Dragon Quest
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dragon Quest across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon – Classic HD Finally Comes West
Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon – Classic HD has been released in the West for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This classic roguelike spin-off puts players in the role of Torneko, a merchant seeking treasure in a randomly generated dungeon. The game features turn-based combat and high-stakes gameplay where players can lose collected items upon defeat, but also includes modern concessions like a Rewind feature and difficulty options.
Video game remakes are not made for you
This article argues that video game remakes, such as the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, are primarily intended for younger audiences rather than nostalgic adult gamers. The author suggests that while older players may have their own opinions, remakes serve to introduce timeless stories to a new generation who might not otherwise seek out older titles.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World weaves a tale of hope and despair
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is a new monster-collecting RPG spin-off that puts players in the shoes of Bianca or Nera to save a dying kingdom. The game features turn-based battles, monster synthesis, and dungeon exploration, with a release planned for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Square Enix denies it's going private following Japanese reports to the contrary
Square Enix has officially denied reports from Japanese magazine Sentaku suggesting the company is exploring going private. The publisher stated that no such consideration is currently being given. Speculation was fueled by major shareholder 3D Investment Partners' previous criticism of management and recent company restructuring, including layoffs and studio sales.
Square Enix denies Sentaku report that it is going to take the company private
Square Enix has officially denied a report from Japanese magazine Sentaku claiming the company was planning to go private. The denial comes after the rumor caused Square Enix's stock to rise by 7 percent. The company stated that no consideration is currently being given to taking the company private, and it will remain publicly traded.
Vague Patch Notes: Resenting structure and blaming guidance in MMOs
This article analyzes the evolution of game structure and guidance in MMOs, contrasting early titles like Final Fantasy XI with more modern experiences like Final Fantasy XIV. It discusses how the 'bump method' of exploration in older games has been replaced by more direct questing and guidance, and how this shift impacts player experience and perception of game openness.
Dragon Quest's Yuji Horii realized his JRPG series was a "cultural phenomenon" when DQ3 had fans…
Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii reflected on how Dragon Quest III's immense success in 1988 transformed the JRPG series into a cultural phenomenon. He expressed surprise at the long lines of fans waiting to purchase the game, a level of popularity he hadn't anticipated and worried might not last.
Dragon Quest 7 was going to be an open-world game, series creator Yuji Horii says, but "the story fell apart" so the team had to "add some degree of order to it"
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii revealed that Dragon Quest 7 was initially planned as an open-world game. However, the development team had to rework the design to add more order to the exploration because the story 'fell apart' in its initial open-ended state.
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says AI "hardly ever makes things up" anymore, even if it once made up that he…
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii expressed his admiration for the advancements in AI, noting its improved accuracy. He discussed the implementation of a Google Gemini-powered chatbot, Oshaberi Slimey, in the MMO Dragon Quest 10, aiming to make AI interaction more accessible.
Like Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii worries live streams may not actually sell games: "Some people will be satisfied by just watching"
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii questions the marketing effectiveness of game live streaming, suggesting that some viewers may be satisfied by watching rather than playing. He notes a shift towards casual gamers who prefer quick experiences. Final Fantasy 7 Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi previously shared similar concerns about the impact of streamers on game design.
Dragon Quest 9 has been trapped on the Nintendo DS for 17 years, and franchise creator Yuji Horii was "a little disheartened" to learn fans never wanted that
Dragon Quest 9 has remained exclusive to the Nintendo DS for 17 years, a decision that initially disheartened franchise creator Yuji Horii due to fan backlash. While Square Enix developed the game for the DS to leverage its local network capabilities for quick play, fans had expected a release on more powerful consoles like the PlayStation 3 or Wii. Despite initial criticism, public sentiment has evolved, with some players now appreciating the game's DLC and multiplayer features, though a remake remains unlikely.
Sraëka Lillian's one-a-week RPG "sketches" are a lovely series of experiments with hoary old conventions from Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest
Sraëka Lillian is releasing a series of "RPG sketches" on Itch.io, with each mini-RPG experiment developed in under a week. These sketches explore and deconstruct common conventions found in classic RPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, offering insights into game design and the creative process.
Dragon Quest creator comments on why DQ9 was a Nintendo DS exclusive, team was “a little disheartened” by the fan reaction
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii reflected on the decision to make Dragon Quest 9 a Nintendo DS exclusive, citing the desire for easy local network play and multiplayer features. He admitted that the team was disheartened by the fan criticism at the time, who had expected a successor to the 3D graphics of Dragon Quest 8 on home consoles. While Dragon Quest 9 remains a Nintendo DS title, the possibility of a remake on modern platforms is hinted at.
Three Nintendo 3DS Games That Practically Everyone Owned In The 2010s
During the 2010s, the Nintendo 3DS and its 2DS relative were ubiquitous handhelds, boasting a strong library that included popular titles like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pokémon X and Y, and Mario Kart 7. These games, along with backward compatibility with DS titles, contributed to the system's significant sales success and enduring popularity.
Chrono Trigger Turned 31, and Square Enix Still Hasn’t Made Anything Better
Chrono Trigger, released 31 years ago, remains Square Enix's benchmark for JRPG quality, a standard the company has yet to surpass despite its rich history. The game innovated by removing random encounters, featuring a compelling story, and boasting a legendary soundtrack, all thanks to a dream team of industry veterans. Despite its enduring legacy, Square Enix has failed to bring Chrono Trigger to modern platforms, hindering its accessibility and preservation.
Three Square Enix RPGs That Made the PlayStation 2 What It Was
This article highlights three key Square Enix role-playing games that defined the PlayStation 2 era: Kingdom Hearts 2, Final Fantasy 10, and Dragon Quest 8. These titles represented significant technical and narrative advancements for the company and the genre, with many remaining accessible through remasters and remakes.
Final Fantasy 14, Monster Hunter, and Animal Crossing top new survey of games Japanese players have spent the most time…
A survey of 5,400 Japanese players revealed the games they have spent the most time playing, with Final Fantasy 14 topping the list. Other notable entries include Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, Animal Crossing New Horizons, and Minecraft, while surprisingly, no Pokemon titles made the top 20.
From the creators of Dragon Quest and Blue Lock, Tensei Game: Karma x Cross gets new details and first trailer
ArtePiazza has revealed new details and the first trailer for Tensei Game: Karma x Cross, formerly known as Reincarnation Game. The title, featuring supervision from Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and concept from Blue Lock's Muneyuki Kaneshiro, is set to launch on Nintendo Switch in Japan on August 6. The game involves participants competing in a "Tensei Game" to collect "Karma" and qualify for reincarnation.
In the age of AI and layoffs, playing old games in 2026 is about more than nostalgia
In 2026, the author finds solace in playing older video games as a coping mechanism against the backdrop of AI advancements and widespread layoffs in the industry. This retreat into retro titles like Pokemon Leaf Green and Diablo 2 offers a sense of comfort and nostalgia, providing a temporary escape from the anxieties surrounding the current state of game development and corporate practices. Despite the industry's challenges, the author finds a glimmer of optimism in the progress made regarding representation, workplace conditions, and unionization.
Final Fantasy 4 was nearly skipped entirely so the JRPG series could "beat" Dragon Quest: "It was kind of…
Square Enix considered skipping Final Fantasy 4 and releasing Final Fantasy 5 instead to gain a promotional advantage over the Dragon Quest series. Takashi Tokita and Yoshinori Kitase revealed that the CEO at the time suggested this unconventional strategy to surpass Dragon Quest's popularity. The company also controversially renumbered Final Fantasy 4 as Final Fantasy 2 in North America.
