Games Happy

Considered one of December’s greatest RPG releases is the return of the Dragon Quest Monsters franchise with Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince.

Whereas we have seen a handful of newer Dragon Quest spinoffs in recent times, resembling Dragon Quest Treasures, the anime-infused Journey of Dai, or the superb Dragon Quest Builders sequence, Monsters particularly hadn’t seen a brand new entry since 2016’s Joker 3, which by no means formally made it is strategy to English audiences. The Darkish Prince successfully reboots the sub-series for a worldwide viewers.

Forward of launch for Nintendo Change, RPG Website had the prospect to ask producer Kento Yokota just a few questions in regards to the revived sub-series. You may learn our fast chat with the producer beneath.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince releases on December 1 for Nintendo Change. Word that these questions have been despatched over to Sq. Enix earlier than the discharge of the sport. 

RPG Website: To start with, are you able to introduce your self and describe your historical past with the Dragon Quest sequence? How did you begin with Dragon Quest?

Kento Yokota: My first skilled involvement with the Dragon Quest sequence was as a part of the QA workforce for Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies. I then moved by means of different departments and joined the Dragon Quest sequence PR workforce. A couple of years later, I turned a producer, and the primary title I labored on as a producer was the 3DS model of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age which launched in Japan.

RPG Website: How and why was it determined to put a brand new Monsters sport in an alternate model of Dragon Quest IV (moderately than aligned with the opposite DQ Monsters video games)?

Yokota: The Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker sequence — which had continued for about 10 years — had already concluded, and we have been trying to renew the Monsters sequence, main us to kick off this venture. There have been a number of modifications from the earlier video games, however amongst them was our need to construct a stable storyline, and after consulting the creator of the Dragon Quest sequence, Yuji Horii, we determined to depict the story with Psaro because the protagonist.

RPG Website: Dragon Quest IV‘s Psaro and Rose have a tragic destiny within the authentic sport except the participant places in further effort. How did you method revisiting these characters in a brand new entry?

Yokota: This barely overlaps with my earlier reply, however after we thought-about enhancing the story farther from earlier Dragon Quest Monsters video games and after we thought-about who is perhaps an acceptable protagonist when doing so, Psaro got here to thoughts. It’s uncommon for the Dragon Quest sequence to deal with the antagonist, the darkish facet if you’ll, and I assumed it will be a refreshing story to inform—Yuji Horii instantly agreed.  

RPG Website: The final entry within the Monsters sequence was Joker 3 (which was by no means launched in English). What elements of earlier Dragon Quest Monsters video games did you need to convey ahead to this newest entry, and what elements are new?

Yokota: What’s necessary to the Dragon Quest Monsters sequence is that they’re video games during which “monsters are the central focus, the celebs” and during which “gamers journey whereas using synthesis.” These two haven’t modified for the reason that first installment, however the programs has differed significantly between the Sport Boy period (Dragon Quest Monsters 1, Dragon Quest Monsters 2) and the Nintendo DS/3DS period (Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker, Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry’s Wonderland 3DS, and so on.). I imagine you’ll get the sense that the newest installment respects and fuses these two approaches to the gameplay system.

RPG Website: Are you able to focus on the seasons-changing mechanic and the way that impacts gameplay? Can we management the seasons?

Yokota: As you discover the sector, the seasons change after a sure time period, and the sport will repeatedly rotate by means of all 4 seasons, from spring, summer time, fall, winter, and again to spring… Because the season modifications, you’ll discover some modifications to the monsters that seem, in addition to to the terrain and accessible areas. Gamers won’t be able to manage the seasons.

RPG Website: Dragon Quest Monsters are identified for his or her in depth post-game challenges. Are you able to say something about Darkish Prince’s gameplay as soon as gamers full the principle quest?

Yokota: Sadly, presently, I can’t focus on parts gamers will be capable to expertise after finishing the principle situation to keep away from spoilers. Nevertheless, as in previous sequence titles, you’ll be able to count on that there can be… one thing for gamers to take pleasure in.

RPG Website: We now have to ask this one: which monster(s) is your favourite and why?

Yokota: My private favourite is Overkilling Machine. However after all, I additionally like monsters of the identical household, resembling Killing Machine. I believe monsters within the Machine household that seem within the Dragon Quest sequence have designs which can be fairly endearing, the place they really feel considerably unguarded within the sense that there are a number of points that don’t appear rational or logical for killing or destroying.

RPG Website: Is there anything you wished to say about Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince?

Yokota: The newest sport was developed and adjusted in order that even newcomers to the sequence would be capable to take pleasure in each the story and system. Moreover, it’ll be necessary for gamers to strengthen their monsters to progress by means of the sport, however a definite function of the Dragon Quest Monsters sequence is that your monster roster and attributes can transform utterly totally different from different gamers. We hope to see you all expertise the enjoyment of finishing the sport with your individual authentic occasion!