OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Exceptional JRPG Mechanics
Faithful to the Franchise
Quality Story
While some critics felt that Dragon Quest XI's story falters in a few places, most agree that it's one of the strongest entries in the series. It keeps what's made Dragon Age so special while successfully modernizing some of its mechanics.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Opening Movie | PS4
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age - The Journey Begins | PS4
A sumptuous, generous and absolutely gorgeous RPG that isn't quite the measure of Dragon Quest's illustrious past.
Dragon Quest XI excels when it emphasizes fighting bad guys, exploring dungeons, and finding treasure. It's a visual feast populated by a cast of colorful monsters more engrossing than its main characters. Uneven story beats and some icky bits sometimes slow Dragon Quest down, but superb mechanics remain the focus, making Echoes of an Elusive Age a top-tier JRPG for the modern age.
A JRPG for people who haven't played one in a while, basically. Well-made, but disappointingly safe.
Old school to a fault, but fans of the series – and anyone else that appreciates its honest charms – will find much to love in this simplistic but heart-warming role-player.
This isn't a shake up for the series and can sometimes feel dated, but the long, hard-fought adventure comes together in an engaging way
Steeped in tradition and not afraid to show it, Dragon Quest XI reflects the best qualities of the series' past.
If you're a fan of Dragon Quest VIII, you'll find a lot to love about Dragon Quest XI. Its character-driven plot and skill system recall the series' breakout PlayStation 2 installment, though Dragon Quest XI's lively world and expressive monsters lend it a unique feeling and flavor. Some fans might feel let-down about Dragon Quest XI's lack of job system or other options that let you fine-tune every aspect of your party (what I wouldn't give to see Dragon Quest V's monster-friending system make a return), but if you're in the market for a turn-based RPG that feels nostalgic but doesn't force you to deal with old genre mechanics, you won't find a better quest.
