Content Continues Below
 

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition looks like it will live up to its “definitive” title, with tons of new changes and upgrades over the original PS4 version. There are some big additions we already knew about, like the playable pixel mode from the Japan-only 3DS version, and the fully orchestrated soundtrack, but a Japanese stream of the game detailed all of the small changes and improvements coming to the Switch version.

 

 

Gematsu compiled a list of all the new features. One of the most exciting additions is the ability to forge anywhere in the game, rather than just at campsites. In addition, there’s a new photo mode to toy around with, and a new feature that allows you to revisit scenarios you’ve already beat. There’s also new “appearance-changing equipment” (aka equipment that acts as a costume without changing your stats), improved UI, small touches to events and dialogue, and so much more.

Check out the full list of DQ11 Switch changes below courtesy of Gematsu:

 

Additional Elements and Improvements

  • The gameplay styles of both the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS versions in one game.
  • Spell of Restoration scenario selection.
  • Newly-added party member dialogue.
  • Fully-voiced events.
  • Voice support for all party member dialogue.
  • Switch between voice languages (Gorgeous Edition-only).
  • Option to turn on / off sounds from the protagonist (exhaling, etc.)
  • Voice Drama.
  • The timing at which you can visit Yocchi Village has changed.
  • The placement of Yocchi that possess passwords.
  • New “Appearance-Changing Equipment” added.
  • Madame Cherie.
  • Implemented horse racing remedial actions.
  • Furigana display.
  • Ability to skip cutscenes the first time around.
  • Camera improvements.
  • Photo Mode added.
  • Increased variation of ridable monsters.
  • Ability to attack ridable monsters on the field to earn experience points.
  • Switches to dedicated background music when riding a great sabrecat.
  • Party members follow you on the field.
  • Dash movement.
  • Ability to call horse at all times.
  • Obtain experience from blowing away monsters on the horse.
  • Shiny spots stand out more.
  • Immediately obtain materials upon examining gathering points.
  • Bowgun gameplay revised.
  • Added church Yocchi before the Lord of Shadows Mordegon.
  • Adjusted the placement of guest NPCs when camping.
  • Increased the tempo of party dialogue.
  • Added party member speech bubbles in battle.
  • In battle, party members move on their own according to the situation.
  • Adjusted battle speed.
  • Added ability to switch between free movement and auto camera mid-battle.
  • “Skill Reset” available from the beginning of the game.
  • “Learn Multiple Skills” available from the beginning of the game.
  • Forging can now be done anytime, anywhere.
  • Reverse lookup and purchase materials required for forging.
  • Made it easier to understand which items can be created with forging.
  • Display 2D-only monsters in the 3D bestiary.
  • Navigate the UI with the joystick.
  • Added shortcut menu.
  • Added guide for opening the map.
  • Added effective weapon type icons to the skill panel.
  • Display defeated monsters list in the map menu.
  • Display rarefied monsters on the defeated monsters list.
  • Display status ailments when switching out party members.
  • Improved the display of walking recovery effects.
  • Appearance-changing equipment is properly labeled.
  • Purchased materials automatically go into the item bag.
  • Revised soldier events in the Heliodor Sewers.
  • Partial improvements to 2D graphics.
  • Partial improvements to 2D event scenes.
  • Adjusted the 2D map at the start of the game.
  • Added “Smell” to replace Noah’s Archive.
  • Added ability to click through the message window as the level up melody is playing.
  • Partial quest adjustments.

Pickup Elements

  • Increased party member reactions in battle, emphasized a sense of unity.
  • Improved forging.
  • Added Photo Mode.
  • Implemented horse racing remedial actions.
  • Madame Cherie.

Voice Drama Downloadable Content

  • About four to five hours in length. A collection of short stories that dive deeper into the characters, including their pasts, as well as depicts their everyday lives.
  • There is a story of Jade when she was a child, a young Rab, as well as a story about a Medamoiselles play.
  • There are various stories, from good stories that make you laugh to matters of life.
  • There is also a read-aloud story in which Mitsuki Saiga plays about nine roles by herself.
  • Rab serves as the guide for the Voice Drama.
  • Text can also be displayed. There are log, fast-forward, and rewind features.

Increased Party Member Reactions in Battle, Emphasized a Sense of Unity

  • In order to create a sense of unity with your party members, characters left alone will move on their own, or move to evade when approached, as well as produce speech bubbles related to the battle situation.
  • In event battles, there are even some special lines that are voiced.

Improved Forging

  • Forge anywhere.
  • While this does not apply to everything, it is also possible to purchase the materials you are missing.

Additional Ridable Monsters

  • The great sabrecat runs at high-speed. By roaring, you can summon nearby monsters.

Appearance-Changing Equipment

  • “Appearance-Changing Equipment” can now only change appearance without affecting attack power and defense power.
  • The “Kingdom of Trodain Set” changes the protagonist’s appearance to that of the Dragon Quest VIII protagonist. Dragon Quest VIII music also plays on the field.

Adventure the Worlds of Previous Dragon Quest Titles

  • All the worlds of previous Dragon Quest titles use 8-bit graphics. Even the maps that were 3D in the 3DS version were recreated in 8-bit. The music is also 8-bit sound source.

Spell of Restoration Evolution

  • Go back to an adventure that you have already passed. Return and replay a previous adventure while carrying over your strength. You can also choose between 2D and 3D modes.

Photo Mode

  • Photo Mode includes features such as rearranging characters, changing the way the camera is facing, posing, turning on or off the character display (individual settings also possible), blurring the background, and more.

Madame Cherie

  • Madame Cherie is a professor at L’Academie de Notre Maitre les Medailles.

 

Dragon Quest XI S comes to Switch on September 27th. Plus, you can get to know the Luminary beforehand when he makes his Smash Ultimate debut this summer.

Leave a Comment

Written by Logan Plant

Logan loves voicing his opinions just as much as writing them. When he isn’t gaming or writing, Logan’s probably recording a podcast or chatting on the radio. Video game journalism is his passion, and he hopes to cover video games for years to come.