Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Previewed for PlayStation 5

A recent hands-on preview of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World highlights what players can expect when the franchise makes its PlayStation debut. Spending roughly an hour with the opening moments of the game at an event in London, a previewer noted that the title offers a fusion of traditional Dragon Quest JRPGs and Pokémon-style monster collection and training.

The campaign puts players in control of either Bianca or Nera as they search for an elixir to heal their respective fathers, while dealing with ominous signs regarding big sister Debora. According to the developers, the narrative aims to strike a balance between lighthearted, kid-friendly storytelling and deeper themes for adults, comparing the approach to a Pixar film. The title features over 500 monsters in the final game, including familiar staples like Slimes and newer creations such as String Fella. Players can recruit monsters, invest Talent Points to unlock new moves or statistical improvements, and use a synthesis mechanic to combine multiple monster types to create new ones.

Visually, the monster designs look sharp on the PS5 Pro, accompanied by rapid load times and a jovial Dragon Quest soundtrack. While the opening hours feature a degree of over-tutorialisation, the overall experience presents a simple and engaging gameplay loop. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is scheduled for release on 3rd December.