Dragon Quest, Japan’s most prolific RPG series, has released two new clips showcasing their upcoming project set for release in 2017 – Dragon Quest XI. The first video featured is the opening sequence to Dragon Quest XI, and is a beautiful sight to behold. The opening sequence of DQXI is filled with a multitude of fascinating locales and a plethora of uniquely colourful characters – all thanks to one of my favourite artist, Akira Toriyama. As the trailer rolls on, a familiar score that so many JRPG fans recognise echoes throughout and we are treated to the main character’s cinematic quest, while meeting each one of the protagonist’s companions and foreshadowing his perilous journey.
The second video shows a small four minute snippet of gameplay for the PlayStation 4 and 3DS consoles. Beginning in an open world, our protagonist slowly explores a lush, emerald green valley, filled with many familiar Dragon Quest monsters. The camera makes a full 360 pan to show us the landscape and it’s marvelous how much detail can be seen. From there the protagonist makes his way over to mount his steed. The video proceeds to slowly explore a forest area, where more detail of the world is shown, once again the visuals are gorgeously rendered. The scene changes as the protagonist and his horse gallop through the valley panning the camera around once more to reveal rocky ranges and more of the valley.
The 3DS preview is something quite different, with both screens being utilised in a way that quite honestly feels like homage to JRPG’s past. The top screen shows the protagonist exploring an interactive 3D world similar to Dragon Quest VIII and the bottom screen acts as a real time map with 32 Bit-like graphics, reminiscent of the Super Nintendo era. The graphics seen upon the 3DS are just as crisp and colourful, albeit a little more simple and chibi-like, but honestly this just adds to the charm.
Dragon Quest XI has been slated for release in 2017 and will be coming to PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS and has been recently been announced for release on the Nintendo Switch. More news on this, as it comes.
About the Author
Kieren Munn
A typical gaymer, I enjoy most RPG's, Platformers, and Fighting games. I started gaming early with Sonic the Hedgehog, Mortal Kombat and Alex the Kidd on my Sega Mega Drive. This started a "healthy" obsession that has spanned 5 generations of consoles, and I won't be stopping anytime soon.
