What is the difference between dragon 11 and 12

In fact, the things that Japan adored about Dragon Quest were precisely the things Western audiences disliked, viewing it as a conservative, linear, and slow-to-evolve Japanese RPG that prided itself on being especially archaic.

However, Dragon Quest 11, the series' next 'main event,' was to be a conscious return to the old formula, which had limited Western appeal. Square Enix was undoubtedly aware of these challenges but committed to its plan, regardless. Dragon Quest 11 was going to be a big-budget PlayStation 4 game -- fancier visuals, an open world, and a story told through high-quality CG cutscenes. The 3DS version was greenlit after internal discussions determined that the PS4 game alone wouldn't reach a wide enough audience in Japan.

While Square was hoping to appeal to the West, the vast majority of the Dragon Quest audience was still in its home market -- and smartphone boom or not, the 3DS was still the dominant platform in Japan by a very wide margin.

On 3DS, the game would share its story and scope with the PS4 version -- a high-spec, Unreal Engine-fueled, Final Fantasy-esque game -- but differ greatly in terms of presentation and game design. The classic mode on 3DS, and the fact the Switch version would eventually need to be made using an entirely different build of Unreal -- since the older PS4 version wouldn't play ball with the new hardware -- meant Square Enix was effectively working on four entirely different versions of a single game.

Anyone with an eye for the Japanese games industry could have predicted what happened next. The more expensive PS4 version met expectations in terms of earned revenue, but the 3DS version wasn't doing quite as well as Square had hoped -- and the publisher had been counting on it to reach a wider user base.

While the 3DS version had sold more units, it was also less expensive, which meant Square Enix made less money on each copy sold, so it failed to offset the price difference. What the publisher had failed to take into account was that by , the Switch was already out and the 3DS was at the very end of its tenure.

And with the Switch version of Dragon Quest 11 still a few years away, it meant that Square missed the boat with both of Japan's dominant gaming platforms. Time and money was poured into a big-budget console version, effectively holding back the portable version intended to sell more and reach a wider audience in its home market. And all lacked the customization and communication features that are imperative for a multi-million seller in Japan.

These factors ultimately resulted in Dragon Quest 11 selling less than Dragon Quest 9 -- a Nintendo DS game developed on a fraction of the budget -- in its home market. Square Enix needed its bet on the West to pay off; in , it's difficult to determine whether it has done so.

It felt like Dragon Quest was falling into the same trap Final Fantasy had, where exorbitant budgets often did more harm than good. Due to the massive investment in the PS4 version, Square Enix needed its bet on the West to pay off; skip forward to , and it's difficult to determine whether it has done so.

In contrast, Dragon Quest 9 sold 5. And, to really drive the point home, the vast majority of Dragon Quest 11's sales are still from Japan, making both the game and Square's strategy easy to question.

Square Enix has since taken some smart measures to put Dragon Quest 11 in the hands of more Western players. It's made the game available via GamePass on PC and Xbox, enabling subscribers to try it out for "free" while the publisher reaps the benefits of whatever arrangement it has with Microsoft. But the point still stands: Dragon Quest just isn't as popular in the West as Final Fantasy or Persona, and without some drastic changes it never will be.

Heading the lot was Dragon Quest 12, which will be the first mainline entry since Not much was shown beyond a brief trailer revealing a logo - though that logo did reveal a turn towards dark fantasy, and what series' creator dubbed a Dragon Quest 'for adults'. It's being primed for a simultaneous worldwide release - in what would be a first for a mainline entry - though the timing has yet to be revealed, while no platforms have been announced just yet.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, as it's somewhat clumsily called at present, again has no release date or confirmed platforms, though it is also slated for a worldwide simultaneous release and we were afforded a look at it in action.

There was more in the form of Dragon Quest Treasures - again slated for worldwide release - which is a spin-off starring Dragon Quest 11's Erik and Mia, as well as an offline version of MMO Dragon Quest 10 which is currently down for Japan only. Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission.

Read our policy. Jump to comments Martin is Eurogamer's features and reviews editor. He has a Gradius 2 arcade board and likes to play racing games with special boots and gloves on. Bethesda confirms free Skyrim next-gen upgrade, pricing for Anniversary Edition. Is this game relevant to you? Sign In or Open in Steam. Languages :. English and 8 more. View Steam Achievements Includes 57 Steam Achievements. View Points Shop Items 3. Points Shop Items Available. Publisher: Square Enix.

Franchise: Dragon Quest. Share Embed. Add to Cart. View Community Hub. This eleventh main entry is a completely standalone experience that features new characters, a beautifully detailed world, finely tuned turn-based combat, and an immersive story that will appeal to longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike. After a series of unexpected events, this intrepid adventurer learns he is the reincarnation of a legendary hero from a forgotten age. The young hero sets forth into an unknown world on a journey to unravel the mystery of his past… but the welcome he receives is far from warm.

Fleeing from his pursuers, the hero assembles a band of endearing adventurers who believe he is actually The Luminary reborn. The Luminary and his newfound companions embark on a quest that will take them across continents and over vast oceans as they learn of an ominous threat facing the world. Denigrated as a demon and pursued by a malicious monarch, you must embark on a quest to uncover the mystery of your fate and save a doomed world. Be prepared for an immersive story with twists and turns that pull you in and keep you craving more.

Assemble a Colorful Cast of Loyal Companions — Accompanying you is an endearing band of adventurers with their own rich backstories and personalities. As your adventure continues, learn incredible new abilities to take down even the most fearsome foe with your powerful allies. You will face insurmountable odds and an evil force of unimaginable power… but while the stakes are high, there are many fun distractions to find if you know where to look.

Challenge Yourself with the Draconian Quest - Available when you start a new game, these options allow you to craft you own customized difficulty with different settings and provide a greater challenge.

Mature Content Description The developers describe the content like this: Mild cartoon violence. See all.