Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition brings a lot of new additions to a perfect game that is still fun to play two years after its initial release. Having a fully orchestrated soundtrack, more adventures, a 2D option, and nostalgic places to explore just leaves room for one more upgrade — a PS5 update. Regardless, if you’re playing this on a PS4 or PS5, this is the best edition of the game to get and you won’t be disappointed.
Here we go again with Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, and it’s still freaking fun after two years removed. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition (long name) still takes a traditional RPG structure of turn-based action, while also throwing in a beautifully woven 2D option, and a few other goodies to make the revisited journey a bit more special.
If you didn’t grasp my enthusiasm the first time around in 2018 with Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, then let me regale you with my review from the last go-around (https://digitalchumps.com/dragon-quest-xi-echoes-of-an-elusive-age/). Most of what I praised DQXI:EEA is very much true and relevant to this release. Surprisingly, it aged absolutely well and while I was hoping for a PS5 upgrade with this edition, one can dream, most of what you get is enough to be happy with when it comes to figuring out whether you really need another version of this game.
Anyway, let’s get this going.
2D-ing it and pulling on those nostalgia strings
You never really know how much you miss 2D graphics until you’re presented with 2D graphics. The definitive version of DQXI S: EEA gives you the option to switch between 2D and 3D graphics. I know some traditionalists out there that love old-school RPGs will go gah-gah over this option, which truly delivers on the promise of a 2D graphic experience. Does it do much for me? Nah, but it’s a welcomed option for those who enjoy a top-down Dragon Quest on the NES experience with a new story to boot. Personally, I enjoy the hell out of the 3D version of the game, as the animations for the enemies still crack me up. It’s tough not to enjoy the artwork from Akira Toriyama, as it just makes and manifests the essence of the DQXI adventure.
Additional goodies to this 2D adventure is the inclusion of Tickington, which I’m sure DQ fans will appreciate immensely. While it’s certainly an optional gig, it will tug on the heartstrings of DQ fans that have played past DQ games. It’s a neat inclusion to the overall body of work and one that adds a bit more value to the adventure.
Conscious Cosmetics
Beyond the additional 2D ability to play the game and the throwback with Tickington, the rest of what you get is a bit more cosmetic. The first big item of interest is the additional Japanese audio that is included with this edition of the game. I know there are some big-time purists when it comes to original game audio and the inclusion of a Japanese option is a big deal for them. You get the best of both worlds, and honestly neither is the wrong direction to go, but the fact that you get that audio Japanese/English option is what makes this nice. I know a lot of anime fans out there that would consider it a sin to listen to a dubbed audio track in English, so the inclusion of Japanese audio is big.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition also includes a photo mode (didn’t really feel compelled to use this too much, but have at it) and the ability to speed up battles.
With the photo mode, I think those who enjoy that will dive into it headfirst. You can capture the photos and use them as your cover image on your PS profile, which I did to test out things on the PS5, but I’m not sure what the joy of this mode is overall. Again, I’m sure people who love this sorta stuff will embrace it. The mode allows you to place characters perfectly together, tell them to look at the camera, and even tell them to do things like give you a cheesy thumbs-up. It’s amusing and I’m sure people will make some epic photos using it. I do enjoy the customization of it, as it makes for a fun time, though short-lived.
All of the above said the most valuable cosmetic for me was the ability to speed up battles. I love that you can crank it up to ultra-fast and speed through battles with the greatest of ease. I can dig this addition really well. It allows you to take on massive groups of enemies quickly and, most importantly, level up speedily. It’s not a secret that success in any DQ game, hell any RPG is to grind things out and level up. It’s nice to do it quickly, especially since some of the animations from the enemies is so elaborate and timely.
Music makes everything better with gorgeous visuals
The game includes the ability to switch between the symphonic and synthesized versions of the soundtrack. I can tell you that the symphonic version is out-of-this-world gorgeous. I love hearing the beautiful music that comes from an orchestra. Music drives the action and creates the moment, and a fully orchestrated soundtrack provides those immersive elements.
To complement the musical upgrade, the game still features some of the most gorgeous graphics and animation sequences during a battle, even from 2018. While I would have LOVED to see a PS5 upgrade to this game, the way it currently still creates a visual splendor to the eyes. The game contains good textures, superb animation from the monsters, people, and bosses, and just a visually BIG world to explore with lots of fine details everywhere. It’s still one of the most visually compelling games I’ve seen from the last generation of systems.
Other odds and ends
The definitive edition gives players more quests and side adventures. There is more to do, but the original content is still very much present in this edition and the driving point to the game. I like that stories were expanded with some characters, but mainly I’m still thrilled that two years removed I’m still finding a lot of joy with revisiting DQXI:EEA. This is a great RPG that has a perfect balance of exploration, adventure, action, and drama. The additional pieces in the definitive edition of the game make it better, but it was great back in 2018.
Conclusion
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition brings a lot of new additions to a perfect game that is still fun to play two years after its initial release. Having a fully orchestrated soundtrack, more adventures, a 2D option, and nostalgic places to explore just leaves room for one more upgrade — a PS5 update. Regardless, if you’re playing this on a PS4 or PS5, this is the best edition of the game to get and you won’t be disappointed.
