Unveiling the Enigmatic Bond: Unraveling Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince in Relation to DQ12

The reveal of Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince during the June 20 Nintendo Direct came as a pleasant surprise. As a spin-off in the long-standing Dragon Quest Monsters subseries, not much is known about the game beyond what was shown in the reveal trailer. However, it seems to maintain the beloved elements of monster hunting, breeding, and fighting that the Dragon Quest Monsters spin-offs are known for. The announcement of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince raises interesting questions about its connection to Dragon Quest 12 and the current state of its development. With Dragon Quest 11 being released six years ago in July and Dragon Quest 12 being announced approximately four years ago, fans are eagerly awaiting an update on the progress of the highly anticipated game. While the Monsters subseries differs from the core Dragon Quest games, the art style and monsters showcased in the reveal trailer suggest that this title may serve as a prelude or a side story leading up to Dragon Quest 12, or even bridge the gap between Dragon Quest 11 and the upcoming main installment.

Now Is the Perfect Time for a Dragon Quest Monsters Comeback

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, the next game in the franchise, was revealed during Square Enix's celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Dragon Quest Monsters franchise. The celebration included a trailer showcasing the series' highlights from its early days as a Game Boy Color title to its most recent release in 2019. The trailer concluded with the announcement that players should "get ready for a new adventure". While not much information was available at the time, the confirmation of The Dark Prince as the next game in the franchise is exciting news for fans.

Unfortunately, with the release of The Dark Prince scheduled for December, it seems that Dragon Quest fans will have to wait longer for updates on the progress of Dragon Quest 12. Square Enix is currently focused on promoting and preparing for the release of the Monsters spin-off series. However, the release of a new title in the Monsters spin-off series during its 25th anniversary year is a positive indication for fans of monster-breeding and fighting RPGs, similar to Pokémon. Additionally, it suggests that the reveal of Dragon Quest 12 may occur in 2024, as the series approaches its 38th anniversary in May of the following year.

How Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Could Tie Into DQ12

The Dark Prince's initial reveal trailer did not provide much information about the game's story. However, observant viewers have already noticed important details about the game's setting and gameplay. Similar to the recent Joker titles in the Dragon Quest Monsters series, battles will not occur randomly. Instead, players will have the option to initiate encounters by approaching enemies in the field, similar to Dragon Quest 11. Furthermore, the game is set in the underworld of Nidiria, which is featured in Dragon Quest 4 and 5.

This information raises speculation about Dragon Quest 12. It is possible that the next installment in the series will bring players back to the world of the beloved Zenithia Trilogy, which includes Dragon Quest 4, 5, and 6. These titles hold a special place in the hearts of fans and are considered some of the most cherished entries in the Dragon Quest franchise. This could explain why Square Enix has been cautious in revealing details about Dragon Quest 12. If The Dark Prince takes place in the same setting as these beloved 16-bit Dragon Quest games, it could serve as a nostalgic return to the iconic celestial castle of Zenithia.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince will be released December 1 for Nintendo Switch.