Dragon Quest Treasures

Developer: Square Enix
Publisher:Square Enix
Platforms: Switch
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 – Available Here

Overview

Dragon Quest Treasures is the first spin-off of the franchise to come west in some time and looks to extend the lore of the widely acclaimed Dragon Quest XI with a brand-new story. This title puts players in the roles of a young Erik and Mia, featuring new mechanics, areas, and a wholesome little tale based around loot. Does it stand on its own, or is this adventure one to pass on? Let’s find out. 

Story

Starting out, players are whipped into a journey within Dragon Quest Treasures that feels completely unique to the franchise. Players take control of both Erik and Mia (who are kids at this point) who escape their Viking captors and set out on an adventure where they must encounter other hunters, gangs, and evil forces that look to be attempting to find the same rare treasures that are laid out before them. The game features a light yet very fresh narrative that may not be deep, yet still captures the charm and atmosphere that made XI a modern classic. Sometimes it’s just the way the story is told that makes a difference, and despite being kind of short, this plot still manages to unfold in a way that makes it feel both important and interesting until the credits roll. The characters are interesting and have great dialogue segments with our heroes, adding a nice layer to a universe that is worth expanding upon. 

Gameplay

While the story may be simplistic, Dragon Quest Treasures is really anything but. Players are tasked with many roles to complete their objective, which is mainly to collect as much loot as they can while searching for chests and goods all throughout the vast regions of Draconia. To find treasure, these two alternate as the protagonists, exploring one area at a time with an entire gang of monsters. Monsters must be recruited and provide new abilities that unlock their own abilities that can provide boosts such as the ability to glide, hop, and break through walls in order to get to new areas. Monsters are also where the combat comes in as well, which is worth talking about on its own. 

At its core, Dragon Quest Treasures is an Action-RPG. Instead of the traditional turn-based fare, players can use their daggers and slingshots to do battle. Instead of magic, your slingshot can receive special pellets so you can ensure your squad stays safe, with both offensive and defensive attacks that can be executed from afar. The monsters cannot be controlled other than general commands, as they auto attack, but can be leveled up and swapped out at will prior to any mission. It’s an odd gimmick for sure but works well enough to still feel satisfying for this entry. In some ways, Treasures reminds me of the Dragon Quest Monsters titles of the past, mixed with the exploration elements of Rocket Slime, which was a Nintendo DS exclusive. New monsters can unlock new paths in already explored areas, opening more treasure and quests, with the depth of a standard DQ adventure coated on top with all the items and variables that come with leveling and growing as a “gang”. 

Coming off XI’s success does show the limitations of this spin-off just a bit. Sometimes it almost feels as if the game has a lack of challenge and while treasure hoarding is addictive and fun, combat never feels as interesting simply navigating around the world. The game is surprisingly large, but I never felt too much of a threat, even when the game progressed onward as it seemed almost as if my gang was over-levelled and had an answer to everything. Sure, this is meant to be a lighter experience marketed towards a potential younger audience – but I do think some sharper teeth could have added a bit more substance and gratification beyond the treasure hunting, which worked very well for Treasures as a whole. 

Visuals

Visually, things look mostly great. The animations and art style featured present a slightly different look for things, but things still seem sharp and fluid despite the change of genre for Treasures. Characters look as interesting as their sharp-witted personalities, and the worlds are varied and a blast to explore. The textures however can be a bit plain, and the lack of detail on the map may leave a little to be desired for those hunting for a more fleshed out RPG on their Switch. Those who played XI, however, shouldn’t be upset several reworked and familiar assets are worked in this title without issue, with the cutscenes coming off as crisp and endearing. 

Audio

The soundtrack really depends on the player. Sure, the originality is low, but the Dragon Quest tunes are mostly here, as well as the sounds and traditional fare that never seem to change much throughout all the installments. There are some unique tunes, but the soundtrack will be loudly familiar – for better or worse. The voice acting is fantastic, making cutscenes feel cinematic, with performances that are just as memorable as they are entertaining. 

Overall

Dragon Quest Treasures is a worthy spin-off for Erik and Mia, and one that is sure to find its way as a “hidden gem” on the platform for generations to come. While it may not be the broadest of adventures, it does feature a lot of fun and interweaving gimmicks with its combat and exploration mechanics that do well at creating a foundation for future installments to come. There is something truly addictive about hunting for treasure, and this little title is sure to be a golden find for those of us needing something to satisfy our appetite for the franchise until the next major sequel or remake finds its way to consoles. 

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