"Dragon Quest" fans will be overjoyed for the Holidays as more details for the remake of the ninth installment has just surfaced, along with a televised announcement in Japan's NHK.
Reports tell of a program titled "Dragon Quest: And Onward to A New Legend" that will air on n Japan's national television NHK on December 29th at 10 AM Local time, according to the official website of "Dragon Quest XI." The website also mentioned that the program will be hosted by "Densha Otoko" actor Takayuki Yamada. The actor has been in numerous video game-related commercials especially involving PS4 and it has been reported that he's an avid gamer as well.
It's still uncertain, however, on whether the program will show on the web arm of NHK, NHK World, but more updates will appear soon enough online on the website itself.
In other news, we're getting more details on the game as we get to know more of the the characters, including the hero, his childhood friend Ema and his traveling buddy Camus.
Since "Dragon Quest XI" will be released for the PS4 and 3DS, both versions will be showcasing their differences from one another, along with the settings like Ishi Village and the Tree of Life.
Of course, the PS4 version of the game will be featuring a more detailed environment such as trees, grass and creatures, as well as the daily lives of people in settlements.
As for the 3DS version, on the other hand, it can offer players the option to switch between 3D and 2D mode. For the 3D mode, it features the game in 3D, enabling stereoscopic 3D visuals, whereas the 2D version displays the game in 2D pixel art and sprites that look exactly like the classic version. Players wouldn't have to worry about staying in the mode for the rest of the game since they'll be given a chance to switch modes again at certain points of the game.
These also apply for the battle sequences in the game. While maintaining the common element that fans are used to for 30 years, there are also new elements that will be applied to this game. The PS4 will be displaying the characters and monsters in fully rendered 3D battles, while the 3DS will also do the same but showcasing the 2D mode in the classic "Dragon Quest" style, showing off the sprites of the monsters on-screen.
As for the story, it revolves around the unnamed 16-year-old hero of Ishi Village. The village has a tradition for the coming of age, and when it was the hero's turn, he soon realized he was the reincarnation of an ancient hero in the past. Now, he's given an important mission similar to his past self.
Joining him is village childhood friend, Ema, who also goes through the coming of age ceremony as the unnamed hero. She was also notable for seeing the seal on the hero's left hand that shines when in danger - the seal that contains a mysterious power.
They both bump into Camus along their journey. Camus is the reliable buddy of the hero, who also has crude mannerisms but also a loyal, passionate and determined friend.
"Dragon Quest XI" is slated for release on the Nintendo 3DS and PS4 sometime in 2017.
