Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Officially Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age — Definitive Edition
Traditional JRPG (Square Enix, PS4/3DS 2017; Switch S 2019; PC/Xbox/PS5 2020) — 11th mainline Dragon Quest set in Erdrea; Luminary quest to save world from Mordegon. Series-signature Akira Toriyama character design + Koichi Sugiyama score. Definitive Edition adds 2D + orchestral audio.
What is Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age?
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is the 11th mainline entry in Square Enix's Dragon Quest series — originally released 2017 for PS4 (Japan-only for 6 months, then localised globally September 2018) + Nintendo 3DS (Japan-exclusive with dual-screen 2D+3D mode). 'Definitive Edition' (DQ11 S) released September 2019 for Nintendo Switch with new orchestral audio, 2D visual toggle, expanded storylines for each party member, and new class-changing mechanics. Ported to PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series/PC December 2020. Set in the land of Erdrea, player controls the Luminary — reincarnated hero prophesied to defeat the Lord of Shadows Mordegon. Signature Akira Toriyama character design (Dragon Ball creator, veteran Dragon Quest artist), Koichi Sugiyama orchestral score (until his 2021 passing). Turn-based combat with 6-character party, character-specific skill trees, and forge crafting system. 6M+ units sold across all versions.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~60 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
PS4/3DS 2017 (Japan) → Sep 2018 (West); Switch Definitive Sep 2019; multi-platform Dec 2020
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Guide the Luminary + party to defeat Mordegon + save Erdrea from the Lord of Shadows.
Match structure
Single-player turn-based JRPG with 6-character rotating party.
Rules
Basic rules
6-character party (4 active)
Rotate 6 party members; 4 active in battle.
Turn-based combat with tension boost
Enemies + allies act in speed-based turn order; Psyche Up boosts damage.
Character-specific skill panels
Each character has multi-branch skill panel unlocked with skill points.
Advanced rules
Definitive Edition draconian mode
Optional Draconian Quest settings (no armour, no shop, extra strong enemies) for challenge.
Zoom fast-travel + campsite forge
Zoom teleports to visited locations; campsite forge for crafting/upgrading equipment.
Scoring
Story completion + postgame world save + party level ~99 + all skills unlocked + all quest completion.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Main story completion | Credits + postgame unlock |
Win condition · Defeat Mordegon; postgame reveals additional storyline + Timewyrm true final boss.
Equipment
PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series, PC, Switch, 3DS (JP)
Multi-platform Definitive Edition.
Standard controller or M+KB (PC)
Turn-based combat playable with any input.
Positions & roles
Luminary + party (Erik, Veronica, Serena, Sylvando, Rab, Jade, Hendrik)
×4Main hero + 7 recruitable companions.
Officiating
Single-player only.
- Speedrun.com moderators
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Party wipe (all HP 0)
Lose half gold; respawn at last church.
Casino losses
Casino chips lost — no gameplay penalty beyond.
Strategies
Psyche Up chain for boss burst
Multiple Psyche Ups (up to 100 tension) unleash massive damage on turn.
Weakness targeting per element
Erdreans have specific weaknesses; scout via Serena Analyze or Rab telepathy.
Draconian Quest challenge modes
Enable Definitive Edition draconian settings for tighter, more strategic play.
Terminology
- Luminary
- Player-hero title in DQ11
- Erdrea
- Game world
- Draconian Quest
- Optional challenge modes
- Timewyrm
- True final boss (postgame)
Major competitions
Speedrun.com DQ11 leaderboards
ongoing · global (community) · since 2017
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Square Enix Holdings
Founded 2003 · Tokyo, Japan
Armor Project (Yuji Horii)
Founded 1983 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Community speedrunners; DQ series voice cast + composers
Records
Total sales as of 2024
Square Enix — 6+ million units across all versions (2024)
Koichi Sugiyama final DQ score
Koichi Sugiyama (1931-2021) — DQ11 was Sugiyama's last mainline DQ score before his 2021 passing (2017)
Definitive Edition (Switch) enhancements
Square Enix — Added 2D toggle + orchestral audio + expanded character storylines (2019)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Main story + party recruitment
Play through main story; recruit all 7 companions.
intermediate
- 1
Postgame + Timewyrm
Complete postgame Erdwin's Lantern storyline + defeat Timewyrm.
advanced
- 1
Draconian + speedrun
Draconian Quest challenge run + speedrun.com Any% leaderboards.
Frequently asked
Do I need to play other Dragon Quest games?+
No — DQ11 is standalone; references DQ1-3 in postgame Nostalgia-nod segments but no prior knowledge required.
Which edition should I play?+
Definitive Edition (S — Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox, PC) has all extra content: orchestral audio, 2D toggle, expanded character storylines.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Dragon Quest XI— Wikipedia