Square Enix’ President has reportedly stated that Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate is being designed “with the next 10 to 20 years of the DQ series in mind.”
The news comes via Ryokutya2089 (translation: DeepL), a blog dedicated to sharing news from Japanese print magazines. In an interview, Yosuke Matsuda reportedly stated that the game is being created “with the next 10 to 20 years of the DQ series in mind.”
“There are parts of DQ that are in line with the traditional image of DQ, and new parts are also necessary,” Matsuda stated. “As a brand, innovation is always necessary.”
The series began in 1986, and was known as Dragon Warrior in the west until 2005 with Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. The series is a staple of turn-based JRPGs; being such a major franchise in Japan that it lead to the rumor that a law had been passed banning the games from selling on a weekday. Nonetheless the games have launched on a Saturday, barring Dragon Quest X.
Most games in the series have involved scenario writer and game designer Yuji Horii, character designer Akira Toriyama, and music composer Koichi Sugiyama in one form or another; the same trio who worked on the first Dragon Quest game.
During the game’s announcement for the series’ 35th anniversary livestream; series creator Yuji Horii described the game as “an adult Dragon Quest,” and how a decision players or the character makes will change the game dramatically. A voice in the announcement trailer stated “what is the purpose of light?” further adding to speculation of a darker story.
The game will also change the command battle system, but still be the well known turn-based RPG battle system. Horii later took to social media to state “it’s okay if you’re not good at action!” The news of a new game, along with the changes that it may bring, caused the game to trend on Twitter in Japan.
While the games have tackled darker subject matter before, and the western localization has typically taken more pun-heavy and a lighter-hearted tone than its Japanese original, will a “dark and mature” Dragon Quest be something fans want? Can a design philosophy designed to endure over a decade stand as firm as the prior 35 years?
We will keep you informed as we learn more.
Image: YouTube
