Dragon Quest 12: beyond dreams and development updates

Dragon Quest 12, officially titled Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams, is charting a new course for the iconic franchise, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The game was first announced five years ago, but development has now been fully restarted. That decision was announced by executive producer Yosuke Saito during a recent Dragon Quest livestream.

Development restarted

According to Saito, the original development process for Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate ran into a number of obstacles. Team restructuring and the decision to start over from scratch were crucial steps to ensure the next Dragon Quest game meets fans' high expectations. After the design team consulted with Yuji Horii, the creator of the Dragon Quest series, it was decided that a major overhaul was necessary.

Art direction and inspiration

One element that has been retained in Dragon Quest 12 is its art style, which remains heavily influenced by the work of Akira Toriyama, the legendary illustrator who has defined the series' visual identity since the beginning. During development, the team has been creating colorful scenes filled with new characters, environments, and monsters, all of which offer a fresh take on the beloved world of Dragon Quest.

Future expectations

Despite the challenges surrounding Dragon Quest 12's development, fan excitement remains high. The franchise continues to expand with several spin-offs, including Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, which is set to arrive soon on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, the current Nintendo Switch, and the expected Switch 2. This creature-collecting game promises a unique experience similar to Pokémon, but with the signature Dragon Quest twist.

Conclusion

With development restarted and a new name in place, Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams has a future that feels both exciting and more uncertain than ever. Fans are eagerly awaiting more news and updates, and the hope is that this new direction will result in a game that stands the test of time, just like its predecessors.