Square Enix has confirmed that its upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, will maintain its tradition of providing just one save slot for players. This save slot will be linked to players' Nintendo Switch accounts, which might be less restrictive than saving directly to cartridges, but still has its limitations. Nevertheless, it is important for potential players of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince to be aware of this decision before making a purchase.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is the newest addition to the beloved Dragon Quest Monsters series, a spin-off of the main Dragon Quest franchise that focuses on capturing, breeding, and battling monsters, similar to the mechanics in Pokemon. While The Dark Prince will be the first new title in the Monsters series in over seven years, it is unlikely to significantly alter the overall gaming experience. The game is tentatively scheduled for release on December 1.
A report from Noisy Pixel reveals Square Enix's plans for save files in Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. According to an official statement, the game will only offer one save file. Interestingly, this save file will be linked to a player's Nintendo Switch account rather than the game cartridge itself. This means that players can create multiple accounts in order to have multiple save files. However, it's important to note that owning a copy of the game is a prerequisite for online play.
The decision to limit save files to individual Nintendo Switch accounts can be frustrating, but it's not surprising given the long-standing practice in the Dragon Quest Monsters franchise. This tradition started with Dragon Warrior Monsters for the Game Boy Color, following the example set by the Pokemon franchise. Those who played Pokemon Red and Blue will remember only having a single save available. While other games also adopted this approach, it's likely that Dragon Quest Monsters was one of the first.
Fortunately, having just one save isn't as problematic for Dragon Quest Monsters compared to many other games. The game encourages players to invest a significant amount of time in a single playthrough, building collections of Monsters that can be used for online battles. With no branching paths or alternative storylines, very few players will find the need for a second save.
Additionally, multiple saves are now catered for in the case where it becomes necessary. In the upcoming game, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, players who have friends or family members interested in playing as well can create their own save using a separate Nintendo Switch account. Unlike the previous Game Boy Color version, this feature allows for a more inclusive gaming experience. It is anticipated that this improvement will alleviate any frustration surrounding the limited save options and enable everyone who wants to play Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince to do so. Mark your calendars for the release of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince on Switch, scheduled for December 1.
Source: Noisy Pixel