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

"We did it 'Darlings'". Gosh how I love this game so much! I am 71 years old and I have been playing video games since Atari which means a very long time. Dragon Quest is so charming and an everlasting classic JRPG. It's timeless, cozy and nostalgic. It's a masterpiece!

I played my first Dragon Quest game on an emulator in Class 6. I never finished it, but I never forgot it either. Dragon Quest XI felt like finally returning to a story I left incomplete a long time ago, and surprisingly, it still felt warm and familiar.

Some things stand out clearly:

• The world is peaceful, colourful and alive. It does not rush you. It lets you explore and breathe.
• The turn based combat is simple and satisfying. Boss fights can be frustrating at times, but every win feels earned.
• The story starts small and slowly grows into something emotional, heartfelt and surprisingly heavy.
• Characters feel genuine and stay with you long after the game ends.
• Yuji Horii’s design feels timeless. It proves that a JRPG can be traditional and still feel magical.
• Akira Toriyama’s art direction gives everything a comforting charm that modern games rarely try to capture.

For players who enjoyed Expedition 33 or anyone curious about the roots of the JRPG genre, this is a perfect place to start. Dragon Quest XI is not just a reminder of classic gaming, it is a reminder of childhood and the kind of stories that stay with you quietly for years.

Finishing this game felt like closing a chapter I abandoned as a kid. It was worth it.

This is it, everyone. This is the best JRPG I've played since the end of the PS2 era. I still haven't played Persona 5 or Final Fantasy XIV, but I'm fine with that. DQ XI might be the 2nd best JRPG I've played, 2nd only to Chrono Trigger.
Imagine a heroic epic like The Lord of the Rings. Now imagine if it was an anime series. Now imagine it with music reminiscent of John Williams at his best, visuals that would make Disney and Pixar envious, a gameplay loop that never gets tiresome, gameplay mechanics that are neither overly complicated nor boringly simplistic, a world that is large but not overwhelming. This is Dragon Quest. This is a legacy refined.
It's a simple premise. You're The One Pre-Ordained By Destiny To Slay The Evil One And Restore Peace To The Realm, you know, like every other DQ game. There are some twists and turns. It's not afraid to get dark. There are many memorable characters. Story-wise, it's not the best in the series, (A 2D-HD remake of DQ V would definitely print money) or even one of the best I've seen in a video RPG, but it's still really good. There are some powerful moments. It's about the same quality as the narrative in DQ VIII, which happens to be my favorite PS2 game without the word "Persona" in its title.
Visually, well, this was the last DQ game that was completed in the lifetime of Akira Toriyama. I may only be a casual fan of Dragon Ball, but I've always loved his art style, ever since I played Chrono Trigger as a kid. Everything from the character designs to the 3D models to the animations to the environs is sumptuous. Not bad for what was originally a PS4 game from 2017, though in all honesty, that's not that far back in time. There's also a 2D mode, though I prefer the 3D mode.
Music-wise, this was also the last main DQ game that was completed in the lifetime of Koichi Sugiyama. He happens to be my second-favorite video game composer of all time, behind only Uematsu. You'll want to turn on the orchestrated version for this soundtrack, because it's one of the best I've heard in my life. The music sounds like 20th century classical music, and I mean that in the best way. The town themes have this joyful, elegant quality all throughout, the world map theme (well, ok, the music that would play on a world map in an earlier DQ game) is triumphant and heroic, the boss battle theme is epic in the proper sense of the word. Much of the music is reused from earlier games, some I recognized, some I didn't. The re-used music is still some of the best in the world, and they fit in their new DQ XI contexts just fine. Just for fun, I also sampled the MIDI versions, and they sounded almost as good as the live orchestra. Proof that solid compositions can work in any format.
Speaking of audio, like most DQ games, this was localized, or should I say localised, in the UK. The text conforms to UK English, so get used to seeing offence, defence, armour, colour, etc. The voice acting in English is done by British actors with authentic-sounding Old World accents. A few minor characters sound flat, but all the major characters sound brilliant, especially Rab and Veronica. You can set the voice acting to Japanese, which is equally brilliant, but unless if you can also read Japanese, do note the dialog will be full of UK slang.
OK, so the game looks, sounds and feels like a classic Disney movie, but what about the gameplay? Don't DQ games have really basic combat systems? Well, yes, it's entirely turn-based battles, straight out of the 80s. But you wanna know something? It's refreshing. I recently tried the demo version of the remake of Trails in the Sky, and I found its combat mechanics too complicated to enjoy. DQ XI doesn't have that problem. I see Slimes, I know how to kill them. A great upgrade is most monster battles aren't random anymore. You can avoid monsters in the world now. Of course, you will still have to level up, but I played on the normal difficulty setting, and most of the game didn't involve too much grinding. I put about 80 hours into the game, and I never got bored.
DQ XI also has an item-crafting minigame, and it's really engaging. I found myself doing that more than I would in similar games. There are numerous sidequests. I didn't do all of them, but they are fun too. There are all sorts of secrets, treasures, easter eggs, references. You can upgrade your party members with skill points, so you can have them specialize with certain weapons, certain abilities. You can mix and match weapons, armor, other equipment, etc. for that perfect setup.
And there it is, the best JRPG I've played in many years. DQ XI is hardly revolutionary, but it is refined to perfection. It's one of my top 30 games of all time. How often can a game be 80 plus hours and never cause burnout? How can a big budget game be only 40 US dollars and put nearly every non-Nintendo "AAA" game of the last decade to shame? My favorite DQ game to play used to be VIII on the PS2. That was and still is a magical experience. XI is that and then some. Well, if you ever wondered why this franchise is insanely popular in Japan, and if you also ever wondered why it's only recently that gamers in the West are finally taking DQ seriously, then play DQ XI. It's a cracking good time.

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
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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.

If you go to the shop and buy a shield for your character, but they're currently wielding a two-handed weapon, the shopkeeper will stop you and ask if you're sure you want to make this purchase for that character, and you keep your money if you say no. I have never had a game offer me that level of customer service before.

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.

Phenomenal game. I've been playing this game off and on for the past several years, and now that I've 100% completed it achievement wise, it feels like I can finally close this gaming chapter in my life. Maybe I'll check out DQ VII Reimagined next.. Guess we'll see. This game gets an obvious recommendation from me. Such an amazing game, will be remembered by me as one of the best JRPG experiences I've had, and I've had quite a few. 10/10.