Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is the third entry in the Dragon Quest Monsters series and marks the first time the spin-off has made its way to PC. Initially launched for the Nintendo Switch, the game was later ported to PC, freeing it from the hardware limitations of the Switch. This upgrade makes it feel more technically proficient, although it still carries the influence of being designed for a handheld platform.
The Dragon Quest franchise is renowned for its prestige in the JRPG genre, and its various spin-offs have continuously explored new gameplay mechanics. The Dark Prince is no exception, resembling something akin to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offering a more expansive adventure within the Dragon Quest universe. The primary gameplay revolves around collecting monsters by scouting them and utilizing your party of monsters to defeat others.
Although the story isn’t directly connected to earlier Dragon Quest titles or previous Dragon Quest Monsters games, it can be seen as a prequel to Dragon Quest IV. The main character, Psaro, who was an antagonist in Dragon Quest IV, takes center stage here. As the son of the king of the underworld, Psaro is weakened and cursed by his father, rendering him unable to fight monsters directly. The narrative follows Psaro’s quest for vengeance, exploring the dynamics of a son wronged by his father.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is primarily a monster-recruiting game with JRPG elements. While players cannot control every aspect of their monsters’ actions, they can issue commands such as attacking or defending. As the monsters engage in battles, they gain experience points and grow stronger over time. While the story may not be the game’s strongest feature, its core gameplay mechanics are engaging and well-executed.
Focusing on the PC port, it stands out as a surprisingly competent version. The original game on the Nintendo Switch had its limitations in both visual fidelity and performance, but these constraints are largely lifted in the PC version. The game benefits from a higher frame rate, although graphics options remain minimal, offering only the choice between low and high presets. Despite this, the PC port runs smoothly and looks better due to its art style. It is also fully compatible with the Steam Deck, making it a superior portable option compared to the Nintendo Switch.
The game performs particularly well on the Steam Deck, achieving higher frame rates, though this is partly due to the relatively low-resolution textures and simplified design choices. While the game looks appealing thanks to its stylized art, certain areas, such as the world map, show signs of resource limitations. However, I did not encounter any significant issues with the PC port, and I would recommend it to those interested in a Dragon Quest spin-off.
Square Enix’s trend of releasing PC ports after timed exclusivity on other platforms has been commendable, and this game continues that positive trend. If future ports maintain good optimization and offer at least basic customization options, it will only expand the game’s appeal and draw in more newcomers to the franchise.
For those interested in a more detailed review, I suggest checking out coverage of the Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. If you’re curious about the game’s performance on PC, rest assured that it runs well on a variety of hardware, making it an accessible option for Dragon Quest fans. The game is also priced reasonably, which enhances its appeal further.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
