Gaming

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age Review

No longer exclusive in Japan

Published

November 2, 2018

The way video games have evolved over time is nothing short of impressive. Studios and franchises keep finding ways to improve and adapt to cater to the demand of the modern gamer. Blocky characters became more realistic, gameplay more complex, worlds vastly expanded. But it can get overwhelming and sometimes you just want to come home to something familiar.

Enter Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, a classic JRPG that will warm your heart and hit you hard with nostalgia.

What a wonderful world

I was welcomed into the bright world of Erdrea with a cinematic that explained how the hero (you get to name him) ended up in the humble town of Cobblestone. It’s later revealed that he’s the Luminary, a legendary hero tasked to save Erdrea from darkness. This catapults our hero into his journey to fulfill his destiny. It’s honestly not a spectacular opening, not even remotely original. But I was glad to find that as the game progressed, the story started to introduce twists to the story. Sooner, much rather than later, I was hooked.

The characters are as wonderfully colorful and diverse as the world they live in. The crazy menagerie of monsters, bumbling NPCs, and quirky members of your party add another level of entertainment. Your party, for example, despite sticking to the classic JRPG classes, have their own distinct personalities that try and stray away from the expected. No big, macho tanks here but you do get a fun, dancing circus performer.

The towns that you visit also have their own identities (and accents!) which make them unique; it’s like visiting a different country each time.

Fun fact: The artist of Dragon Quest is also the artist of Dragon Ball, hence the similarity in character designs.

New but familiar

Dragon Quest XI is an apple that doesn’t fall far from the classic dungeon crawler tree by sticking to turn-based fighting and point-based character building. What’s great this time around is that enemies are visible in the overworld which eliminates the element of random encounters. This may be a good or bad thing depending on what kind of player you are. For me, it was incredibly helpful because I was able to choose my battles. Once I got to a certain level, I started avoiding the weaker enemies so I could save my HP and MP for the ones that that gave higher experience points or just go straight to the boss battles.

Staying true to the formula, it’s a lather-rinse-repeat kind of game. To progress the story and level up, you fight several enemies and bosses, go to towns, accomplish quests and then do it all over again. Dragon Quest attempts to relieve the repetitiveness of this kind of gameplay by giving the option to have your party attack automatically. It worked great in getting past easy monsters without much effort and also for level grinding.

Pep Powers are also introduced in the game. When a member of your party is hit a number of times, they get “Pepped Up” which increases their stats and adds special moves that he/she can perform alone or with another pepped-up party member; different combinations of characters yield different attacks/buffs. If you’re familiar with Limit Breaks, it’s similar to that. I found it hard to manage, though, as only the main hero will attain the ability to get pepped up on command. The rest of your party will do it at random, making it more difficult if you want to execute a certain ability.

Linear but large

As expected, Dragon Quest XI is not an open-world game. And while you are free to roam around the map, you won’t get far without following the main story, as new areas are usually blocked. For each town, there are different story arcs that not only support the main story but add to the rich tapestry of Dragon World XI’s world. It’s surprising how easily each town’s story seamlessly weaves into the next making it quite hard to stop playing.

Moving around is easy with the option to fast travel using a spell given in the early levels of the main character. But unless there’s a specific goal to achieve in these towns, I found going by foot or by horse was much more enjoyable, plus you’ll be able to search for treasure chests and crafting materials hidden throughout the world. The game also rewards you for breaking pots and barrels, as well as looting cabinets and bookshelves in the homes of townspeople.

Dragon Quest makes up for being linear by offering so much content. On average, you’ll need about 70 hours to finish the main game, but with the post-game content, you can easily stretch your play time well above the hundred-hour mark. Thankfully, Erdrea is huge (Mild spoiler: You’ll be needing a boat) and the story is strong enough to support this lengthy game.

Overall, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a wonderful testament to the JRPG genre and a great example of how a classic formula can be successfully brought into the modern age of video games. It’s a familiar and comfortable game that still offers quite a challenge. It lives up to its name, surely pleasing fans of the series and the genre but also creating a welcome atmosphere for new players. Despite the slow start, you’ll soon find yourself lost in the beautiful world of Erdrea and heavily invested in the story and its characters.

From scouring corners of the world for crafting materials to spending time on each character’s skill tree or even playing some of the town’s mini-games, Dragon Quest XI offers a multitude of things to accomplish that will leave you playing for hours. If you find yourself wanting to play a new game but also yearning for a touch of the classic dungeon crawlers of before, Echoes of an Elusive Age is definitely a game to consider

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age was released worldwide on September 4, 2018 and is available on PS4 and Steam. This article was based on a digital copy for the PS4.

Gaming

Resident Evil Requiem is out now

30 years later

Published

February 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Resident Evil Requiem is now available worldwide, marking the ninth mainline entry in Capcom’s long-running survival horror franchise.

The game launches today on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GeForce NOW. Set 30 years after the Raccoon City Incident, the story returns players to the ruins of a city that defined the series’ legacy.

This time, players follow two protagonists: newcomer Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst investigating a string of mysterious deaths tied to her mother’s murder, and returning fan favorite Leon S. Kennedy. As their paths converge at the center of a new outbreak, both must confront the lingering trauma of Raccoon City and uncover the truth behind the incident that changed the world.

First-person or third-person

For the first time in the series, players can freely switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, blending immersive horror with more dynamic action. Multiple difficulty settings are available, including a Casual mode with aim assist and a Standard (Classic) mode that reintroduces the Ink Ribbon save system while playing as Grace.

Editions available

Resident Evil Requiem is available in Standard and Deluxe editions. The Deluxe edition includes five costumes, four weapon skins, two screen filters, two charms, and additional bonus content. A Premium Steelbook Edition bundles the Deluxe content with a limited-edition lenticular card, available while supplies last.

Capcom is also celebrating the launch with a slate of collaborations and collectibles. These include a themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the franchise’s first-ever amiibo figures of Grace and Leon arriving July 30, 2026, limited-edition watches designed with Hamilton, a one-of-a-kind Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT created as Leon’s in-game vehicle, and 1/6 scale collectible figures launching this fall.

Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy

To mark the series’ 30th anniversary, the Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy orchestral concert series will tour Japan, North America, and Europe later this year. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition also arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 today, alongside a Generation Pack bundle exclusive to the platform.

With a return to Raccoon City and a new chapter in survival horror underway, Resident Evil Requiem ushers in what Capcom calls a new era for the iconic franchise.

Gaming

Tales of Berseria Remastered is out now on consoles and PC

A tale of emotion returns

Published

February 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced that Tales of Berseria Remastered is out now. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The remaster brings back the 2016 action RPG with visual and quality-of-life upgrades tailored for current-generation platforms. A new launch trailer accompanies the release. It offers a fresh look at Velvet’s journey, her party members, and her fateful clash with Altorius.

In celebration of the launch, fans in Southeast Asia can join an exclusive giveaway for a chance to win signed memorabilia from their favorite cast member. Details are available via Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia’s official Facebook and Instagram pages. A special video featuring the voice cast has also been released as part of the festivities.

A revenge story returns

Originally released in 2016, Tales of Berseria stood out as the first entry in the long-running franchise to feature a solo female protagonist. Players step into the role of Velvet. Her once gentle nature gives way to a burning desire for revenge after the death of her younger brother.

The remastered edition preserves the emotional weight of that story while refining the experience for modern hardware. Players can now toggle enemy encounters in fields and dungeons and view clearer destination icons for smoother navigation. The familiar Grade Shop is also unlocked from the start, allowing for a more flexible playthrough.

More than 70 pieces of DLC from the original release are included, ranging from character outfits inspired by previous Tales titles to helpful equipment for early adventures.

Game editions and bonuses

Tales of Berseria Remastered is available in both physical and digital formats. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, a Battle BGM pack, a digital artbook and soundtrack, and a Super Growth Support Herb Set.

Early purchasers and pre-order customers receive the Super Adventuring Assistance Set, which includes Apple Gel x10, Grape Gel x10, Life Bottle x10, and Panacea Bottle x10.

Physical copies also feature a reversible inlay with two different cover designs.

Gaming

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will launch in 2027

The region is based on Southeast Asia.

Published

February 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The tenth generation of Pokémon is here! Kicking off the franchise’s celebration for thirty successful years, The Pokémon Company announced the next mainline games: Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.

The announcement trailer started with a nostalgic reminiscing of a Pikachu across all the different generations over the years. A sudden knock on the door breaks the protagonist’s reminiscing. At the door are two Pikachu dressed in vacation clothes, standing outside a beach house on stilts.

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves isn’t just another trip to another roaring urban-to-rural region. Rather, the generation’s yet-unnamed region wants you to take a vacation in a place inspired by Southeast Asia.

Because of its tropical locale, a lot of the Pokémon featured are more nature- and animal-based. You won’t see a lot of the newer creatures inspired by objects here.

The region will also have a variety of biomes including a forest, a beach, and even an underground volcanic section. And, making a comeback for the first time in years, there will seemingly be an underwater biome filled with aquatic Pokémon.

Highlighting the new generation are three new starter Pokémon: Browt, the Grass-type bird Pokémon; Pombon, the Fire-type dog Pokémon; and Gecqua, the Water-type gecko Pokémon.