Dragon Quest Creator Says New Game Will Capture the Series' 'Unmistakable Feeling'

Square Enix will release Dragon Quest RPG The Cursed Tree and The Chosen Isle for smartphones next year, marking the franchise’s return to its traditional turn-based roots. The game is being developed by Wright Flyer Studios, known for mobile RPGs like Another Eden and Heaven Burns Red, ensuring a polished mobile experience. Players will rebuild the kingdom of Yyghaven after a goddess entrusts them with a sacred branch, engaging in hundreds of turn-based battles while managing a home base to craft weapons and cook. The main characters, Theodore and Etica, appear in the trailer, hinting at a narrative-driven adventure that emphasizes exploration and progression.

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii emphasized the game’s goal to replicate the series’ signature experience, describing it as a classic adventure brought to smartphones. Horii highlighted the importance of exploring towns, meeting allies, and steadily growing stronger, which he believes defines the Dragon Quest identity. The inclusion of "RPG" in the title signals a deliberate focus on traditional mechanics rather than mobile adaptations seen in other entries. Horii’s involvement suggests a commitment to preserving the franchise’s core appeal.

A closed beta test will run from December 8 to December 15, allowing up to 25,000 players to provide feedback before the full release. Applications for the beta are open on the Dragon Quest RPG website until November 23 at 9:59 a.m. EDT, with participants selected via lottery. This phase aims to refine gameplay and address technical issues before the 2027 launch. The beta offers players an early look at the game’s mechanics and narrative direction.

The game will support a range of devices, with minimum requirements including iOS 15.0 or Android 12.0, though better performance is expected on newer hardware like the iPhone 14 or Android devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Square Enix has not disclosed pricing or additional monetization details, focusing instead on delivering a faithful adaptation of the Dragon Quest experience to mobile platforms.