History VideoGame / DragonQuestXI

* CallBack: Aside from the monsters and musical themes that are a mainstay of the series, the Tickington quests are a ''long'' series of call-backs to scenes from previous ''Dragon Quest" games. Often, these quests show the action from a different point of view, or flesh out an event that was mentioned but never shown onscreen.

* ButThouMust: Almost, if not all, yes/no choices are rigged so that not being a stereotypical Hero sees either people berating your desire to NOT be a hero, or choosing to refuse being an illogical option; i.e. you WILL do what the plot wants you to do whether ya like it or not. Sometimes, choosing the non-heroic option results in a character reprimanding you for your attitude, then the game continues on irrelevant of your choice.
* CagedInsideAMonster: Iron Maidens, a new class of monsters was introduced in this entry which appear as porcelain dolls with a birdcage where their legs would be.[[note]]Though they've retroactively been around since ''Dragon Quest X''[[/note]] These monsters can trap allies inside their cages rendering them immobile until freed.

* ChaosIsEvil: Played completely strait in the game. The playable characters clearly stand for justice and order: (helping benevolent monarchs, fighting criminals and terrorists, keeping stability in the world) etc. While the villains cause destruction and death wherever they go.

** In the Switch version, you can automatically purchase buyable forging materials you're missing if you have enough money regardless of your location, though some super-rare materials cannot be purchased in this manner. You can also use the Fun-Size Forge anywhere instead of only at a campsite, and without the five minute cooldown upon loading a save that was present in previous versions.

* AntiRageQuitting: In the original versions of the game, you're forced to wait five minutes after starting a play session before you can use the Fun-Size Forge; preventing easy SaveScumming. This restriction is removed in the Switch version.

* ChallengeRun: The Draconian Quest options - it's a set of limitations that the player can turn on when starting a new game. This includes harder enemies, no escaping from battles, no shopping, lesser to no experience points from weaker monsters, "shypox" that makes the Hero miss turns in combat and temporarily unable to talk to [=NPCs=] due to remembering something embarrassing, and not being able to equip any armors. The Switch version dropped "no running" for three new ones: a souped up version of shypox that affects the whole party, [[WeCannotGoOnWithoutYou game over when the Hero drops in battle]], and the ability for [=NPCs=] to give wrong info to the Hero. Needless to say, turning more than two of those will make the game NintendoHard. You can turn them off at any church or statues, but you can't turn them back on on this particular playthrough.

* ItemCrafting: One of the things you can do while camping is use the "Fun-Size Forge" to create new weapons, armor, and accessories, or improve store-bought or treasure equipment. In the Switch version, you can use it ''anywhere'', making it a breeze to make things on the go.

** Erik's sidestory in the Definitive Edition is a nod to the first chapter of ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIV''. Both segments feature a computer-controlled Healslime ally (Healie in ''IV'', and Healijah in ''XI S'') alongside a single player-controlled human character (Ragnar in ''IV'', and Erik in ''XI S''), and the music in Erik's sidestory is taken directly from ''Dragon Quest IV''. The cave music from ''IV'' is newly added to the Switch version of ''XI'', and appears nowhere else in the game (unlike the battle theme, which appears in Octagonia).

** The Definitive Edition expanded rerelease includes both 2D (based on the 3DS) and 3D (based on the [=PS4=]) modes. This takes the opposite approach from the password system, with the Switch version resetting your storyline progress to a checkpoint, but allowing your characters and items to be transferred intact. While side-quests are retained (no farming the rare accessories, for example), chests are slightly different in the two versions and are thus reset to unopened when switching between the two. It's entirely possible to switch from 3D to 2D (and immediately back) in order to return to the start of the game, before the Cobblestone Tor.

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The Switch version reveals the origins of the Soldiers of Smile. They are composed of a trio of fishermen who turned to crime out of desperation, a wandering priest, a novice circus performer, a novice knight, a juggling fortune teller, a drummer with a fondness for horses, a botanist, a wandering martial artist, and a blacksmith.

* ReformulatedGame: They were concurrently developed with one another, but the [=PS4=] and [=3DS=] versions of the game are highly different from each other.[[note]]The Switch version is based on the [=PS4=] version, but with the option of playing with the 2D graphics of the 3DS version.[[/note]]

** The 3DS version also had the ability to visit locations from previous ''Dragon Quest'' games, complete in their original graphical style. The Switch version of this feature SNES-styled versions for the locations that are from the 3D installments.

** The Tickington sidequests in the 3DS and Switch versions are about making sure the histories of past games are on their right course as you deal with monsters trying to meddle in them.

* UpdatedRerelease: The Switch version of the game, called ''Dragon Quest XI S'', features voice acting in the Japanese release, to the contrary of the [=PS4=] and PC versions, which went undubbed. There are also additional scenarios involving the individual party members, the ability to use a live orchestral version of the soundtrack, and to play it as a 16-bit style console game like in the 3DS version, as well as a few extra Draconian Quest options. The international release also has the ability to change between the current dub work and the new Japanese voices.

** For an example [[VideoGameRemake between versions]], the Fun-Sized Forge still appears at campsites in the Switch version whenever you make camp, even though this version lets you use the Forge anywhere and anytime.

** [[spoiler:After spending about sixty hours assembling your party, gathering the {{plot coupon}}s and doing some side quests, you go to confront Carnelian at Yggdrasil. He reveals himself to really be Mordegon, swats you aside and scatters the party, forcing you to assemble it all over again]].

** The opening scene has the hero's birthplace sacked by monsters.

* DungeonTown: The Ruins of Dundrasil are inhabited by monsters, including a Green Dragon.

** When you confront the monster blocking the path to Mount Huji, [[spoiler:the voice acting gives the game away before the kids lose control of the monster costume. All the real monsters that are voiced are given suitably demonic-sounding voices; this one sounds like a child trying to do a scary voice -- which is exactly what's going on.]]

** After learning that the Luminary's birth-mother sacrificed herself to save him, Serena notes that she and Veronica should learn from her example. [[spoiler: Veronica clearly had the same thought]].

* KarmaHoudini: The hero is encouraged more than once to [[TurnTheOtherCheek forgive his enemies and not hold revenge in his heart]]. This leads to a few fairly morally ambiguous characters getting off pretty lightly.

* LazyBackup: [[AvertedTrope Averted]] for this entry. You can switch out party members, even dead ones, at any time on your turns, though those who are switched in must wait until the next round to act (except in the Switch version's 2D mode, where combat turns function as they did in previous entries and party members can only be switched in at the start of turns, but are able to act immediately). Should your entire active party be wiped out, reserve party members will automatically hop into the fray.

* MiniMecha: The Eggsoskeleton and Kaiser type rideable monsters are mechanical in nature, and some can be ridden by the heroes after besting them in battle. In the Eggsoskeletons' case, they can jump much higher than the heroes, providing access to high cliffs.
* MoneyForNothing: Plenty of excellent equipment can be found, crafted, or received as quest rewards, so there is little need to spend large sums. It isn't hard to have hundreds of thousands of gold in the bank by the end of the second act.

* MonsterTown: The [[RecurringCharacter Medal King]] is a PosthumousCharacter in this installment; however he had a daughter, and he turned his palace into the L'Academie de Notre Maitre des Medailles, an academy where young girls (human and monster) can learn how to [[GottaCatchThemAll find medals]] elegantly. Being an established TruceZone between human and monster even after [[spoiler: Yggdrasil's Fall]]; they are aware they have it a lot better than most of Erdrea.

** Jade, especially with some [[BattleBikini Battle Bikinis]]. One of her skill trees is Allure, which functions much like the Sex-Appeal skill set used by Jessica from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII''.

* MurderousMannequin: The "maiden doll" monsters: Dora-in-Grey, Golden Girl, Iron Maiden, Platinum Poppet, Steel Siren, and Zomaiden.[[note]]Or Meltoa, Death Mademoiselle, Maiden Doll, Occult Bisque, Siren Ghost, and Zoma's Lady in Japanese.[[/note]] They are all part of the Material Family, despite Steel Siren being described as undead. "Maiden doll" monsters consist of a puppet-like upper half and a cage to trap people in as lower half, evoking antique dress forms.

** A book detailing the origins of Cantlin's guardian Golem from ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI'' can be found in the Sniflheim Royal Library. [[spoiler:This is especially confusing since the game explicitly takes place before ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'', which places it before ''I'' as well.]]
** One of the outfit sets for the hero available at the very start resembles that of the ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'' hero, and it's not even subtle by being called the Trodain Bandana and Trogs.

** Erik's sidestory in the Switch version is a nod to the first chapter of ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIV''. Both segments feature a computer-controlled Healslime ally (Healie in ''IV'', and Healijah in ''XI S'') alongside a single player-controlled human character (Ragnar in ''IV'', and Erik in ''XI S''), and the music in Erik's sidestory is taken directly from ''Dragon Quest IV''. The cave music from ''IV'' is newly added to the Switch version of ''XI'', and appears nowhere else in the game (unlike the battle theme, which appears in Octagonia).

** The Switch expanded rerelease includes both 2D (based on the 3DS) and 3D (based on the [=PS4=]) modes. This takes the opposite approach from the password system, with the Switch version resetting your storyline progress to a checkpoint, but allowing your characters and items to be transferred intact. While side-quests are retained (no farming the rare accessories, for example), chests are slightly different in the two versions and are thus reset to unopened when switching between the two. It's entirely possible to switch from 3D to 2D (and immediately back) in order to return to the start of the game, before the Cobblestone Tor.

* PortalCrossroadWorld: The Echo Chamber in Tickington (which appears in the 3DS and Switch re-release) allows you to visit past worlds in the mainline ''Dragon Quest'' series.

** The 3DS version has a mode that makes the game looks like it was made on the Platform/{{Super Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}}. It was later brought over to the Switch version.

** The [=3DS=] version was co-developed by Toylogic, and has the option to either play the game in full 3D, with SuperDeformed characters and an art style similar to ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'', or with 2D sprites that closely resemble the UsefulNotes/SuperNES games in the series. The opening uses both styles on separate screens, before having you choose which you want to stick with.

** The 3DS version has a mode that makes the game looks like it was made on the UsefulNotes/{{Super Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}}. It was later brought over to the Switch version.

''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'' is the eleventh mainline installment of the ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' series. It was released in Japan on July 29, 2017 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, with an international release on [=PS4=] and PC on September 4, 2018.\\\
A UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch version was announced for a worldwide release, but was delayed due to technical issues and not released until September 27, 2019 as ''[[UpdatedRerelease Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Edition]]'', which includes extra features such as Japanese voice acting, new character-specific story chapters, new sidequests, and the ability to change between polygonal and 16-bit pixel art visuals. ''XI S'' was eventually released on [=PS4=], UsefulNotes/XboxOne and PC on December 4, 2020, marking ''Dragon Quest''[='=]s first appearance on one of Microsoft's consoles.

** This is the first game in the series to change up the turn structure of battles. While still turn-based, you give commands to each party member when they can act, rather than giving the whole party commands before everyone acts. Averted in the 3DS and 2D mode of the Definitive Edition, which runs on the older games' structure.

* BonusBoss:
** Various Malicious Monsters are fought as optional bosses in the post-game, usually causing trouble in one of the several cities of the game. They pretty much serve as warm-up [[spoiler: before the final fight with Calasmos]].
** More typical Bonus Bosses can be found within [[BonusDungeon Drustan's Labyrinth]], being much more powerful PaletteSwaps of the Spectral Sentinels.
** The 3DS edition adds The End Of Time [[spoiler: a golden version of Calasmos]] as a powerful Superboss. The Definitive Edition, on top of having The End Of Time, also adds the Timewyrm, [[spoiler: a golden version of Mordragon, and implied to be the discarded timeline's version of him that somehow survived]] which tops The End Of Time as the strongest optional boss in the game.

** [[spoiler: An unusually practical variation. Make a second Sword of Light even though you have the original in the new timeline. Sell some {{orichalcum}} to the UltimateBlacksmith who will make the [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIII Sword Of Kings.]] Yes, [[AncestralWeapon Erdrick's Sword.]] Now beat a single BonusBoss in the Bonus Dungeon and you'll get a recipe to combine them into the "Supreme Sword of Light." If this is your first wish, then you still have quite a bit of game left.]]
** The Brilliant Blade from beating the final trial of the Wheel of Harma in 30 turns or less and the ultimate weapon recipes from beating EVERY BonusBoss in the BonusDungeon are much less practical examples.

* AlternateTimeline: [[spoiler:Act 3 takes place in a new timeline, created after the hero went back in time to prevent the deaths of Veronica and countless other people. At the true ending of the game, a third timeline is created and glimpsed when Serenica goes back in time herself, to save Erdwin.]]

%%* AmazingTechnicolorBattlefield: The battle against the TrueFinalBoss takes place in such an area.

* SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong: The main crux of the post-game scenario. [[spoiler:Your team is '''not''' simply going to let Veronica die, so long as there's ''something'' they can do about it. Even if it involves a TimeyWimeyBall that would make [[VideoGame/ChronoTrigger Crono and gang]] blush. Going further from their wishes to get Veronica back, the Luminary and his team also prevent many other tragedies from happening again in the new timeline, several characters who had previously died can be saved this time around.]]
** The Tickington sidequests in the 3DS and Switch versions are about making sure the histories of past games are on their right course as you deal with monsters trying to meddle in them.

''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'' is the eleventh mainline installment of the ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' series. It was released in Japan on July 29, 2017 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, with an international release on [=PS4=] and PC on September 4, 2018.\\\

** There's even an option to disable the hero's in-battle shouts and grunts, rendering him truly silent (In a possible callback to the Englishdub for VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII, which also made the hero completely silent)

* StealthPrequel: [[spoiler: The game takes place before ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'', as revealed in TheStinger, which is itself is a prequel to the original ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''.]]

* AbortedArc: [[spoiler:At the end of the Gondolia arc, Erik warns the Doge that Heliodor will likely seek revenge on the city for siding with the "Darkspawn". Nothing actually comes of this.]]

** Fourteen monsters have palette-swapped Rarefied variants, nearly all of which present a boss-level challenge when they first appear due to having far more HP, higher damage, better abilities, and often multiple actions per turn. The Brollympian and Type G0 are particularly notable, the former for being able to render your entire team unable to attack for a turn and the latter for being a powered-up version of a killing machine, which is already an extremely powerful monster.
** Überkilling Machines get bumped up a level in difficulty in this entry. They're restricted to a couple of dungeons; but can attack twice, reflect spells, use rapidfire beams at random, and ''bring one of their allies back from death''. If you face more than one and your levels are still low for the post-game, this may well be a TotalPartyKill.

* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Booga, one of Mordegon's demon generals, captures and brainwashes [[spoiler:Jade]], forcing the party to fight [[spoiler:her]] before facing him.

* CagedInsideAMonster: A new class of monsters was introduced in this entry which appear as porcelain dolls with a birdcage where their legs would be. These monsters can trap allies inside their cages rendering them immobile until freed.

* ChaosIsEvil: Played completly strait in the game. The playable characters clearly stand for justice and order: (helping benovolent monarchs, fighting criminals and terrorists, keeping stablity in the world) etc. While the villains cause destruction and death wherever they go.

* ChekhovsGun: Remember how [[spoiler: Edwin's Lantern]] up and [[spoiler: falls to the Earth, only to be destroyed with extreme prejudice by Mordegon before it can land?]] Yeah, turns out the Hero should have asked a few questions about everything involved with that.

* ChestMonster: This entry introduces slot machine Mimics called Penny Pinchers. In a few areas, slot machines which act similarly to treasure chests, but are filled with casino tokens, appear. The first few of these are legitimate slot machines, but the Pinchers are mixed in soon after.

** The Switch version's sidestories reveal [[spoiler:the bunny suit Jade had when she was demonized]] was cursed. If you try to change to a different outfit during the sidestory, the game will stop you, stating it's cursed and can't be removed. If you do the logical thing and talk to the priest, he'll say it's Uber-Cursed and he can't lift it.

* DragonRider: It is possible to ride dragons - as well as a whole heap of other critters - in this game.
* DramaticChaseOpening: The story begins with monsters attacking the kingdom of Dundrasil and the queen running away with TheHero and a young girl, while being chased by monsters.

** Sylvando seems to know a lot about knighthood to tell Faris off, and hides behind Erik when he spots Don Rodrigo's servant when travelling through the sea gates of Puerto Valor. Interesting... why would he seem to do that?

** Traditionally, whips in this series have been used mostly by female characters. That Sylvando can equip them fits with him being either CampStraight, or more likely CampGay. He is also a circus performer, and he mentioned that he'd tamed his share of lions while travelling with the circus.

* LaserGuidedAmnesia: Characters who are turned into monsters or possessed by monsters typically suffer this concerning their time as monsters once they are turned back, remembering little or nothing of what happened. Albeit their behavior may still be effected by what happened when they were monsters (one character retaining the winking habit she got as a succubat), and when possessed [[spoiler:(as in King Carnelian's case)]] they may remember they were possessed even though they remember little of what they did while possessed. Further, when they are monsters they may (or may not) remember they were previously human. Notably this doesn't happen with [[spoiler:Jade after she is freed from Boogie's control. After briefly not being sure what happened, she quickly regains her senses and states she remembers ''everything,'' before proceeding to slaughter Boogie in vengeance. That she was so different may come down to how she made the power granted to her as a monster her own, in a sense possessing it rather than it possessing her (or indeed, how the post game implies the power was her own to begin with and Booga simply awakened it). Since she remained part monster, no memory loss stuck. Under Booga's control she also retained memory of her life as a human, but was convinced that she was finally happy and didn't care about what happened to the world any more.]]
* LastBastion: A settlement literally named "The Last Bastion" is formed in the Heliodor region following the TimeSkip, and acts as the last line of defense against the newly-empowered monsters. [[spoiler:It's located in the ruins of Cobblestone Village.]]

** This is the first game in the series to change up the turn structure of battles. While still turn-based, you give commands to each party member when they can act, rather than giving the whole party commands before everyone acts. Averted in the 3DS and Switch 2D mode, which runs on the older games' structure.

* LighterAndSofter: When compared and contrasted to other entries in the series (in paticular ''Dragon Quest VIII''), it is defintily this.
* LimitBreak: Pep Powers. As characters deal and take damage in battle, they have a chance to enter a Pepped Up state which causes them to emit a blue aura and boosts some of their statistics. The status will wear off either over a number of turns, or by consuming the Pepped Up state to unleash a Pep Power, which has effects ranging from powerful group elemental attacks, to strong party or single member buffs, to unique and exceptionally useful support skills like guaranteeing rare drops and spawning multiple rare MetalSlime enemies. Most Pep Powers are combination attacks requiring specific characters, and most of those require all of the specified characters to be Pepped Up at the same time to use. The player characters are not the only ones capable of employing Pep -- enemies can Pep Up as well, and in the Switch's 2D mode certain enemies can begin battle already in a Pepped Up state.

* NewGamePlus: A variant in the Switch rerelease's 3D to 2D system.

** Serena's Sacred Set in the Switch version makes her look like adult Zelda from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''.

** In the Switch version, it's revealed that three members of Sylvando's Soldiers of Smile troupe were originally a trio of Gondolian fishermen-turned-street thugs named the Beastly Boys, referencing Music/TheBeastieBoys.

* {{Sssssnaketalk}}: The Auroral Serpent, all the way. "You shall have the pleasssure of being the Auroral Ssserpent'sss sssupper!"

* UselessUsefulSpell: Evac, a spell that lets you warp back to the entrance of the dungeon, becomes obsolete in the face of how Zoom is overpowered in this game, as Zoom can be used indoors and in dungeons for no MP cost. Does gain limited use as it can transport you to the beginning of large dungeons when you zoom to them as Zoom points are often in the middle or at the end of the dungeon. Even more useless for Erik in the [=PS4=] and PC versions, as he gets it several levels after the Hero does and it doesn't cost any MP -- the Switch version replaces it with the more thematic Nose for Treasure.

* CameraScrew: The game will place the camera directly ''behind'' party members when it's their turn. Regardless of whether or not something or some''one'' is in the way. Relatively benign, but sometimes comedic.