After spending a good chunk of time as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, the definitive edition of the 11thDragon Questgame is now finally making its way to other platforms. When the game originally released, this generation’sDragon Questemphasized the JRPG genre at its most traditional core.Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Editionstill stands tall with that reputation, but all of the additional elements not only make this game much more accessible to play, but enhance the experience considerably. Spending a whole bunch of time in the expansive world of Erdrea has never been better.
Patient JRPG fans will find a lot to love in this release compared to the original release of the game: A revamped live orchestra soundtrack, battle speed customization, photo mode, among other additional quality-of-life changes from the game’s debut in 2017. That’s not to sayDragon Quest 11’s original release was lacking, far from it. Whether players are jumping in for the first time, or replaying the expansive story to re-experience it in a new way,Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Editionlives up to its extended namesake admirably. This release is easily the superior version to play the 11th entry in the long-running JRPG franchise.
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Firstly, those who have played the originalDragon Quest 11may be wondering what’s new. Here are all of the new features/additions that come with theDefinitive Edition:
All of these additions not only expand theDragon Quest 11experience, but enhance the base experience considerably. The revamped soundtrack provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra immediately adds twice the pomp and circumstance to the game’s score compared to the original. Those who rememberDragon Quest 8’s orchestral soundtrackwill be impressed here. Plus the many mechanical and functional changes throughoutDragon Quest 11 Sadd tons of convenience in a game that used to be traditional to the core.
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The 2D Mode, in particular, deserves a special shout, as it attempts to appeal to the most hardcoreDragon Questfans who’ve theoretically been playing since 1986. Not only is there an entire arc of side quests in Tickington dedicated to remembering and celebrating legacyDragon Questgames, but the entirety ofDragon Quest 11can also be played in the mode. Anyone who’s a fan of the 16-bit SNES era of JRPGs will love this feature immensely.
However, the narrative and story ofDragon Quest11 Sare still as hyper-traditional as in the initial release. Muchlike every otherDragon Quest, the nameless protagonist is born a hero, and the Luminary is destined to fight an impending darkness.Dragon Quest 11 Smakes no attempt to change that framework, only to iterate and celebrate the JRPG genre in its purest form.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with that;Dragon Questhas always been about telling a hero’s journey unabashedly. But fans expecting some kind of revolutionary JRPG storytelling will not find it inDragon Quest11 S, even in the additional character stories exclusive to this version.Dragon Quest 11is full of genre tropes to the point of occasional absurdity, which could be tough for new players to get into. That being said, if new players are willing to acceptDragon Quest 11’s old-school atmosphere, this version is perfect for new and existing fans.
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For one thing, the increased accessibility of the gameplay experience as a whole has improved tremendously. Increasing the battle speed is a perfect addition, especially for those who are used to a moremodern JRPG combat pace likeFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeorPersona 5. Players are able to tailor the speed of combat on the fly, making typical gameplay and/or level-grinding in the endgame much more streamlined.
Not to mention players now have access to a suite of quality-of-life changes that make the experience highly adaptable. Being able to use the Fun Size Forge to craft weapons/armor anywhere is a big plus, especially in longer dungeons. Also, the ability to manipulate and change the battle camera freely helps keep players in control of battle perspective at all times. Pair that with the many small mechanical changes throughout the whole experience, andDragon Quest 11 Seasily lives up to the being the “Definitive Edition"of this entry.
Compared to the Nintendo Switch version, the multiplatform release is a welcome enhancement forDragon Quest 11 S. Even though the game ran surprisingly well on the handheld console, the experience is even better on PS4 Pro. Most of the time,Dragon Quest 11 Splays at a solid 60 frames per second on upscaled 4K, only dipping occasionally in heavily populated areas. It is worth noting that a lot of the lighting changes and minor graphical concessions for Nintendo Switch do persist in the PS4 version, though remain unnoticeable unless compared side-by-side.
Dragon Quest 11still remains a great adventure for both newcomers and hardened JRPG fans, but this version is easily the best way to play this game. Only new fans may have some trouble getting accustomed to the game’s atmosphere, but the game is incredibly rewarding for anyone who can. All of the enhancements make for a much improved gameplay experience, andthe 2D homages to classicDragon Questare an awesome touch. This is easily the best way to playDragon Quest 11.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Editionreleases on June 07, 2025, on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The game is also available now on Nintendo Switch. Game Rant was provided a PS4 (PS4 Pro) code for the purposes of this review.
