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

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition Review:
A Timeless JRPG Masterpiece
Dragon Quest XI S is more than just a game; it's a journey. A journey through a breathtaking world, filled with charming characters, captivating storytelling, and classic JRPG gameplay that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
What Makes it Shine:
Story and Characters: The narrative is epic in scope, weaving a tale of destiny, friendship, and self-discovery. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. Their interactions are a joy to witness, creating a sense of camaraderie that keeps you invested in their journey.
World and Exploration: The world of Erdrea is vast and beautifully realized. From sprawling plains to towering mountains, each area is brimming with detail and charm. Exploration is a delight, with hidden treasures, secrets to uncover, and plenty of side quests to keep you occupied.
Gameplay: The combat system is turn-based, but it's far from simplistic. Strategic positioning, skill selection, and mastering character abilities are crucial for success. The pacing is excellent, balancing challenging battles with moments of exploration and story progression.
Music and Sound Design: The soundtrack is simply phenomenal, featuring a blend of orchestral arrangements and catchy melodies. The sound effects are equally impressive, enhancing the immersive quality of the game.
Graphics: While not the most graphically demanding game, Dragon Quest XI S boasts a charming art style that's both timeless and visually appealing. The character designs are particularly noteworthy.
Minor Drawbacks:
Length: The game is incredibly long. While this is a positive for some, it might feel overwhelming for players with limited time. The sheer amount of content can be both a blessing and a curse.
Repetitive Elements: Some aspects of the gameplay, such as grinding for experience, can become repetitive after a while
.
Overall:
Dragon Quest XI S is a must-play for fans of JRPGs and newcomers alike. Its captivating story, charming characters, and excellent gameplay make it a true masterpiece of the genre. While its length and some repetitive elements might be drawbacks for some, the overall experience is unforgettable. It's a journey worth taking.

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.

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.

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.

This is the JRPG equivalent of a wholesome family roast chicken dinner, it's traditional and a little predictable but it's good and you feel nostalgic for it even if this is your first Dragon Quest game.

Great game, while I was playing it was like watching an anime series. The characters are interesting and memorable. Works great on Steam Deck. The game is not difficult, I didn't play a lot of JRPGs, so I played it on normal difficulty with a character with a two-handed sword. I only controlled my character, and left the control of my comrades to the computer.

I owned this on the Switch. Everyone else has already said great things about this game.
If you do get it I recommend grabbing the mods on nexus called Project Rebuild so you don't have to play with Switch graphics.