Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, we tend to focus on the flashiest - those sword-wielding wonders who make the box art, appear in the trailers, or even join the party to help save the day.

But Square Enix games are full of characters who make an equally big impact on the story but sneak under the radar. It may be because they’re an NPC, or work behind the scenes, but each of them makes a vital contribution. Simply put, you couldn’t save the day without them.

We think it’s time some of these heroes get the adulation they deserve. So read on, and we’ll highlight just a few unsung heroes who deserve their moment in the spotlight.

Cor Leonis - FINAL FANTASY XV Royal Edition

While much of FINAL FANTASY XV focuses on Prince Noctis and his friends, a lot of people are working behind the scenes to make his journey a success - first and foremost among them, Marshal Cor.

When Insomnia falls to the Niflheim Empire, it’s Cor who meets the heroes to guide them on the path to taking it back. He provides vital support in helping them break through an Imperial blockade, working with Noctis directly to help him infiltrate the facility.

Later, in the Episode Gladiolus DLC, he helps Gladiolus undertake a dangerous trial - and thanks to the guidance that Cor imparts, the burliest of the Chocobros learns to become the Shield that the new king needs him to be.

But perhaps the moment that really made us go: “Cor blimey!” can be found in the Royal Edition of the game. Towards the end of the game, things get pretty dark and Daemons overrun the land. When Noctis returns to his home city of Insomnia, he discovers that a brave group of hunters and warriors are holding them at bay as the last line of defense for Insomnia.

Their leader? None other than Cor himself. What can we say… that guy is the best.

• Get FINAL FANTASY XV

Miss Cecily - DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Building a gang is no easy task… and keeping it going is even harder. So, let us give some long overdue props to characters like Miss Cecily, DRAGON QUEST TREASURES’ Personnel Manager.

While Erik and Mia run around the world of Draconia, fighting monsters, digging up treasure and uncovering the secrets of the fabled Dragonstones, Miss Cecily is back at base tirelessly managing the admin. She sorts potential gang members, liaises with the different storekeepers and generally makes herself very useful indeed.

She even gives suggestions on how to build your base’s ranks, and important people to recruit - useful guidance that serves to keep Erik and Mia on track!

In short, it’s thanks to Miss Cecily that your gang runs as smoothly as it does. She may not have the most glamorous job in the world, but it’s one of the most important!

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Bartholomew Estheim - FINAL FANTASY XIII

Bartholomew Estheim, or ‘Hope’s Dad’ as you may think of him, is a reminder that heroism takes many forms. While he’s not on screen for very long, he makes a big impact on the heroes of FINAL FANTASY XIII.

At great personal risk, he takes in his son and companions, providing them shelter from the Sanctum - despite being an employee of that very organization himself. His unwavering support for Hope and gentle guidance gives the timid young man the strength to push on with his journey.

More tellingly, he also forgives Snow for the death of his wife, Nora. By doing so, and adding some harsh truths about his reckless plans, he provides the incentive for the hero to stop pretending to be a hero and start acting like one.

It just goes to show that even in a world full of incredible technology, powerful magic and literal gods, there’s nothing quite as powerful as good ol’ fashioned human decency.

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Cres - HARVESTELLA

The world of HARVESTELLA can be surprisingly dangerous, so having a doctor close by can only be a good thing. But Cres goes above and beyond.

You can be slashed into submission by monsters at the bottom of the sea, battered by a boss in an icy cave or simply pass out from exhaustion on your farm, and Cres is there to patch you up. She’ll also charge you for the privilege, but that’s fair enough - her time is valuable after all. Besides, the financial hit is nowhere near as painful as the sharp words you’ll get for your carelessness - bedside manner is not necessarily her strong suit.

But she contributes so much more than a simple healer. She’s also one of the people who orients your amnesiac hero to their new life, comes to check on you at the earliest of hours, and much more besides.

She’s a good friend, and HARVESTELLA just wouldn’t be the same without her.

• Get Harvestella on Nintendo Switch
• Get Harvestella on Steam

Halim Ondore IV - FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE

Politics are a dangerous game at the best of times, but for Marquis Ondore, it’s a particularly tricky situation.

As ruler of Bhujerba, he has a responsibility to keep his city safe… which means obeying the orders of the increasingly tyrannical Archadian Empire and acting as a mediator in its escalating conflicts with other nations. Maintaining this position is of paramount importance, and even a close relationship with Princess Ashe of Dalmasca won’t make him openly risk this neutrality.

But not-so openly? That’s a different story. Ondore secretly funds and leads an anti-Archadian resistance group. And when the time comes, he steps up to take direct action against his oppressors, playing a vital role in the final battle.

Put simply, the heroes of FINAL FANTASY XII would not have won the day without Ondore’s help. He’s a canny politician and a noble leader alike.

Not to mention one heck of a good narrator!

• Get FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE

Wedge - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

Wedge might not be the smartest member of Avalanche, or the most physically capable. But nobody in the organization - nay, the whole of Midgar - has a bigger heart.

Whatever the situation, Wedge steps up. When the team embarks on a daring raid on a Shinra facility, and Cloud is set upon by guard dogs, he bravely leaps into action as a rear guard for the mercenary. And we mean ‘rear guard’ quite literally.

Later, he ‘persuades’ Shinra’s security forces to let the residents of the Sector 7 slums evacuate the area and escape the danger about to befall them. Plus, he plays a pivotal role in the rescue of Aerith from the Shinra building when he shows up with the rest of Avalanche to pull the team of trouble.

He may doubt his worth, but he shouldn’t - despite Cloud’s dislike of the term, he’s a true bro.

• Get FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

Gav - FINAL FANTASY XVI

FINAL FANTASY XVI is full of big personalities and bigger moments, from the windy rage of Benedikta to the vengeful traps of Hugo Kupka (who is, in this writer’s humble opinion, responsible for one of the greatest boss fights in series history, hands-down).

But while the Eikons and their Dominants might attract most of the attention in trailers and box art, it’s the everyday characters who really bring this richly detailed world to life. Not least of which is Gav, the chief scout for Cid’s band of outlaws.

Despite being just an ‘ordinary’ man, Gav is incredibly skilled at getting in and out of areas unseen and ferreting out information for his allies. After a few close scrapes, he forms a close friendship with hero Clive Rosfield, and becomes one of his most steadfast allies. His support for the hero is absolute, and dedication to his cause never wavers - despite coming at great personal cost.

Gav’s contribution cannot be understated - he’s a hero through and through. We should all be as lucky to have a friend like him.

• Get FINAL FANTASY XVI

Those were just a few of the unsung hero from Square Enix games, but we’re sure you have suggestions of your own. Head over to our social channels to share your picks:

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If you’re looking for a thrill, few games satisfy like an action RPG.

This genre marries amazing storytelling with rewarding real-time action to create incredible experiences for all types of players, from those who manipulate the controller like a virtuoso playing an instrument, to those of us who fumble through with two left thumbs.

Square Enix has an impressive history of creating action RPGs, and we thought now would be a perfect time to celebrate the genre. In the following list, we’ll highlight some of the best currently available, and perhaps showcase a few you may have missed.

FINAL FANTASY XVI

• Available on: PS5

The most recent mainline entry in the FINAL FANTASY series is a gripping action RPG with a powerful story, mature tone and outrageously fun combat.

You play as Clive Rosfield - firstborn son to the Archduke of Rosaria and sworn protector to his brother Joshua, who is a Dominant. In this world, Dominants are a feted few who are able to become incredibly powerful entities known as Eikons.

But when tragedy strikes his family, Clive embarks on a propulsive journey of revenge that will change both him and the world itself.

What follows is a true epic, as Clive clashes with the different nations of this richly drawn fantasy world. Fortunately, he’s more than capable in a fight, able to use the powers of multiple Eikons to do everything from pound enemies to a pulp with his fists to incinerate them in burning flames.

Combined with the seriously satisfying dodge mechanic and spectacular large-scale Eikon battles, it all adds up to an exhilarating RPG that’s perfect for new players and the FINAL FANTASY faithful alike.

What follows is a true epic, as Clive clashes with the different nations of this richly drawn fantasy world. Fortunately, he’s more than capable in a fight, able to use the powers of multiple Eikons to do everything from pound enemies to a pulp with his fists to incinerate them in burning flames.

Combined with the seriously satisfying dodge mechanic and spectacular large-scale Eikon battles, it all adds up to an exhilarating RPG that’s perfect for new players and the FINAL FANTASY faithful alike.

• Find out more about FINAL FANTASY XVI
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FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Steam, Epic Games Store

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE uses modern technology to revive one of the greatest RPGs of all time.

The game is set entirely in the city of Midgar - a vast metropolis controlled by the corrupt Shinra Electric Power Company. A mercenary named Cloud Strife is hired by anti-Shinra group Avalanche to help disable one of the company’s reactors, which suck the life from the planet.

What follows is a fast-paced adventure that puts Cloud and his allies on a collision course with Shinra and a dark figure from his past: Sephiroth!

Naturally, there’s plenty of opportunity to wield that iconic Buster Sword throughout the game, thanks to the new hybrid combat system that fuses real time combat, dynamic character switching and menu-based battle with actions.

It makes for battles that feel exciting and immediate yet capture the flavor of the original FINAL FANTASY VII. With multiple characters to control, each with their own play styles, combat rewards fast reflexes and strategy in equal measure.

Which is all to say, it’s really good fun and critically acclaimed, so check it out:

• Get FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

The second game in the trilogy, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, is set for release in early 2024 on PS5. Find out about that here:

• FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Everything you need to know

FINAL FANTASY XV

• Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC via Steam and Microsoft Store

There aren’t many games quite like FINAL FANTASY XV. It’s a true original with incredible characters, a massive world, and - for the first time in a mainline FINAL FANTASY game - action-based combat system.

After years of war, the nations of Lucis and Niflheim agree to an armistice. As a symbol of the peace, Noctis, Prince of Lucis, plans to wed Lady Lunafreya of Tenebrae, and sets off on a journey towards his bride to be.

But when his homeland is attacked and his father killed, the young prince and his bodyguards, Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto, must step up and find the strength to reclaim their homeland.

This is one of the most unconventional numbered entries in the FINAL FANTASY series, deftly balancing a relaxed road trip vibe, a vast explorable world full of side quests and secrets to discover, and fun and flashy battles.

In short, it’s an utterly charming adventure centered around brotherhood – and one you’re unlikely to ever forget.

• Get FINAL FANTASY XV

KINGDOM HEARTS series

• Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch via cloud (not available in all regions)

Disney and Square Enix joined forces to create this beloved series of action RPGs.

The saga typically focuses on Sora – a young hero with a big heart – who, along with his friends Donald Duck and Goofy, travels between different Disney and Pixar worlds to take on the sinister Heartless.

There are multiple amazing action RPGs in this sprawling saga, and since the entire saga (so far) is now available on PS4, Xbox One, PC via the Epic Games Store and Nintendo Switch (via the Cloud), it’s difficult to pick just one for this list.

Whether you want to see where it all began with the original KINGDOM HEARTS, dive into the vibrant worlds of KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance HD or take on foes in the most recent game in the main storyline, KINGDOM HEARTS III, you can expect fast-paced and satisfying combat that never gets old.

• Explore the KINGDOM HEARTS series
• Which KINGDOM HEARTS game should you play first?

Forspoken

• Available on: PS5, Steam

Most action RPGs let you leap into battle with a weapon. Be it a sword, axe or even your own fists, it’s so often about getting up close and personal with your foes. Forspoken does things a little differently – it’s all about the magic.

This exhilarating RPG casts you as Frey Holland – a seemingly ordinary New Yorker who is pulled into the ruined world of Athia. Discovering she now has access to magic powers, Frey sets out to discover where she is and find a way home…

…and maybe she’ll even save the world along the way.

With a vast arsenal of spells and magic-enhanced parkour, Frey is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. She can fling stones at devastating speeds, entrap enemies within a wall of fire, pelt them with homing darts, smother them in churning waters… the list goes on.

It’s an appropriate skillset, because when you’re firing on all cylinders, dancing round the battlefield and taking foes down with ease, the effect is nothing short of spellbinding.

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VALKYRIE ELYSIUM

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Steam

Ragnarök looms and Midgard lies in ruins. Only the twisted souls of those who could not pass on remain – and they need to be purified. And by ‘purified,’ we mean thoroughly thrashed by a skilled Valkyrie.

As said Valkyrie, that’s your main job and fortunately it’s wildly entertaining - easy to get to grips with, but with tons of depth to master.

For example, you have access to multiple weapons, each with its own distinct feel and moveset - and can switch between these armaments at any time to mix up combos or exploit enemy weaknesses. You also have access to an impressive arsenal or magical abilities, which let you set your enemies ablaze, push them around the battlefield, heal your hero and much more.

Then you have the Einherjar - recruitable warriors who will help you in and out of fights. Each has their own element and fighting style and combining their attacks with your own allows for some truly spectacular actions in the heat of battle.

It’s an absurdly robust and satisfying combat system that makes the game a pure power fantasy that’s hard to put down.

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HARVESTELLA

• Available on: Nintendo Switch, Steam

From a first glance, you’d be forgiven for assuming that HARVESTELLA was a simple life simulator. But it’s so much more than that - it’s a fully featured action RPG with superb characters, exciting real-time combat, and a story that…

…well, without giving too much away, let’s just say the story goes places.

But it is also a life simulation RPG, and a darn good one. Tending to your crops, fishing and rearing livestock to make money and cook food is endlessly compelling, while socializing with your friends and neighbors will lead you to discover one of the most delightful casts in an RPG for some time.

When it’s time to head into a dungeon, you’ll find a combat system with a lot of options. You can equip up to three jobs at a time and switch between them seamlessly - for example, you can dish out physical attacks with twin blades as a Shadow Walker, before switching to Mage to finish them from a distance with your powerful magic attacks.

As new characters join, you’ll gain new jobs making combat feel fresh and full of options throughout. Long story short, it’s just an all-round great game that, much like your crops, grows on you the more you play. Highly recommended.

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DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

• Available on: Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam

While most of the games on this list are all about combat, DRAGON QUEST TREASURES primarily sets its sights on a decidedly shinier prize: loot!

This game is all about exploring vast open areas, making use of your skills and those of your monster allies to find valuable treasures… and then get them back to base intact.

Of course, while exploration is key, there is still combat to be found. This world is full of dangerous monsters, so you’ll have to combine your own attacks with those of your allies to take them down. As if that’s not bad enough, you’ll also have to contend with rival gangs, who’d much rather steal your treasure than hunt for their own.

It all adds up to a wonderfully addicting adventure with laid back vibes, a fun story, and that familiar DRAGON QUEST charm. It’s a real gem.

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam

Zack is back!

This lavish remaster brings the classic prequel to FINAL FANTASY VII up to date with impressive visuals, newly arranged soundtrack, full voice acting and greatly refined combat.

You control Zack Fair - a member of Shinra’s elite unit SOLDIER, sent to investigate the apparent desertion of some high-profile members of the organization. Zack’s an important figure in the FINAL FANTASY VII mythos, and his story weaves into the fates of beloved characters like Cloud, Aerith, Tifa and Sephiroth in some surprising ways.

The combat has been greatly improved from the PSP original, with faster movement, snappier controls and even new mechanics. By equipping glowing orbs called materia, Zack has access to a massive range of different moves and spells - finding that perfect character build is a fun game in itself!

What’s more, the game’s mission structure gives it a pick up and play quality that means you can play it for five minutes or five hours and have a good time either way.

• Get CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION
• Why CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION is more than remaster

STAR OCEAN THE DIVINE FORCE

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC via Steam and Microsoft Store

The most recent entry in the storied STAR OCEAN series emphasizes speed, spectacle, strategy… and soaring through the sky.

The game begins when Raymond Lawrence, the captain of the merchant vessel Ydas, crash lands on an underdeveloped planet. While searching for his crew, he encounters Laeticia - the crown princess of a nearby Kingdom.

Amazed by his advanced technology, Laeticia asks for his help to save her homeland from the threat of a neighboring Empire, setting off a chain of events that will have big ramifications for not only the planet, but the galaxy as a whole.

The STAR OCEAN series Dual Protagonist system lets you pick to play as either Raymond or Laeticia, and the story and recruitable party members will change depending on your choice. Regardless of which you pick, however, you can expect some gratifyingly intense combat encounters.

Thanks to a mysterious technology, characters are able to fly through the air for a limited time. It’s ideal for getting around, but truly shines in combat, letting you launch yourself towards foes, blindside them for extra damage and more. It makes for breathless encounters full of last minute dodges, and flashy combos.

So, if you’re looking for intense action, or a science fiction setting, you should definitely check out STAR OCEAN THE DIVINE FORCE.

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STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam, Epic Games Store

Developed by Team Ninja from KOEI TECMO GAMES, this two-fisted action RPG is a dark and savage take on the FINAL FANTASY series.

You play as Jack Garland on a quest to kill Chaos. And he really, really wants to kill Chaos. This quest will take you through a wide variety of locations inspired by the FINAL FANTASY series, where you’ll take on hordes of enemies through visceral action combat.

Jack’s a very flexible hero, too, able to take on many classic jobs from the FINAL FANTASY games. He can slash them into submission as a swordsman, blast them with magic as a black mage, jump for joy as a dragoon, steal their abilities as a thief, punch them into crystal as a pugilist and much more.

It's a game that will test your abilities, with challenging opponents and brutal bosses that demand fast reflexes and mastery of your abilities to overcome. Of course, if you’re not a fan of this type of punishing action RPG, you can play on STORY Mode for an easier ride - there’s no judgement or gatekeeping here.

If you’re looking for a truly action-focused RPG, you won’t find much better than this:

• Get STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

Trials of Mana

• Available on: PS4, Nintendo Switch, Steam, iOS, Android

Trials of Mana is one of the most replayable RPGs of recent times. You’ll take control of three playable characters from a selection of six - each with their own skills, strengths and stories. Depending on who you go with, the narrative will play out in different ways.

The combat will vary too, with playstyles available for each hero. Regardless of who you go with, however, the game puts the ‘action’ in action RPG.

While it starts simple, the battle system is pretty deep, with multiple classes to play as, combos to try out, and plenty of abilities to try out. Plus you have to watch your positioning - when you get hit by a boss’s area of effect attack, it can be devastating.

But the true reason it’s on this list is that just one of those games that makes the simple act of hitting an enemy just feel great. Everything is enjoyably tactile and you’re constantly rewarded for engaging your foes.

It’s one of those titles where you’ll think you’ll have been playing for an hour, only to find three have whizzed by. Satisfying and compelling, it’s a true treat.

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So there you have it: 12 incredible action-packed adventures, covering everything from science fiction soap operas to fantasy epics. Whichever game you choose, you’re sure to have a great time!

But what if you fancy an RPG with turn-based combat? Join us on the blog next week to see some of our picks:

• Square Enix Blog

For now though, we’re sure you also have recommendations for action RPGs of your own, so head over to Square Enix on social to share your thoughts:

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Here’s a PSA: DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is now available on PC!

Originally releasing December last year on Nintendo Switch, this glittering adventure places you in a massive world full of incredible treasures just begging to be discovered. Now the full expansive adventure is available to download via Steam.

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Steam

It’s something to be very excited about, but if you missed the game when it launched last year, you may be wondering… why? Allow us to explain.

It’s a grand adventure with incredible freedom

Some of you may be wondering: what is DRAGON QUEST TREASURES? What do you actually do in the game? The short answer is… pretty much whatever you want.

The main gameplay loop is as follows: you depart your home base to one of five vast, fully explorable islands. While there, you use your skills and those of your monster companions (yes, you can recruit a party of monsters!) to locate valuable treasures, dig up as many as your monsters can carry, and get them back to base intact.

Of course, there’s much more to it than that. These lands are full of dangers: broiling lakes of lava, hostile monsters, and rival gangs desperate to get their hands on your booty to name but a few. Staying one step ahead requires focus and smart use of your allies’ abilities.

That’s the basic overview, but you will be amazed by variety of things to do as you explore the island of Draconia. You can choose to go somewhere to look for specific items that progress the story, focus on finding new monsters to battle and recruit to your gang, gather resources to complete requests from your allies, or just head into the wilderness in search of valuable swag to fill your coffers.

It's all delightfully free-form and endlessly compelling. Be warned - once it gets its hooks into you, you may find it hard to stop playing. After all, there’s always one more treasure to find…

It’s set in a charming world full of charismatic characters

While DRAGON QUEST TREASURES gives you the space to play the game how you want, sooner or later, you’ll want to dive back into the story because it’s utterly charming.

You play as Erik and Mia, two young siblings who yearn for riches and adventure. When they discover a pair of mysterious daggers, they’re transported to the world of Draconia - a vast land with secrets and treasures around every corner.

With a land of possibilities ahead of them, the pair form their own ever-growing gang, and set off on a quest to seek a fortune and locate the legendary Dragonstones. But they’re not the only ones searching…

With that basic setup, the world is yours to explore, and what a world it is. Characters and monsters are charming and expressive, the world is vibrant and colorful. And from the quirky characters to take up residence in your home base, to the monsters you’ll encounter in the wilds, everything positively overflows with wit and whimsy.

Some worlds just feel… good to be in, and that’s DRAGON QUEST TREASURES to a tee. It’s just good vibes.

It’s perfect for DRAGON QUEST fans and new players alike

If you’ve never played a DRAGON QUEST game before, you may be wondering whether you can jump into the series with DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. The answer is: yes, you can. It’s a completely standalone game with its own story, world and mechanics.

In fact, in many ways it’s a perfect entry point. The game incorporates tons of classic DRAGON QUEST elements in a way that’s welcoming to all kinds of players. You’ll be introduced to classic monsters, series staple tunes, regular items and lots more as you seek out the most lustrous loot.

Of course, if you are a DRAGON QUEST fan, you’ll be thrilled with how much love for the series there is in the game. DRAGON QUEST XI players, for example, will recognize Erik and Mia from that game, and many of the treasures you collect (and there are so, so many) are references to other games in the series. You’ll unearth statues of familiar heroes, weapons of legend and that’s just the tip of a very big iceberg.

It's fan service done right: it’ll raise a wry smile for those in the know, without excluding those who aren’t.

The visuals and performance have been improved for PC

The new PC version of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES takes this already amazing game and enhances it with improved visuals and framerate.

You can now enjoy the vibrant world of Draconia at much higher resolutions and with a more consistent framerate. Suddenly this vibrant and beautiful world is so much… more vibrant and beautiful, and characters pop with detail and personality.

It’s the best the game has ever looked!

It’s Steam Deck verified!

One of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES’ greatest attributes is that you can play for five minutes or five hours and have a great time either way.

You’ll be delighted to hear, then, that DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is verified for Steam Deck. In fact, it feels right at home on the portable platform, where its pick up and play nature really shines.

Hop on to grab some chests and complete some quests or snuggle down in a comfy chair and get immersed in the world - it’s entirely up to you!

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is a loot-filled delight from start to finish and we hope you enjoy it on PC.

To help you get started, we’ve put together some tips and tricks - check them out here:

• Tips and Tricks for DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

The game is available to purchase now via Steam:

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Steam

It’s also available on Nintendo Switch:

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Switch

To stay up to date with news and information about the game, follow us on social media:

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When Erik and Mia, the heroes of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, arrive in the world of Draconia, they quickly set themselves up as skilled treasure hunters.

But as they quickly discover, this is a dangerous occupation. The world of Draconia may be full of treasure, but it’s also full of mean monsters and greedy gangs. As skilled as the siblings are, they could possibly use a little help on their path to becoming world-class locators of loot!

That’s where we come in. With DRAGON QUEST TREASURES now out on PC via Steam, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help them - and you, of course - make expeditions all the more lucrative.

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Steam
• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Switch

Explore everywhere - not just where the Fortune Finder says!

Use your Fortune Finder to locate the general area of your target treasure, and then refer to your monsters’ Treasure Visions to narrow down its precise location - that’s the central gameplay loop in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. But it doesn’t mean there isn’t more to find…

For example, not every chest in the game is hidden underground to be dug up. Some can be found in open sight, and while they may not contain treasure, they do contain resources or pellets that are extremely useful.

If you’re exploring, be sure to poke around all the nooks and crannies - especially if you’re in a camp, or structure (such as the abandoned factory in the Paternoggin). Use your monsters’ Fortes to get up onto shelves or ledges, for example - you never know when you may find something cool.

Use your pellets!

This one may seem pretty obvious, but if you’re like me, you may be tempted to hold off on using your catapult pellets in case you need them later (much like hoarding medicinal herbs in the mainline RPGs - something else I’m guilty of).

So consider this a PSA for us frugal folks: The pellets are there for you to use. So use them!

Every pellet you can collect or make in the game has a purpose - some can target enemy weaknesses to cause damage, others heal your allies and others can make monsters more likely to want to join your gang. While you can often just about scrape by without using your catapult, it makes life so much easier if you do.

Don’t worry about running out - there are plenty of ways to get pellets, including shops, chests, and crafting - so you’ll always have a way to replenish your stock.

ABC - Always Be Collecting

The world of Draconia is overflowing with natural resources, which a clever treasure hunter can use for crafting, cooking and much more. When you’re roaming around the fields, swamps, volcanoes and ice floes of this whimsical world, be sure to forage and vacuum up every item you see.

That includes loot from monsters. When a foe is defeated, it sometimes drops an item. Unlike gold coins, these aren’t picked up automatically, so be sure to check you’ve collected the spoils of your victory!

The Golden Ratio matters!

When you embark on a new expedition, be sure to check the Golden Ratio for your destination. This number, represented as a percentage, tells you your current party’s suitability for finding treasure in that location.

The higher the ratio, the better the likely spoils, so mix up your party to get this as high as possible. Try matching your party monsters’ favourite treasures with the treasure categories listed in the station map. If you can’t seem to get a Golden Ratio above 50% in a zone, consider recruiting some monsters with different favourite treasures to those of your current party.

If you see a metal monster, Go Go Go!

If you see a monster with a sparkly body and metallic sheen, go fight it ASAP! As is tradition for the DRAGON QUEST series, defeating these beasts reward you with massive amounts of EXP so you can level up much faster.

Naturally they’re a little hardier than your typical monster, but it’s worth the extra effort because you’re all but guaranteed to shoot up a level at least.

Metal monsters are sadly rather rare, so you never really know when one will show up. You might get lucky and find one in the field, but they also sometimes show up in Treasure Dungeons or The Snarl in the basement of your base.

Keep everyone hale and hearty

Thanks to their healing pellets, Erik and Mia are the team’s most reliable medics. As you explore, keep your eyes on the HP of your monster allies. If they’re looking a little lower than you’d like, be sure to top them up with your catapult.

It’s risky to let your allies’ health drop too much - you never know when you’ll stumble across a high-level enemy or something else unexpected, so try to keep everyone in the green as much as you can.

Also, physician heal thyself! Erik and Mia can hold X to heal. If one of the siblings falls, the expedition is over, so make sure you keep an eye on your character’s HP. In addition, try to heal before the next fight rather than during it - healing stops you in your tracks and makes you very vulnerable to attack.

Sort out the stations

One of the first things you’ll be asked to do by your trusty station master, Mr. Euston, is to restore Draconia’s train network to life!

Each region has multiple stations and restoring them to working order means you can travel straight there from your base. This makes exploring the massive islands far more convenient, so the sooner you get these installations up and running, the easier your treasure-hunting expeditions will be!

When you enter a region and start your hunt for treasure, sooner or later you’ll find yourself in the vicinity of a station, so take the time to divert and speak to the ST4TION-M4STER there. They’ll tell you what they need to get the rails running once again.

Get home fast when you need to

The life of a treasure hunter can be surprisingly grueling, and there will be times when you need to escape back to your base with your booty intact. In these cases, you can use an item called a Chimaera Wing to zoom right back to base in a flash.

As you can tell, Chimaera Wings are invaluable, and it’s good to have one with you whenever you venture out into the world. One way to get them is as rewards from quests, so it pays to keep tabs on what’s available.

If you want to get back home before you’ve dug up any riches, there’s no need to use a Chimaera Wing. Simply select the “Retreat” option in the menu to return to base.

Hopefully these tips help you on your treasure-hunting adventures. We’re sure your vault will be overflowing with riches in no time!

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is out now on PC via Steam - and it's Steam Deck verified!

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Steam

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is also available now for Nintendo Switch:

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES on Switch

To stay up to date with news about this and other DRAGON QUEST games, be sure to follow the team on social media:

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2022 saw us release over 20 games. Whether you wanted an adventure big or small, we had you covered.

While 2023 is looking to be an incredible year for Square Enix, with the likes of Forspoken out now and FINAL FANTASY XVI launching June 22, there may be some amazing games from last year that you didn’t get a chance to experience.

If your resolution was to play more games this year, we'd recommend that you start with the following.

Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden and Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden

2022 saw the launch of not one, but three YOKO TARO-led games. If only we could always be this lucky.

NieR:Automata was released on Nintendo Switch, and two new Voice of Cards RPGs arrived on PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam!

The Voice of Cards series share a similar aesthetic and gameplay between entries, with each presented as a tabletop card game, but every game is completely standalone, with their own characters and stories to tell.

In Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden, your hero travels across the realm in a search to help his friend unlock her destiny as a maiden of the isle, in the hopes that it can stop their homeland from being destroyed. The adventure sees you team up with other maidens and their guardians, each of whom has a very different playstyle and path to salvation, which allows you to vary up strategies in battle and learn what secrets the world holds, together.

Meanwhile, Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden is a tale of revenge that sees your hero wish to avenge the destruction of her hometown beneath the Earth.

She soon learns that she has the power to capture the essence of enemies, allowing her to utilise their attacks in battle. This may see you attempt to capture as many monsters as you can, placing them in your pocket, ready to help you become the very best battler, like no-one ever was.

Each game has a wonderful array of characters, melancholy tales that tug at the heartstrings, and come complete with a joyful cynicism and inventiveness that could only come from Creative Director YOKO TARO.

All three games in this series, Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden and Voice of Cards: Beasts Of Burden, plus the first instalment, Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars released in 2021, are available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam.

• Get Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
• Get Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden
• Get Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden

VARIOUS DAYLIFE

How wonderful would it be to set sail, and make a new life elsewhere? In VARIOUS DAYLIFE, you can find out for yourself!

This pioneering new RPG landed on the console shores last September, and bought with it a wonderful mixture of exploration and battling from the massively-talented Team Asano (BRAVELY DEFAULT, OCTOPATH TRAVELER).

Your story begins when you leave your home and join the seventh generation of settlers to a new continent. Upon exploring, you begin to discover mysterious crystals and artefacts, as well as a bevy of native monsters who are keen to stop you seeing all this land has to offer.

With a large variety of jobs to take on, an eclectic cast of team-mates, and so many different ways to develop your hero, VARIOUS DAYLIFE will soon see you compelled to take on new work orders, explore your newfound home, and uncover the mysteries that lie at the heart of the island.

VARIOUS DAYLIFE is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam, iOS and Android. Steam players can also purchase the game in a bundle with fellow Team Asano title and awe-inspiring TRIANGLE STRATEGY.

• Get VARIOUS DAYLIFE

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story

Is it truly possible to be granted eternal youth? If so, to what lengths would you go to secure it for yourself? These are the questions posed by The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, which released last May.

Directed by Koichiro Ito (METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN), this mystery adventure game sees you play as acclaimed mystery novelist Haruka Kagami as she attempts to help uncover the enigmatic mystery that surrounds the Shijima clan.

In order to truly discover the truth behind it all, you and Haruka will explore the chronology of the Shijima family and solve the myriad of murders that cropped up throughout generations, from the early 1900s to the hustle and bustle of the 70s, and even the present day.

What makes the series special is the stellar live action, which sees the actors appear in different roles through each case, giving an even greater sense of intrigue. The actor playing the victim in one case could potentially be the killer in another. Solving each case is also great fun, with each incident allowing you to match your collected clues against the mystery of the case to deduce all manner of hypotheses and motives for each crime. What could appear to be a simple crime can easily escalate into something darker and more complex, and it’s a joy to watch unfold.

Do you think you have what it takes to solve The Centennial Case? The game is available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Steam. A demo is also available containing the first case, but please note that progress does not carry over to the full game.

• Get The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Boundless adventure awaits in a treasure hunter’s paradise! This new game follows the childhood adventures of siblings Erik and Mia, who first appeared in the iconic DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. This incredible adventure sees them transported to the mysterious world of Draconia, where they embark on an epic journey to find the seven Dragonstones in the hopes of earning the life that they’ve always dreamed of.

You can choose to explore as Erik or Mia, with progress and character development shared between them, meaning you don't miss out by playing as one over the other. After landing in Draconia Erik and Mia settle into their base of operations by hunting for treasure.

While procuring loot, you’ll encounter many monsters that you’ll be able to recruit to your gang. These monsters will be important to your success, as they have special skills you can utilise to search for treasure, traverse the islands of Draconia, and fight off enemy monsters and rival gangs. As players collect more treasure, they can grow Erik and Mia’s base and allow them to recruit even more allies to the cause.

Whether you loved DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age and want to know more about the enigmatic duo of Erik and Mia or if you've yet to play a DRAGON QUEST title and wish to see what awaits you, DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is a stellar experience that you can play now on Nintendo Switch.

Download the demo now! You can even carry your save file into the full game. Doing so will gift you 5 Better Buddy Bullets, which increases how likely monsters are to want to join your gang.

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES
• Get the DRAGON QUEST TREASURES demo

The DioField Chronicle

2022 saw several amazing strategy games released by Square Enix, with TRIANGLE STRATEGY and Tactics Ogre: Reborn providing players amazingly in-depth turn-based, isometric battles. Hopefully, you didn't miss that it also saw the launch of The DioField Chronicle, an all-new Strategy RPG that chronicles an epic tale of war and honour.

Set in a unique and beautiful world that blends fantasy, medieval, and modern-day influences, and starring a dense roster of intriguing heroes, The DioField Chronicle represents a new kind of strategy game - one that will have you deftly making life-or-death decisions on the fly.

The DioField Chronicle features a strategic “Real-Time Tactical Battle” (RTTB) system, where rather than waiting their turn, your units and the enemy will carry our actions in real-time, which means you'll often have to issue decisive orders, carry out risky manoeuvres and make the most out of your units' special abilities in order to get a vital advantage over your foes.

What makes the game stand out even more are the beautiful diorama-style visuals, which richly depict DioField island in all of its glory as you plan, battle, and lead your army into a new dawn. It sounds as good as it looks too, thanks to a beautiful soundtrack by Ramin Djawadi and Brandon Campbell (Game of Thrones).

Available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam, there are plenty of ways to enjoy The DioField Chronicle. Picking it up now will put you in great stead for its forthcoming free update in March, which provides new story content, a new weapon, new skills, and additional challenges.

Plus there's a free demo available now that allows you to transfer your save to the full game.

• Get The DioField Chronicle

VALKYRIE ELYSIUM

This new entry in the acclaimed VALKYRIE series sees you tasked with helping Odin save the world before Ragnarok devastates the world. Combining RPG elements with a lot of action, it's not long before you'll be unleashing painful combos upon your foes or putting lost souls back in their rightful place.

Throughout your quest you'll also team up with a series of Einherjar: heroes whose souls possess exceptional strength, chosen by Valkyrie to live once more. They had once lost all hope, but will stand by your side on your journey of planetary salvation. Able to be summoned upon the battlefield to assist your hero, they're one of many parts that make VALKYRIE ELYSIUM such a pleasure to play.

As you power up Valkyrie and hone her skills in battle, she's able to learn a variety of spells and abilities, and by completing the requests of lost souls, she can gain access to even more powerful spells and weapons, which allows you to further vary your combat strategies and techniques. Before long, you'll be fighting back swarms of foes with wild abandon, racking up massive combo attacks, and near single-handedly saving the day.

It’s a game that makes you feel like a true guardian of the gods, meting out divine justice, and travelling across the realm to save everyone you can. There's even a special ending for those who explore the world to its fullest...

VALKYRIE ELYSIUM is available on PS5, PS4 and Steam. There’s not only a free demo on PS5 and 4 that you can try out now, but the Digital Deluxe Edition on PlayStation 4 or 5 includes the newly-released port of VALKYRIE PROFILE: LENNETH *.

*VALKYRIE PROFILE: LENNETH is also available to purchase separately on PlayStation Store.

• Get VALKYIE ELYSIUM
• Get the VALKYRIE ELYSIUM demo on PS5/PS4
• Get the VALKYRIE ELYSIUM demo on Steam

STAR OCEAN THE DIVINE FORCE

2022 also saw the long-awaited return of the STAR OCEAN series, bringing the action role-playing series onto the new generation of consoles.

The game begins when hero Raymond Lawrence is attacked by the Pangalactic Federation, and crash-lands on what appears to be an underdeveloped planet. He soon meets Princess Laeticia, and after helping her protect her homeland from an invading empire, their journey soon sees them preparing to shake the foundations of the entire universe.

STAR OCEAN THE DIVINE FORCE evolves the series' battle system, delivering incredibly fast-paced combat and the ability to take on large swathes of enemies at once. This makes confrontations feel thrilling yet challenging and gives you more options to take down foes than ever before.

Likewise, THE DIVINE FORCE makes the STAR OCEAN series bigger than it's ever been before, with massive environments that you can traverse on foot or in the sky. Even better is the fact that combat is now seamless. Combine these facts and you have an adventure that gives you more freedom in exploration and combat than any other title in the series.

The game’s available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Steam.

If you want to try before you buy, there's also a free demo available too (please note that progress does not carry over to the full game).

• Get STAR OCEAN THE DIVINE FORCE

HARVESTELLA

The season of death approaches, and only you can stop it.

This magnificent lifestyle sim JRPG sees you waking up on an unfamiliar planet as it's visited by the troubling Quietus, a rogue season that sees crops wilt and anyone caught in its haze suffer terminal illness. You soon rescue the enigmatic Aria, who believes that she's a time traveller, sent from the future where the planet is about to be destroyed by a soon all-encompassing Quietus.

Amid your quest to quell the incoming storm, you inherit a small farm, which allows you to grow crops, raise animals, and earn money that you can use to renovate your home, power up weapons, or reinvest back into your farm to make it even bigger and better.

Before long, you'll find yourself convincing yourself to play just one more in-game day to collect the crops, plant new ones, and help the citizens of HARVESTELLA, only to find another half hour has passed and that you're already convincing yourself again to collect the crops, plant new ones...

Coupled with the ever-so-slightly addictive farming is the mission to put an end to the Quietus. You’ll recruit a cast of heroes, from sky-lancer Asyl to the enigmatic inventor Heine. Additionally, you can befriend other people in the world, such as the Doctor Cres or the verbose Unicon. You can also take on quests that explore their lives further, humanising - (or in the case of the Unicorn, unicorn..ising?) - your allies and reminding them what they're fighting for. Beneath it all, there's a story that evolves into something beautifully sincere, infectiously optimistic, and inspiringly hopeful.

There simply aren't enough words to describe how wonderful the journey of HARVESTELLA is. If you want to try it out for yourself then there's a free demo on Nintendo Switch available now that allows you to carry over your save to the full game.

• Get Harvestella on Nintendo Switch
• Get Harvestella on Steam

So how many of these amazing games have you played, and which are you planning to pick up? Be sure to let us know on social media:

• Square Enix Blog
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• Square Enix on Facebook
• Square Enix on Instagram

What are you hoping for in 2023? Wealth? Friendship? Adventure? You’ll find all this and more (metaphorically at least) in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES… and you can get a taste right now in a brand new demo for Nintendo Switch!

This hearty taster for the game introduces you to loot-loving siblings Erik and Mia and the world of Draconia - a beautiful land that’s full of sparkling treasures and other wonders that just beg to be discovered.

• Get the demo

While you wait for it to download, here’s a quick look at what to expect:

What’s in the DRAGON QUEST TREASURES demo?

The new demo takes you through the opening sections of the game. You’ll join Erik and Mia - two young heroes who dream of escaping their lives and making their own fortunes. The opportunity comes along when they free two mysterious creatures, Purrsula and Porcus, and discover the mysterious Dragon Daggers.

This sets off a chain of events that transports the pair to Draconia - a land of floating islands where monsters run free. In the chaos, Mia is separated from Erik - you’ll take control of the enthusiastic young hero and learn the ins and outs of discovering loot.

You’ll learn how to take advantage of monsters’ treasure visions to identify where chests are buried, and the ludicrously satisfying joy of digging up your prize (seriously, that little jingle hits perfectly every time).

There’s a lot more to discover in the demo, but the joy is in discovering it all for yourself. Don’t worry about losing progress (and loot) though - all your progress is carried over to the main game. So if you purchase the full version of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, you can pick up exactly where you left off!

You’ll also get a nice little bonus if you play the full game after the demo: 5 Better Buddy Bullets! Fire one of these bad boys at a monster, and they’re more likely to want to join your gang!

What can you expect from the full version of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES?

Continue your adventures in the full game, and you’ll be able to experience the full scope of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES.

You’ll have total freedom to explore each of the game’s main islands however you like. From the marshes and swamps of the Wingswept Moors to the smoldering embers of Cinderback Ridge, each area is massive and packed with loot to locate, side quests to complete and monsters to battle… and then recruit to your gang.

Follow the story and search for the legendary Dragonstones, or just take your time to build your fortune - it’s entirely up to you. Watch out though - you’re not the only treasure hunters in town and some gangs prefer to steal their fortunes rather than find it…

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is out now for Nintendo Switch.

• Get DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

How do you get the DRAGON QUEST TREASURES demo?

The demo is available to download now on the Nintendo eShop:

Get the demo

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is an endlessly entertaining game, full of heart and charm… and one that’s hard to put down so we hope you enjoy it! If you want some tips and tricks to get your adventure started, be sure to check out our guide:

• Tips and tricks for DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

For news and information about the game, and the DRAGON QUEST series as a whole, be sure to follow us on social media:

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With the release of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES mere days away, it's time we told you about the game's online features!

You can connect with other real-world players and interact in a number of ways, from showing off your top treasures to searching for hidden loot.

Treasure hunting is always more fun with friends! Read on, and we’ll tell you how it all works!

Connecting with others via the internet

Once Erik and Mia's gang has grown sufficiently large, a mechanical diplomat known as AL4N will come and stay at their base. He grants access to the Gang Network, a hub for online features that players can use to interact with other gangs.

Once you've connected to the internet, you'll be able to hide treasure in Draconia, search for loot hidden by others, send your monsters out to show off your best treasures to other gangs, and likewise receive their monsters as guests.

Let’s take a closer look:

AL4N is an old friend of the station master, Mr Euston, and an accomplished diplomat. He comes to the base after hearing about Erik and Mia's achievements.

When the gang's rank is high enough, AL4N will grant access to the Gang Network.

The Gang Network lets you check other players' profiles, and is a hub for fun mini games, such as Treasure Hunts and Treasure Tours.

To access the online features, simply link a Nintendo Account to the Nintendo Switch™ user and speak to AL4N. A subscription to Nintendo Switch Online is not required.

Here are some of the games you can play:

Treasure hunting with friends

Hide your treasure anywhere in Draconia, or download hidden treasure data uploaded by other users… then let the hunt begin!

Hiding your treasure for other players

Treasure can be hidden in a location of your choosing on any of Draconia's islands. You can save up to three hiding places as favorites.

Other players can download your hidden treasure data. The more downloads you get, the more valuable the treasure will become!

Searching for other players’ treasure

Your monsters will inform you when another player's treasure is hidden nearby. Look out for a blue chest inside a speech bubble.

Successfully track down some hidden loot to receive a replica of it!

Replicas don't add to the value of your treasure vault, but they can be sold for money. Rare replicas command a high price!

Sending your monsters to a friend’s base

You can send your monsters off to visit other players' bases, where they'll show off one of your treasures. Likewise, you can welcome monsters from other gangs to your base and give likes to the treasures they show you.

Monsters from gangs around the world can come to visit you! If you know a friend's Gang ID and their secret password, you can invite their monsters to come to your base.

When a visiting monster shows you their treasure, it's up to you to give it the likes it deserves before the timer runs out.

Liking treasure boosts its value

Your monsters can also visit your friends’ bases. If other players like the treasure your monsters show them, its value will go up!

Visiting monsters will take their treasure with them when they leave, but you'll receive a replica of it as a memento!

You’ll be able to hunt for friends’ treasures and show off your best items from December 9, 2022, when DRAGON QUEST TREASURES launches for Nintendo Switch!

You can pre-order the game now, both physically and digitally… and there are some very awesome bonuses if you do so:

• 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure

• 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang

• 15 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Be sure to follow us on social media for more news and updates about the game:

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We’ve previously told you about how sibling heroes Erik and Mia can discover amazing loot in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, the ins and outs of forming a gang, how battles work and more.

Now, with less than a month to go until the release of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, we'd like to tell you about the treasure maps you'll pick up on your adventures… and the treasure dungeons they'll lead you to.

You enter dungeons through Teleportals. If you come across one while out exploring, summon up your courage and head on in!

Defeat the super-tough monsters that reside on a dungeon's final level and you'll earn treasure, medals and gold!

The treasures you'll find and the monsters you'll encounter are different every time you enter a treasure dungeon - and there are special rewards if you make it out in one piece!

That’s a brief summary - now let’s take a closer look:

Treasure Maps

In DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, you'll come across special items known as treasure maps. These will lead you to treasure dungeons where you can earn rewards, including treasure and medals.

So how do you get these valuable maps? Enemy monsters will occasionally drop them when defeated!

Monster parties you've sent out on missions can also find treasure maps for you.

When you find a treasure map, a special quest will begin! You can check the menu to see which island the dungeon is on.

If you search the island, you’ll find the entrance to the treasure dungeon - a swirling teleportal!

Treasure Dungeons

Step through the teleportal and you’ll find yourself in a dungeon full of valuable treasure… and also danger.

Treasure dungeons are formed of a series of separate rooms that you have to work through in sequence. The monsters you meet and the treasures you find there change with every visit to a dungeon.

Defeat the enemies that stand in your way and grab your reward!

Defeat all the enemies in a room and the portal to the next one will appear.

Some rooms contain mysterious stone pillars. Touching these pillars will affect your entire party in a number of ways.

Powerful monsters await on the final level of each dungeon. Cooperate with your party to take them down!

You might also come across some rather rare monsters inside the dungeon, including ones with metallic bodies and others that sparkle extravagantly!

Get the better of a treasure dungeon and you'll earn treasures, medals and gold. There are also rare medals available for those who can clear dungeons quickly!

At one point in the story, Erik and Mia will acquire a special treasure map. It shows the location of a treasure dungeon whose final level is a very special space, where a mysterious - and massive - monster awaits: Hornbull, Sentinel of the Sands!

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is nearly here! You’ll be able to join Erik and Mia on their loot-filled adventures on Nintendo Switch from December 9, 2022!

You can preorder the game now, both physically and digitally… and there are some very awesome bonuses if you do so:

• 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure

• 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang

• 15 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

We hope you’re excited to experience this treasure-filled adventure. These last few weeks of waiting may be agonizing, but if you need to distract yourself from that slowly ticking clock, check out DRAGON QUEST on social media, for fun and updates about the game and the series as a whole!

• DRAGON QUEST on Twitter
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Over the last few months, we’ve introduced you to many elements in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, from finding loot and fighting off rivals, to exploring the world itself. Today, we’re going to talk battles!

Erik and Mia’s hunt for loot takes them across the floating islands of Draconia, where monsters roam free. Some of these are hostile and need no excuse to attack Erik and Mia. Fortunately, the siblings have a team of trusty monster allies, and together they can fight off would-be attackers!

Erik and Mia can pick up to three monsters from their gang to accompany them on their adventures.

Fend off foes with your monster pals! Attacking and dodging is as simple as pressing a button. But how exactly does it all work? Allow us to explain…

How do battles work in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES?

The action in the game is fast paced but deceptively simple!

Just approach an enemy to engage them in combat, and your AI-controlled monsters will fight to the best of their abilities. There are no complicated controls, leaving you free to enjoy the battle.

If a hostile monster spots you when you're searching for treasure, it will attack without a moment's notice!

Let the battle commence! Your monsters will decide the best course of action to win the fight.

Emerge victorious and you'll be rewarded with experience points, gold and even items! Erik and Mia can get in on the action using their Dragon Daggers and catapults or watch from the sidelines as their monsters duke it out.

If you can creep up on your enemy unnoticed, you can perform a sneak attack and inflict massive damage.

Alternatively, you can let your monsters fight while you concentrate on digging up buried treasure!

Giving monsters orders

There are two different orders you can issue to your monsters when you're out exploring.

Tell them to "Gather round!" and they'll rush to your side or shout "Go, go, go!” and they'll seek out nearby enemies to fight.

Using Dragon Daggers and Catapults

Erik and Mia can help their comrades in battle using their Dragon Daggers and catapults. Both can be used to attack enemies and support allies.

Use the Dragon Daggers to attack monsters or break open pots and crates.

If Erik or Mia suffer damage, they can use the magic of their daggers to heal themselves.

Use the catapult to snipe out-of-reach enemies. Pellets can be found in chests or purchased from Axel's workshop.

Certain pellets have healing effects, while others will buff your allies. You can even use the catapult while you're moving!

Many enemies are weak against elements such as fire, or a specific type of physical damage. All such vulnerabilities can be exploited with the right pellet!

You can also use your catapult to recruit monsters! Strike an enemy with a buddy bullet to increase the likelihood of it wanting to join your gang. Be sure to keep a few on hand because you never what powerful monster you'll meet next!

Causing major damage with a Monster Medley

If Erik, Mia and their monster minions manage to chain their attacks together in the right order, they'll unleash a Monster Medley. Here’s how it works:

Each monster has three or four different abilities at its disposal. They each also have a different line-up of abilities, and the amount can be different too, even between monsters of the same species.

Your monsters are more than capable of choosing the right ability for the situation, be it attacking a foe or supporting an ally.

If they time their attacks right, Erik, Mia and their allies can combine them into a powerful Monster Medley!

Chain together many attacks and abilities to dish out astronomical damage!

Unleash the Dragon!

Every hit Erik and Mia land on the enemy charges their Dagger Gauge. Once the gauge is full, they or their monsters will be able to Unleash the Dragon and perform a very special technique - a unique super attack.

Not only are these set-piece skills a wonder to behold, they also inflict enormous damage!

The Dagger Gauge appears below Erik and Mia's portraits and can be charged for up to three uses. Unleashing the Dragon once or activating Erik and Mia's Wild Side ability uses one charge of the Dagger Gauge.

Fill up the gauge and then instruct your slime to Unleash the Dragon!

Slimes have a super attack called Meteoric Rise, which causes huge damage to all nearby enemies.

As mentioned, Erik and Mia can Unleash the Dragon themselves with an ability called Wild Side. This special technique calls on the siblings' survival instincts, temporarily boosting all their stats and increasing their movement speed!

Wild Side allows for damaging combos and can be performed while already in motion!

Here are some more examples of what can happen when monsters Unleash the Dragon:

Restless Armours: Gigagash!

Orcs: Call the Cavalry

Loss Leader: Dark Machinations

Killing Machines: Full Beam

Medals

Over the course of their adventures, Erik and Mia will obtain monster-themed medals that can be equipped to boost stats such as attack power and deftness. Some will be contained in chests, while others may be dropped by monsters - keep your eyes peeled!

Raise your gang's rank to equip more medal.

Each medal provides a different effect, and can come in one of four ranks: bronze, silver, gold or rainbow.

We hope you enjoyed this brief look at battles in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. You can dive into the fray yourselves from December 9, 2022, when the game releases for Nintendo Switch!

Pre-order now to get some rather wonderful bonuses:

• 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure

• 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang

• 15 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

To stay up to date with information about this and other DRAGON QUEST games, be sure to follow us on social media:

• DRAGON QUEST on Twitter
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Over the last few months, we’ve shared a lot of information about what you can do in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. We’ve shared a step-by-step guide to finding loot, introduced some of the rivals vying for your hard-found booty and showcased some monsters and their fortes - special abilities that help you explore the world.

But what about the world itself? That’s what we’re going to show you today!

Welcome to Draconia

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES takes place in Draconia, but it may surprise you to learn that its islands once formed the bodies of two enormous Golden Dragons.

Over the eons, their rocky remains have eroded away to leave six floating islands.

Excluding the central hub island, Erik and Mia can scour five very different biomes in their hunt for treasure, from volcanic mountains and bone-dry deserts to frozen wastelands. Each one is inhabited by a bevy of weird and wonderful monsters.

Let’s visit each one.

The Paternoggin

This is the island where Erik and Mia start their Draconian adventure. The upper level features plains and a dilapidated factory, while the lower level is home to forests and caves. A cable car makes it easy to travel between the two areas.

The Sylphanians have set up camp on the upper level, just around the corner from the stunning Teardrop Falls.

There are ancient buildings all over the island, but few have dared explore the monster-infested lower ruins.

The Maneland

Raging sandstorms wear away at the rocky outcrops of the Maneland, where massive skeletons protrude from the dust. In this land of blustery dunes and sand rivers, the Glide Forte is sure to be a lifesaver.

This entire island is covered in sand and rock, and only the hardiest monsters are able to survive here.

Sticky, oily puddles and fast-flowing rivers of sand are known to hinder even experienced adventurers.

Cinderback Ridge

Located in western Draconia, Cinderback Ridge is a volcanic island where rivers of molten rock and sheer cliffs abound. Some of Draconia's strongest monsters inhabit the island's central region, where the floor is flooded with lava.

Colossal red cacti grow in the Lumbar Lavalands at the centre of the island.

Jump over the lava with the Launch Forte, or float to safety with Glide.

The Wingswept Moors

In the northern part of the island, jutting out from the sprawling plains, is the lofty Mount Greywing. Elsewhere, monsters lurk in sodden marshes and poisonous swamps.

The Sprint Forte will make light work of the open plains and provide a refreshing breeze to counter the muggy marshes.

Mount Greywing, with its cooling mists, sits in stark contrast to the heat and humidity of the plains.

The Hinterquarters

The perpetually frozen Lake Swishmelt marks the southern section of this island, known for its harsh wintery climate. Unrelenting blizzards make some regions unliveable and whiteouts hide deep crevasses from view.

With judicious use of monster Fortes, perilous icebergs become stepping stones to solid ground.

Many monsters, such as Glacial Golems, relish the sub-zero temperatures and stomp about in sheer defiance.

Surprises await on every island

Erik and Mia are sure to find useful items in chests and pots, but there are plenty of other surprises waiting for them in Draconia. Some secret areas are a tight squeeze to reach, and others will need a keen eye to spot, but any treasure hunter worth their salt is willing to overcome such challenges for the chance to find legendary loot!

Each island is served by several train stations. Once you repair them, you can visit each one directly from the station at your base.

Some islands have shops that are conveniently stocked with useful items, valuable recipes and local crafting materials.

You'll need to crouch down to enter caves like this, but your efforts may well be rewarded with a hidden treasure chest!

Metallic monsters are a rare sight but defeating them will earn you a bucketload of experience points. You may even be lucky enough to recruit one!

During your adventures, you may come across special monsters made entirely of precious gems. These are exceedingly rare "bejewelled monsters", and they carry exquisite treasure. But be warned - they're fast on their feet (if they have them), so you'll have to be lightning quick!

If you’re lucky enough to encounter one, they may want to join your gang - if you can defeat them, that is!

Strange balloons have appeared all across Draconia's main islands. Shambles and Shady of the Thunderous Plunderers seem to be involved somehow and are even offering a reward to anyone who can burst them all.

Balloons will pop up in the most unusual places. Time to break out that trusty catapult and pop every one you can find!

We don’t have the space for a full world tour here, but you’ll get to explore this large, beautiful and treasure-filled world in depth, when DRAGON QUEST TREASURES launches on December 9, 2022, for Nintendo Switch.

The game’s available to pre-order now, with some very lovely bonuses for those who do so:

• 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure

• 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang

• 15 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

To stay up to date with information about this and other DRAGON QUEST games, be sure to follow us on social media:

• DRAGON QUEST on Twitter
• DRAGON QUEST on Facebook
• DRAGON QUEST on Instagram

Previously, we’ve introduced you to the basics of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, shown you the ins and outs of finding loot, and highlighted some of the monsters you’ll befriend and fight.

Today, we’re going to talk about some more big elements in the game, including your home base, and the threat of rival gangs out to steal your booty!

First though, here’s a look at one of the coolest parts of the game: building your own gang!

Forming a gang

With the threat of rival treasure-hunting crews looming large, Erik and Mia form a gang of their own and even manage to snag a base of operations.

The name of your gang is entirely up to you! Once you've settled on a great name, it's time to choose the perfect flag.

More flags can be unlocked by defeating rival gangs or exploring the far-flung reaches of Draconia.

Every piece of loot you acquire adds to the total value of your treasure vault. When this value hits a certain point, your gang will go up a rank, unlocking new treasure-hunting abilities and the option to add to the base's amenities.

The best way to build a bigger and better gang is to collect as much treasure as possible!

Now that their flag is raised, it's official - Erik and Mia's gang has its own base!

As the base grows and their skills improve, Erik and Mia will soon be swimming in treasure!

Who’s in the gang?

Your gang's membership is made up of the monster inhabitants of Draconia.

Purrsula is a mysterious creature who advises Erik and Mia and helps them to form their gang.

After battle, some monsters will be inspired to join your gang.

You’ll take the treasure you find together back to base, where it will be appraised and added to your collection, boosting the value of your vault as a whole.

As the value of your treasure vault goes up, so will your gang's rank.

Each new rank comes with a host of benefits to make you a better treasure hunter, as well as adding bonus multipliers to the value of the loot you bring back.

Your home base

As Erik and Mia explore Draconia, they come across an unusual island that was once home to the HQ of the Trans-Draconic Railway Company. One of its loyal employees, Mr Euston, agrees to let them use the island as their base.

An old, broken-down train is made operational again thanks to Erik and Mia's trusty Dragon Daggers!

This is Mr Euston - an employee of the Trans-Draconic Railway Company who dreams of restoring the rail network to its former glory. He agrees to let Erik and Mia use the company HQ as a base, but only if they help him to re-establish the railways.

From the base, Erik and Mia plan for their adventures, organise the monsters in their party and even send teams of monsters on missions to bring back loot. The old storeroom is the perfect place for the siblings to display their favourite treasures.

Do a favour or two for certain monsters and they might decide to set up shop at the base!

Taking turns is key to a happy sibling relationship, so don't forget to switch between Erik and Mia at the base from time to time!

Base facilities

As you progress through the game, you will add to your base’s amenities. Here are some of the base facilities you will get access to:

Facility 1: Treasure Vault

All the treasure Erik and Mia collect is stored in the vault. They can use the plinths there to display their favourite pieces for all the world to see.

Raising your gang's rank unlocks more plinths for displaying treasure.

Off-duty gang members will occasionally polish the treasure that's on display, raising its value further!

Facility 2: Worker Dormitory

Mr Muddimer will help you rearrange your party and assist when it's time to let go of monsters that aren't fulfilling their potential. When your gang rank is high enough, you'll earn the ability to send teams of monsters out on dispatch missions to all corners of Draconia.

Mr Muddimer is one of the few remaining railway employees and head of staff.

Speak to Mr Muddimer to organise your party. If the dorms reach capacity, he's also on hand to help let go of a few monsters and free up some much-needed space.

Keep raising your gang's rank to unlock dispatch missions. These special expeditions allow you to send monsters all over Draconia in search of crafting materials and treasure.

Facility 3: Personnel Department

Miss Cecily is head of the railway company's personnel department. She handles the application process for monsters looking to join the gang. Once your gang's rank is high enough, she can also help set up additional facilities, like a shop, cafeteria and pellet workshop.

Head to Miss Cecily's desk when you need a new recruit for the gang. She'll also inform you when new applications come in.

When it comes to useful new facilities, Miss Cecily is the woman to speak to. She'll even point you in the right direction when it comes to finding the perfect monsters to work there.

Facility 4: Item Shop

Bricky Rix is a merchant and one-time trading partner of the railway company. He scours Draconia looking for the best products with which to stock the shelves of his emporium.

Bricky Rix stocks food recipes, pellet formulae and the materials needed to make them. As the story progresses, he'll begin to add new products to his line-up.

Facility 5: Cafeteria

Madame Blancmange is Draconia's premier chef. From her cafeteria kitchen she creates mouth-watering meals to power up your monsters. She can also whip up rare delicacies... provided you give her the recipes!

Feeding your monsters can give them a quick stat boost, raise their resistances, and more.

Facility 6: Pellet Workshop

A former railway company mechanic and train builder, Axel uses his mechanic's know-how to make catapult pellets for Erik and Mia. He stocks a range of pellets, and if you provide him with the formula, he can whip up some extra special projectiles for you.

Some pellets cause physical damage, while others are imbued with elemental attributes, such as wind or fire.

The Snarl

Draconia is an ancient land with many mysteries, and Erik and Mia's base is no exception.

A maze of rooms extends deep below the ground, joined by a series of interconnected teleportals. Stranger still, the maze changes every time someone enters, with different enemies to fight and new rewards up for grabs.

Only the bravest treasure hunters dare to plumb its deepest, darkest depths and discover its secrets!

Rivals

Erik and Mia aren't the only ones determined to discover all of Draconia's treasures. They've got rivals to contend with, and they'll stop at nothing to take your hard-earned loot.

Rival gangs will try anything to get their hands on your treasure, from attacking you out in the field, to launching a raid on your base. Rival gang members are not to be taken lightly, so be sure to have some friendly monsters in tow when you go to confront them!

You'll be given a warning if a rival gang approaches while you're out in the field searching for treasure.

A rival gang draws near! It's as though they can sniff out any treasure you're carrying... and now they're attacking in the hope of stealing it from you!

If the monsters in your party drop any treasure they're carrying, it'll be snapped up by the rival gang. Fight back to keep your treasures safe!

Some audacious gangs will attack your base in the hope of stealing the treasures you keep there, or will attack the monsters you've dispatched on a mission.

Successfully defending a treasure from a rival gang will increase its value.

If a rival gang overpowers you and successfully steals your treasure, they'll flee and go into hiding somewhere in Draconia. Track them down and take back your treasure!

Meet your rivals

Of all the treasure-hunting gangs that operate in Draconia, two are particularly notorious: The Thunderous Plunderers and The Sylphanian Expedition. Both these gangs have a flying ship at their disposal, and a host of hardened treasure hunters among their ranks. Let's take a closer look!

The Thunderous Plunderers

A band of sky pirates under the charismatic leadership of Long John Silverbones. The Plunderers have several hundred members, both human and monster.

Long John Silverbones is the infamous leader of the Thunderous Plunderers. A cruel and cold-hearted pirate, he is known for immediately dispensing with anyone for whom he no longer has a use.

Gustav is one of Long John Silverbones’ trusted officers. He is fiercely loyal, and all but worships his captain.

Bonnie is another one of Long John Silverbones' devoted officers. She is trusted and admired by her fellow Plunderers, who see her as something of an older sister.

Admiral Mogsworth is a feline pirate whose position within the Plunderers is rather precarious. He has been very taken with Mia ever since he encountered her in the forest.

Shambles is a sharp-tongued sky pirate who's never seen without her sidekick Shady - despite being frustrated by his constant failings.

Shady is a sky pirate who forms something of a double act with Shambles. He tends to be a bit of a bungler, and therefore admires Shambles' no-nonsense attitude.

The Sylphanian Expedition

The Sylphanian Kingdom has dispatched a special expedition to Draconia in search of treasure. They've established stockades on two separate islands, from where they conduct their operations.

Captain Levanter is a bold, if rather blunt, figure who leads the Sylphanian expedition. He appears to have a long-standing enmity towards Long John Silverbones...

Gayle is a cheerful and kind-hearted young woman who works under Captain Levanter. She's still just a novice when it comes to treasure hunting, but is working hard to improve her skills.

Additional Rivals

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES features lots of unique and interesting gangs apart from those featured above.

One of them is led by none other than the notorious bandit Robbin' 'Ood...

Not all rival gangs are hostile - some would prefer to strike up a friendship with Erik and Mia's gang. Keep an eye out for these characters, as they'll often be happy to share nuggets of treasure hunting know-how with you.

Erik and Mia run into Princess Anemone all over Draconia. Not only is she an accomplished scholar, she also has all the refinement one would expect from royalty. But if she's not a treasure hunter, what is she looking for in Draconia?

We hope you enjoyed this latest look at DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. You’ll be able to start building your base and fighting off rivals on December 9, 2022, when the game launches for Nintendo Switch.

• Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

We’ll have more to share about the game as we get closer to release, so make sure you follow DRAGON QUEST on social media for the first look at all the latest info:

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In previous blogs, we’ve introduced you to DRAGON QUEST TREASURES and given you the ins and outs of finding treasure. Today we’re going to discuss another big element of the game: the monsters!

In DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, you take control of siblings Erik and Mia, who are transported to Draconia - a mystical land full of hidden treasures, and populated by multitudes of monsters.

If you're to have any hope of finding treasure, you'll need to enlist the help of the locals!

Luckily for you, many monsters are more than willing to team up and let you put their unique abilities to good use.

Recruiting monsters

Monsters roam the floating islands of Draconia, and they're known to attack hopeful treasure hunters on the lookout for loot. Once defeated in battle by Erik and Mia, however, some monsters may take a shine to the siblings and ask to join the gang.

Not only can these monsters help you locate treasure, they'll also prove their worth on the battlefield as well. As your team grows in number, so too will your aptitude for adventure!

Here’s how you add new recruits to your gang:

A monster draws near! After you defeat it, you might just see a message informing you that the monster has been scouted.

Back at base, you can view a list of all the monsters you've managed to scout during your forays into Draconia.

They may want to join Erik and Mia's gang, but these monsters won't do so for nothing.

Once they've received the items they require, though, they'll happily sign up as official members!

Each monster you recruit will be given a rating, indicated by the colour of the frame around its portrait. The frames can be bronze, silver, gold or rainbow-coloured. Monsters with a rainbow frame are the rarest - and also the most difficult to recruit.

Before you bring a monster into the gang, you can view its attributes, resistances, traits, favourite treasures, abilities and more to make sure it's the right fit for you.

Some aspects, like resistances and treasure capacity, are the same for all monsters of a species, but each monster is also unique in certain ways.

Some monster species can carry more treasure than others, and each one has a different area of expertise. So if there's a particular type of treasure you're after, or a certain area you want to explore, try switching up your party to see what's possible!

As word of Erik and Mia's exploits spreads, some monsters will apply to join the gang of their own accord. As you collect more treasure and prove your skills, the monsters will surely start flocking to your base!

Special monsters

During the story, you’ll meet some monsters who want to join the gang out of sheer enthusiasm. These special friends are unique in appearance and name.

Oozabella, a cutie slime, is the first friend Mia makes after landing in Draconia. She's never seen without her adorable yellow ribbon.

New monsters in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

A wide variety of monsters call Draconia their home. Some will be familiar, but others are completely new to the DRAGON QUEST series. Let's take a closer look at a few of them.

Marble Slime

A desert-dwelling slime. All the sand it swallows builds up inside its body to form a beautiful, stratified pattern.

Fiery Dragling

An adorable dragon that inhabits lava-filled caves. It may look cute, but it spits out jets of burning breath when angered.

Stormy Sabrecat

When this legendary beast appears it means a storm is not far behind. Its fur stands up straight due to the strong electrical current flowing through its body.

Valhalla Vulture

An airborne hunter that soars over snowfields. Its sharp, powerful claws can grip even the most hardened of icy cliff faces.

Exploring the world with Fortes

In Draconia, treasure can be found in every place imaginable, from the highest mountains to the deepest valleys, and even in the most unassuming of hiding spots.

Erik and Mia will struggle to find it all by themselves... but fortunately, they have a team of monsters to call on when the going gets tough!

Each monster has a special ability called a 'Forte,' which allows them to soar through the air or dive into the ground to bypass obstacles en route to the loot!

Here are all the Fortes you can use:

Forte 1: Launch

With the Launch Forte, monsters can propel Erik and Mia up into the air, allowing them to reach lofty ledges and platforms that are too high to climb to.

Forte 2: Glide

Monsters with the Glide Forte can use their wings or jet boosters to help Erik and Mia float softly down from high places or ride on air currents to reach distant areas.

Forte 3: Sprint

The Sprint Forte allows for rapid traversal of the terrain. Each monster moves at a different speed and has a different level of stamina for carrying Erik and Mia.

Forte 4: Stealth

With the Stealth Forte, the monster dives into the ground with Erik or Mia - perfect for passing through very low entrances and staying out of enemy sight.

Forte 5: Scan

When the Scan Forte is triggered, any nearby foraging points will be highlighted and the number of crafting materials available at each one will be shown.

As you can see, the monsters you team up with can have a big impact on your treasure-hunting potential. A good choice of team, and smart application of their skills, can lead to lots of lovely loot!

Experience it for yourselves from December 9, 2022, when DRAGON QUEST TREASURES launches for Nintendo Switch!

The game’s available to pre-order now physically, with some very lovely bonuses for those who do so:

• 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure

• 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang

• 15 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

To stay up to date with information about this and other DRAGON QUEST games, be sure to follow us on social media:

• DRAGON QUEST on Twitter
• DRAGON QUEST on Facebook
• DRAGON QUEST on Instagram

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES is all about the thrill of adventure - and that means hunting for treasure!

This new adventure puts you in control of siblings Erik and Mia, who find themselves pulled into the land of Draconia on the adventure of a lifetime. This strange new continent is home to countless pieces of precious loot… and if there’s one thing that this adventurous pair loves, it’s precious loot!

Last time, we gave you a general overview of this charming adventure (read that here), so today we wanted to take you a little deeper into the game. Read on and we’ll take a closer look at Draconia and its many treasures, and take you step by step through the art of treasure hunting!

• Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

Welcome to Draconia… and its many treasures

The floating continent of Draconia, where our adventure takes place, is formed from the ancient bodies of two legendary golden dragons. It comprises several islands.

It’s home to the seven legendary Dragonstones - special artifacts sought after by all treasure hunters worth their salt.

Each of the Dragonstones is shaped like a part of a dragon’s body.

You won’t find any Dragonstones on the island where your base is located. You’ll need to travel to the other five islands to find them, using hints to help you close in on their hiding places.

Of course, Dragonstones aren’t the only valuable items in Draconia. Far from it, in fact…

As you explore the islands of Draconia, you’ll find many items. These are classified as “treasures” or “bric-a-brac” depending on their rarity. Extremely rare pieces are considered “iconic!”

Iconic treasures are far from easy to acquire - and their value reflects this! Getting hold of iconic treasures is essential if you're to become the world's greatest treasure hunter.

Treasures can be placed in many different subcategories, including weapons, armor and items.

You may even recognize some of them as being very important indeed...

Iconic treasures tend to get eye-poppingly high valuations!

A guide to finding treasure

You may be wondering: how do we find all this wonderful loot? The process of finding treasure can be broadly organized into four steps…

Step 1: Choose an island to start your journey

The first step in any expedition is to choose the island on which it will take place. Check out the destinations list from the station at your base and select an island on which to go hunting for treasure!

Erik and Mia’s mysterious accomplices, Purrsula and Porcus, will provide a "Treasure Forecast" for each island that tells you what kind of goodies you can expect to find there.

In addition to the treasure forecast, Purrsula and Porcus will show you the Golden Ratio for that island. This tells you your current party’s suitability for finding treasure there.

The higher the Golden Ratio, the easier it will be for you to find treasure, so be sure to keep this in mind when selecting an island to visit.

Once you've selected a destination, it's time to hop on the train - with your trusty monster companions by your side, of course!

Step 2: Finding materials and bric-a-brac

Once you arrive on your destination island, the treasure hunt really begins! To start with, try walking around with your monsters in tow - they'll let you know if they sense any treasure. If you see your monster pals getting excited, you know there's something of interest hidden nearby!

There are lots of foraging spots on each island.

Useful materials can be found in clumps of vegetation, conspicuous mineral deposits, and other similar locations.

These speech bubbles mean that your companion monsters have detected treasure nearby. A silver treasure chest icon indicates that bric-a-brac has been detected, while a gold treasure chest icon indicates that treasure is in the vicinity.

Bric-a-brac has a silvery glow and is relatively easy to find. Its location will be shown on the map when you get close enough to it.

Any treasure you dig up will be carried by your monsters. The number of treasure chests that can be carried varies from monster to monster.

Step 3: Finding rare treasure

Real treasure is harder to find than bric-a-brac, and often hidden in rather inaccessible locations. In order to track it down, you may need to use the Fortune Finder, a special power that's only available to Erik and Mia.

The Dragon Daggers, which Erik and Mia stumble across at the start of their adventure, allow our heroes to use the Fortune Finder.

Using the Fortune Finder when there's treasure nearby will activate Treasure Visions, allowing you to see the treasure's exact location through the eyes of your monster companions.

Treasure Visions vary depending on the monster that's providing them. Compare the visions from all three of your companions and scour the nearby terrain to work out the location of the hidden loot!

Here are some examples:

Here is a Muddy Hand’s Treasure Vision…

…and a Hades Condor’s…

…and finally, a Restless Armour’s.

Once you’ve worked out where it’s hidden, the treasure is yours!

Step 4: Appraising Treasure

Once you've found some loot, take the train back to your base and have your finds appraised.

Alternatively, you can use an item known as a chimaera wing to instantly return to base from any island, with all your treasure intact. They're very precious items indeed, and nigh-on indispensable for any serious treasure hunter!

Appraisal takes place as soon as you return home and reveals the name, appearance and value of your treasures. A treasure's value depends on its condition, be it "mint", "fine", "fair", or something else.

Always try to find treasure in the best condition possible!

If you bring back a piece of treasure that you've already got in your collection, the item in the best condition will be kept while any others will be discarded.

Bringing a lot of treasure back for appraisal at once might provide a bonus to its valuation!

That’s the basics of finding treasure… but of course there’s more to it than that. You’ll have to deal with hostile monsters, rival gangs and more!

You’ll be able to experience it all for yourselves on December 9, 2022, when DRAGON QUEST TREASURES launches for Nintendo Switch!

The game’s available to preorder now both physically and digitally, with some very handy bonuses for those who do so:

• 5 Chimaera Wings - Returns players to base immediately without losing any treasure
• 15 Better Buddy Bullets - Increases the likelihood of a monster wanting to join the player’s gang
• 5 Fullheal Pellets - Fully restores the HP of a single ally

Preorder DRAGON QUEST TREASURES

To stay up to date with news and information about the game, make sure to bookmark the blog and follow DRAGON QUEST on social media!

• DRAGON QUEST on Twitter
• DRAGON QUEST on Facebook
• DRAGON QUEST on Instagram

The hunt is on!

Well… nearly. The hunt is actually on from December 9, 2022 when DRAGON QUEST TREASURES launches for Nintendo Switch!

This new game follows siblings Erik and Mia, who head to the mysterious world of Draconia in an epic journey to recover the seven Dragonstones. It’s an incredible adventure in a weird and wonderful world - as you can see from the trailer:

We’re sure you have a lot of questions about Erik and Mia’s treasure-filled escapades, so let’s take a closer look at the story, characters, mechanics and more!

What’s the story of DRAGON QUEST TREASURES?

Erik and his sister Mia live on a Viking longship, dreaming of the day they can explore the world in search of grand treasure.

One night they encounter a pair of otherworldly creatures, Porcus and Purrsula, and are whisked away to a mysterious place known as Draconia - a legendary land full of monsters and treasures just waiting to be discovered.

The adventure Erik and Mia have always dreamed of is finally underway!

Having fled the Viking longship, Erik and Mia are guided by a pair of curious creatures to a mysterious ruin.

In the ruin they come across a pair of Dragon Daggers, which triggers a chain of events that sees them sucked into a whole different world...

The world in which they find themselves is called Draconia - a floating island where monsters roam free!

With their trusty Dragon Daggers to aid them, our heroes commence their search for the seven mythical Dragonstones!

The characters

DRAGON QUEST TREASURES puts you in control of two main protagonists: Erik and Mia. Whichever you choose to play as is entirely up to you. Progress and character development are shared between them, which means nothing is lost when you decide to switch.

If you’re a fan of DRAGON QUEST, you may also already recognize this plucky pair. They originally appeared in DRAGON QUEST XI, where Erik joined the protagonist on his journey to save the world.

Let’s take a look at them as they appear in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES… and their spirit guides!

Erik

• Voiced by: Mack Keith Roach

Erik is an inquisitive and mischievous young man who lives on the Viking longship with his little sister.

He dreams of finding incredible treasures and becoming rich beyond his wildest dreams!

Erik’s Spirit Guide: Purrsula

• Voiced by: Laura Aikman

A curious creature rescued by our heroes, Purrsula looks like a cat and acts as Erik's sidekick.

Mia

• Voiced by: Freya Skye

Mia is a determined and energetic young woman who lives on the Viking longship with her brother Erik.

She loves nothing more than hunting for treasure and would like to get her hands on a real haul one day.

Mia’s Spirit Guide: Porcus

• Voiced by: Adam Diggle

Porcus looks like a pig. He takes a shine to Mia and accompanies her wherever she goes

Gameplay

Next, we’ll take a look at some of the things you’ll be doing in DRAGON QUEST TREASURES!

The world of Draconia is made up of numerous islands, all of which have their own unique characteristics. The monsters that inhabit each island are different too!

Fortunately, the Dragon Daggers allow Erik and Mia to communicate and cooperate with these monsters!

Hunt for treasure using your monsters’ abilities

The islands of Draconia are diverse and feature everything from volcanoes to glaciers.

Use your monsters' special skills to search for treasure wherever you go!

Fight side-by-side with a team of monsters

Your monster pals will come to your aid on the battlefield, and fight alongside Erik or Mia to take down pesky enemies.

Finding treasure

In DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, you’ll work with your monster pals to find hidden treasures. Here’s how it works!

The Fortune Finder is your first port of call when looking for treasure. Head in the direction indicated by the arrow.

If your monsters start getting overexcited, activate the Fortune Finder to trigger their Treasure Visions.

You’ll see the location of buried treasure through your monsters' eyes.

Use the information provided by the Treasure Visions to track down the treasure.

If you see the ground begin to glow brightly, that means you've found the loot and it's time to start digging.

Congratulations! You found some treasure!

However, you won't know how much it's worth until you get back to base.

Protect your treasure from rival gangs

Formidable rivals will make life difficult for our intrepid heroes!

Rival gangs will target your treasure and come to take it for themselves. Don't let them!

Appraising treasure

Any treasure you collect should be taken back to base so that it can be appraised. Only then will you learn exactly how much it's worth!

Collect loot to grow your base and develop into ever more talented treasure hunters!

Some of the treasures you find may even feature legendary figures from the DRAGON QUEST series!

We hope you enjoyed this dive into DRAGON QUEST TREASURES. You’ll be able to join Erik and Mia on the loot-filled adventures on December 9, 2022, when the game launches for Nintendo Switch.

We’ll have more to share about the game as we get closer to release, so make sure you follow DRAGON QUEST on social media to hear the big news first:

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