Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2017

78%

WISE Score

85%

IGDB

A sprawling, old-school JRPG that's refreshingly free of microtransactions but requires the attention span of a medieval scholar.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

game

2017

78%

WISE Score

85%

IGDB

A sprawling, old-school JRPG that's refreshingly free of microtransactions but requires the attention span of a medieval scholar.

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Where to Play

PlayStation

PC/Steam

Screenwise Verdict

Dragon Quest XI is basically the anti-Fortnite: no battle passes, no V-Bucks, no chat toxicity, just a wholesome 100-hour adventure about saving the world with your friends. It's a legitimately excellent game that respects players and families.

The catch? It's slow. Like, really slow. Turn-based combat, tons of dialogue, methodical exploration. If your kid has been raised on Roblox and YouTube Shorts, this might feel like watching paint dry. But for the right kid—one who loves Pokémon's strategic battles or has enjoyed Zelda's exploration—this is a phenomenal introduction to classic JRPGs.

The 2D/3D toggle is a brilliant touch that lets kids experience what games looked like in the '90s versus modern graphics. And the complete absence of monetization garbage is worth celebrating. Just be ready for this game to become their entire personality for three months.

Age Fit

Best for kids 10-16 who have the patience for slow-burn storytelling and turn-based strategy. Younger kids will struggle with the reading load and pacing; older teens may find it too childlike or slow compared to modern action RPGs.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Dragon Quest XI is a classic JRPG with a genuinely wholesome tone throughout. The series is known for its heartwarming stories about friendship, courage, and perseverance. Turn-based combat is methodical rather than chaotic, and the game emphasizes cooperation between party members. The pacing is balanced for an RPG (though slow by modern action game standards). No toxic behavior mechanics or dark themes dominate the narrative.

Imaginative

Dragon Quest XI offers extensive world exploration across diverse environments, the unique ability to toggle between 3D and 2D graphical styles (which is genuinely creative), and deep character customization through skill trees and equipment. The turn-based strategy invites thoughtful problem-solving. However, it follows traditional JRPG formulas rather than breaking new ground, and creativity is more about strategic choices than building or creating content.

Safe

Excellent safety profile for a game: no in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no online chat, and users interact only minimally. No predatory monetization loops or compulsive infinite gameplay mechanics beyond the natural 'one more quest' appeal of RPGs. The turn-based nature prevents twitch-reflex stress. IGDB rating of 84.76 suggests quality content. Fantasy violence is present but typical for the genre and not graphic.

Enriching

Strong enrichment through strategic thinking (turn-based combat requires planning), reading comprehension (dialogue-heavy JRPG), resource management, and problem-solving. The narrative explores themes of destiny, friendship, and overcoming adversity. However, it's a traditional experience rather than teaching specific real-world skills. The 100+ hour playtime represents significant time investment that could crowd out other activities.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Zero predatory monetization—buy it once, get the whole game, a true rarity in 2017 and beyond
Turn-based combat teaches strategic thinking and planning without twitch-reflex stress
Wholesome themes of friendship, courage, and perseverance without cynicism or edge
The 2D/3D toggle is genuinely cool and lets kids experience retro gaming aesthetics
Massive 80-100+ hour adventure that rewards patience and exploration

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What to Watch For

The playtime is genuinely massive—this could dominate gaming time for months
Turn-based combat and slower pacing may bore kids used to Fortnite or Minecraft
Heavy dialogue and reading required; not ideal for reluctant readers
Some fantasy violence and monster designs may be mildly scary for sensitive younger kids

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about the hero's destiny versus making your own choices?"
"Which party member is your favorite and why? What makes them a good teammate?"
"Do you prefer playing in 2D retro mode or 3D? Why does the same game feel different?"
"How do you decide which skills to upgrade? What's your strategy for tough battles?"
"What would you do if you found out you had a special destiny like the main character?"

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