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

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,995 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ Game Cover
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"DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition" is the ultimate version of the latest entry in the legendary RPG series. It includes all original content plus extra scenarios, the choice of original or orchestral music, 2D/3D graphics, and Japanese voice-acting. As the Luminary, embark on an epic quest with companions to save the world of Erdrea from dark forces.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,995 reviews
story759 positive mentions
grinding155 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with memorable characters and emotional depth.
  • Beautiful graphics and art style, enhanced by orchestral music.
  • Classic turn-based combat with modern quality of life improvements.
  • Act 3 feels drawn out and undermines the impact of earlier story developments.
  • Repetitive music tracks that can become grating over long play sessions.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, like inventory management, feel outdated and cumbersome.
  • story2,264 mentions

    The story of "Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age" is generally described as a classic hero's journey, featuring familiar tropes such as the "chosen one" tasked with saving the world from evil. While some players find the narrative predictable and cliché, many appreciate its charm, emotional depth, and character development, particularly in the first two acts. The game also includes a post-game act that expands on the story, offering additional content and character arcs that enhance the overall experience, making it a compelling entry point for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.

    • “The story is captivating, the characters are interesting, the voice acting could be better, but its not awful.”
    • “The story is very simple, but the characters are very interesting, its always the high point on dragon quest, the party is always very interesting imo.”
    • “The story is fantastic and the gameplay is fun! The characters are all super lovable, each with a totally unique backstory that gets explained through the game, and through overcoming those backstories, you get upgrades to their skill trees.”
    • “The story is boring, the gameplay is linear, the extras are lacking.”
    • “The writing did seem more cliché and predictable than the others, but it also had the darkest story by far.”
    • “The story is mediocre, perhaps even terrible depending on one's tolerance for extremely simple and cliché story beats.”
  • music442 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the orchestral soundtrack for its beauty and emotional depth, while others criticize its repetitiveness and limited variety, especially given the game's lengthy playtime. Some players appreciate the option to switch to music from previous Dragon Quest titles, but many feel that the overall selection is insufficient for such an expansive game. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is often described as charming and fitting for the game's atmosphere, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack is a symphonic masterpiece, perfectly complementing the game's emotional beats, intense battles, and serene exploration moments.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the epic scale of the adventure, evoking a range of emotions from excitement to nostalgia.”
    • “The music is wonderful and though it could have some more variety, some of the tracks are so good that I find myself listening to the tracks on YouTube later.”
    • “Sugimora's music sucks, I wish they had gotten a different composer.”
    • “The only part where the game mostly fails in my opinion is the soundtrack being kind of meh; the whole 'turning back the time going 2D retro mode' thing, and also the post-game content that feels like it's really dragging on.”
    • “The music is terrible, and prepare to hear the same five tracks over and over again.”
  • graphics431 mentions

    The graphics of "Dragon Quest XI S" are generally praised for their vibrant art style and charming character designs, heavily influenced by Akira Toriyama's iconic work. However, many reviews note that this version suffers from a graphical downgrade compared to the original release, primarily due to being a port of the Nintendo Switch version. Players can enhance their experience by using mods to restore higher graphical fidelity, but the base game still offers a visually appealing experience that captures the essence of classic JRPG aesthetics.

    • “The visuals are a feast for the eyes, and the story is a heartwarming adventure.”
    • “Dragon Quest XI boasts breathtaking visuals that bring the game's enchanting world to life.”
    • “The art style beautifully blends classic and modern aesthetics, creating a visually stunning experience that pays homage to the series' legacy while pushing boundaries.”
    • “The graphics are a step down from the original non-3DS release; many of the textures were changed to make this game playable on the Nintendo Switch, and this release is a port of the Nintendo Switch version, hence the graphical downgrade.”
    • “I don't think graphics are the most important for being able to enjoy a game; however, I think it's inexcusable and lazy/greedy of the developers (probably the publisher) to not restore the original graphics for the PC port.”
    • “The most immediately obvious part is the game's graphics; the first thing I did after buying the game is installing a bunch of mods (that a group of people spent a lot of effort on putting together) to restore most of the graphical fidelity of the original non-'definitive edition' PC version.”
  • gameplay363 mentions

    The gameplay of Dragon Quest XI is characterized by its classic turn-based mechanics, which are polished and accessible, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans of the genre. While some players appreciate the nostalgic elements and quality-of-life improvements, others find the gameplay to be somewhat simplistic and grindy, lacking in innovation compared to modern RPGs. Overall, it offers a solid, if traditional, RPG experience with a lengthy playtime and engaging character interactions.

    • “Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a masterful blend of classic RPG elements and modern gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the quality of life changes are welcome, and it is a good game.”
    • “The gameplay ties it all together with fun exploration and great turn-based combat.”
    • “The story is boring, the gameplay is linear, the extras are lacking.”
    • “However, much of that gameplay time is also spent grinding battles.”
    • “The game does not have much in terms of story, so the more tedious mechanics don't have any context to help push you forward, so in the end, it just feels like a grind.”
  • grinding162 mentions

    The reviews on grinding in the game present a mixed perspective. While some players appreciate the minimal grinding required for progression and find the auto-battle feature helpful for tedious tasks, others feel that the game can become excessively grindy, especially in the late stages or for completionist goals. Overall, many agree that grinding is often optional and can be enjoyable, but it may also detract from the pacing and engagement of the story for some players.

    • “It's not too grindy, but there's still lots of things to do besides just following the story.”
    • “The gameplay and turn-based combat are polished to perfection and expertly balanced, making the game not too grindy, but still damn satisfying to play and progress through.”
    • “It's not too grindy like a lot of JRPGs, and the whole experience has been pretty good.”
    • “The game does not have much in terms of story, so the more tedious mechanics don't have any context to help push you forward, so in the end, it just feels like a grind.”
    • “You will also spend a large chunk of the game under-leveled, unless you devote literally hours of your life to grinding.”
    • “It's so tedious, so time-consuming, so repetitive (and much of the animation is unskippable), I just hated every second of it.”
  • emotional81 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its deeply engaging narrative, memorable characters, and heartwarming moments that resonate with players. Many reviews highlight the balance of humor and poignant storytelling, with a soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience. While some players found certain story elements tedious, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich, emotional journey that captivates and leaves a lasting impact.

    • “The core cast is fleshed out with memorable heart-wrenching moments in what is basically a trilogy of games in one.”
    • “The character-focused side stories, fleshing out the backstories of the party members, add emotional depth to the overall narrative.”
    • “Dragon Quest XI is a truly heartfelt and enchanting journey that captures the essence of classic RPG storytelling.”
    • “Butchered by censors, localization, and poor translation, combined with a weird and boring story setting.”
    • “It was a painful experience to play through, tortured by an overly long and dull story with Dragon Ball aspects (which I really don't like, but that's just my personal opinion).”
  • humor59 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending lighthearted moments with emotional depth, often drawing on Akira Toriyama's signature style. Players appreciate the clever writing, quirky characters, and funny dialogue, which create a charming and engaging atmosphere. While some moments may feel overly serious or simplistic, the overall tone remains playful and entertaining, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Each character, from the steadfast hero to the quirky companions, bears Toriyama's signature traits: expressive faces, dynamic poses, and a blend of humor and passion.”
    • “The game is incredibly hilarious with a very likable cast, the graphics are gorgeous and just exude charm in everything it does.”
    • “I loved how the writers balanced out the more serious, sad, and dark tones with humorous, fun, and light-filled moments.”
  • character development58 mentions

    Character development in "Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age" receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and emotional moments of the characters, particularly in the definitive edition that adds new side stories. However, others criticize the post-game content for undermining earlier character arcs and reducing the complexity of character relationships. Overall, while the character designs by Akira Toriyama are celebrated, the actual development of characters varies significantly throughout the game.

    • “The definitive edition expands character development with additional side stories, offering players a more profound connection to their party members.”
    • “The character development is deep and the story has some surprising twists and deep, emotional moments despite its childlike aesthetic.”
    • “Great story, character development, and gameplay all around.”
    • “No character development.”
    • “The first two acts are really good and then you reach the post game that throws 60 hours of character development and struggle out the window for a terrible attempt at giving every character a happy ending and rushing through events that happened in act 2, and providing a villain that is less threatening than the original one.”
    • “The story is fine, but it falls off halfway through and mostly repeats the same things multiple times, and completely forgets the character development that your party goes through.”
  • optimization25 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of Dragon Quest XI on PC has received mixed feedback. While many players report smooth performance and high frame rates, particularly with graphical mods, some experience occasional stuttering and control issues when using a keyboard and mouse. Despite these concerns, the game is generally considered well-optimized, especially compared to its original version, making it a solid choice for those with capable hardware.

    • “With these installed, it truly is the definitive edition of Dragon Quest 11, and it still hits 144fps on my old GTX 1070 at 1080p, so no worries about its performance impact.”
    • “The gameplay feels buttery smooth (even for an RPG) with little to no performance issues and fluid controls.”
    • “Performance much better with 4K max settings, rarely dropping below 100fps.”
    • “But DQ 11's control is poorly optimized for keyboard and mouse.”
    • “All of that said, it is worth noting that the Steam/PC port has some optimization issues that cause some stuttering at times, even locked at 60 fps on a platform I know could easily double that.”
    • “The performance is better than the original, but the texture feels a bit downgraded (maybe because it was developed for Switch) depending on your PC; I recommend this version if you have an old computer or an M series Nvidia laptop.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its engaging story, diverse characters, and various strategies that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players can explore different class systems, side quests, and collectibles, significantly extending gameplay time beyond the initial 80 hours. However, some users note that replay value may diminish after completing all content unless revisited after a break.

    • “Just an incredible story, beautiful graphics, high replay value with various characters, strategies, and traits to mix up, and a draconian quest to make the game challenging.”
    • “It's one of the best JRPGs available with great gameplay, lovable characters, great story beats, and a boatload of options that make it highly replayable for those itching for a new challenge or want to experience the game in a whole new way.”
    • “I find it fairly replayable (I've played through the whole game start to finish 5 times now across different platforms), and the graphics and audio to this game really look and sound so great on a PC.”
    • “I've put in well over 400 hours through multiple playthroughs and can say the biggest drawback is that replay value is very thin unless you play again after a long hiatus.”
    • “Replayability - while the story is expansive, but once you completed every single side quest and main mission.”
    • “You have a lot of options and replay value with it to be honest.”
  • stability15 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance on the Steam Deck with minimal crashes and bugs, others have experienced significant issues such as frequent crashes, freezes, and specific bugs related to terrain and direction. Some users noted that despite the game's enjoyable aspects, the stability problems can detract from the overall experience, especially for those nearing the end of the game.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Not a very spec-heavy game, so it runs great on Steam Deck as well.”
    • “Game runs great, only had one crash throughout the whole experience.”
    • “After 79 hours and close to the end of the story, I'm going to quit because the crashes and freezes are just too annoying, and the story and gameplay are not good enough to endure this.”
    • “Unfortunately, it doesn't support ultra widescreen. I've tried all of the unofficial fixes, but the weird glitches that come with that are too much.”
    • “However, repurchasing I couldn't recommend because it's minor improvements over the prior version, and the main brand new feature, 2D mode, was buggy and poorly implemented.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by memorable music and vibrant landscapes. Players appreciate the combination of engaging storylines, lively character interactions, and the distinctive art style, all of which contribute to a captivating and enjoyable experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as alluring and fun, making it a standout feature that keeps players engaged.

    • “The memorable tunes enhance the atmosphere and contribute significantly to the game's overall immersion.”
    • “The game's music, composed by the legendary Koichi Sugiyama, is as memorable as ever, with a beautiful and diverse soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The art style of Akira Toriyama is the biggest draw for me, but the story, monster designs, music, and atmosphere sell this series to me.”
    • “As far as atmosphere and story goes, it fits right in with entries like Dragon Quest VIII.”
    • “To wrap this up, this game so far has been phenomenal; its story is keeping me engaged and wanting more, the turn-based action is addictive yet stays true to the classic formula, and the atmosphere, from the music to the different lands you explore, is simply alluring and fun!”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization in many modern RPGs is criticized for promoting a grind-heavy experience that often feels unfulfilling, with microtransactions designed to exploit players rather than enhance gameplay. This approach can detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.

    • “Many modern RPGs these days are normalized and sterilized to fit into a treadmill model, where you are grinding but never feel like you get anywhere, or worse, tempting you with microtransactions to distract and exploit you.”
    • “I bought this game without any idea what I could expect - didn't know the games before and just saw the advertisement on Steam - why not give it a shot?”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

81hMedian play time
79hAverage play time
30-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs

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