Huh. It feels like not too long ago that we celebrated the anniversary of the Link’s Awakening remake. And that’s because it was, as both games released exactly one week apart from each other. But I think DQXIS has a more interesting road to release than Link’s Awakening, so let’s take a look back at the latest core entry in the world’s longest running JRPG series.
In case you somehow didn’t know, Dragon Quest XI was one of if not the very first major games ever announced for the then-fledgling Nintendo Switch, which was only publicly known by its codename NX. Versions for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS (Japan only) were also announced and would be coming out sooner. Square Enix and series creator Yuji Horii wanted to make a conscious effort to expand the brand outside of Japan. This even included transforming the series mascot Slime into a controller, something I secretly want for myself.
Upon its international release, the vanilla PS4 version saw widespread acclaim and high sales, with praise given to the timeless combat, character designs, an emotionally gripping story, and just enough gameplay innovations to keep this entry fresh while still remaining faithful. However criticism was given to the choice of soundtrack, which still relied on overly synthesized MIDI music rather than a full orchestra befitting of a AAA title. Despite the gripes, this seemed to be a worthwhile entry for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
We got our first look at the Switch version in the [February 2019 Nintendo Direct](https://youtu.be/h6dsxCfdZlk), where they made sure to highlight two things in particular: Japanese voice acting will be available to choose right out of the box (which apparently wasn’t the case for the original Japanese release), and the soundtrack will be fully orchestrated. But there are a ton of extra changes and additions made to this “Definitive Edition”, most notably the 10 bonus areas that lead to the ten previous DQ worlds and the incorporation of the retro inspired 2D mode from the 3DS version. The Switch version even has a beefy 10 hour demo that allows you to transfer save data over to the full release.
Reviews for the Definitive Edition have eclipsed those of the original, and this version eventually made its way onto PS4, Xbox One and PC in December 2020. In the run-up to the Switch release, the game’s protagonist was added as a playable character in [Super Smash Bros. Ultimate](https://youtu.be/pupll3ON-WA) along with three other heroes from across the series, causing chaos and controversy in the competitive scene upon release. An Amiibo of the DQ11 hero was also available some time later, which I do own.
In a way, this game kind of marks the end of an era for Dragon Quest, as the upcoming DQ12 is aiming to shape the direction of the series for the foreseeable future. But regardless, what did you think about this game? Are you one of the 6 million+ people who bought it and loved it? Or is Dragon Quest still not quite your thing?