80
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince offers a compelling return for the monster-collecting subseries. Deep monster mechanics, innovative fusion system, and engaging exploration with a seasonal twist offer a wealth of content for both newcomers and veterans alike. While the narrative slightly stumbles in its execution and the post-game content feels somewhat shallow, the core gameplay loop is undeniably fun and provides immense satisfaction for monster collectors. The Dark Prince serves as a welcome celebration of the Dragon Quest Monsters series’ 25th anniversary and is a strong recommendation for fans of the monster-collecting genre and any Dragon Quest fans.
80
As a Dragon Quest fan, The Dark Prince feels like the first real RPG this franchise has seen since XI, and it has me hooked on this subseries. With this game officially being the third mainline entry in this series, what we got is nothing less than a triumphant return for this brand of monster-collecting RPGs. While the simplicity of the budget portable RPGs that preceded it lays dormant in Dark Prince’s DNA, this is a big step forward for the series.I had so much fun I grew to want more than what we got. I craved more to do by the end, and I wonder if that slight emptiness I feel with aspects of the game is a result of aspects being held back to make a Professional version down the road. Maybe that version could fix my qualms, or maybe being stuck on hypotheticals is pointless.
60
There are over 500 monsters in Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, and over 40 hours of main story to trudge through. Fans will get a lot of bang for their buck, but expect to wince at the presentation which is embarrassingly low for Dragon Quest standards. The battles in the colosseums are a little tense to watch as the AIs smack each other around, but are otherwise tedious. The substance of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is in being the coach to a team of cartoony-looking Toriyama monsters.
6
Graphics look like they're from 15 years ago and script is something from 30 years ago ("oh please somebody stop him" she prays out the window after MC decided to be randomly evil instead of doing anything herself). But collecting monsters is fun.
9
A beautifully crafted world with stunning music and fantastic monster designs that make every encounter exciting. The monster-collecting system is deep and rewarding, but after long hours of play, the sheer scale can feel a bit overwhelming.Still, it’s a must-play for fans of monster-raising JRPGs and a solid entry in the Dragon Quest universe.
7
Good game with deep mechanics that keeps being interesting till the end. Large amount of monsters and quality of life enhancements makes the gamaplay one of the best in the series. Classic beautiful Dragon Quest art style but the smaller budget shows in many place and graphical fidelity is quite low.
The biggest issue is the performance that is truly unacceptable. Frequent frame drops and multiple crashes during the playthrough takes away from otherwise great game.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
Released On:
Dec 1, 2023
Metascore
Mixed or Average
72
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
My Score
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
39% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
61% Mixed
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Dec 12, 2023
90
Despite my issues with the performance, and I’m more annoyed by technical issues than most, I ended up adoring Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. It joins Monster Hunter Stories 2 as my two favorite monster collecting games. It has heart, charm, and one of the best gameplay loops in a monster collecting game. I hope we see some patches improving the performance though, because that’s the only thing holding this back.
Feb 1, 2024
80
As a Dragon Quest fan, The Dark Prince feels like the first real RPG this franchise has seen since XI, and it has me hooked on this subseries. With this game officially being the third mainline entry in this series, what we got is nothing less than a triumphant return for this brand of monster-collecting RPGs. While the simplicity of the budget portable RPGs that preceded it lays dormant in Dark Prince’s DNA, this is a big step forward for the series.I had so much fun I grew to want more than what we got. I craved more to do by the end, and I wonder if that slight emptiness I feel with aspects of the game is a result of aspects being held back to make a Professional version down the road. Maybe that version could fix my qualms, or maybe being stuck on hypotheticals is pointless.
User score
Generally Favorable
71% Positive
95 Ratings
95 Ratings
19% Mixed
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
10% Negative
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
Aug 3, 2024
10
The whole universe of dragon quest is just oozing with fun and charm, from the aesthetics to the spells and mechanics. Couple that with the best fusion system I’ve ever seen in a monster collector. The story is linked to dragon quest 4 so it was fun finding and playing that. Battles are fun and the fusion system is deceptively in depth to craft a monster exactly the way you want it. **** hours of my life and has prompted me to play any and all things dragon quest and suddenly I have a new favourite franchise.
Dec 20, 2023
10
Gran juego de capturar monstruos que demuestra que no todo es Pokémon. Es cierto que los problemas de rendimiento están ahí, lo cual parece ser ya un clásico en este tipo de juego, pero lo compensa con una historia muy divertida y un sistema de fusiones increíblemente entretenido. Feliz de seguir viendo a esta saga por Occidente.
Dec 8, 2023
80
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a worthy resurgence for this beloved spinoff series. While the messy narrative pacing and poor framerate bring the adventure down a few notches, the addictive and rewarding gameplay loop with player freedom at its core more than offsets those flaws. You can spend countless hours making your ideal team to your heart’s content and engaging with the post-game content after clearing the main story. Further, Dragon Quest IV fans will get more out of this journey than most, but newcomers who exhibit patience can still find themselves invested and enthralled. Ultimately, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince proves that this series can prosper, and with the promise that they’ll continue, we’re excited to see where it goes from here.
Dec 13, 2023
70
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is fun enough to give frustrated Pokémon fans a solid alternative.
Dec 7, 2023
70
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is an enjoyable monster-catching RPG that combines charming visuals with addictive gameplay to make for a genuinely gripping experience, making it feel like the long wait since the last entry to leave Japan has been worth it. Even so, its general lack of ambition and struggles with performance issues hold it back from greatness—it’s very good, but it’s also definitely got its issues. If you’re at all a fan of Dragon Quest or monster-catching RPGs, we’d suggest you pick this one up, though perhaps wait a few months to see if Square can sort out the worst of its performance issues.
Jan 10, 2024
60
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is recommended for all those who want an escape from the typical Pokémon formula, or an accurate spin-off of Dragon Quest. It doesn't matter if you're entertained by or drawn to this world. Of course, if this is the case, you will enjoy this adventure much more, but those who are looking for an RPG of this kind will not be disappointed.
Jan 8, 2024
50
While I didn’t love my time with Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, I appreciate the simplicity of its gameplay, with it undoubtedly offering fun in accessible bursts. Unlike richer, more immersive RPGs, there aren't any complex mechanics to get to grips with – you just get stuck in, the controls intuitive regardless of knowledge. This title won’t win awards, nor will it spark debates over the genre’s unique innovations, but it’ll offer some a means to while away the hours, lost in a sea of colourful monsters, which is sometimes all we ever really need.
Dec 11, 2023
10
It's simply perfect. A game that Pokemon fans need because the downgrade of Pokemon games. A recently paradise discovered
Feb 23, 2025
7
Good game with deep mechanics that keeps being interesting till the end. Large amount of monsters and quality of life enhancements makes the gamaplay one of the best in the series. Classic beautiful Dragon Quest art style but the smaller budget shows in many place and graphical fidelity is quite low.
The biggest issue is the performance that is truly unacceptable. Frequent frame drops and multiple crashes during the playthrough takes away from otherwise great game.
Mar 11, 2024
7
When I was a kid, my first introduction to a monster farming game was Dragon Warrior Monsters. The breeding system was addictive with trying to find new monsters and give them the right move set and I thought that it was awesome that you could breed for any monster you saw, including bosses. I still remember my team when I first beat the game with a Unicorn as a healer, Grizzly and my attacking powerhouse, and Whipbird with the ability Tatsu Call. With The Dark Prince, I was hoping for much the same by having an interesting breeding system. I got what I asked for, but nothing more. The main draw for this game is trying to "synthesize" a powerful team of monsters as you try countless combinations to achieve higher tiers of monsters and abilities. Outside of that, the controls feel clunky, the story is a jumbled mess, and the characters are either forgettable or cringy. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the game and am hoping this is a steppingstone to another Dragon Quest Monsters game where, now that they have the assets built, they can focus on a more engaging story and world.
Dec 13, 2023
4
Please study Dragon Quest Monsters 1 and 2 earnestly and thoroughly, not just on a superficial level
Dec 3, 2023
4
For the monster hunting fans this has some good qualities and I love that some (the cut scenes only) have an English voice over. However the game isn't very deep (other than the monster mechanics). The story is mundane, the graphics are severely dated, the 3d motion at times has trouble with the environments. As a Dragon Quest fan I was looking for more. This game comes off as a low budget cash grab. Monsters hunters will find some love here but if you are looking for a top tier game this in not it.
SummaryBecome the Master of Monsterkind! Journey into a fantastical world on a quest for revenge in DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince. Psaro is cursed and is unable to harm anything with monster blood. Now, he must become a Monster Wrangler to create an army for battle. The hunt for high-ranked monsters takes Psaro through the ever-changi... Read More
Rated E +10for Everyone +10
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Initial Release Date:Dec 1, 2023
Developer:
- Armor Project
Publisher:
