Square Enix revealed new gameplay footage for Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Departed Time, but continues to remain silent on the upcoming RPG's Nintendo Switch version.
The company has also released the launch date in Japan for the MMORPG Dragon Quest X, which will be coming to the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
'Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Departed Time' Gameplay
In the Countdown Carnival event, Square Enix showed off gameplay from the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS versions of Dragon Quest XI. The PlayStation 4 footage covers 31:00 to 46:00 of the video below, while the Nintendo 3DS footage starts shortly after and lasts until 55:00.
Square Enix also revealed a Restricted Play system for Dragon Quest XI for gamers who are looking for a challenge. When players start a new game on the RPG, there will be four restrictions that will be presented. Only one of these restrictions was revealed, and that is a shopping restrict option that prevents players from buying items from shops to make them rely on finding, looting, and crafting items.
Players who select a certain restriction and then find out that it is too difficult for them will be allowed to deactivate it anytime in the game.
'Dragon Quest XI' For Nintendo Switch
While Square Enix showed off gameplay and features for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS versions of Dragon Quest XI, the company remained silent on news regarding the Nintendo Switch version of the game.
The version was confirmed as far back as July 2015 through an official announcement, and again earlier this year by Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. Dragon Quest XI is seen as an important factor in the success of the Nintendo Switch in Japan, where the franchise has retained massive popularity.
However, when Horii and producer Yosuke Saito were asked about the Nintendo Switch version, Horii continues to remain strangely quiet about the title. According to Saito, there is nothing "solid to share" for Dragon Quest XI on the Nintendo Switch, adding that there are "grown-up reasons" for the silence on the matter. Saito requested fans to wait a little bit longer on more details about the game and promised that an announcement will be made once the time is right.
There is now speculation on what is holding back the release of details for the Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest XI. There is the possibility that Square Enix was requested by Nintendo to put the spotlight on the Nintendo 3DS version of the RPG for now so that the Nintendo Switch version will not cannibalize sales for the handheld video game console. Nintendo may also be planning to include Dragon Quest XI in its presentation at the upcoming E3 2017.
Dragon Quest XI will launch in Japan on July 29 for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS.
'Dragon Quest X' Coming Soon
Meanwhile, Square Enix also announced the Japanese release date of Dragon Quest X.
The MMORPG will be launched for the PlayStation 4 on Aug. 17 and for the Nintendo Switch on Sept. 21. The game will come in an "all-in-one" package that includes all three versions of Dragon Quest X, at a price tag of ¥4,800, or about $43, with a monthly fee of ¥1,500, or about $13, for five characters on the PlayStation 4. There is no word yet on pricing and availability for the United States.
