Dragon Quest XI is officially coming to the Nintendo Switch at the end of September. This game is one of the best RPG’s released in recent years and an amazing game in the series. Having it on the Switch is an awesome thing because it’s such a big game. With anywhere from 5 to 10 hours of gameplay, there is much to enjoy. This demo is fantastic because it allows the player to not only start the game but to continue from the endpoint when the game comes out. This demo really can be anywhere from 5 to 10 hours so players will have a lot to explore. This world is so vast and it is quite interesting taking everything in.
This game is all about the Luminary a young hero who will save the world. He starts out in a small village, and the demo at least leads him to the gates of a new area known as Gallipolis. This opening demo is certainly one that will be filled with trials and tribulations but it’s one of the best demos I’ve played.
Players will get to experience a good chunk of the game and as many battles as they’d like to fight in. Players can grind as much or little as they want, as they explore and interact with the world. The world itself is a vast one that is filled with life and magic, be sure to check every nook and cranny.
Battling in Dragon Quest 11 is one part free running and one part tactical. Like old school Dragon Quest Games, players will choose which move they want to use, and watch them happen. But in this game players can run around and do just a little more. It’s nice to have the ability to change between the version with free-running and the version where the players stand in one place.
Battle is also made even cooler with Pep Powers. These special attack can only be done by certain pairings. When activated they have a variety of effects that can turn the tide of battle. It’s great watching the characters interact on the battlefield, so be sure to use them when necessary. There are a few boss fights to contend with, so players should work to level up at least a little. I remember being a little annoyed playing the PS4 version, losing one of the first bosses because I just wasn’t a high enough level. With some perseverance and a little grinding, all of the enemies will be beatable.
Dragon Quest is all about the party members, and in this demo, the player will interact with three of the main party being Erik, Veronica, and Serena. These three characters are all very important to the story and its great for the player to get to know them a little before actually purchasing the game. Erik is the main character’s best friend and a cunning thief. He meets Erik soon after starting his journey and is invaluable. Veronica and Serena might not look like it, but they are in fact, twin sisters. What happened to make Veronica look like she does, play the demo and find out.
The voice acting is also superb and the characters speak in English accents as old fans have come to expect. If the player isn’t a fan of the dub they can also go with the Japanese voiceover and reading the subtitles. There are a variety of languages to choose from so players will be able to enjoy the story as they see fit. This demo also includes some in-game cheats of sorts. Players can turn on different settings, like the party wiping out if the player dies, or less experience. It’s great for those who want more of a challenge or maybe for someone who has already played the game. Be sure to check them out and see if any sound good to you. Players can even have the NPC’s lie and that is quite amusing.
The sad thing about this demo is that it lacks the ability to be played in 2D. The 2D mode is a new feature added to this game, that wasn’t part of the PS4’s version. It was a feature that only existed on the 3DS in Japan. This version plays like a Dragon Quest game of old so many were expecting the demo to utilize it.
There is also a photo mode in this game, where players can take pictures of the world. They pose their characters in a variety of poses and share the pictures with friends. While it might not add much, a photo mode is always appreciated. It just adds a little to the world, especially with how much energy the characters have. Players can even randomize the picture so no two pictures are ever the same.
Dragon Quest 11 is a fantastic game, and the demo proves it. Plus it happens to look great on the Switch. With so much fun to be had, the demo is the perfect place to start. New and old fans alike who haven’t played the game are in for a treat. The demo is available now on the Nintendo Eshop. Pick it up today and help the Luminary in his travels before the full release on September 27th!