Dragon Quest XI S Launch Sees Original Game Pulled from Sale

Published: December 4, 2020 4:44 PM /

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Dragon Quest XI S cover

The new release of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age has coincided with the removal of the original game, sticking PC and PlayStation 4 players with downgraded Nintendo Switch graphics and few options to get the original.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age is a brand-new version of Dragon Quest XI. Described as the "Definitive Edition" of the game, gamers on the Steam Community forums are discovering that this port of the Nintendo Switch version of the game downgrades the graphics in many respects.

A comparison of the downgrades in 4K can be seen in this Steam Community discussion. Some of this comes down to subjective taste — certain highlights between the two note improvements in some areas — but many of the S version screenshots don't look that great compared to the original.

That's not the only problem, either — one of the worst examples of this game's launch is in this Steam Community post from the developers that instructs players on how to close the game: you're going to have to press Alt + F4 because there is apparently not an obvious way to exit Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age. (Several replies note the strangeness of this message, as there is an option to exit the game on the menu.)

Dragon Quest XI S slice

Where to Buy Other Versions of Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Some of these changes may be disappointing to players who had hoped for a "definitive" experience in Dragon Quest XI S. Fans who are upset with these changes are finding, however, that the original PC version of the game has been delisted from Steam and PS4.

As discussed here and here, gamers have noted that the original PC version of the game has been removed from sale, as has the PS4 version of the original. The Steam store page still exists, but it has been removed from Steam search and now contains the following message:

Notice: This version of DRAGON QUEST® XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ - Digital Edition of Light is no longer available.

Please see the new DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ - Definitive Edition.

Thankfully, those of you looking to pick up a PC version of the game may still have an option — it appears that you can buy the original Dragon Quest XI PC release on the Humble Store for $59.99 or your regional equivalent. There's no word on whether or not Square Enix will restore the graphics from the older version, so this may be your best option to get what could be the best PC version of the game. Don't delay, though — there's no telling when the Humble Store listing will disappear, too.

Disclosure: Humble Bundle works with TechRaptor for affiliate partnership, and TechRaptor earns a small commission off purchases made from some links in this article.

What do you think of the changes made in Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age? Are you disappointed at the graphical downgrades? Do you wish Square Enix had done a true definitive version meshing the original graphics and new features? Let us know in the comments below!

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


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More Info About This Game
Learn more about Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Developer
Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Release Date
September 29, 2017 (Calendar)
Genre
RPG, JRPG
Purchase (Some links may be affiliated)