Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: Square Enix
- Full Name: Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
- Release Date: September 4, 2018
- Released on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC
- Cross Play: No
Initial thoughts
After completing the 2D mode, my wife and I decided to try out the 3D mode for comparison. Unfortunately, what initially seemed like a new way to experience the game quickly became a repetitive slog. The fact that we had to play through the same content twice without any major variations made the 3D mode feel unnecessary and somewhat dull after completing the 2D version.
Story and setting
Plot overview
The story is the same as in the 2D mode, which, while strong, loses some impact when replayed back-to-back in a different visual style. You still follow the journey of the Luminary, a hero destined to save the world, but going through the same plot so soon feels repetitive and drags down the overall immersion.
World building and immersion
The 3D world is vibrant and beautifully crafted, but after having already experienced the world in 2D, the immersion is less impactful the second time around. The world feels large, but it lacks new content that would make the 3D mode feel fresh or exciting after finishing the game in 2D.
Character development
Character development remains the same, though it becomes less engaging when you already know how each arc unfolds. Revisiting familiar scenes loses its emotional weight when the element of surprise is gone.
Emotional impact
While the first playthrough of Dragon Quest 11 is emotionally engaging, going through the same storyline twice in different modes detracts from the emotional intensity. The emotional beats are strong but lose their punch when experienced again too soon.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with an 6
Please note that these ratings are for the 3D story of Dragon Quest 11, if you were to play the 3D version first, you might as well apply this to the 2D version.
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
In 3D mode, the combat remains turn-based, and exploration involves navigating a larger 3D world. Mechanically, it works well, but it’s the same as in the 2D version, without offering any significant enhancements or changes. Playing the same game twice in such a short span becomes monotonous.
Difficulty and balance
The difficulty remains balanced, but the sense of challenge diminishes on a second playthrough, especially if you’ve already figured out optimal strategies in 2D mode.
Pacing of the game
The pacing feels much slower in 3D, particularly when replaying the same sections. Long, drawn-out cutscenes and larger environments that take more time to traverse add unnecessary length.
Innovation and uniqueness
While the 3D mode offers a beautiful visual experience, it lacks innovation beyond its graphics. There’s nothing in the gameplay that sets it apart enough from the 2D mode to justify replaying the entire game.
Controls and user interface
The controls in 3D mode work fine, and the interface is intuitive, though nothing extraordinary.
Microtransactions
There are no microtransactions in Dragon Quest 11.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 6.5
Battles work a bit different, but it seems the 2D version is more balanced.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
The 3D graphics are lovely, with vibrant environments and detailed character models. However, the graphical quality alone isn’t enough to hold attention when the gameplay and story are the same as in 2D mode.
Technical performances
Performance is generally solid, with few technical difficulties. There are a few frame drops in the 3D mode.
Environment and design uniqueness
While the 3D environments are well-designed, the novelty wears off quickly after playing through the same world in 2D mode.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 7.5
The Tockles are easier to find in 3D mode.
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The music in the 3D version somehow fails to create the right atmosphere for cutscenes, maybe because the cutscenes feel dragged out, it just misses the right spot, even if the music is good.
Sound effects quality
The sound effects are high quality and match the atmosphere of the game well.
Voice Acting
The voice acting in 3D mode adds some extra depth to the characters, but after playing through the game in 2D without voice acting, it feels like an added feature that isn’t essential, and it makes the hero feel weird for not saying anything.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 7.
I think they could have excluded the entire voice acting, and it would have been better.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
The game is long, and having to play it twice in two different modes feels excessive if the biggest change is only the visuals.
Extra Content
No significant additional content is unlocked between switching modes, so it feels like a direct repeat.
Replay value
Having to play through the same content again in 3D lowers replay value significantly. The novelty of switching between modes doesn’t last when there’s no meaningful difference in gameplay.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Dragon Quest 11 with a 5.
It feels very dreadful to replay this large chunk of a game just for different visuals.
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
- Add more variety to the 3D mode or make it optional to replay content.
- Allow smoother transitioning between 2D and 3D modes without having to replay entire sections.
Comparisons
Compared to the 2D mode, the 3D version doesn’t offer enough new content to warrant a second playthrough. It also lacks the charm of other 3D JRPGs that don’t force repetitive gameplay.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
After completing the 2D version, playing the 3D version felt like going through the motions. It was hard to stay engaged when the only real difference was the graphical style. Not only my wife disengaged from the game quickly, so did I as watcher.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Dragon Quest 11 3D, I give it a personal rating of 4,5
Back to 2D it is!
Last words
Pros
- Beautiful 3D environments
- Easier to find Tockles in 3D mode
- Voice acting adds depth to the characters
- More immersive exploration with 3D visuals
Cons
- Repetitive, as it requires playing through the same story again
- Pacing feels slower in 3D
- Little difference in gameplay between 2D and 3D modes
- Long cutscenes and traversal bog down the experience
- Emotional impact is diminished on a second playthrough
While Dragon Quest 11’s 3D mode looks beautiful, it suffers from feeling repetitive after playing through the 2D mode. Without offering substantial new content, it’s hard to recommend going through the same story again just for a change in visuals.
Final Rating
6
Please let me know what you think of Dragon Quest 11 in 3D in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
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This is a very difficult issue. I don’t dislike 3D, but it’s true that Dragon Quest has a strong 2D image. I’m worried that the impression might change depending on which one you start with! Reviews that compare like this are also interesting.🐑
I am glad you like the comparison!
I agree the 2D version seems a lot better than the 3D one, looking at it here and watching the video as well it didn’t make me wanna play it like the 2D. I just love the 2D art style <3
2D rules!
Something about this series just makes it so memorable.
It is a fun series!
Looks like they made it mostly to let players decide which they prefer to play with than play it using both
Yeah, decide for yourself it is!
I think people have the same issue with this, that they had with Pokemon X and Y, its just that the 2d games were better, much better, to look at. They had got a mastery over 2d, but aren’t that good with 3d.
Great review though.
Glad you liked the review!
Yes 2d was already made really good. But you could rate it a little more positively if you not played 3d at straight after finishing it in 2d. Completly understandable you not enjoyed second playthrough as much, for me even after longer breaks (many months or even years) playing the same game i really enjoyed at first playthrough, is not that exciting usually, in something like half of game i often just stopped with various games (even when i wanted to play in a different style etc.). That said lately i played again ccyberpunk 2077, this time in verson 2.0 and had really superb fun when playing different character (female) and char build and doing both old and new mission and ending from dlc was great 🙂 Thanks for review, now video.
*I mean not new cyberpunk ending was great but whole new dlc and 2.0 version played again 😉
Yeah, maybe should have taken a break, but most of the gameplay cons would still fit, too large, less impact on the story, etc.
I have high expectations for DQ 11 though I have never played any of the game in the series. It’s a shame that the story and gameplay is not as good as the Japanese’s hype.
Only played a few Dragon Quest games myself!
This does make curious about what your opinion would have been if you had played the 3D version first…
Great job with the review as always! 🙂
That is a valid question! Glad you liked the review!
Sadly i haven’t played either of the games.
You get them both in the same package!
The 3D version looks beautiful and has some really wonderful scenes, but in my opinion, the 2D version is way better. Thanks for the review!
Yeah, the 2D version does look better!
very interesting to have this direct comparison between 2d and 3d
thx
I am glad you like the comparison!
Are other games that allow you to play the game in 3D and 2D mode? I never heard of this as a feature before.
Not that I can recall at this moment.
Not entirely my type of game… But already (much) better than the 2D version!
(as mentioned on the 2D review, I really think it’s a pity that there isn’t an easy way to switch between 2D and 3D in the same playthrough)
That is the biggest gripe!
The option to play Dragon Quest 11 in both 2D and 3D adds an interesting layer, but it’s clear the charm of the classic 2D look is hard to beat
good review, i feel that you hit the strong points, that 3d makes the game slower and it may look somewhat nice, but like Pokemon X and Y they had already established Dragon quest as a flagship 2d game, so it just works best that way
Yeah, it slows the game by a lot!
Well, at least we witnessed the great octopus.
*BLAARGLE ARGLE ARGLE*
Worth playing the 3D version for that.
Hahahah, oh my god, good one!
The graphics and environments look beautiful and I love the addition of voice acting! It’s sad they didn’t add much more to the 3D version to make it different enough! I would probably play the 3D version first to get the most emotional impact from the story!
It is a good thing you can choose!
This game have a big leap in graphic. I like DQ 11 review! Gameplay is unique in 3d version for me.
Both are unique in their own ways!
the game has cows 10/10 game
MOOOOOO!!!
A Moo-ving review 😉
Did you predict the outcome?
Repetitive quest is quite annoying, I used to play Destiny 2 but the grinding same quest was to boring
Yeah, repetitive quests are annoying!