In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series, two new titles currently in development have been unveiled: 'Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate' and 'Dragon Quest Monsters 4: Bianca and Flora of the Arid Land'.
To commemorate Dragon Quest Day on May 27, Square Enix shared news regarding these two new titles along with information on various events taking place in Japan. The news was announced via a special video released on the 27th, and further details regarding the 40th-anniversary celebrations can be found on the official special website.
Yuji Horii, the game designer and "father" of Dragon Quest, shared his thoughts on the 40th anniversary through the special website.
"Forty years have passed since the release of the first Dragon Quest game in 1986," said Yuji Horii. "First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the fans who have continued this adventure with us until now."
He continued, "Dragon Quest began with the wonder of being able to play an RPG on your living room TV, and it has since grown into a story so grand that it is shared across generations—from parents to children and even grandchildren. No matter how hardware or the times may change, what we have always cherished is the 'thrill of being able to become the protagonist yourself'."
Finally, Yuji Horii stated that even after 40 years, his sense of adventure remains undiminished, and he aims to continue delivering new stories that can accompany fans on the adventure that is their own lives.
Meanwhile, in Japan, various commemorative exhibitions, collaborations, merchandise, and books are being released to mark the 40th anniversary. The Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Exhibition will be held in Tokyo from July 17 to September 6, with another event scheduled to take place in Osaka in the spring of 2027.
Two New Dragon Quest Titles
The look and subtitle of Dragon Quest XII, which is being developed under a new system, were revealed for the first time. Much has changed since the game was first announced in 2021, including the subtitle and logo. The official title of this newly unveiled work is 'Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate'.
Yosuke Saito, the general producer of Dragon Quest XII, stated that the game is still in development, and because the development structure has been reorganized for a fresh start, it will take a bit more time before release.
Regarding the reorganization, Yosuke Saito explained the background: "The version of XII that was initially in development had been taking on various challenges as the latest entry in the series. In the process, after repeated discussions with Yuji Horii and deep consideration regarding the direction the mainline Dragon Quest titles should take, we made the decision to create XII under a new structure, and development is currently ongoing."
The development team stated that they made this difficult decision with the conviction that they would be able to deliver a title worthy of being the latest Dragon Quest game for even more fans to enjoy.
This title tells the story of a protagonist who experiences mysterious dreams. Beyond those dreams lies a world that is bright and exciting rather than dark. This game will also feature the art of Akira Toriyama and the music of Koichi Sugiyama.
Furthermore, it will include elements never before seen in the series, offering a more evolved Dragon Quest experience. The video showcases the protagonist's appearance and beautiful background graphics. More information regarding Dragon Quest XII will be released in the future.
Yuji Horii commented, "It is different from the Dragon Quest XII we announced previously, but I am certain that fans will enjoy it. It is going to be a truly wonderful game, so please look forward to further news."
Meanwhile, news of 'Dragon Quest Monsters 4: Bianca and Flora of the Arid Land' was revealed as a surprise. While detailed information about the game has not yet been confirmed, the logo and brief glimpses of young Bianca and Flora were shown.
Dragon Quest Monsters 4 will be released before Dragon Quest XII and is planned for Nintendo Switch 1&2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. However, a specific release date has not been announced.
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