An unexpected but welcome surprise from the June 20 Nintendo Direct was the reveal of Square Enix’sDragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, the latestDragon Questspin-off in the long-runningDragon Quest Monsterssubseries. While not much is known about the title outside what was shown in the reveal trailer, it does appear to retain the classic monster hunting, breeding, and fighting theDragon Quest Monstersspin-offs are known for. The reveal ofDragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Princeraises some intriguing questions about its relationship toDragon Quest 12, as well as the state of that title’s development.
This July marks 6 years since the release ofDragon Quest 11, and it’s been roughly4 years since the announcement ofDragon Quest 12, which begs the question of when fans will receive an update regarding the game’s progress toward release. TheMonsterssubseries ofDragon Questgames are very different from the core games in the legendary JRPG franchise, but the art style and monsters on display in the reveal trailer indicate that the title may serve as a lead-up side story toDragon Quest 12or bridge the gap betweenDragon Quest 11and the next main entry.
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Now Is the Perfect Time for a Dragon Quest Monsters Comeback
Mere weeks before the reveal ofDragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, Square Enix held a celebration marking the25th anniversary of theDragon Quest Monstersfranchise. Part of the celebration included a trailer showing series highlights from its beginnings as a Game Boy Color title to the most recent release from 2019 and concluded with the reveal that players should “get ready for a new adventure”. While not much else was known beyond that cryptic announcement at the time, fans now have confirmation ofDragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Princebeing the next game in the franchise.
WithThe Dark Princeset to release this December, it appears thatDragon Questfans won’t be getting anyupdate regardingDragon Quest 12’s progressas Square Enix enters the promotion and pre-release cycle for the series' next spin-off. Still, the release of a new title in theMonstersspin-off series during the year of its 25th anniversary is a good sign for fans of monster-breeding and fighting RPGs likePokémon, and it also bodes well forDragon Quest 12’s reveal sometime in 2024 as the series nears its 38th anniversary in May of next year.
How Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Could Tie Into DQ12
The initial reveal trailer forDragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Princedidn’t shed too much light regarding the title’s story, but keen eyes have already picked up on several important details related to its setting and gameplay. Similar to the more recentJokertitles intheDragon Quest Monstersseries, battles will not be random and are instead optional encounters that players initiate by walking up to enemies in the field, a-laDragon Quest 11. Additionally, the game is known to take place in the underworld fromDragon Quest 4and5- Nidiria.
As far as what this could mean forDragon Quest 12, it’s entirely possible that the next entry in theDragon Questseries will take players back to the world of theZenithia Trilogy ofDragon Quest 4,5, and6. Considering that these titles are some of the most-beloved entries in the long history of theDragon Questfranchise, this could also partially account for Square Enix’s careful handling ofDragon Quest 12’s reveal. IfThe Dark Princetakes place in the same setting of these beloved 16-bitDragon Questtitles, it could very well be the warm-up round back in the series' iconic celestial castle of Zenithia.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Princewill be released December 1 for Nintendo Switch.
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