Square Enix has been receiving a lot of attention lately for its recent announcements, which included an update onFinal Fantasy 16and the reveal ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. One understated yet exciting reveal came during the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, whereDragon Quest Treasures, the latest spin-off in the beloved long-running JRPG series, received its first gameplay. Square Enix has now followed up this reveal with more gameplay details and screenshots forDragon Quest Treasures.
Dragon Quest Treasureswas first announced in May 2021 during a showcase celebrating the series' 35th anniversaryalongside games likeDragon Quest 3 HD-2DandDragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate.Treasureswas one of the most interesting titles announced during the event given that a lot of the team behind it previously developed theDragon Quest Monstersseries, a spin-off of the main series that focused on capturing and battling the series' iconic monsters similar to games likePokemonandShin Megami Tensei.
RELATED:Dragon Quest Treasures Trailer Confirms Release Date
Treasuresis very similar to this series conceptually, butit also serves as a prequel toDragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age, following party member Erik and his sister Mia during their childhood as referenced in the main game. Gameplay showcased so far has depicted the capturing and battling of these monsters, but new screenshots and information released today detail the game’s deeper mechanics. For one, players will be able to switch between Erik or Mia at any time, and progression is shared between both characters. Erik and Mia will be joined by two spirit guides, a cat spirit known as Purrsula, and a pig spirit known as Porcus.
Gameplay forDragon Quest Treasureswill involve the usual capturing and training monsters, all once again designed byDragon Ballmanga artist Akira Toriyama. This time, players will also be able to traverse the world using the monsters and use them to hunt for treasures similarly toPokemon Legends: Arceus. The game’s main structure centers around capturing monsters, training them, and using them to collect treasure and bring it back to Erik and Mia’s base to make money. Enemy rival gangs will also periodically hunt after treasure against Erik and Mia, which can result in rival battles.
So far,Dragon Quest Treasuresis looking to be an exciting new spin-off in the beloved series for new and returning fans, while also likely to grab the attention of fans ofsimilar games like the recentPokemontitles. The game continues Square Enix’s push to broadenDragon Quest’s appeal in the west, and will release simultaneously worldwide this December.
Dragon Quest Treasureswill release exclusively on Nintendo Switch on December 9..
MORE:The 12 Highest Scoring Square Enix Games Of The Decade, Ranked According To Metacritic
