VGSources / Games / Square Enix
action role-playing game
Dragon Quest Builders
By Square Enix, released 1 Jan 2016
- Microsoft Windows
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation Vita
What it is
Dragon Quest Builders is a block-building action RPG from Square Enix, set in Alefgard, the world of the first Dragon Quest. The Dragonlord has plunged the realm into darkness, and a young hero with the ability to build must help restore it. Gather materials, farm ingredients, craft items, and build structures ranging from individual buildings to entire towns. Players can make a village their own while bringing people together in the ruins. The Steam version adds crafting and building conveniences: blocks can be placed remotely or destroyed with a click, an Undo feature can reverse changes, and Big Bash can break objects across an area. Its free-build stage, Terra Incognita, has increased stackable block height, and side activities include collecting figures of NPCs and monsters. The game is single-player and lists achievements, trading cards, Steam Cloud, Family Sharing, and partial controller support. Steam lists Windows, while the broader platform list also includes PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.
What players like, and what they don't
- Build buildings and entire towns
- Undo feature
- Big Bash clears objects in an area
- Free-build stage included
- Steam Cloud support
- Single-player only
- Steam version listed for Windows
- Partial controller support
Who it suits
It suits players who enjoy gathering materials, crafting, and building towns within a story-driven RPG. The free-build stage and collection activities also offer options beyond the main restoration goal.
Dragon Quest Builders pairs a restoration story with open-ended block construction and crafting. Its building conveniences and free-build stage make it a fit for players who want room to shape a settlement as they play.
