Dragon Quest 12 changes its name and starts from scratch: an spin-off chapter is also announced
Square Enix has finally provided a significant update on Dragon Quest 12, the new main chapter of the historic JRPG saga. During the announcement, executive producer Yosuke Saito and series creator Yuji Horii confirmed that the game will no longer be called Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate, but rather Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams. Along with the new title, a new logo and a first teaser dedicated to the game's settings were also shown.
According to Saito, the original project faced numerous obstacles during development. Due to an internal reorganization of the team and difficulties related to the initial vision of the title, Square Enix decided to completely restart production, essentially starting from scratch. Despite this major change, the team promises that the new game will include many elements never seen before in a Dragon Quest chapter. Longtime fans of the series will still find some classic elements, as the character designs by the late Akira Toriyama and the music by the late Koichi Sugiyama, historic figures closely tied to the franchise's identity, are confirmed.
Not only Dragon Quest 12: an spin-off chapter announced
As for the plot, Beyond Dreams will follow a new protagonist tormented by mysterious visions. According to Horii, the character will embark on a journey in search of answers, and these could lead to a bright future, although the path will be marked by dark and difficult moments.
The teaser showcased various scenarios, including forests, deserts, and beaches, offering a first glimpse at the artistic direction of the project. Two other characters also appeared: a technology-savvy woman accompanied by a sort of floating motorcycle and robots, and a warrior resembling a lizard, later seen with red armor. In the footage, the protagonist even faces a gigantic armored dragon without showing any fear.
Square Enix has not provided a release window for Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams, and considering the restart of development, it is likely that the game will still take a long time before its release. However, Yuji Horii expressed confidence that fans will "love it". Meanwhile, the company also announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, a new spin-off chapter of the Monsters series. The game will arrive on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.