DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ – Definitive Edition

It took me an absurd number of tries to get into this game, but as they say, 7th time's the charm. Dragon Quest XI is incredible. It’s a breezy, lighthearted RPG with the innocent scent of a saturday morning cartoon. This game is so unbelievably tropey. Any type of twist or concept you can imagine is probably here. It has any and every familiarity one could conjure. A lesser game would feel lazy as a result of this “homage”, but DQXI leans so incredibly far into this reliance, that it loops back around to being something wholly inspired. Its indulgence bears it a resemblance to a childhood memory, restored and polished up. This is my first Dragon Quest game and still it feels like my 50th in all the best ways.

The combat is fast and interesting, but is carefully unobtrusive to the game’s other facets. When a game removes random encounters, the natural grinding attached to moving from place A and B is lost, and the player often finds themselves having to actively grind much more. Yet Dragon Quest is so meticulously balanced that I was able to play (pretty much) all of this epic with relative ease and no grinding. I would fight all the new enemies to see their designs, and kill the others that rarely accosted me. To create a game where you can run through an entire dungeon and fight literally 0 enemies yet the balance holds strong is a fruit of the experience gained by this being the 11th entry in a 37 year old series.

Dragon Quest’s story is episodic; less like playing through a game, and closer to watching 4 seasons of a TV show. Most parts of the game are self-contained, serving only one or two characters’ development. But together, they all build to an eventual narrative cornucopia. At first this seems to be the party’s journey to Yggdrasil. It is at this point the finish line is picked up and flung into the horizon. This game essentially contains its own sequel. And this second part is phenomenal. It perfects the arcs of some already incredible characters and ends the story at its highest moment. The third act of this game is pathetic, and I have opted to pretend it just didn’t happen. An honour only afforded because the first two acts of this game are among the best storytelling I have seen in the medium.

Dragon Quest XI is a thousand different simple successes pieced together to create a masterwork. It leans back on the triumphs of its past when appropriate, and blazes forward when not. I had written this off as a middling JRPG, but in actuality it is a precise and thoughtful work of art. It is the latest part of a multi-decade tapestry, and is sewn as lavishly as you can get. Also imagine this game but like Pokemon. That would be so cool.

It's a classic JRPG experience with modern quality of life features
I don't think this one's really doing anything new, but it's got everything you want wrapped up in a neat lil bow, and the presentation is pretty excellent.
If you've never played a Dragon Quest game before, I'd say they're kinda like the Spider-Man to Final Fantasy's Batman. While Final Fantasy likes to be darker and edgier, Dragon Quest is all about having a good time with tongue and cheek characters, puns up the ass, and simple yet enjoyable gameplay (combat has a speed up button, too).
If you hate turn-based JRPGs, I don't think this is going to change your mind, but if you don't, this is like a buffet with all your favorites.
Sylvando is an S-tier character.

For me, one of the best JRPGs of all time. About halfway through I thought the game was going to end, but there was just so much more.

One of the best games of all time. No previous Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior experience needed. This game stands on it own and is filled with much lore, action, intrigue, and life lessons. You will laugh. You will cry. You will forever remember this game.

Rating: 8.5/10 (Highly Recommended)
A charming, classic RPG with modern polish, a heartwarming story, and tons of content. It’s not groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be.
What I Loved:
Classic RPG Formula Done Right:
Dragon Quest XI S sticks to the tried-and-true JRPG formula, and it excels at it. The turn-based combat is simple to learn yet offers enough depth to stay engaging throughout. Whether it’s exploiting enemy weaknesses or setting up buffs and debuffs, the battles are consistently fun without feeling overwhelming.
A Beautiful, Vibrant World:
The game’s art style, designed by Akira Toriyama, is stunning. Every location feels alive, from lush green fields and sparkling oceans to bustling towns filled with quirky NPCs. The Definitive Edition adds new orchestrated music, enhancing the atmosphere further and making the world even more immersive.
An Engaging Story:
The story strikes a great balance between lighthearted charm and epic, emotional moments. It follows classic RPG tropes—destiny, friendship, good vs. evil—but executes them with such heart that it never feels stale. The characters are memorable, and their individual arcs add depth to the adventure.
Definitive Edition Content:
This version is packed with extra features. You can switch between HD visuals and a nostalgic 2D mode, explore new character-focused side stories, and enjoy quality-of-life upgrades like faster combat and better crafting mechanics. It’s a definitive edition that earns its name.
What Could Be Better:
Slow Early Pacing:
The first few hours are quite slow. While it introduces the world and characters well, the game doesn’t pick up momentum until you’re several hours in. New players might feel the opening drags compared to more modern-paced RPGs.
Combat Can Be Too Easy:
On the default difficulty, the game might feel too easy for seasoned JRPG fans. While there’s a "Draconian Quest" mode that adds challenge, it requires turning on difficulty modifiers at the start, and you can’t adjust them mid-game.
Some Dated Design Choices:
Though polished, the game occasionally shows its adherence to older JRPG conventions. Fetch quests can feel repetitive, and the game relies heavily on backtracking during certain story beats.
Visuals in 3D Mode Show Age:
While charming, the graphics in 3D mode are showing their age, especially compared to newer RPGs. Some textures and animations can feel outdated.
Overall Thoughts:
Dragon Quest XI S is a love letter to classic JRPGs, offering an adventure filled with charm, nostalgia, and heart. The Definitive Edition adds so much content and polish that it’s the best way to experience the game. While it doesn’t break new ground, it doesn’t need to—it’s a celebration of the genre’s roots with just enough modern updates to feel fresh.
Pros:
Beautiful, vibrant world with memorable characters
Engaging turn-based combat with plenty of depth
Tons of content in the Definitive Edition (2D mode, new stories, etc.)
Heartwarming story with epic moments
Cons:
Pacing is slow in the early game
Default difficulty might feel too easy for veterans
Some dated design choices and visuals
Recommendation:
Whether you’re a veteran JRPG fan or new to the genre, Dragon Quest XI S delivers a timeless experience that’s easy to recommend. If you can push through the slow start, you’re in for one of the most charming and content-rich RPGs out there. A must-play for fans of the series or anyone looking for a polished, feel-good adventure.

Having played 120~ hours on the Switch version I can say with confidence that DQ11S is THE JRPG.
This game has EVERYTHING a staple JRPG should have.
A large world to explore.
A miniature top-down world map to traverse through.
A very fun and in-depth turn-based battle system.
A grand storyline with lots and lots of NPCs and story arcs that develop the characters.
Main party synergy and camaraderie through banter and party-attacks.
Tons of sidequests.
Different way to build your party members. Etc. I could go on and on, but it checks every single box!
There is so much content and so much love put into this game that I seriously can't believe it even exists. I love this game so much that I bought it a 2nd time.
If you want a graphics update go to nexusmods and mod this game, it's super easy anyone can do it.
Please play this masterpiece of a game!

This is the classic Coca-Cola of JRPGs. It's not doing anything revolutionary or new be it in the game design, story, or presentation but it's perfected down to a molecular level with a brilliant polish that you won't find in most other games of the genre on a good day. You can't go wrong with the iconic Akira Toriyama character designs or the simple fantasy narrative of a Dragon Quest game but the music? It's frankly exhausting and will grate on your nerves if you have any ounce of sanity in you. I'm going to be putting 60+ hours into a game and you're giving me only one music track for combat and exploring? It really starts turning Dragon Quest into Draggin' Quest as I want to brutally rip my ears off as the trumpets from the battle theme start again as I begin my 27th combat encounter in the hour. It's not even an objectively bad track! I'm just exhausted with hearing it. I'm going to have to grind at some point and this is the treatment I have to suffer with? It's the only negative thing I can muster to complain about this game. It's a simple and fun JRPG romp that I'd recommend to those unfamiliar with the genre who want an entry to dip their toes in as well as fans of the medium who are well versed in similar franchises. Just maybe have Spotify or YouTube ready and loaded up in the background if you start grinding so you're not cringing in agony after hearing the same music ad naseum.