Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Digital Chumps (10 out of 10)

Overall, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a beautifully designed game from story to gameplay construction. To boot, the game is absolutely gorgeous and is fun to watch in motion. The fact that you have easily over 70+ hours of gameplay (teetering on 100) makes the longevity of the adventure more memorable. This is how you make an RPG, and I hope that the good folks at Square Enix continue to develop the series the same way.

USgamer (5 out of 5)

If you're a fan of Dragon Quest VIII, you'll find a lot to love about Dragon Quest XI. Its character-driven plot and skill system recall the series' breakout PlayStation 2 installment, though Dragon Quest XI's lively world and expressive monsters lend it a unique feeling and flavor. Some fans might feel let-down about Dragon Quest XI's lack of job system or other options that let you fine-tune every aspect of your party (what I wouldn't give to see Dragon Quest V's monster-friending system make a return), but if you're in the market for a turn-based RPG that feels nostalgic but doesn't force you to deal with old genre mechanics, you won't find a better quest.

RPG Site (10 out of 10)

I cannot recommend Dragon Quest XI enough. It has the best story for the series in ages, giving new players and veterans a reason to engage with the game world and connect with the characters that live in it. The RPG manages to walk the fine line between old-school style and modern upgrades, creating gameplay that is both familiar and refreshing. Dragon Quest XI is not only the best game of the long-running series, it’s one of the best JRPGs in recent years that I’ve played. Whether this is your first Dragon Quest game or you’re a series veteran, you owe yourself to play this game.

Attack of the Fanboy ( )

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age takes everything to love about classic JRPGs and refines them to their utmost. The result? Absolute brilliance. If you had to pick just one JRPG to own on a modern platform, then let this be the one.

Digitally Downloaded ( )

Dragon Quest XI is, from end to end, an iconic example of everything that Dragon Quest has stood for since way back in the 80's. It's charming and has a colourful energy that makes it very hard to put down. It's also a proof of just what can be achieved with a highly traditional JRPG when paired with the production values that only a developer/ publisher of the size of Square Enix could achieve.

VentureBeat / Gamesbeat (92 out of 100)

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age moved me in ways a Japanese RPG hasn’t done in years. Its story chronicles the hope and sorrow of its characters as they seek to save their world from darkness, showing their strengths and how they use them to overcome their weaknesses. It streamlines some of the more hidebound traditions of Dragon Quest’s combat and travel systems, and the result is a game that’s just a joy to play. It looks good, it sounds good, and it plays well.

MAN!AC (91 out of 100)

Riesiges Rollenspiel der alten Schule mit sympathischen Figuren, gutem Plot und sauber ausbalancierten Spielsystemen.

Gameplay (Benelux) (90 out of 100)

Een oerklassieke, maar betoverende en meeslepende RPG, zonder een greintje overbodige ballast. Dragon Quest XI laat de tijd voorbij vliegen en doet je zelfs na tientallen uren hunkeren naar meer.

Videogameszone (9 out of 10)

JRPG-Fans wissen bereits, dass sie zugreifen sollten; Einsteiger in die Serie sollten das auch tun. Denn Square Enix ist mit Dragon Quest 11 ein nutzerfreundliches und spannendes Abenteuer gelungen, das vor Charme und Witz überquillt. Die Hauptcharaktere sind großartig vertont, allerdings nur auf englischer Sprache. Doch die deutschen Untertitel sorgen dafür, dass keine Atmosphäre verloren geht und dass ich den Überblick behalte. Besonders gut gefällt mir, dass ich vielen Kämpfen aus dem Weg gehen kann, denn die sind freilich nicht so flashy und stilsicher inszeniert, wie in Persona 5. Dafür wird mir eine packende Geschichte rund um den Lichtbringer geboten, die allerhand interessante Wendungen aufweisen kann und mir das eine oder andere Tränchen abverlangt. Sehr gut finde ich übrigens die Entscheidung der Entwickler, mehrere Enden einzubauen – und meinen Helden sprinten zu lassen. Sonst käme mir mein Recke bei der Erkundung der Welt tatsächlich zu lahmarschig vor.

Game Revolution (4.5 out of 5)

This isn’t the game for everyone. Dragon Quest 11 is unabashedly a traditional JRPG. For some, the slower pacing and linear experience aren’t going to be appealing. However, for those who have fallen in love with the genre, and grew up adoring Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and others, this game is the ultimate expression of the traditional JRPG.

CGMagazine / Comics and Gaming Magazine (9 out of 10)

Dragon Quest XI’s strength lies not in defying conventions, but in refining the concepts its predecessors pioneered to the absolute apex of what a Dragon Quest game can be.

GameSpew (9 out of 10)

After all, the gap between the original and its imitation is measured in feet, not inches. For many, the difference between the two is so obvious that you can tell from a distance which is which. Like a Mario game playing opposite your average mascot platformer, there’s plenty of nuance and subtlety lost in the translation from one to the other. The same is true for Dragon Quest, perhaps even more so because of its irregularity. Because, at the end of the day, nothing is ever going to match up against the original that inspired it. In an age where countless games are trying to imitate the past, there’s nothing like having Dragon Quest back where it belongs. It is indeed one of the best games in a series of greats, and a JRPG that is without a doubt an instant classic. One I will undoubtedly cherish for many years to come.

GamePro (Germany) (IDG/Webedia) (89 out of 100)

Dragon Quest 11: Streiter des Schicksals spielt die Stärken der Reihe voll aus und spricht dabei sogar Neulinge an.

IGN (8.8 out of 10)

Dragon Quest XI excels when it emphasizes fighting bad guys, exploring dungeons, and finding treasure. It’s a visual feast populated by a cast of colorful monsters more engrossing than its main characters. Uneven story beats and some icky bits sometimes slow Dragon Quest down, but superb mechanics remain the focus, making Echoes of an Elusive Age a top-tier JRPG for the modern age.

4Players.de (87 out of 100)

Auch mit Dragon Quest 11 sind Serienerfinder Yuji Horii und sein Team den Traditionen der mittlerweile über 30 Jahre alten Rollenspielsaga weitestgehend treu geblieben. Von den klassischen Rundenkämpfen ohne anpassbaren Schwierigkeitsgrad über das angestaubte Speicher- und Inventarsystem bis hin zur fast schon altertümlichen Soundkulisse samt stummem Protagonisten. Veteranen wird’s freuen, Neulinge mitunter eher abschrecken. Wer sich aber auf die Zeitreise einlässt, erlebt ein ebenso charmant wie prächtig inszeniertes Rollenspiel-Abenteuer alter Schule, wie man es heute nur noch selten findet.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) (8.5 out of 10)

Dragon Quest XI brings the legendary Japanese RPG franchise to consoles (properly) for the first time in 13 years, and it’s a mostly fantastic new chapter of the series. Its story, gameplay, characters, and visuals all work to blend timeless series elements with newer-era genre refinements, and most of the time, the results are great. Unfortunately, there are a few times when honoring tradition is a weakness, not a strength—most specifically in the case of the game’s protagonist.

Game Informer Magazine (8.25 out of 10)

Dragon Quest XI stays true to the series’ sense of adventure, and the long journey culminates in something cool for longtime fans (be sure to reload your save after the credits roll). I had my share of fun, especially as someone who grew up with the franchise and could appreciate the callbacks littered throughout. At times, I was glued to my controller as I discovered the next village, plot revelation, or impressive boss. Dragon Quest has stuck around for a reason: It does what it does well, and the formula still works. However, Dragon Quest XI’s lack of evolution is a hindrance. It’s about time the series took some risks.

Gamer.no (8 out of 10)

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age er eit heilt herleg spel.

COGConnected / Canadian Online Gamers Network (80 out of 100)

I had a blast playing this game. The Dragon Quest series might evolve a bit slowly for some people, but I’m perfectly satisfied with this pace. Every nostalgic note resonates with gorgeous clarity, be it the monsters, the weapons or the aesthetics. While some attempts at growth fall flat, others expertly hit their mark. The character models and the graphics are the perfect expression of Akira Toriyama’s timeless art style. I wasn’t in love with all the writing, but the characters were still flush with charm and personality. My one major grievance, the difficulty level, should serve as guidance for anyone undecided. Don’t be afraid to try that hard mode, in other words. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the series, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is an easy recommendation.

Video Chums (8 out of 10)

If you're a fan of JRPGs then you must play Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age whether you've played the earlier games or not. The gorgeous updated visuals mix with all of the classic series staples to deliver a delightful experience. That being said, some may think that the developers didn't go far enough to bring it up to speed with contemporary JRPG adventures.

Jump Dash Roll (8 out of 10)

It may be overly familiar, but Dragon Quest XI is built on strong foundations; newcomers and veterans alike will find a lot to love.

Destructoid (8 out of 10)

Enix, and by proxy Square, have found myriad ways to repackage the journey of Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age proves that they haven't run out of ideas yet. It's one of the easier modern Dragon Quests to get into precisely because it gets back to basics. If you've been pining for an older-school character-focused RPG instead of the player-created party focus of IX and the MMO aspect of X, the wait has ended.

Way Too Many Games (7.5 out of 10)

Overall, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is exactly what it says on the box; no more, no less. It’s a chance to relive the glory days when JRPG’s were still in their infancy, with some more modern trappings. There may be some question of where in the current RPG landscape Dragon Quest’s simplistic and predictable approach to the genre fits in, but regardless you’re in for 80+ hours of one of the most lovingly crafted worlds in gaming today with a rock solid battle system and a charming party, even if the story and some design choices feel like everything you’ve seen before.

Games TM (6 out of 10)

If you haven't noticed already, it feels like for every good point to say about Dragon Quest XI, there's something around the corner ready to knock it down a notch or two. It's a hard game to fully recommend as a result. On the one hand, fans of the series and retro JRPGs will love it, because it fits that bill excellently. Series newcomers or those who are looking for some innovation from the series, however, might want to approach it with a shade of caution.