The long-awaited Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Departed Time has a Japanese release date of July 29th for both its PlayStation 4 and 3DS editions. In Japanese pricing, the PS4 version will retail for 8,980 yen while the 3DS version will cost 5,980 yen.
On the same day, fans will have the option of picking up both versions in a “Double Pack Hero’s Sword Box”, a special packaging that includes both the 3DS and PS4 games. It will be sold exclusively through Square Enix’s online store and Lawson HMV Stores for 14,960 yen.
For those who purchase the game early on either system, exclusive in-game items will be offered. They are the “Vest of Happiness” for extra experience points in battle, and the “Upstart Vest” for extra gold. The purportedly 50-100 hour RPG will also have the “Spell of Restoration” that transfers your general progress between the 3DS and PS4 versions, should you play both.
Also launching on July 29th is Hori’s “Dragon Quest Slime Controller”, a DualShock 4 for PS4 modeled on the iconic Slime enemy. An ancestor of a similar pad for the PS2, this Slime Controller includes all the functionality of the DualShock 4 and will cost 9,980 yen.
The two versions of Dragon Quest XI have unique differences from each other. The PlayStation 4 offers high-end graphics, while the 3DS can be played with either 3D visuals or classic retro-inspired 2D visuals (and limited cardinal directions, like in the Famicom days). Dragon Quest XI is also announced for the Nintendo Switch, although Square Enix is not confirming a release date for that version. For all versions, there is no western release window announced at present.
