Dragon Quest 12 Promises Darker Story and Big Battle Changes, Says Creator Yuji Horii

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Summary

  • Development on Dragon Quest 12 is in full swing, according to series creator Yuji Horii.
  • The game’s turn-based battle system will be changed in some way, and players can expect a darker entry in the franchise.
  • Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake will be released sometime in 2025.

The creator of the series, Yuji Horii, has given fresh news about “Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate,” assuring us that work is progressing steadily. Details about “Dragon Quest 12” have been hard to come by since its initial announcement in May 2021, as the development process has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of crucial team members involved in the project.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve always admired the Dragon Quest series, even though it’s been more of a Japanese phenomenon. But recently, games like the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake have been making waves in the West. This remake, released by Square Enix in November 2024, sold over two million copies within three months, outperforming many expectations. It was a refreshed version of the original NES title, packed with quality-of-life improvements and utilizing the trendy HD-2D graphical engine. Now, we’re all eagerly waiting to see what’s next for this nearly 40-year-old franchise, with most of us wondering about the upcoming mainline game.

In a recent conversation with Gamereactor, the original creator of Dragon Quest, Yuji Horii, affirmed that his team is diligently working on Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate. While specific details are still sparse, he emphasized that he’s pouring significant effort into it and promised that the upcoming title will be impressive. All he could add was to encourage fans to stay excited about it. Previously in February, Horii also shared that development on Dragon Quest 12 was moving smoothly, offering some optimism for enthusiasts hungry for new content. During the Dragon Quest’s 35th anniversary live stream, it was made clear that the game’s traditional turn-based battle system will undergo changes, although Horii reassured fans that it won’t vanish entirely. He also hinted that the narrative of the next game would be darker and more mature, with player decisions playing a crucial role in shaping the world.

Series Creator Says That He Is ‘Putting Lots of Work’ Into Dragon Quest 12

Back in April, I found myself worrying about the future of Dragon Quest 12 when its producer decided to step down from the project. For over two decades, Yu Miyake has been a dedicated member of the Dragon Quest family, joining the team all the way back in 1992. Now, he’s moved on to lead Square Enix’s smartphone games division.

Moreover, in an interview from 2024, creator Yuji Horii expressed some concern over the upcoming 12th installment following the passing of Akira Toriyama and Koichi Sugiyama, longtime contributors to the series. However, he reassured fans that he would give it his all to ensure the game’s success, even without these beloved collaborators.

Although it’s uncertain when exactly Dragon Quest 12 might unveil its launch date, enthusiasts of the franchise can anticipate an exciting moment in 2025. This year brings the scheduled arrival of the Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, set to hit PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Players embarking on this HD-2D remake’s chronological journey are said to encounter a delightful surprise along the way.

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2025-05-13 22:40