Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams
Illustration: WhyTrend

Dragon Quest XII has been one of the most anticipated — and most mysterious — JRPGs in recent memory. Originally announced in May 2021 under the subtitle 'The Flames of Fate,' the game went quiet for years. On May 27, 2026, the franchise's 40th anniversary, Square Enix broke the silence with a dedicated announcement video on the official Dragon Quest YouTube channel.

The headline news: development has restarted under a new team. Square Enix says the team conducted an internal review of what a numbered Dragon Quest title should be, leading to a full reset of direction. The subtitle is now 'Beyond Dreams', the logo has been redesigned, and the tone has shifted from the previously teased dark, mature atmosphere to a brighter, wonder-filled world.

Game designer Yuji Horii described the story as following a protagonist who 'sees mysterious dreams,' promising an adventure that is 'bright and full of excitement.' Two names carry enormous weight in this announcement. Character designs are by the late Akira Toriyama, and the score is by the late Koichi Sugiyama — meaning Dragon Quest XII will serve as a posthumous work for both legendary creators.

Executive producer Yosuke Saito also released a message alongside the teaser footage, which shows the protagonist alongside a red-haired female character. The same anniversary broadcast confirmed that Dragon Quest XI S is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 24, 2026, and a new Dragon Quest Monsters 4 title was also revealed. The announcement landed during a packed 40th anniversary livestream that included a special appearance by Horii himself.

Fan reaction on Japanese social media was overwhelmingly positive, with many welcoming the brighter direction and expressing deep emotion over Toriyama and Sugiyama's final contributions to the series. The long development gap — first announced five years ago — was met with patient optimism rather than frustration, with many fans saying they would rather wait for a great game.

What to watch next: No release date or target platforms have been announced for Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, and Square Enix has indicated it will take 'some time' before launch. The official Dragon Quest XII website and YouTube channel are the primary places to follow for updates. In the near term, the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Dragon Quest XI S on September 24, 2026 is the next confirmed release in the franchise.