4 version features lush graphics with an immense sense of scale. It looks fantastic and will bring the world to life like never before. Will the Switch version feature the PS4 visuals or something entirely different?
3DS Screens:
No word on a North American release, but given that the recent games have come out over here, we’re pretty confident it will make its way over. It’s unknown which versions will make the trip, but we will keep you updated as we learn more.
PS4 Screens:
We will continuously update our preview with more media as it becomes available. For now, which version do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.
Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.
