Dragon Quest XI: The Kotaku Review

Dragon Quest XI is the best game in the 32-year-old series.
I don't say that lightly. I've obsessed over Dragon Quest for the last thirty years. I've played every inch of every one of the games in the series. I played Dragon Quest XI in Japanese when it was released in 2017. Then I played it again. Now I've played it a third time, in English. Only when watching my own review did I decide to go ahead and declare this game the best in the series. Because it is.
This review contains snippets of cutscenes from the first 20 hours of the game, which some players may consider spoilers. I've taken care to exclude all dialogue and subtitles from the screen, however, and to present these cutscenes in something of an inscrutable order.
This review breaks the game down in seven chapters:
0. intro ("the bottom line") (1:06)
1. the history of the series (2:22)
2. world-building (6:45)
3. The difficulty (10:33)
4. battles (12:12)
5. characters (22:39)
6. the story (27:18)
7. the localization (31:04)

[@kotaku]

i recorded the audio for this video in a tiny 120-degree soundproof booth at 3am. it took me three hours, during which time i re-read like 98 sentences with the word "eleven" in them 45 times each. please stop pointing out that i said "final fantasy xi" when i meant to say "final fantasy xii." trust me: i know the difference between final fantasy xi and final fantasy xii. i was *there* anyway, if you liked this video, watch my (so far!) ten-part series about final fantasy vii: kzbin.info/aero/PLsiJPoHlPqEEA07AKMQ2Hm2oRLiGkR_uJ

[@RyuDaBurninator]

You made an incredible review. Square Enix owes you money. I cant wait till I get home to play this.

[@stuckinseasia]

This explanation made me laugh so loud. We feel your pain. :)

[@TheGPrime85]

Tim Rogers, you are the best game reviewer alive right now. Would you ever consider reading - no, PERFORMING - your legendary FF13 review from ABDN?

[@DGP406]

no dude, seriously, you're allowed to make as many mistakes as you want as long as you keep making more reviews like this

[@ericm3327]

Kotaku this is the most chill hanging with buds reviews I have ever seen. Great job man

[@seafarinhare]

This isn't a review at all. This is a love letter.

[@Mr._Pug]

That's exactly what i thought while i was watching this review... and this game deserves a review like this.

[@justahuman9273]

omg for real!!! 😂

[@shogil9880]

This is work of art. This guy is amazing.

[@smlvcfncst]

Love letters are reviews, kind of.

[@EliteRecon1337]

:0 you blew my mind today

[@brandonr.4910]

Your review did more for this franchise in the West than Square-Enix has done for it in the last 9 years.

[@requiem6465]

It hurts that this is true.

[@SymeonPhronema]

I'm so glad he made this review, because it's so true. Such a gem of a game. I really hope it does well in the west so that more games are made, and brought to the west with English localization like this. I don't even need the voice-overs (though they're a nice addition!).

[@snowyuri1316]

This review got me to purchase my first Dragon Quest Game

[@KGS922]

LOL

[@PotatoGawds]

facts

[@brunoxd151]

It feels like this guy was born to make this review

[@valentinodelapena7699]

that's honestly what all his reviews feel like

[@JNasty1989]

"the whole game is jus chillin with your buds"

[@MrGameControler]

I just read this comment exactly when the reviewer said it and now feel all tingly inside

[@tracyfollowell6747]

Laughs in lonely

[@GracelessEmber]

Final Fantasy 15 in a nutshell

[@GracelessEmber]

@Billy Herrington Final Fantasy 15 is great, and so is Dragon Quest.

[@at0micl0bster]

@@GracelessEmber 15s alright. But that doesn’t mean its not a huge mess

[@steamin661]

This guy needs to get a raise. Excellent reviews which are very unique. Nothing like this.

[@Strat-o-caster]

One of most well scripted and spoken reviews I’ve ever listened to. You can hear and see how much he put into it

[@superkingarmaan9875]

he just loves his job, which is very rare these days.

[@MisteMiner]

Agreed! That being said he had a huge advantage over most other reviewers having put hundreds of hours into the Japanese release of the game.

[@somebodies]

Yup. This definitely wasn't plagiarized.

[@keiichimorisato98]

ten years ago, this game would have been torn a part for not being innovative enough. back int he PS3/360 era, any game that wasn't a shooter, needed to innovate drastically and fundamentally change what that franchise even was in order to be considered a good game. Lost Odyssey was one such game that got panned by a lot of people for being a turned based game that didn't really innovate on much of anything, even though it was an excellent game.

[@Kyotosomo]

I would say this is the funniest videogame review I've ever seen but it hardly classifies as a review more like someone gushing about the series and its impact on their life lol

[@chocobofc]

He did say that he was the best AND worst person to review this game

[@chocobofc]

I have never played a Dragon Quest game in my life and this man has me sold on buying it. I’ll probably wait for the Switch version though

[@Dimebag-wx2rs]

Yuri Agostini I don’t think there is gonna be a switch version, which bums me the fuck out, cause I don’t have a PS4 and this is the only game I’d buy a PS4 for, and I’m not spending that much money for 1 game. But yeah, no switch version sadly

[@Someonewholovesmusi1]

You are both wrong and correct. There IS a Switch version coming. To Japan, currently. Its known as DQ XI S. I don't know if it'll be ported, but that's a constant with Dragon Quest. I'm still annoyed that they never brought over the Dragon Warrior Monster remake. All that said, like the reviewer and his bias, my bias says the PS4 is a good gaming purchase.

[@themerovingian4252]

Kotaku is fucking garbage.

[@ALeaud]

I live in Japan and I brought this game up with my student. She's a 34 year old who works in a flower shop. While talking about her she actually got emotional and almost started crying because she said it was just so unbelievably beautiful. I immediately bought the game.

[@haroldallaberg6359]

your student is 34 years old? how old are you?

[@ALeaud]

@@haroldallaberg6359 I'm 37. I bought and played the game, by the way. It really was incredible.

[@bobbykbobette7426]

That person was Aeris, right?

[@ALeaud]

@@bobbykbobette7426 Haha if only.

[@captainross4706]

@@ALeaud you gonna make her your gf right? I teach in Japan, my main reason was cos I love Japanese women.

[@THE-NC2]

Your voice literally transitions from Robin to Batman lol

[@nicku33]

If this world were just, this comment would win.

[@DeltathRiylaan]

His voice is nothing like either! They wish they could be Tim Rogers.

[@rwhite9994]

It is like , like, his voice is in a constant state of puberty, breaking back and forth at will, no at random sometimes.

[@flickering_wick]

You are the only reviewer in the universe capable of making me watch a 36 minute video on a game I have zero interest in

[@oneandonlyjark]

LOL same, I strongly disagreed with his take on old-fashioned battle design but perked up my ears to keep listening anyway. I am not one to hang on the words of any one particular person, but Tim is smarter than I ever will be at this particular common subject about the intricacies of games, their metagames and histories ("common" in the sense we both know a thing or two) -- or at least writes smarter. I could spend the next decade switching careers on a new track and doing reviews -- although I would be loathe to become yet another reviewer fancying himself as smart or smarter than the last guy -- but he'd probably still have more insight and elegance than I would. This makes me listen. It is not unlike becoming a gym nut and realizing guys like Terry Crews are people you wanna learn from.

[@itsfireninja]

If you haven't already, you should watch his Action Button reviews

[@flickering_wick]

@@itsfireninja Oh yes, I've watched them multiple times

[@svdden_dread]

i want to find a girfriend who will love me as much as this reviewer loves dragon quest series

[@Mistyfgdf]

kitasni the wise feels bad...

[@hyeokseongson9989]

kitasni the wise. Ama

[@crazybbob]

You are wise indeed. While others yearn for the Thicc, the other half yearn for any Harry or Dick. Kitasni the wise has instead chosen the less travelled path. A path leading to a better half to make you swoon. For beauty and sex is common and cheap, yet true love is as rare as the blue moon.

[@Mistyfgdf]

crazybbob ah man I ant true love...

[@jackakhan]

Good luck finding a girl who loves ANYTHING but herself......

[@pietarimikkola287]

I will never forget when this man made me buy this absolute masterpiece five years ago. It is, and it will be the greatest game of all time for me. Always and forever

[@jdhathrisen]

This game is perhaps the purest distillation of everything I love about games. I played it after reading a few good reviews. I didn't get on with it. I watched this review during the pandemic. I bought it again for the Switch. I loved it. I don't mean that flippantly. I LOVED it. I've played several Dragon Quest games now, and each one is a treasure, and has meant something to me. This game made me re-evaluate my relationship with games generally. Each game I have played since has only improved my impression of this game. I am really sad that Sugiyama and Toriyama have passed away, leaving just Horii of the initial triumvirate of the creators of the series. I will always be thankful to Tim for helping me understand why this game is so wonderful. My life has been improved by enjoying this game.

[@pietarimikkola287]

@@jdhathrisen I completely agree. This game was an adventure of a lifetime. I also played it during the pandemic. The experience will forever be vital to my relationship with videogames. I remember waking up every morning, finishing my lessons and then playing DQ11 for the rest of the day. The game soked up all the misery from the outside world and gave me something to look forward to every day. If not for this game, and running outdoors, the pandemic would have sucked the life out of me. For me this game will forever be the absolute GOAT

[@tonybamanabonitomatopowers6057]

Can we have more game reviewers like this man please. He's a huge passionate fan of the series he is reviewing, he has played lots of RPGs so he knows what he is talking about, his narration is on point, and his script is well put together. If more game reviewers were like this I might actually listen to them more.

[@kadenbailey5134]

I KNOW

[@FraserSouris]

Except he is a bit of a fanboy. Where other reviews would critique and criticize things, he'd let them slide.

[@FraserSouris]

@@davidsalazar2077 Dude, that only happened once to a guy who wasn't even a reviewer. Quit exaggerating

[@AlexRN]

I got news for ya: he started his own KZbin channel and just posted his first review very much in this same style. It’s for FF7 Remake and it’s ludicrously long but worth every second.

[@mayrbek123]

He started his own channel, please check it out it's called Action Button. He's planning on basically making videos like this

[@DJSubDOg]

Keep reviewing games dude. Seriously. This is refreshing.

[@GRIFTYRODRIGUEZ]

uh... i don't think you have anything to worry about there bud. this is 40-year old professional video game liker tim rogers we're talking about

[@kotaku]

DJSubDOg yeah, i have no idea what else to do, so, sure!!

[@dicegameuchiha]

yeah uh you're behind dude

[@DJSubDOg]

Kotaku hahahaha. Looking forward to your FF7 Remake review!

[@kotaku]

oh god . . . until literally just this second i did not realize that game was ever going to get released. now i'm thinking of when i thought the same thing about kingdom hearts 3, and it's got a release date now. so FFVII remake is clearly getting released someday, and i will have to review it or i will literally die

[@SomeGermanNerd]

Fire all your other reviewers and let this guy do every single one instead.

[@Gunplabro]

How about he leaves Kotaku considering he is the only talented person working there.

[@eval_is_evil]

They would lose even more audience

[@Gunplabro]

@@eval_is_evil G O O D

[@FraserSouris]

Questbro No. Kotaku has a lot of talented people. Even Jason Schrier admitted that he couldn’t do anything without the people there

[@FraserSouris]

Except he is a bit of a fanboy. Where other reviews would critique and criticize things, he'd let them slide.

[@allisonfields3108]

Found this review three nights ago. Just bought the game today.

[@marcelliebtsich]

do u say: worth it ? or nah?

[@nicholaszer]

marcelliebtsich worth it man

[@PotatoGawds]

i put 100 hours into this game after watching this

[@mystic2918]

Allison Fields I did you like it?

[@AdamsBrew78]

@@marcelliebtsich Worth a month subscription to Xbox Live for PC to play it.

[@cygnusy1481]

First time playing a DQ game after watching this review. What a gem. I just arrived at the caves below Octagonia, and I just sit stll and listen to the amazing music playing in there. I think this might be the most beautiful music in a game I've heard in over 25 years of gaming. Truly amazing.

[@h.p.lovehandles9370]

This review is worth ign stealing

[@bartoszkunat1134]

Don't worry. Filip's already on it!

[@Musica-zt6ov]

@@bartoszkunat1134 lmao

[@DroxKnows]

😂😂

[@hirus6603]

they decided to go with the SJW version

[@Carsonj13]

After doing some research... I BELIEVE...

[@georgec6405]

OMFG I have been playing games for 28 years and I have NEVER seen a review that not only informs me of the game in question but has me fall in love with an entire series of games I’ve never given more than a few seconds of thought. BRAVO! SIR. We need more game reviews like this.

[@Cmoney757Gaming]

Exactly what I’m thinking. I’m getting this game this weekend lol😂

[@ROT695]

George C This is the best review I have seen in my entire life 😂

[@stefengreg9233]

Me too buddy, buy this game because this review... En it's a very good game than i expected

[@nickpiovesan4361]

Same here, I just want to buy and play this game now.

[@jeffreycraigie7308]

Tim’s the man.

[@MichaelQuisao]

Dude. What an incredible review. I've never played a Dragon Quest game before, but I think I will now. (for Switch!)

[@PotatoGawds]

must have for switch

[@AlexRN]

So... did you? It’s been 8 months, did you play it?

[@MichaelQuisao]

I did! I've now put 140 hours into it and just finished the end game content. I love it so much. It's a fantastic game.

[@kfed9834]

I just recently learned that the switch version has so much more content and allows you to craft easier and buy crafting materials while in the forge.. Also I really dont get why They praise Sylvando.. He's absolutely trash compared to others.. But to each their own ig

[@mystic2918]

Michael Quisao Nice.

[@playerone8876]

I’ve just started playing this masterpiece and it feels like I’ve awoken from a deep sleep where everyday is Saturday.

[@ScottLufkin]

I was super excited for Dragon Quest XI until I watched this review. Now I'm afraid nothing gaming related will ever be as much fun as this video.

[@Mushu2801]

I feel the same

[@jenniferlakin7391]

Same here

[@jenniferlakin7391]

Made me feel depressed. Seriously

[@AlexanderBrownDrJKL]

Yup.

[@EB01]

Maybe Tim has done, or can be convinced to make, a video about Super Mario Bros 3?

[@MichaelButlerC]

Retire now, you'll never be able to top this. The best game written game review ever made

[@kulitmed]

Nah, he peaks rock hard everytime. Never retire!

[@kenkaneko6821]

I'm sure DQ12 is going to be few years from now.

[@SpeechGamer]

@@kulitmed dear God, look at the buff guy on the slot machine while you read your comment lmao.

[@hansgruber8057]

I agree. This was brilliant! 12/10

[@AlexRN]

His new FF7R review on his own KZbin channel might’ve topped this. I know I didn’t want to believe it either.

[@fdri95]

Dearest Mr. Tim Rogers. That review is possibly the best review ever made. I watched it at least 5 or more times in full, and partially even more. I've never re-watched a game review for the comedic value before. It's genius. And, the japanese language insight is great! Thank you Mr. Tim Rogers!

[@shogil9880]

Likewise. This is the 4th time that I'm watching this review. It doesn't help that I'm an obvious Dragon Quest XI fan too!

[@KGS922]

Yup

[@ICONGAMER57]

as have i also

[@macrabill7396]

I've had this game for months and I still like to watch the review

[@ICONGAMER57]

@@macrabill7396 same

[@verynice9090]

Bought the game and played it through after seeing this review. No regrets, it's truly like bedtime stories for adults, very good for relaxing.

[@WhirlwindHeatAndFlash]

gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

[@AzariahWolf]

Give Tim Rogers a raise. He has single-handedly increased my Kotaku viewing 3000%, and his review already sold me God of War. Now he's probably the reason I'll get Dragon Quest XI.

[@XxMattskillzxX]

God help this guy when Dragon Quest eventually comes out in full VR.

[@dmckenna]

There is Dragon Quest VR in Shinjuku right now!

[@Krauser975]

Two words: COR BLIMEY.

[@datraucous3351]

Breaking out his lube 😂

[@paghahanapngkaluluwa7432]

That's happening?

[@ChaoticEnigma1000]

One mans mission to make dragon quest a US phenomenon: Published by Kotaku.

[@at0micl0bster]

After playing 11 and 8. I’m right there with him

[@SpeedfreakUK]

"I would recommend Dragon Quest V as an RPG for anyone wanting to learn Japanese" I took this at face value and gave it a shot and it's been quite a challenge with some decent payoff. First off, you really need to know hiragana and katakana or this will simply be torture. You should also know some very basic grammer and vocab. Not even N5 level (I'm still below that), but just being able to say "X is Y" and some very basic verb conjugation and adjectives. You don't need to know any kanji. It took me about 10 hours to get through the first 20 minutes of the game. It took me a couple of weeks to even reach the first save point. But the returns accelerate; I now recognise kanji, have a greatly increased vocabulary and can sometimes get through whole sentences without looking anything up. It maybe now takes me 2-3 hours to do what would usually take an hour in English, which is a tenfold increase in speed, and I'm only getting faster. You'll never be fluent by the end of the game, but that's not really the point. If you end up fluent in 10% of it and can muddle through the rest, that's a massive increase.

[@Misa_Susaki]

Nice, maybe I will give it a shot as well.

[@adrianlim5144]

@Reiner Braun I'm not an English native speaker and I learned the majority of the English I know from video games. What I come to understand over the years is that if you're having fun learning you WILL learn. Of course I'm not saying that conventional methods are outshined or anything, but it's not the only way to learn a language. Let OP be and take your smugness somewhere else, you're not helping anyone here.

[@Kowrin1]

Woah

[@LachyPlaysGames]

which version of dragon quest v did you play/i was wondering which the guy was talking about

[@BlooCerix]

A Tim Rogers video is an old friend, come back home from a long trip abroad.

[@FriendlyYandere]

if this doesn't sell you this game, then I don't know what will.

[@InfiniteQuest86]

I don't think there's ever been a more compelling review to play any game ever...

[@BenEverywhere]

This is the single most entertaining review of anything I have ever watched. I hope this man is present to review my life as I stand at the pearly gates.

[@AlexRN]

Go watch I his new FF7 Remake review on his own KZbin channel!

[@cupostuff9929]

He has a channel called Action Button where he does reviews like this

[@at0micl0bster]

@@AlexRN shame 7 remakes apart of that garbage known as the "comp of ff7" direct sequels were a mistake and Sakaguchi knew it

[@ShineHappySun]

Kotaku you better triple down on reviews like this from this guy.

[@kevindonnelly9487]

WHOEVER DID THIS REVIEW NEEDS TO DO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kulitmed]

That would be Tim Rogers. He mentions his name on 0:00. He says it really fast so it is easy to miss if you blink.

[@nedrynthecheeto66]

This game has become my happy place, and I couldn't stop grinning for the last 36 minutes and 18 seconds. Especially when you talked about the characters. They're my favorite part of the game.

[@friendkerrek]

I'm here again getting hype for a dragon quest 12 announcement

[@Cookberg]

Same, the live stream made me wanna finially finish the game and I'm very hyped for 12 and the 3 remake

[@jaretco6423]

Same here.

[@mmd3585]

I'm more hyped for the review than the game

[@Swordfeather]

This guys love for Dragon Quest is so pure I know that no relationship I have with a human being will ever compare. I will surely wither and die, empty and alone, but, because I am now 10000% buying this game, I know I will not be lonely. Because I will have 6 good buds holding my hands through the controller. Bless you Tim Rogers. Bless you.

[@EpicMinecraftFail]

I don't know weather i should feel sad or happy for you

[@tequilajoseph4655]

This dude just single handedly sold me, a guy that's been on the fence about this game since it's Japanese release into running to Gamestop and Pre-Ordering immediately. Give this man a promotion already, Kotaku!

[@RpiesSPIES]

Many of the gameplay aspects I saw in the snippets from the review sure seemed pretty innovative to me. Too many games are afraid to touch crafting, or anything similar. It's the small things that make games of this style great.

[@evanzigmond1213]

I'm buying the game because of this review. This video cheers me up when I'm down, I love how passionate he is!

[@galacticpopcorn9981]

Being in "the zone" sounds WAY cooler than being "pepped up"

This is not a review, but a passionate love letter. 10/10

[@Dantics]

This had to be one of the most entertaining reviews I have ever watched. I am at PAX right now and just wanted to see what people thought about the game. Instead I spent over 30 mins standing around smiling to this in the middle of a packed hall.

[@Dantics]

I am 100% a loser. Fully embrace the lose.

[@SpeechGamer]

Right there with ya buddy! Let's stand around a campsite with our BUDS!

[@Octambulism]

The reviewer is Tim Rogers. If you enjoyed the review, he has somewhat of a cult following for his writings, so it might be worth checking out some of those.

[@SpeechGamer]

@@Octambulism thank you, I appreciate the information, because I really enjoy this approach to reviewing media.

[@OA-vg7le]

i disagree in every way

[@danielscott70x7]

THIS is how you do a review.

[@FraserSouris]

Except he is a bit of a fanboy. Where other reviews would critique and criticize things, he'd let them slide.

[@danielscott70x7]

Fraser Souris Oh, I think Tim isn’t hiding that he is. So, to me, it comes across as genuine love for the game. And any absence of criticism is prefaced by that fact. I just love how detailed and lengthy and entertaining it is. He celebrates all the wonderful and fun and interesting things about the game and it’s a joy to listen through. But for more critiques, definitely one would need to go elsewhere - I do agree with you there. :)

[@gratuax2768]

This is absolutely not how you do a review

[@danielscott70x7]

Gratuax Oooooh! Okay then.

[@mystic2918]

Gratuax why?

[@Thorkitty19]

I love that you had Edvard Grieg's Holberg Suite as the music for your review. I doubt other gamers will care but I noticed and appreciate it.

[@kotaku]

Paul McLagan i know that grieg is one of sugiyama’s favorite composers (i mean, you can occassionally hear the influence). also i was instructed not to present the game’s music without the in-game sound effects, etc. finally, hendrik’s name in the japanese version is “greig,” so that seemed like a three-hit combo!

[@Alic4444]

I was thinking this too! The Holberg Suite is one of my favorite compositions of all time, lovely to play on piano too (it was originally written for solo piano and works really well in both forms).

[@JETER911]

this review is like bedtime stories with my BUDS

[@matesoos1714]

I couldn't care less for this game,I don't even know why I clicked on this video,but it was the best review I've ever seen and watched the whole thing. Now it's 100% a buy,can't wait for it to come out!

[@Jimbob2k666]

Cool! Someone who used the correct "couldn't care less" term! Like!

[@Sean-ul4ck]

Easily the best review I've seen. I've been playing DQ for about 30 years and I absolutely agree with Tim's sentiment (as well as his deference to kalamata olives); it's been a monolithic aspect of my gaming life.

[@jbleichman]

I think the whole name change for Jade is to stick to some kind of gem-themed naming trend for the people of Heliodor... the king’s name is Carnelian, his knight is named Jasper, Derk’s wife is Opal, and then you have the Hero’s mom Amber and his grandpa Chalky, and his girlfriend GEMma...

[@dahulius]

Good observation, that would make some sense.

[@harriettubman2717]

This is now my favorite review for any video game.

[@ItzBlackace]

This is honestly the best review of a video game I’ve ever seen.

[@alanwolf5632]

It'z Blackace And on the other hand it is the worst review I have ever seen. It is more “My emotional history of playing Dragon Quest” than a review.

[@themerovingian4252]

Let me guess, you're 8?

[@Rotinaj37]

I love your passion. Gonna buy this game now because of this review

[@Cookberg]

So I've watched this review 3 times I think? Once before I played it (my first DQ game) Once about half-way thru And once now that I've beat it....and I can say a few things. -This dude made my wanna play this game -I'm forever in his debt for convincing me to take the leap -This review hits different after you've experienced a Dragon Quest

[@bukie477]

you just earned Dragon Quest XI a new player.

[@itsalolmor]

Did you like it? He also won me and I've just finished it yesterday at 250 hours. Magnificent is a good word to describe it in my opinion

[@mitchhasy1]

itsalolmor this is my first DQ game but I’m not new to rpgs. I’ve played quite a few final fantasys. Should I start the game on normal? I like grinding but not to the point where it’s ridiculous. What is the best way to experience this DQ game the way it was meant for?

[@playinthroulife]

I've just bought it myself haha couldn't resist after this video, this is my first DQ as well, just shipped today

[@DaegdaGames]

@@mitchhasy1 Play on normal settings if you do not like grinding. Draconian settings forces you to grind here and there. Just make sure you chose to fight battles along the way otherwise you WILL fall behind and get wrecked

[@itsalolmor]

@@mitchhasy1 you can pretty much breeze through the game on normal, sometimes I found it a little bit easy, but at least it doesn't get boring. I tried not to avoid too many enemies along the way, and in the end just had to grind from lv 90 to 99

[@ninjaruss4205]

wow that was probably the best review i've ever seen... i honestly can't watch any more reviews of this game because i know they won't be as good as this one XD... this is waaaay more than i anticipated... far more entertaining than any review i've seen before. dragon quest builders was my first and only DQ game so far and now i'm more excited than ever to jump into this one. i was thinking of waiting until the switch version but this review makes me want to go for a day 1 buy. you're love for the series really shines in your review and it makes it all the more engaging and entertaining to watch. i'd give you a medal if i had one, but i think you deserve one straight from square enix

[@corneliusagrippa4613]

BUILDERS?? Wow, I feel older every day. Dragon Warrior 1 on the NES was my first along with Final Fantasy 1... loved those games so much. I still have the Final Fantasy box if not the cartridge... sadly, I have no clue where Dragon Warrior/Quest 1 is... such a dumb kid for not prizing them more.

[@jenniferlakin7391]

The game received excellent review scores and its basically a B+ (88/8.8) basically a score of almost 90. It's an okay game. I'm playing it now and I don't see anything too exciting to keep me interesting at all. Doesn't feel anymore special compared to DQ8 except the gorgeous visual which could look extremely way better with 4K so for those of you wishing for at least a 1440p resolution which is mostly what the Pro mainly dishes out, you are out of luck so again, NO support for 4K/HDR. Sad because even Ni No Kuni has HDR support. Also there is the same iconic sounds which could've been changed up a bit because it makes the game feel slightly boring. I'm hoping things will pick up

[@ninjaruss4205]

Cornelius Agrippa lol my first square enix (think it was squaresoft back then?) game was mario and the legend of the 7 stars. i didn't know what final fantasy or dragon warrior was back then ToT... i always regret not playing chrono trigger too but i did play dawn of souls (final fantasy 1 and 2 on the gba). i would've liked to get into the series sooner but i knew almost nothing about it until the 3ds remakes. i was too young at the time to know what was coming out so i just played whatever i could

[@tylerfaber1239]

Just break a pot or barrel I’m sure you’ll find a mini medal. I’ve been playing Dragon Warrior/Quest/Warrior Monster since they first came out. Love them to death. I still prefer Legend of Dragoon to Final Fantasy but I do love me some SquareEnix/soft games

[@bobloblaw418]

What are you talking about Jennifer it has full 4k support o_O

[@alexhayden507]

No game review has ever made me want to play a game more than this one.

[@workrockin9231]

This is the best review I've watched in my life!

[@Dajuro]

I pre-ordered Dragon Quest XI on Steam, and - I wasn't sure I made the right decision. Then I saw this review. Best game ever - 10/10 Best review ever - 10/10

[@eduardovega6487]

PS4 version for me. Gotta go for that sweet platinum.

[@watchanimerecap]

A lot of square Enix games on steam are terrible ports but yes I bought it on steam too LOL

[@daybin5303]

I just got expelled in Persona 5 and I’m fucking pissed that I have to restart now. Should I drop the game and pick up Dragon Quest??

[@davidkramer6117]

I'm guessing you didn't save the game within the last 2 weeks of in-game time (oops). Persona 5 is a very good game, so i recommend you go back to the game. But DQ11 seems to be really good so I say play both.

[@treebush]

what do you mean expelled? Do you mean youu were fooling around even after the time limit instead of going to the dungeon? and why didnt you save?

[@cortesej2]

"A mere dozen hours later the buttery fingers of your brain struggle to carry and contain the wet marbles of specific locations."

[@cupafail]

I absolutely love this review. I watched a few minutes before I was convinced to buy the game. I am now 40 hours in (15 of those were in the Puerto Valor casino..) and am still loving it! You need to make your own channel if you haven't already! p.s - also love the inclusion of Moonlight Sonata

[@JerryFlowersIII]

I'm just casually listening to this review for the 3rd time while playing Dragon Quest XI (53 hours in now) I wouldn't have bought this game if I didn't watch this review. Thanks 108.

[@DGP406]

we need more passionate JRPG fans like you doing reviews

[@NBGTFO]

There's passion and then there's just stupid obsession. This review is the latter in case you are confused.

[@DGP406]

You sound jealous.

[@lennysmileyface]

I love the grind in games.

[@oranseran6927]

The definitive Dragon Quest XI review. I have seen no other review and I am sold on the game.

[@rizkydwinanda9361]

i just literally watched the whole review and instant bought it .

[@sigmacronos9382]

Rizky Dwinanda How do you like the game so far?

[@insanodeathguy2160]

Edward Chong looks like he loves it

[@hamburglr1]

How was it

[@RiiLove]

I wish someone would love me as much as you love DQ

[@slickmcwilly]

I will probably never play this, but I'm definitely considering it after this review

[@slickmcwilly]

Well, I was wrong, I started playing the switch version and it's really good

[@Seth_Hezekiah]

I like that u came back to this.

[@invictus7567]

God damn what a review. Does this man have a KZbin channel of his own? Fantastic review, kudos!!!

[@TheCodingGamer]

Only 400 views to a million. I've watched this review in it's entirety three times I think, and I can say without doubt that it is my favorite game review ever. Thank you, Tim, for helping bring so much well deserved attention to the DQ series. Keep up the great content in 2020 and beyond. Cheers!

[@thefallout1100]

Happy new years tim! Congrats on a million! God bless u and the incredible work u do! Thanks for being an incredible part of the end of the decade!!!!!!!

[@versusforward]

I will buy DQXI because of the love poured into this review alone.

[@ketzuken1]

I kinda wish you had your own channel. You're frikking amazing.

[@kotaku]

this is my channel bro

[@sethfarmer590]

actionbuttondotnet

[@GrnBltSniper]

About 6 minutes into this video from my suggested pane and you've gotten me to preorder on the switch. Well done.

[@Rajivrocks-Ltd.]

I have watched this review two times already in a few months but I can't help but rewatch every now and then because of the sheer love for the game this man has. This fact makes the review the best it could ever be, I salute you Tim Rogers 0_07 :)

[@Nyarlah]

This is the most unique review possible, a love letter to the game, and you managed to keep me watching for 30+ minutes. You should be on your own, being advertised as Kotaku just dilutes the uniqueness you bring in.

[@themerovingian4252]

The dude's voice made me want to punch something really hard. Tries way too hard to be funny. Gay as fuck.

[@mustafanawab1719]

@@themerovingian4252 your mother is gay as fuck

[@ruxis8179]

@@themerovingian4252 are you 12? lmao

[@hh_varuna_5832]

The Merovingian shut the fuck up ned

[@itsalolmor]

What an incredible fragile masculinity, poor fella

[@ryanblackwell6402]

This is one of the best reviews I have ever watched! I haven’t touched the game but your passion for DQ bleeds through your script! I need this game. I need it yesterday!

[@k-ta251]

I'm a Japanese and VERRRY happy that a gamer in a foreign country loves a Japanese game so much that I love so much

[@AlexRN]

We love many Japanese games. I’m Mexican and grew up with Nintendo, Squaresoft, Capcom, and Konami games since the late 1980s. My favorite game of all time is Super Mario Bros 3! And Dragon Quest XI made me a DQ fan.

[@k-ta251]

@@AlexRN Oh....... dear, I'm also a big fan of Super Mario series, ...I love Super Mario 3 too! played it many times in my childhood and Thank you for loving Japanese games

[@laughingseal2282]

I like monster hunter, street fighter 5 yakuza and dragon quest. I dont even like anime.

[@brandonhasting2960]

@@laughingseal2282 thats like a american loving cheeseburgers,country music,first person shooters but then not liking guns lol

[@ericandersen5194]

I've never played a Dragon Quest game, and I bought this game based almost entirely on this review. After 20 hours (heading into ruins of Dundrasil), I am just blown away. It scratches so many itches that I forgot even existed. Best JRPG in the last 20 years (although I will give a shout out to Cthulhu Saves the World as a second best). Pure bliss.

[@AlexRN]

I hope you’ve beaten it by now. At hour 20 you still haven’t seen the best and most surprising twists yet.

[@TheSoftcoreMonkey]

My brother I just arrived at Puerto Valor for the first time and I’m almost 50 hours in…on my second playthrough. This game is just timeless, it always makes you want to enjoy it to its fullest.

[@ericandersen5194]

@@TheSoftcoreMonkey DQ 8 is excellent as well!

[@AlexRN]

@@ericandersen5194 did you beat DQ11 yet, bro? If you haven’t seen the credits roll TWICE you haven’t finished it yet!

[@TheSoftcoreMonkey]

@@AlexRN that indeed is true

[@Keriaku]

This review single handedly taught me how to enjoy DQ games and why. Now I'm really really excited to play this game.

[@BlackLotusLover]

Oh look a review by someone who is a decent writer and actually understands / loves the game they are reviewing with an objective eye. Also: Buttery.

[@jamesmeikle7216]

I'm back after 4yrs. I remember seeing this review and then deciding to buy the game. Loved it and got the platinum trophy for it. 4yrs later I feel the itch for a second playthrough and right after getting to the evil painting part, I had to come look at this review again. It's absolutely golden. I'm enjoying it as much as I did the first time. Sylvando and Veronica make every scene great. Although what he says about Sylv being the strongest physical fighter isn't really correct cos Jade outclasses him quite easily. If I ever wanted a strong single target physical DMG dealer I always went to Jade.

[@mortoriousgl6717]

After 3 years I come back to to rewatch the best review in the gaming history.

[@taylormaines9909]

Best. Review. Ever. I could hear him say stuff about his "buds" for hours.

[@milanb2]

This is the best review I’ve ever watched, he obviously loves this series. I always have trouble finishing RPG’s but I’m DEFINITELY picking this up! Dragon Quest VII on the 3DS was the last RPG I’ve finished, but this will probably be next. I’ll probably wait until it releases on the switch though, I still have Hollow Knight and Octopath Traveler in my backlog, should keep me busy for a couple of months, and I love the Switch’ portability.

[@Nuro1992]

i would put both of those games on the bench until i finished this game lol

[@ChronoMune]

I’m the same with finishing most rpgs, even though I’m a pretty big rpg fan. But you should also try ni no kuni 2. I’m loving that one, 45 hours in and can’t see myself stopping til I’m done. It’s pretty much shown me that my not finishing rpgs (or any kind of game really but it’s more common with rpgs) doesn’t have to do with growing up and my life changing as much as just staying interested based on the game itself.

[@cubanators]

2 years later here I am saying this review was my reason for trying this game and omg. Thank you, I wished more people put in this much effort into reviewing games.

[@mtb126]

If it makes you feel better, this (and the Definitive Switch video) sold me on this game. I just got to the winter region, love it so far. Your comment on every town being wonderfully crafted is true! Puerto Valor is still my fav though.

[@megajoltik123]

This is probably the best review video I have ever seen in recent times. Holy shit I laughed so hard at that Dark Souls part and that Jason Schreirer part. Not only the reviews really entertaining, it's also really informative ! I hope you review more games for Kotaku in the future.

[@artnos]

where was the jab at Jason Schreier

[@holfwaley24]

Top quality review

[@GregardIM]

A bit late to the party. Backlog is massive! Watched this review when the game came out and I bought it. I just now finished it (platinumed it even). I loved it! Then I proceeded to rewatch this review. Now I want to play it over again! Can't wait to see what DQ12 is going to be like.

[@ToxicXelta]

DQ12 is most likely going to be a massive change in the series, at-least graphically, as it's being designed from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5.

[@Xenunt1]

I genuinely hated RPGs. Never played them, never enjoyed them. Watched this review. I now own this game and regret my past decisions and love RPGs. Thanks, Tim.

[@IsraelLlerena]

Absolutely same for me ! I actually played the demo last year and I was too confused because I didn’t understand how MP and spells worked. Now I just finished the game and it’s my favorite series ever. Now I’m way more open to RPGs and I’m playing the glorious Octopath Traveler now. You should give it a go!

[@Gunplabro]

You are way too talented to be working for Kotaku dude. This video review is one of the best I have ever seen. Good job.

[@pixelmentia]

And just like that, this guy became the Sylvando of reviewers.

[@Amanojaku8]

Yet another person inspired to try this out (in fairness I'm an JRPG fan, but hadn't dipped my toe in the DQ yet). 100+ hours in and having an absolute blast - highly recommended!

[@ratmilk671]

I just love these long and in-depth reviews, presented by someone who's in love with the game and series. Just rubs off on me, and I get so pumped

[@ichinichisan]

That voice... That word choice... When did Xavier: Renegade Angel become a video game reviewer?!

[@Mercerium]

I kept hearing Kazuhira Miller

[@polraudiozion1156]

Holy crap this video was 36min! It felt like 5min lol. Love this guys reviews.

[@kotaku]

it's all about structure. divide anything up into chapters and it goes by faster.

[@gabrielns]

Man I love this video. While I was waiting for Black Friday 2018 to buy my PS4 I must have watched it 100 times. Seeing it again after almost 2 years brings back so many memories of that time and of the countless hours I spent playing this game. Absolutely loved it. Oh god, the crossbow targets... that took me a while. Anyway, thank you Tim for the amazing work!

[@erikinhd13]

10 months later and I still come back and watch this review. Never thought I would have a favorite review of a video game. The best review of a video game ever.

[@440jcs]

Every time a Kotaku video starts and I hear "Hello" emanating from the deepest, darkest depths of your larynx, Tim Rogers, I become both deeply calm and ferociously excited. When I then check the video's run-time, and see it is above 30 minutes, the stupid smile that was already plastered on my face broadens impossibly, becoming wider than my face can comfortably accomodate. Thank you!

[@chrism4403]

Just say you liked the review man, nobody cares for the rest of the bullshit in your comment lol

[@PureRok]

I care. I care.

[@NecromanciPottamus]

@@chrism4403 about 30 likes for his comment, and 0 for yours. I'd say you're wrong here, friend.

[@tebb23]

Absolutely love this review. Without question I will play this game because of this review. I love RPG’s and grew up on the old style, turn based games. Looking forward to playing this game and hope you do more reviews. Fantastic job. 10/10

[@tebb23]

I meant to come back a long time ago and say, I finished this game. I absolutely loved it and I took over 100 chill as heck hours to do so. Loved every minute of it and eventually will play it again. Thank you for introducing this to me. :)

[@Basteal]

My god, don't listen to this review with ear buds. It felt like I actually flinched at a couple of lines that convinced me the tongue speaking the sultry review words was about to enter my ear. That's more than once I physically ducked out of the way.