Dragon Quest XI: PS4 Release Date; Switch Version Still Planned; 3DS Version Canned
We’re huge fans of the Dragon Quest series and as a matter of fact Dragon Quest XI was at the top of my most anticipated games of 2018 special we ran on Nintendo Times Radio earlier this year. So it’s great news that the game has an official release date of September 4, 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and PC (Steam).
It’s not all good news, however, especially if you were looking forward to playing Dragon Quest XI on the go. Although the game released last year in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS, Square Enix has no plans to ever bring that version to the western markets. This is especially heartbreaking for some because many associate the series with handhelds in the west, given that Nintendo helped bring out Dragon Quest IV-IX on the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Add in the fact that the 3DS version had special features, like the ability to play in both classic 16-bit mode and modern 3D graphics mode, it’s no wonder some will be disappointed with this news.
The Nintendo Switch version is still in development, but won’t be seeing the light of day for quite some time. Speaking to IGN, a representative from Square Enix explained:
Our aim with Dragon Quest XI and the Dragon Quest brand is to grow the audience in the West. From a business point of view, it made strategic sense to release the 3DS version in Japan in 2017. For the West in 2018, it made the most sense to focus on the PlayStation 4 and PC (Steam) platforms. We are also developing the Switch version for Europe and North America, but development is expected to take a long time from a technological standpoint as well, so we still have a long way to go until its release.
So, it looks like Nintendo owners are sidelined for this release for the time being, unless you own a PC strong enough to run the game or a PS4. We know many of our readers do own a PS4, so the silver lining here is that it is coming out this year and it looks beautiful on the more powerful hardware. The game is also getting some enhancements over its Japanese counterpart, including voice acting, streamlined menus, and more camera control options. Check out the PS4 gameplay video below to get a better look at the upcoming game. Will you be picking this one up this fall, or waiting for the Switch version? I’m definitely getting it on PS4, but when it eventually arrives on the Switch there’s a really good chance of a double-dip.
One of the most revered role-playing game franchises of all time returns to the West with DRAGON QUEST® XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ coming to the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and STEAM® on September 4.
DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age tells a captivating tale of a hunted hero and is the long-awaited role-playing game from series creator Yuji Horii, character designer Akira Toriyama, and series composer Koichi Sugiyama. As the eleventh mainline entry in the critically acclaimed series, DRAGON QUEST XI is a completely standalone experience that features entirely new characters, a beautifully detailed world, finely tuned turn-based combat, and an immersive story that will appeal to longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike. After its release in Japan, DRAGON QUEST XI won multiple gaming awards and received critical praise, including PlayStation’s Platinum Prize and a perfect 40/40 score from Famitsu (Japanese publication).
In addition to delivering over 100 hours of content, the Western release of DRAGON QUEST XI will also feature several upgrades and enhancements that were not included in the Japanese release, including:
- English Voiceover
- Draconian Quest, a hard mode that offers additional challenges for more experienced players.
- Overhauled Menus & UI, with graphical enhancements and more intuitive navigation.
- Camera Mode, allowing players to take in views of the beautiful landscape, character renders and ferocious monsters in detail.
- A New Dash Function and many other system enhancements such as improved character and camera movement
Beginning today, adventurers who pre-order from the PlayStation®Store can treat themselves to the exclusive “The Legend Reborn” Theme as an instant reward, along with in-game DLC items when the game launches – check out the following link for more details.
- PlayStation®Store: http://sqex.to/DQ11PSN
Full details on a SQUARE ENIX Store exclusive edition for the PlayStation®4 system will be revealed soon. For more information, please visit the game’s official social channels and website.
[Source: IGN]
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.
