Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle that a game as unapologetically old-school as Dragon Quest XI S Echoes of an Elusive Age exists in the modern era. We live in a world where "Final Fantasy" reinvents its entire DNA every five years and "Persona" leans into acid-trip UI and social simulation. Then you have Dragon Quest. It’s the comfort food of gaming. It’s a warm blanket. But if you think that means it’s simple or dated, you’re missing the point entirely.
The "S" version of this game isn't just a port. It's the definitive realization of Yuji Horii’s vision. When it first hit the scene, people called it a throwback. I disagree. It’s a refinement. It takes decades of turn-based tradition and polishes it until you can see your reflection in the Slime’s face. You play as the Luminary, a reincarnated hero who—shockingly—isn't immediately embraced by the world. In fact, the King of Heliodor calls you a "spawn of the Darkdraw" and throws you in a dungeon within the first hour.
That’s the hook.
Why the "S" Version Actually Matters
If you played the original 2017/2018 release, you might wonder if the definitive edition is worth another 100 hours. The short answer? Yes. The long answer involves the fact that Square Enix basically rebuilt the experience to cater to every possible type of fan.
The biggest draw is the 2D mode. You can literally toggle the entire game into a 16-bit SNES-style aesthetic. It’s wild. It’s not just a filter; it’s a mechanical shift. Random encounters return, the world map shrinks to a manageable grid, and the combat speed triples. For those of us who grew up on Dragon Quest V or VI, it’s pure nostalgia. But even if you prefer the gorgeous 3D world of Erdrea, the "S" version adds character-specific chapters. These aren't just filler. They bridge the massive narrative gap that happens at the end of Act 1, giving characters like Sylvando and Erik the screen time they desperately needed.
Also, we have to talk about the music. The original release used synthesized MIDI tracks that, frankly, sounded a bit tinny and repetitive. Dragon Quest XI S Echoes of an Elusive Age replaces that with a full orchestral score performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. It changes the vibe. Suddenly, the overworld theme doesn't feel like a loop—it feels like an anthem.
✨ Don't miss: Appropriate for All Gamers NYT: The Real Story Behind the Most Famous Crossword Clue
The Combat: Simplicity is a Lie
Don’t let the "Attack" and "Defend" buttons fool you. On standard difficulty, sure, you can probably breeze through by mashing the A button. But the real game begins when you turn on "Draconian Quest" modifiers. Specifically, "Stronger Monsters."
When you play with these settings, the game transforms. You realize that the "Pep Power" system—where characters enter a blue-flamed state of heightened stats—is the difference between life and total party wipe. You start obsessing over the skill tree (the Character Builder). Do you turn the Luminary into a dual-wielding DPS machine or a Greatsword tank? Do you focus Jade on Spears for high critical hit rates or Allure for crowd control?
Every turn matters. Status ailments in this game actually work on bosses. That's rare for the genre. If you don't use Sylvando's "Oomphle" or Rab's "Sap," you will die. It’s a tactical dance that feels incredibly rewarding because it’s so fair. When you lose, it's usually because you got greedy, not because the RNG cheated.
The World of Erdrea is Deceptively Huge
Most modern open worlds feel like checklists. Go here, climb this tower, clear this camp. Erdrea is different. It’s a series of "open zones" that feel lived-in. Each town has a distinct culture. Puerto Valor feels like the Italian Riviera; Lonalulu is a love letter to Hawaii; Phnom Nonh draws heavy inspiration from Cambodia and Thailand.
The writing is where the "human" element shines. The localization team deserves a raise for the sheer amount of puns alone. Every monster name is a play on words. Every NPC dialogue box is filled with regional dialects and personality. It’s charming. It makes you want to talk to every single person in every single town, which is a feat most RPGs fail to achieve.
🔗 Read more: Stuck on the Connections hint June 13? Here is how to solve it without losing your mind
Let's Talk About That Ending (Without Spoilers)
There is a huge misconception about the length of this game. You’ll see the "credits" roll around the 60-hour mark.
That is not the end.
Act 3 is often called "post-game content," but that’s a marketing lie. Act 3 is the final third of the story. It’s where the "Echoes of an Elusive Age" subtitle actually makes sense. It subverts the "Happily Ever After" trope in a way that is genuinely heartbreaking and then, eventually, incredibly cathartic. If you stop at the first set of credits, you’ve only eaten the appetizer. The main course involves time travel, deep lore connections to the original Erdrick trilogy (DQ I, II, and III), and the hardest bosses in the series.
Acknowledge the Flaws: It's Not Perfect
Look, I love this game, but let’s be real.
The pacing in Act 2 can drag. There’s a lot of "go back to the towns you already visited" energy. While the "S" version improves the visuals of the Switch port, if you’re playing on PC or PS4/PS5, the "S" version actually has slightly lower-poly models and lighting compared to the original 2018 non-definitive release. This is because the "S" version was ported from the Switch back to the more powerful consoles. It’s a weird technical trade-off. You get more content, better music, and a 2D mode, but the shadows aren't quite as crisp.
💡 You might also like: GTA Vice City Cheat Switch: How to Make the Definitive Edition Actually Fun
Is it a dealbreaker? No. But if you’re a graphics purist, you’ll notice it.
Actionable Insights for New Players
If you're just starting your journey in Dragon Quest XI S Echoes of an Elusive Age, keep these points in mind to save yourself a headache:
- Don't Grind Early: The game is balanced so that if you fight most enemies you see on the way to your objective, you'll be at the right level. No need to run in circles for hours.
- The Forge is Your Best Friend: Don't buy gear from shops. Use the Fun-Size Forge. Not only is the gear better, but the "rework" feature allows you to turn +1 gear into +3 gear easily.
- Respec Often: You can reset your skill points at any Goddess Statue for a small fee. Don't be afraid to experiment. If a boss is crushing you, maybe swap your Luminary from Swords to Greatswords for that extra damage.
- Talk to Animals: If you see a dog or a cat, talk to them. Sometimes they lead you to hidden treasure or offer bits of world-building that are genuinely funny.
- Turn on "Stronger Monsters": If you are a veteran of JRPGs, the base game will be too easy. You can only turn on Draconian Quest modifiers at the start of a new game. You can turn them off later, but you can't turn them on mid-save.
Dragon Quest XI S Echoes of an Elusive Age represents the pinnacle of a dying breed. It’s a big-budget, high-polish, traditional adventure that doesn't care about trends. It knows what it is. It’s a story about a boy with a mark on his hand and a group of weirdos trying to save a world that doesn't always want to be saved. Whether you play it for the 16-bit nostalgia or the 100-hour epic narrative, just make sure you actually play it.
The next step for any curious player is to download the massive demo. It’s about 10 hours long, and your progress carries over to the full game. There’s literally no reason not to try it. Just be prepared to lose your next two months to the world of Erdrea.