It's official – three years after Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, Square Enix is gracing us with a brand-new entry in its Pokemon-like spin-off RPG series.
Dubbed The Withered World, the new title was unveiled during today's short update from the Dragon Quest team on YouTube – the very same update that saw Dragon Quest 12 Beyond Dreams, previously titled The Flames of Fate, revealed.
It's the first entry in the Dragon Quest Monsters line we've seen since The Dark Prince arrived in 2023, and it's likely to feature the same 'mon wrangling action as before.
Although Square Enix doesn't highlight any actual gameplay, the teaser shows a variety of monsters running, flying, and scampering toward the viewer – and it all, of course, is in the iconic cartoon-y style we know and love Dragon Quest for.
When is Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World set to launch, though? Well, we aren't entirely sure yet, but Square Enix does mention during its little showcase that the developers "hope to release" the spin-off sometime "before" Dragon Quest 12.
As for when 12 itself is coming, only time will tell... fingers crossed, there aren't any new delays in the future, and we see both games soon.
Regardless, folks are already sharing their excitement for The Withered World. As per the comments underneath its short teaser trailer, "Thank God they announced this after that DQ12 announcement. If all we got was news of restarted development, I would've been super disappointed... more Monsters games is always cool."
Other fans hope that it improves upon its predecessor, The Dark Prince – especially in the PvP department. "Dark Prince was a little undercooked; hoping for a big glow up," as one person writes.
Aren't we all, anon? We'll just have to wait and see how Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World plays, I suppose, but I have a feeling it'll be good.
Searching for more to look forward to? Here are the best new games coming this year and beyond to wishlist right now.
