Dragon Quest XI S: Definitive Edition (Switch 2) Review – Great Game, Small Upgrade

Dragon Quest XI S: Definitive Edition (Switch 2) Review

Square Enix has been aggressive in their adaptation of the Nintendo Switch 2. Not only are new games coming to the system in droves, but a huge roster of their older titles are hitting the Switch 2 as well. For many of these games, the Switch 2 is their first chance to really shine on a Nintendo console. Dragon Quest XI S is a little different. We’ve seen this game in all its glory on the original Switch. So what’s different about the Switch 2 version? Not a whole lot, as it turns out.

If you’ve never played Dragon Quest XI S, this is the perfect way to do so. The music is more robust, you’ve got bonus content to dig through, and you can play in 2D. So it’s a real gift for first time players. But if you’ve played the definitive edition before, you know what to expect with the Switch 2 version. The one major update is the ability to switch between performance and quality mode for the graphics. For me, the clean lines and anime art style mean that performance mode is the clear winner, but your preferences may vary.

Still An All-Timer

If you want a very detailed breakdown of the game and its many wonders, you can check out my review here. But I’ll re-iterate; this is an excellent entry in the Dragon Quest series. The story goes to some fantastic places, you’re introduced to several awesome characters, and the combat is great – if you engage with it properly. The auto battle systems are a real double edged blade, streamlining the random encounters while leaving you fully unprepared for the boss fights.

The Definitive Edition introduced some choice upgrades. We got more voiced dialogue in both English and Japanese, although this is limited to the 3D version. The 2D version seems like a huge bonus at first. It looks just like the classic games! But there are a couple of caveats. Switching modes is a gigantic pain in the butt, for one thing. You can only switch after key points in the story, and there’s a good chance you’ll have to repeat a bunch of stuff when you do. The 2D version also has no voice acting. And to be honest, this story plays much better with actual cutscenes and fully voiced dialogue. I thought I would love the 2D to death, but it just feels hollow after playing the 3D version.

Not As Good In 2D

Really, the big draw for the Definitive Edition is the bonus content. This is comprised of a bunch of story chapters featuring your various party members. This is an excellent crew full of quirks and colorful personalities, so your time is pretty richly rewarded. On the other hand, the 2D version is rather disappointing unless you’re a die-hard fan of the older games. Oh, and the new music is a massive improvement over the old version of the soundtrack. The original DQXI used an inferior copy of the actual soundtrack for the international release. This was corrected for the Definitive Edition, and we’re all better off for it.

My recommendation regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 version is dependent on a few things. If you’ve never played Dragon Quest XI, this is the superior version, full stop. Run, don’t walk, to pick this up. If you’ve never played the Definitive Edition, this is still a smart purchase. There’s a lot of new content here, and the 2D version is at least a fascinating novelty. Plus the music is vastly improved. But, there’s not a lot to differentiate between the Switch and the Switch 2 versions of this game. The graphics customization is nice, but not necessary for a game with this art style. Unfortunately, if you want those new settings, you need to buy the game again, as there is no upgrade pack available. Overall, Dragon Quest XI is a wonderful game, and it’s good that a whole new audience can play it. But your precise investment in this version will vary.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***