“Dragon Quest Treasures” is the “Dragon Quest” series’ response to “Pokémon Legends: Arceus”. You’re tasked with searching wide open wildernesses for magnificent monsters and fabulous fortune.

Unlike mainline “Dragon Quest” games, players fight in real time and alongside their monster team. Besides this the game maintains a fun and fluffy atmosphere.

The story’s main conceit is only to compete with other pirate teams to collect the most and best treasure. No one is especially rude or villainous and everyone speaks in charming accents or a pleasant patois.

Regarding performance, the game is a Nintendo Switch exclusive and looks good on the hardware. But beware that it’s also limited by that hardware and though it reaches 1080p, jagged pixels and repetitive textures are often visible. Otherwise the performance is sound, with minor load times and few noticeable drops in framerate.

The visuals of “Dragon Quest Treasures”

But like “Pokémon”, “Dragon Quest Treasures” is less concerned with the technical aspects and instead focuses on its great strength: art design. Toriyama‘s distinctive style is in full form with new monster and character designs, and to accentuate this, the game’s landscapes and wonderful animations lend even greater character and charm to these memorable monsters.

The game takes its visuals seriously and produces excellent results but that isn’t to the detriment of its audio. Sonically, the “Dragon Quest” series has never been better, with its iconic soundtrack returning but with a host of original songs.

And surprisingly, the characters, including the monsters all have voice lines. While you’re out adventuring your monsters now spouting fun and funny voice lines. For example, your slime friend may say “I’m jelly happy!” or “Gooey gumdrops!”.

A treasure for the streamers

Though beyond all this, the highlight of “Dragon Quest Treasures” for both streamers and viewers alike will be appraising the mysterious treasures you’ve collected at the end of every adventure.

Each of these are references to previous games, with a broad range of possibilities; from the humble medicinal herb to the Sword of Light. When you dig up a treasure you can’t help but wonder if that statue silhouette will be a genuine legendary hero or just a cheap knockoff?

Dragon Quest Treasures

Nintendo Switch (2022)

Performance

Streamability

Audience Engagement

Replayability

Summary

“Dragon Quest Treasures” is a carefree monster collecting game with a sea of random and rare loot to be found. Streamers will be able to enjoy both relaxed gameplay and exciting battles while viewers can watch the cute and quirky monsters and laugh at the silly dialogue. But above all this, the question on everyone’s lips will be: Will the treasure you found be a genuine legendary or just a cheap knockoff?

Branden Zavaleta

My belief in human dignity is that man is the greatest scamp on earth. Human dignity must be associated with the scamp and not the soldier — Lin Yutang