Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition review for Nintendo Switch 2

Dragon Quest is a long and storied series. Dragon Quest XI first arrived in North America back in 2017 on the PlayStation 4. It was then re-released as Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition which featured more platforms, more story, and a new way to play the game, entirely in pixelated 2d glory. Now it’s being upgraded again for the Switch 2 exclusively. Is this new version worth your time?

This isn’t the first time a Dragon Quest game has been re-released in the same region multiple times. Dragon Quest VII was on PlayStation in 2001, then re-released with substantial upgrades in 2016 on the 3DS. Fresh graphics, an overhaul of most in game systems, translation clean ups all gave it a fresh coat of paint. Then it was released for modern consoles earlier this year, and was the first Dragon Quest game that I had finished in a long time.

Each time the game was re-released, it was put on a platform that was substantially more powerful than the last, and there were improvements that went along with it. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition for the Switch 2, however, the only improvement here is performance and graphics. Square Enix is not offering an upgrade path, nor are they allowing you to continue your saved game from the Switch version, which is very disappointing.

This title has been out for a while, so if you haven’t played it, we’ve reviewed it twice before. Dustin did a great job reviewing both the original and Definitive Edition re-release, so let me give you a brief rundown. The game is a turn-based JRPG, meaning the combat is menu driven. It hasn’t varied much from this formula since it’s first game. While there have been improvements to the game, like enemies appearing in the overworld map so you can avoid or attack them, or improved skill trees in each game, at it’s core it is a turn-based RPG. I, for one, am thankful that this series never changed. I’m looking at you, Final Fantasy.

The game follows a player named character around who just so happens to be the Luminary, the reincarnation of an ancient hero sent to defeat the dark one. Naturally there are those who will attempt to stop the Luminary at his quest. As the story unfolds, new characters will join the party each with their own unique skills and skill trees.

Graphically the game looks more like the PlayStation 4 version than the Switch version. Details are sharper, and, in graphics mode, for the most part runs at 30fps. However, there have been some slowdowns in cutscenes, which is very disappointing on a version that is supposed to be upgraded. There are even animations when enemies are defeated that cause slowdown.

With only slight graphical improvements, at a $40 price point, it’s hard for me to recommend purchasing this version if you’ve played it before. Especially when other games offer an upgrade path for a small fee. Xenoblade Chronicles $10 upgrade is a price I’m perfectly willing to pay, and you keep your progress, for example. I don’t know why Square keeps re-releasing games on Switch 2 at close to, if not, full price with no upgrade path, it is rather annoying.

Bottom line, if you have not played Dragon Quest XI S yet, or want to play it portably and don’t already have it on Switch, pick up Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2. This experience is a near masterpiece of story and gameplay.

Note: Square Enix provided us with a Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition code for review purposes.

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