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Dragon Quest 35th Anniversary Presentation Brings New Announcements

by Alex Fuller · Published May 27, 2021 · Updated May 27, 2021

Square Enix held a presentation celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series. During the presentation, hosted by Japanese TV personality JOY alongside series desginer Yuji Horii, the company made announcements for six titles in the series, including the newest mainline entry. The full hour-long presentation with English audio interpretation is viewable below along with trailers for the announced titles.

The first announcement is Dragon Quest Keshi Keshi, a mobile puzzle title developed with NHN PlayArt. It is planned for release on iOS and Android in Japan later this year. A western release is also planned. The second announcement is a new Version 6 expansion to MMORPG Dragon Quest X. Version 6 will launch in Japan in 2021 with the game available for PlayStation 4, Switch, PC, Wii U, 3DS, and browser in Japan. A western release is still not planned for Dragon Quest X. In addition, Square Enix announced Dragon Quest X Offline, a version that does not require an internet connection and features more chibi-style visuals. Dragon Quest X Offline is planned for launch in Japan in 2022 (a potential western release was not mentioned), though platforms were not announced.

Following this, Square Enix announced Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, a full remake of Dragon Quest III. The game uses the HD-2D graphics style used in Octopath Traveler and the upcoming Project Triangle Strategy. Neither a release window nor specific platforms have been revealed, but the game is confirmed to be a console title and will receive a worldwide release.

Next was the announcement of Dragon Quest Treasures. Originally teased as a new Dragon Quest Monsters game in 2018, Dragon Quest Treasures is a spin-off featuring Erik and Mia from Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. The game is set during the siblings’ childhood before the events of Dragon Quest XI and is billed as a treasure hunting adventure set in another world. Again, platforms and a release window were not announced, but a worldwide release is planned. Yuji Horii did reveal that a separate Dragon Quest Monsters game is also in development.

Finally, Square Enix announced the newest mainline Dragon Quest game. Only the game’s Japanese logo was revealed, but it is titled Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate and is slated to be more mature than previous entries, and will feature some changes to the series’ command-based battle system. The game is planned for a worldwide simultaneous release, but the launch window and platforms were not revealed.