SweetieGames

Previously on this blog, I wrote about the reveal of Dragon Quest XII, the long awaited next instalment in the 40 year old Dragon Quest franchise. While the trailer didn’t give away too much, there were obviously fans combing through the clips to figure out what the plot could entail, and they discovered very interesting details! It looks like the new game could be set in the world of Dragon Quest IX!

I will preface this by saying that of course, I’m going to be biased; Dragon Quest IX is my favourite in the franchise and I’m desperate to see it again. Even though I wrote my article about its lack of remake back in 2022, it continues to be the only mainline DQ title without any form of remake or re-release, 17 years after its release on the DS.

The village shown in the trailer, featuring a chapel with a steeple against a prominent waterfall and house with a water wheel, bears a striking resemblance to Angel Falls, the opening village from IX where the hero starts their adventure. A castle with twin guardian statues resembles Angel Falls’ nearest city, Stornway. A beachside cave that could be Dragon Quest IX‘s Tywll Cave, where the hero faces off against the giant Lleviathan. Other locations, such as an expansive desert and a rocky wilderness could be reminiscent of DQIX locations such as the Gleeba desert, but have also featured in a plethora of other Dragon Quest titles.

If Dragon Quest XII is indeed set in the same world as IX, it could be the first time that western fans would return to this world since IX‘s release. The world is also featured in X, however this MMORPG has famously never been released in English officially. It also increases my hopes for an IX remake; surely new fans who start out on XII would want to explore the game where this world began! It would also be set in the future from IX, so it would make for an amazing prequel.

I’m really hoping that the theories are true. I would be delighted to see the world of IX remade for the latest consoles! I can only wait to see what content comes out surrounding DQXII in the future.