Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

A massive, masterful, "traditional" RPG that focuses more on combat mechanics, loot, and exploration than story.

In "Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age," players explore a vibrant world as a young hero on a quest to reveal his true identity and defeat an ancient evil threatening his world. The game features classic turn-based combat, a rich and immersive story, and striking visuals that bring the characters and environments to life. With a diverse cast of companions, challenging quests, and exciting battles, Dragon Quest XI offers a memorable and engaging RPG experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,294 reviews

story2,341 positive mentions

grinding492 negative mentions

Engaging story with emotional twists and well-developed characters.
Beautiful graphics and art style, showcasing Akira Toriyama's designs.
Classic turn-based combat with a variety of character builds and crafting options.

No upgrade option for existing owners to access the Definitive Edition.
Repetitive music and soundtracks that can become annoying over time.
Some characters feel underdeveloped, and the silent protagonist lacks depth.

story
7,559 mentions
31 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age" is generally well-received, characterized as a classic hero's journey filled with familiar tropes and engaging character arcs. While some players find the narrative predictable and cliché, many appreciate its emotional depth, plot twists, and the charming interactions among characters, making it a compelling experience for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series. The game is noted for its lengthy and immersive storytelling, with a significant amount of content that keeps players invested throughout its 60-100 hour playtime.
- “The ending of the main story is one of the best I have ever seen in a game.”
- “Amazing game, emotional story, lovable characters.”
- “The story is captivating, the combat is so classic, the world is visually amazing and the music reels you in.”
- “The story is quite boring and lackluster.”
- “The story feels a little fetch questish, because basically you go to a new town -- and usually an arbitrary thing happens that requires you to go grab an item or perform a task before you can progress the story.”
- “The story is predictable crap.”
music
1,916 mentions
25 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The music in "Dragon Quest XI" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the heavy reliance on recycled tracks from previous games and the use of low-quality MIDI sound. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and catchy melodies, others find the soundtrack repetitive and lacking in variety, often leading to frustration during extended gameplay. The consensus suggests that the experience is significantly improved with the orchestral music mod, which many recommend as essential for a more enjoyable auditory experience.
- “A delight to play for any RPG fan, the music score is stunning and you can just feel how fun the voice cast had with every moment of character speech.”
- “The music is terrific, the art style is unique, and gameplay is excellent.”
- “The music throughout the game was fun to listen to and you can tell they put a lot of effort into the soundtrack.”
- “As a longtime fan of Dragon Quest who started all the way back on Dragon Quest 1 on NES, I am severely disappointed by all the recycled music this game has.”
- “The music is my biggest complaint about this game; it can get repetitive and downright anticlimactic.”
- “The music ruined the game for me, so I can't recommend it.”
graphics
1,548 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Dragon Quest XI" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and beautiful art style, heavily influenced by Akira Toriyama's signature design. Many players appreciate the modern graphical enhancements that bring a nostalgic feel to classic JRPG elements, with some noting that the visuals are among the best in the genre. However, there are criticisms regarding the definitive edition's graphical downgrade compared to the original, leading to mixed feelings about the value of the updated version.
- “All the new characters, all the new stories and absolutely gorgeous graphics.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, gameplay is great (I would highly recommend playing with a controller be it PS4/PS5 or Xbox) and the story is up there with the best in the series.”
- “The graphics are stunning and the game is well written with great humor.”
- “The 'definitive' version has downgraded graphics, extra dialogue, 2D mode, and an orchestrated music score (sounds worse than mod).”
- “You are essentially paying $40 for the exact same game but with inferior graphics just for 1 hour worth of extra content.”
- “The definitive edition actually gimps the graphics pretty hard, so be aware of that.”
gameplay
1,181 mentions
35 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Dragon Quest XI is characterized by its classic turn-based mechanics, which many players find nostalgic and enjoyable, reminiscent of older JRPGs. While the game offers a solid and polished experience with a variety of customization options and engaging combat, some critics note that it lacks innovation and can feel repetitive, particularly in its reliance on grinding and straightforward mechanics. Overall, it appeals to both newcomers and veterans of the genre, providing a lengthy and immersive gameplay experience with beautiful graphics and a charming story.
- “Mechanically, this is the most perfectly tuned example of turn-based combat there still is at the time of writing.”
- “The gameplay is tight and refined, and definitely the highlight.”
- “Gameplay is really solid and anyone who enjoys classic JRPGs should have little to no problem with it.”
- “One of those modern JRPGs that combines extremely cringey story and dialogue with gameplay that runs on rails and basically plays itself.”
- “It's incredibly boring from a gameplay and story perspective.”
- “The gameplay has zero depth and barely any choices to make.”
grinding
522 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable and integral to the experience, while others view it as tedious and excessive. Many appreciate the balance of grinding, noting that it can be minimized if players focus on the main story, while others criticize the late-game difficulty spikes that necessitate significant grinding. Overall, the game offers a blend of traditional RPG grinding with options to streamline the process, making it less burdensome for those who prefer a more casual playthrough.
- “The game isn't grindy unless you want to grind, but ultimately isn't necessary.”
- “Even better, for the first two thirds of the game, and the intro to the final third, no grinding was needed.”
- “Above all else it's fun, not too grindy, there's some optional grinding, enemies respawn pretty rapidly but I never feel obligated to grind, just encouraged here and there.”
- “Level grinding in this situation was such a slog; I put myself in such a hard situation.”
- “There's little/no character customization, the plot is predictable to a fault, and battles become so simple yet take so long that grinding is an immense slog.”
- “You can't just go and try the last boss; you're pushed into grinding 20-30 levels, doing 30 hours of what should be side content, and grinding for weapon/armor ingredients.”
humor
240 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its distinct characters, clever dialogue, and a mix of slapstick and witty moments that balance the darker themes. Players appreciate the quirky enemy designs and pun-filled names, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, while some find the humor occasionally cringey or overly reliant on clichés. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with engaging storytelling and character development, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.
- “Having the boss beat you so badly you wake up a child is so funny I've told friends.”
- “The enemies all have funny puns for names (cruelcumbers, fright bulbs, and sham hatwitches) and have been designed to seem intimidating yet funny at the same time.”
- “The party members in this game are so well written and voice acted, their character arcs had me unironically laughing, to crying and everything in between.”
- “There is no reason for the existence of such a rampant low-brow, unfunny non-sequitur like 'crabber dabber doo'.”
- “Dialogues in the game are so lame, it is not funny to read at all.”
- “The game isn't without flaws, having some characters fall really flat and some of that cringey anime humor here and there.”
emotional
212 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed responses, with many players praising its heartwarming story and character development that elicits genuine feelings, often leading to tears. While some found the narrative engaging and filled with touching moments, others criticized it for being predictable or lacking emotional depth, particularly in the protagonist's expressions during key scenes. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to create a wholesome and immersive experience, despite some shortcomings in emotional delivery.
- “I cried about 5 times playing because this game connects you with the team so well.”
- “The story made me cry, repeatedly.”
- “It's truly a gem and tugs at your heartstrings in so many ways, providing some truly profound and heartfelt moments all the way through.”
- “Probably the most boring story of any game I've played, mixed with bad voice acting. The fact I bought the game right before the definitive edition came out at the same price really feels like a rip-off for anyone who purchased it earlier. I played Dragon Quest 9 as a child, and it was one of my favorite games. I was hoping this would be a similar experience, but I was very disappointed.”
- “Boring story, terrible soundtrack, mediocre animation.”
- “Does that make up for a boring story and boring turn-based combat?”
character development
170 mentions
54 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the depth and emotional arcs of side characters, while some criticize the main character's lack of growth. Akira Toriyama's iconic character designs are widely appreciated, contributing to the overall charm of the game, though some feel that the character development could have been more substantial and varied. Overall, the narrative offers engaging moments of character exploration, but it occasionally falls short in delivering a consistently deep experience.
- “The characters are genuine and simple yet most of them have some of the best character development I have ever seen in a game.”
- “Overall a very fun and charming cast of characters that makes you fall in love with them throughout the whole story; the character development for them is so amazing and it just makes you love them even more.”
- “Throughout the story, you feel as if you really grow a connection between the main character and the other companions; Square really went above and beyond with the character development throughout the story, and some parts of the character development are truly emotional.”
- “Also the main character may as well be a blank piece of paper, 0 character development for the main character.”
- “The character development is fairly shallow - I never felt emotionally connected to the plights of anyone.”
- “Only warning I feel I should give is that it's fairly light on story and character development; it's not deep or thought-provoking and the characters are all pretty one-dimensional.”
optimization
144 mentions
29 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it runs smoothly on higher-end systems, maintaining good frame rates and visuals. However, some users have reported performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware, including stuttering and frame drops in busy areas. While the game is generally well-optimized, there are calls for further improvements, especially for those using older or less powerful setups.
- “The PC port is also well optimized and runs very smoothly.”
- “When it comes to optimization, I can only say that the game is sufficiently optimized; it runs fast on my computer, which is by no means a high-spec one.”
- “Extremely optimized, and I bet if you have a better processor than my i5 non-multithread, you're gonna be a happy camper.”
- “So badly optimized.”
- “This is not a well-, let alone ok-optimized game.”
- “The game is probably great but I was unable to get past the poor optimization for mouse and keyboard.”
stability
44 mentions
23 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
73 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing frequent crashes and save corruption, particularly on Steam, while others report minimal issues and smooth performance. Notably, there are specific instances of freezing during key scenes, but many users also highlight the game's overall design and enjoyment despite these technical drawbacks. Overall, while some players find it virtually unplayable due to bugs, others have had a stable experience with few glitches.
- “No bugs, no glitches, no crashing, finely tuned and well-received title right here.”
- “Well made, bug free, no nickel and diming microtransactions.”
- “Runs great on my middling PC.”
- “However in its current state, it is virtually unplayable, at least on Steam... it suffers from a lot of minor to horrific bugs, which range from funny glitches to crashing the whole game at least once every 30 minutes, most of the time even far more often.”
- “Unfortunately, it is also a buggy mess, and has a habit of corrupting your save game when it crashes.”
- “It freezes at Gallopilos when returning from killing the boss... there's a scene that is unskippable and it freezes every time.”
atmosphere
44 mentions
32 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of classic Japanese role-playing games. The audio-visual presentation, complemented by a diverse musical score, evokes a range of emotions and enhances the overall experience, despite some criticisms regarding repetitive music. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the world design and character interactions, which contribute to a lively and engaging environment.
- “This game really captures the feel and atmosphere of classic Japanese role-playing games, all wrapped together in a magnificent audio-visual presentation.”
- “Overall, the atmosphere is lively and managed to keep me attached to the world and what was going on within it.”
- “Multiple pieces were composed for dozens of areas and atmosphere, and each one of them will make you feel emotions, from sadness to joy, and from courage to anxiety.”
- “Just don't expect an original storyline, deep, three-dimensional characters, or a dark and brooding atmosphere.”
- “These things wash out and leave the world/atmosphere at a neutral rating.”
- “The overworld song is the same for the entire game up until you beat the main story, and I would have liked to have more music that better suited the different atmospheres.”
replayability
40 mentions
35 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability, particularly due to the inclusion of draconian quests that allow players to increase difficulty and enhance their experience. Many players appreciate the engaging storyline, likable characters, and addictive mini-games, although some note that the lack of customization options and forced linearity may detract from replay value for certain players. Despite these concerns, the game is generally seen as one that offers substantial content and replay opportunities, making it a worthwhile investment for RPG fans.
- “I could go on for quite some time, but put it simply, this single-player RPG has a replayability factor that I haven't seen before.”
- “(Yes, narrowly over Breath of the Wild) it has nearly infinite replay value, amazing attention to detail, and some truly heart-warming story moments with genuinely likeable characters.”
- “The replay value is high, the mini-games are addicting, the side quests are fun, the zones (while limited) are great, add in the draconic mods and you have a game that won't get old for a long while.”
- “Really, the only thing it kinda lacks is replayability, since you can't customize your party much.”
- “The only downside is that, for me at least, the replayability is low due to the somewhat forced linearity.”
- “But without the replayability, I can't recommend it.”
monetization
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
64 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing it as a blatant cash grab, particularly regarding the release of "definitive" editions and ports. However, some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and additional content that enhances the experience without exploiting players financially. Overall, while there are concerns about profit-driven practices, the lack of in-game purchases in certain versions has been positively noted.
- “Best of all, no throttled gameplay for more money, no XP boosters, and no microtransactions!”
- “Well made, bug free, no nickel and diming microtransactions.”
- “It is just so good, without any in-game microtransactions or other garbage.”
- “Really wish these companies would just put more effort into one edition instead of having a 'definitive' for cash grabs, but that's a popular thing I guess.”
- “And wow just received an email from Square Enix advertising the fact that they are releasing the same game on Xbox and PS4, now obvious that they are just trying to farm money from a game that originally launched on PS4.”
- “Was this PC port of the game a cash grab?”