It’s rare to find a game that feels like a warm blanket and a punch to the gut at the same time. Dragon Quest XI Echoes of an Elusive Age S does exactly that. Most modern RPGs are trying so hard to be "edgy" or "innovative" that they forget what makes a journey worth taking in the first place. This isn't just another port of a 2017 game. Honestly, it’s the definitive version of a masterpiece that almost didn't feel necessary until you actually sit down and play the new content.
You’ve got a silent protagonist. A bunch of colorful misfits. A big bad evil guy. On paper, it sounds like every game from 1995. But Yuji Horii and the team at Armor Project did something sneaky here. They took the "Chosen One" trope and dismantled it bit by bit while keeping the core gameplay so addictive you’ll look up and realize it’s 3:00 AM.
What Actually Makes the S Version Different?
If you played the original release on PS4 or PC, you might think you’ve seen it all. You haven't. The "S" designation—which originally stood for the Switch version before migrating back to other platforms—is basically a love letter to fans.
The biggest draw is the 2D Mode. You can literally play the entire 80-to-100-hour epic in 16-bit sprites. It changes the encounter rate, the map design, and the overall vibe. It’s like getting a lost Super Nintendo game for free inside your modern AAA title. Then there’s the orchestral score. The original release relied on MIDI tracks that, frankly, sounded a bit thin and repetitive. Now, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra provides the backdrop. It’s sweeping. It’s grand. It makes every field theme feel like a celebration rather than a loop.
But the real meat is in the character stories. Between the first and second acts, the game used to just skip over what happened to your party. In Dragon Quest XI Echoes of an Elusive Age S, you get dedicated chapters for Sylvando, Jade, Erik, and Rab. You see their struggles. You see how they dealt with the world falling apart. It fills a narrative gap that was the only real flaw of the original game.
The Tickington Chronicles
There’s also this weird, nostalgic side-quest area called Tickington. You find these little spirits called Tockles. They send you into the "past," which means you get to visit locations from Dragon Quest I through X. If you’re a series veteran, seeing the 2D versions of these worlds is a massive nostalgia hit. If you’re new? It’s a great history lesson on why this series is basically a religion in Japan.
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Challenging the "Easy" Reputation
People love to complain that Dragon Quest is too easy. You just mash "Attack" until you win, right? Well, sort of. If you play on default settings, you can probably breeze through most of the story. But the "S" version keeps the Draconian Quest options front and center.
Try playing with "Stronger Monsters" enabled. Suddenly, a group of standard Slimes can actually wipe your party if you aren't paying attention. You have to care about buffs. You have to care about Oomphle and Sap. You have to actually use Erik’s "Divide" and "Dual-Wield" setup to maximize damage because the bosses have massive health pools.
The strategy becomes deep. You’re juggling Pep Powers—those flashy, cinematic team attacks—and trying to time them perfectly. It’s not just about hitting hard; it’s about turn economy. If you don't manage your turns in the late-game trials, you're toast. Period.
Why the Characters Stick With You
Most games give you a party. This game gives you a family.
Take Sylvando. At first, he looks like a comic relief character, a flamboyant circus performer. By the end of his arc, he’s one of the most courageous, deeply empathetic characters in gaming history. His mission to bring a smile to a world shrouded in darkness isn't just a gimmick; it’s his core philosophy.
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Then there’s Erik. He’s your first companion, the "cool thief" archetype. But his backstory with his sister, Mia, provides the emotional anchor for the entire second act. The voice acting in the S version—specifically the English dub—is phenomenal here. The regional accents, from the faux-Italian of Gondolia to the thick North Country accents of Sniflheim, give the world of Erdrea a lived-in feel that most open worlds lack.
The game isn't afraid to be goofy. You’ll fight monsters like the "Sham Hatwitch" or the "Bunicorn." It’s pun-heavy and lighthearted until it isn't. When the story takes its dark turn at Yggdrasil, it hits harder because you’ve spent forty hours laughing with these people.
Performance and Visual Trade-offs
We have to be honest: the "S" version is a port of the Nintendo Switch version.
This means even on a PS5 or a high-end PC, the lighting and some textures are technically "worse" than the original 2017 PS4/PC release. The grass isn't as lush. The shadows are a bit softer. Does it matter? Not really. The art style by Akira Toriyama (of Dragon Ball fame) is so strong that it carries the game regardless of the polygon count. The trade-off—getting all that extra content, the 2D mode, and the orchestral music—is 100% worth the slight dip in graphical fidelity.
- Framerate: Smooth 60fps on most platforms, which feels much better than the original console release.
- Loading: Significantly faster, especially on SSDs.
- Photo Mode: A new addition that lets you pose the characters. It’s simple, but fun for capturing the vibrant landscapes.
The "Post-Game" is Actually the Third Act
Don't you hate it when you beat a game, the credits roll, and then there's just a bunch of boring fetch quests left?
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That's not how Dragon Quest XI Echoes of an Elusive Age S works. What people call the "post-game" is actually a massive third act that changes the entire ending of the story. It addresses the tragedies of the second act. It offers a path to a "true" ending that is both satisfying and incredibly challenging.
You’ll find yourself grinding for the best gear—the Supreme Sword of Light, the Seraph's Robes—just to stand a chance against the final, final boss. It’s a grind, sure, but it’s a rewarding one. You aren't just raising numbers; you're completing the destiny of the Luminary.
Actionable Steps for Your First Playthrough
If you’re just starting out or considering picking this up, here is how to get the most out of your time in Erdrea.
- Enable Stronger Monsters: If you have any experience with RPGs, the base game will be too easy. Turn this on in the "Draconian Quest" menu at the very start of the game. You cannot turn it on later, though you can turn it off if it gets too hard.
- Don't Grind Early: You don't need to stay in the first area killing Slimes for three hours. The game balances itself well. Just fight the enemies you see on your way to the next objective.
- Talk to Your Party: Use the "Party Talk" command constantly. The dialogue changes after almost every minor plot point. It’s where the best character development happens.
- Experiment with Skills: You can reset your skill points at any goddess statue for a small fee. Don't feel locked into Greatswords for the Hero or Whips for Veronica. Try everything.
- Use the Forge: The Fun-Size Forge is your best friend. Crafting your own gear and "reworking" it to +3 status is much better (and cheaper) than buying stuff from shops.
- Switch to 2D for Grinding: If you do find yourself needing to level up for a specific boss, switching to 2D mode makes random encounters much faster.
Dragon Quest XI Echoes of an Elusive Age S is a rare gem. It’s a 100-hour journey that actually respects your time by giving you a world worth saving. It doesn't rely on microtransactions or "live service" nonsense. It's just a complete, beautiful, and sometimes heartbreaking story about a boy and his friends trying to keep the light from going out. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a total newcomer to JRPGs, this is the one you need to play. You'll miss the world of Erdrea the moment the final credits roll.
To get started, focus on reaching the city of Heliodor first. The game starts slow, but once the world opens up after the first few hours, the momentum never stops. Grab your sword, find your companions, and don't forget to pet the horses.