Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praise the game for its compelling and engaging narrative, with some even describing it as thoroughly engrossing and getting better as the player progresses. CGMagazine, GameGrin, and God is a Geek specifically highlight the effectiveness of the story, with CGMagazine mentioning interesting twists along the way. The character-specific story quests are also applauded by Cultured Vultures, who compares them to an OVA series of additions to the main story, adding depth to the relationships with companions. The Digital Fix and Forbes commend the game for its well-written and heartfelt approach to classical fairy tale RPG storytelling, while Critical Hit mentions the joy and magic that the game brings. Despite the overwhelmingly positive sentiment, there are a few critics who express some reservations about the story of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition. Metro GameCentral criticizes the plot as generic and predictable, with little effort put into storytelling. However, this negative opinion is in the minority compared to the positive feedback from other critics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is very good. The majority of the critics find the narrative compelling, engaging, and well-told. The game is praised for its traditional good versus evil narrative, interesting twists, and charming elements. Critics such as COGconnected, GamingTrend, and My Nintendo News highlight the epic and long nature of the story, with surprising plot twists and amazing set pieces. The positive opinions of multiple critics, along with the lack of significant negative feedback, indicate that the story of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is a strong aspect of the game that contributes to its overall appeal.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition are overwhelmingly positive. The game is praised for its traditional JRPG gameplay with innovative features, customization options for party members, multiple weapons and skill trees, and a pep system that adds buffs and hidden skills to battles, providing room for strategy (CGMagazine). The Definitive Edition includes quality of life improvements such as the ability to skip cutscenes and streamlined crafting, making the gameplay more enjoyable (Cubed3). The combat system is described as simple and accessible, allowing players of different skill levels to enjoy it (Cultured Vultures). The game offers smaller improvements that make the JRPG feel less daunting and more accessible for new players, as well as streamlining the experience for returning players (GameGrin). The gameplay loop is described as a honing of the genre, with rewarding and satisfying tactical turn-based combat (God is a Geek). The game streamlines JRPG systems into a game that is easy to pick up and play, with addictive character progression and brilliant beast designs (Push Square). The combat system is praised for its ability to speed up encounters and the progression system is well-liked (TheGamer). The gameplay is solid, with a third-person view and the ability to control up to four characters at once, and the inclusion of Pep powers adds depth to combat (TheXboxHub). The game has made interesting changes and improvements, such as faster item gathering and the ability to use the Fun Sized Forge anywhere, and the new 2D mode is also a highlight (Forbes). While the majority of the critics had positive opinions about the gameplay, there were a few criticisms mentioned. Some critics felt that the gameplay lacked innovation and did not do much to set itself apart from other JRPGs (Critical Hit, My Nintendo News). One critic mentioned that the game's turn-based combat is simplistic with no extra rules or complications, although the monster designs and variety of attacks make it compelling (Metro GameCentral). Another critic mentioned that while the gameplay formula can be fun and addictive, it lacks innovation (My Nintendo News). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is very good. The game is praised for its traditional JRPG gameplay with innovative features, customization options, and strategic elements. The inclusion of quality of life improvements and streamlining of JRPG systems make the game accessible and enjoyable for both new and returning players. The combat system is described as rewarding, satisfying, and addictive. While there were some criticisms about the lack of innovation, the majority of the critics found the gameplay to be highly enjoyable and a well-realized example of the genre.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game's visuals, describing them as beautiful, colorful, and visually compelling. CGMagazine commends the game for its adaptation of Akira Toriyama's artwork, which features unique-looking characters in a beautiful world. Cultured Vultures appreciates the mix of 3D graphics and a 2D pixel art mode, finding both well-made and enjoyable. TheXboxHub praises the cel-shaded, hand-drawn visual style, highlighting the well-designed characters, monsters, and landscapes. Critical Hit goes as far as stating that Dragon Quest XI may be the best looking game on the Nintendo Switch. The Games Machine mentions that while there are some noticeable differences in texture and lighting compared to the PS4 version, the Definitive Edition maintains a faithful appearance. However, there are some critics who mention slight downgrades or differences in visual quality. COGconnected notes a slight downgrade for PS4 Pro/4K TV users, while GameGrin and Push Square mention noticeable visual downgrades from the original release, particularly in draw distance and occasional low resolution textures. The Digital Fix points out that consoles may suffer from blurry textures and a locked 1080p resolution. Forbes compares the graphics to the PlayStation 4 and PC versions, finding them comparable in 3D mode but highlighting the glory of the 2D mode. Gameplanet mentions that some textures in the distance may appear washed out on the Switch version. Impulsegamer notes that while the port delivers a visually resplendent experience, it may have lower detail and jaggies compared to other platforms. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition are very good. The majority of the critics praised the visuals, with many highlighting the game's beautiful and colorful environments, well-designed characters, and attention to detail. The art style, simplicity, and cleanliness of the visuals are also appreciated. Despite some minor downgrades or differences compared to other versions, the overall impression is that the game's visuals are impressive and visually striking. The addition of a 2D mode in the Switch version is seen as a unique and incredible feature. Critics such as Gaming Age and Metro GameCentral emphasize the superb visual design, with gorgeous landscapes and stylish character models. In conclusion, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is widely regarded as a visually appealing game that showcases the talent of Akira Toriyama's artwork.

The majority of the critics praised the sound design and music of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition. They highlighted the improvements made in the Definitive Edition, such as the restoration of orchestrated arrangements and the inclusion of the soundtrack from Dragon Quest VIII. CGMagazine, Cultured Vultures, and God is a Geek specifically mentioned the orchestration and how it contributed to the overall experience of the game. The fully orchestrated score was described as grand, warm, bright, and lovely, creating a memorable adventure (GamingTrend, Push Square). The option to switch between the newly orchestrated version and the original MIDI soundtrack was also appreciated (GamingTrend, God is a Geek). The music was praised for its quality, compositions, concert, and recordings (Gamer.nl). The inclusion of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in the music production was also highlighted as superb (TheXboxHub). While the overall sentiment was positive, there were a few critics who mentioned some negatives. Nintendo Insider mentioned that while the symphonic soundtrack improved the original version, the overall tunes were underwhelming. Switch Player noted that some characters' voice acting could be tedious or annoying, although it could be switched between English and Japanese. In conclusion, the sound design and music of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition received high praise from the critics. The majority of them found the orchestrated score to be a significant improvement over the original MIDI music, with the music adding to the overall experience and atmosphere of the game. The inclusion of the Dragon Quest VIII soundtrack and the option to switch between different versions of the music were also appreciated. While there were a few minor criticisms regarding specific tunes or voice acting, the overall consensus was overwhelmingly positive, with critics like CGMagazine, Cultured Vultures, and GamingTrend highlighting the excellent sound design and music of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition are generally positive. CGMagazine, COGconnected, and TheXboxHub all praise the voice acting, with CGMagazine mentioning that it is a big part of the game's story and COGconnected stating that the English voice acting is excellent. The inclusion of both English and Japanese dub options is also appreciated by GamePro Germany and Gamer.nl. Impulsegamer specifically highlights the well-acted, captivating, and funny voice-acting, with the addition of regional British accents adding to the charm. Switch Player also notes that the voice acting is generally intriguing, funny, and well-acted. However, there are some critics who express negative opinions about the voice acting. Metro GameCentral criticizes the voice actors, stating that they are not particularly good. My Nintendo News mentions that the main character, the Luminary, is a silent character, which can be awkward in many instances, especially during cutscenes. This lack of voice acting for the main character may be seen as a drawback by some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is generally well-received. The positive aspects highlighted by multiple critics, such as the excellent English voice acting, the inclusion of both English and Japanese dub options, and the well-acted performances, indicate that the voice acting contributes positively to the overall experience of the game. While there are some negative opinions, such as Metro GameCentral's criticism of the voice actors and My Nintendo News' mention of the silent main character, these are outweighed by the positive feedback from the majority of the critics.

In terms of technical performance, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition received positive feedback from the majority of critics across different gaming platforms. On the PlayStation 4, CGMagazine and GamingTrend both praised the game for running smoothly with no issues encountered. PLAY! Zine mentioned that the differences in graphics between the PS4 and Switch versions were minimal. The Xbox One version was also well-received, with Gaming Age noting a solid framerate and improved loading times. Screen Rant specifically highlighted the improved performance and load times on the Xbox Series X version, thanks to its internal SSD. On the Nintendo Switch, Critical Hit described the porting job as witchcraft, praising Square Enix for delivering a consistently smooth framerate and minimal loading times. GamePro Germany, Impulsegamer, Switch Player, and VG247 all commended the Switch version for its solid performance and graphical fidelity, with Switch Player emphasizing the portability aspect as a massive bonus. However, there were some negatives mentioned by critics regarding the technical performance on certain platforms. GameGrin pointed out noticeable performance drops in frame rate on the PS4, although it did not ruin the overall experience. The Digital Fix mentioned that while the game runs at a locked 60fps on consoles, the visuals on the PS4 base version were not as sharp. GamesRadar+ experienced four crashes on the Switch version, which affected the overall stability. TheSixthAxis mentioned a single random crash during the first few hours of gameplay, but stability was not extensively discussed. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition delivers a solid technical performance across all gaming platforms. The game runs smoothly on the PS4 and Xbox One, with improvements in loading times and framerate. The Switch version, despite its hardware limitations, impresses with consistent performance, minimal frame rate drops, and the added bonus of portability. While there were some minor issues mentioned, such as performance drops and occasional crashes, they did not significantly detract from the overall experience. The positive feedback from critics, such as Cubed3, Forbes, and Switch Player, further supports the notion that the technical performance of Dragon Quest XI S is commendable.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition has received generally positive reviews regarding its replay value. Many critics praised the game for offering a plethora of additional content, side quests, and mini-games, making it a good option for replaying or playing for the first time. CGMagazine, COGconnected, and Digital Chumps all highlighted the game's bonus content and extra quests, providing players with more to do and explore. Cubed3 and PlayStation Universe specifically mentioned the option to experience the story in either 3D or 2D, which adds replay value and practically doubles the already lengthy runtime. However, there were some criticisms regarding the implementation of certain features that affect the replay value. Cultured Vultures mentioned that the 2D mode requires replaying parts of the story, which may be a drawback for some players. My Nintendo News also pointed out that the 2D mode lacks voice acting and has random encounters, potentially affecting the overall experience. While GamingTrend mentioned that the new Retro 2D mode and the 16-bit World of Tickington side story may not be enjoyable for everyone, they are still considered a welcome addition for hardcore fans. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition offers a significant amount of additional content, quality of life improvements, and new features that contribute to its replay value. The game's inclusion of new areas, character-driven quests, and the ability to revisit past Dragon Quest events were praised by multiple critics, including God is a Geek, Push Square, and Impulsegamer. The addition of new story expansions, retro-inspired content, and the ability to revisit iconic scenes or areas were also mentioned by Screen Rant, The Games Machine, and TheSixthAxis as factors that enhance the replay value. The overall sentiment is that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition provides a worthwhile experience for both first-time players and those looking to replay the game, with its abundant content and improvements.