Today, during a livestreamed presentation from Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix announced a brand new Dragon Quest mobile game titled Dragon Quest Champions.
The game is coming to iOS and Android and doesn't yet have a release date, but a beta test is going to be hosted for the Japanese audience on both platforms. Applications are already available on the official site of the game and the test will open on February 6, scheduled to close on February 13.
It's a turn-based JRPG designed to be enjoyed both in single-player and multiplayer. It'll have a "Story Mode" where you can enjoy a narrative adventure while fighting battles with a party of three characters, and a "Tournament Mode" where you can fight against other players.
The story is set in a peaceful world in which the Dragonlord has been defeated a long time ago, with the protagonist (who can be male or female) aiming to become a hero via a tournament, fighting alongside a rich cast of NPCs. Of course, we don't yet know whether this peaceful situation will last past the initial bits of the story, but that's unlikely. The Tournament Mode is a battle royale-ish mode in which 50 players can fight each other. Up to three parties can fight at the same time, letting players interfere in ongoing duels and adding excitement to the game.
The inevitable gacha feature will be based on equipment, and collecting strong gear will net you an advantage. Of course, you can still level up your characters as an additional progression mode, and you can upgrade your weapons as well.
At the moment, there is no information from the western arms of Square Enix on whether Dragon Quest Champions will be localized for North America and Europe. We'll have to wait and see, but in the meanwhile, you can check out a lot of gameplay in the recording of the live stream below.
