Square Enix intends to make another attempt to bring the Dragon Quest brand to the mobile market through an independent release, rather than a port of a classic game.
Square Enix has presented Dragon Quest Smash/Grow — an original mobile game in the universe of the famous role-playing series. The first teaser was published on September 17 on the official YouTube channel of the franchise. The video shows vertical gameplay with one-handed control, real-time battles, and character leveling up during the run. Players will be able to form a squad of three heroes and repel waves of enemies. Visually and structurally, the game resembles a hybrid of Dragon Quest and Vampire Survivors. The project description uses the wording "a new type of Dragon Quest," which indicates a departure from the usual formula of the series.
The audience reaction was mixed. Even before the premiere, users in the comments on YouTube were being ironic: "Another mobile game from Square Enix that will be shut down in a year due to inefficient management and aggressive monetization." Such sentiments are related to the company's past experience: Dragon Quest Champions ceased operations less than a year after its release, and Dragon Quest of the Stars will end support on October 31, 2025.
At the same time, the project also gained supporters. Some noted that the game will be released worldwide immediately, which is rare for Square Enix, which has traditionally focused primarily on the Japanese market. Others were interested in the formula itself: a hybrid of Vampire Survivors with Dragon Quest characters seemed promising to them.
It is too early to expect a full release: the company has only announced a closed beta test, which will start on October 14, 2025. Platforms have not yet been disclosed, nor has the distribution model — it is unclear whether the game will be free-to-play or premium.
The video is available at this link.
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