Dragon Quest Games Could Start Changing In Big Ways

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Dragon Quest, like Final Fantasy, is a hugely important series that helped shape what we now know as Japanese Role-Playing Games, or JRPGs. It consistently defined many of the genre’s key elements, like turn-based battles, storytelling, and how parties work together. Despite this consistency, the creators of Dragon Quest have hinted that they’re open to evolving the series and introducing new ideas.

Square Enix has suggested a new Dragon Quest game might be announced this month, May 2026. While many fans are hoping for Dragon Quest 12, a remake of an older game is also a possibility. The recent 2D-HD remakes, which used a similar art style to Octopath Traveler, have been very popular, so it’s likely Square Enix could remake another classic title.

Dragon Quest Creators Suggest That The JRPG Series Could Move Away From Turn-Based Combat

In a recent Games Radar interview, Dragon Quest director Masato Yagi hinted at a potential shift away from traditional series staples like turn-based combat. Leading the development of Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, Yagi explained that the core theme of the game should dictate the gameplay, and turn-based battles aren’t essential. This approach is notable because many newer indie games are actually returning to turn-based systems to create fresh experiences.

This would be a major shift for the Dragon Quest series, which has consistently used turn-based battles longer than many other Japanese role-playing games like Final Fantasy. While recent Final Fantasy titles, such as Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, have moved towards action-focused gameplay, even while keeping some team-building elements, successful games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 prove that turn-based combat can still be innovative. This shows that developers are choosing gameplay styles that best suit their game’s story and overall vision, as previously mentioned.

According to Yagi, game developers around the world, both new and established, are reimagining classic turn-based gameplay with fresh ideas for how games look, function, and tell stories. This trend may have inspired the makers of Dragon Quest to try something new as well, without feeling obligated to stick to the series’ traditional formulas. If Dragon Quest isn’t required to preserve old-school turn-based combat, it could open up exciting possibilities for future games.

Deviations From A Historic IP’s Identity Have Become More Common In Recent Years

The recent remake of Final Fantasy 7 is a prime example of a well-known game series trying something completely new. But it’s not alone – many franchises are experimenting with different gameplay styles. For instance, the Yakuza series switched to turn-based combat in Like a Dragon, while Phantasy Star Online moved from turn-based to action, similar to Final Fantasy 7. Some series even go back and forth between these approaches. The Digimon World games illustrate this: Digimon World 2 and 3 featured turn-based battles, but Digimon World 4 returned to the action-focused gameplay of the original game.

Other popular RPG series are experimenting with new gameplay styles, which takes some of the pressure off Dragon Quest to stick with its traditional turn-based combat. Because games from companies like Square Enix are already successfully changing things up and adapting to fit each new story, it’s become easier for Dragon Quest to consider innovations and try new approaches in its next game. They’re proving that it’s okay to evolve and not always rely on old systems.

However, a lot of longtime fans might not want the series to change its traditional turn-based combat system, which it’s used for decades. Switching to action-based combat could be too big of a change for them to embrace a new game. This is a key consideration for Dragon Quest as its developers explore new ideas for combat, story, and other features.

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2026-05-16 23:44