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Recently the new Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams was RE-Revealed because this game was already revealed 5 years ago but apparently the game went to development hell and they scraped everything to start over and holly **** it looks really ******* gay and soft, this is the whole update where they also revealed Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World and it will have TWO women protagonist, no male leads... of course, what else can we expect from Squeer Eunuchs at this point? what a piece of **** ****** company.

This is the official reveal:

Update from the DRAGON QUEST Team

And this is my opinion on this travesty:

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams is In development HELL and looks WOKE

It looks like Dragon Quest. It was going to be M-rated before, wasn't it?

The protagonist's design is terrible.

maidenhaver wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:18
It was going to be M-rated before, wasn't it?

All that was said that it would be darker, not necessarily rated M. You can have a heavier feel without going M.

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:36

All that was said that it would be darker, not necessarily rated M. You can have a heavier feel without going M.

It seems to me like restarting development was them backtracking on this

Yeah they essentially backtracked from that and went for traditional DQ design which it's ok I suppose BUT the character designs are awful and I don't want to play a gay *** furry mother ******.

DQ11 came out in 2017. By the time this game releases, it will have been at least a decade since the last Dragon Quest game. Crazy.

NezahualDoomer wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:43
Yeah they essentially backtracked from that and went for traditional DQ design which it's ok I suppose BUT the character designs are awful and I don't want to play a gay *** furry mother ******.

Yeah I didn't care either way whether they made it dark or kept it traditional, I just don't want to play as this ugly ***. Hope it's early enough in development that these ******* fix it but I'm not getting my hopes up

methoxetamine wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:39

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:36

All that was said that it would be darker, not necessarily rated M. You can have a heavier feel without going M.
It seems to me like restarting development was them backtracking on this

Most definitely. I don't recall if it was announced before FF16 released but if it was, then I am pretty confident the reception to that game made them go back to the tried and true aesthetic. On the other hand, DQ has always been the reliable "don't change it too much" franchise so I think this is on-brand for it.

However, I have to agree with @Val the Moofia Boss here, the design for the MC is terrible.

I don't like the subtitle.

We've had pretty epic sounding subtitles in the past like 'The Seeds of Salvation' and 'Fragments of the Forgotten Past'.

'Beyond Dreams' just sounds so basic and uninspired. 'The Flames of Fate' sounds more interesting and serious.

I do like the overall look however. Got Chrono Trigger vibes from the trailer (the epoch-like ship and the lizard/frog knight seem to be obvious throwbacks).

Just wish the main character looked... cool.

Blaming FF16 is absurd because it was not the first dark FF game. This is not a binary. There are levels here. What was unprecedented about FF16 was how gratuitous it was like a Western television show or videogame with cursing, sex scenes, homosexuality, gore, etc. A lot of people flocked to Asian entertainment because it wasn't that.

FF16's financial disappointment also due to a combination of factors, not just the gratuity. It was a Playstation 5 exclusive, as if we were still operating on an economic model from 20 years ago when that was no longer case. The Switch had long since supplanted Playstation as the console you bought if you wanted to play JRPGs, and it had also become expected that you would be able to play most JRPGs on PC (except for Nintendo exclusives like Xenoblade). The FF7 remake series has also suffered similarly in sales due to this exclusivity. FF16 also had forgettable aesthetics and alienating gameplay design such as no command based combat, no party, no world to explore, etc. It was developed by the FF14 dev team and the same game designers, and exhibits a lot of the same issues that FF14 players have complained about. Pointless sidequests. Empty zones. A lot of the runtime is squandered on excessive conversations that are not presented in an engaging manner. Etc. The game is not that fun outside of the godzilla battles.

I did not like FF16 because it felt like a single character action game with RPG elements

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:20
Blaming FF16 is absurd because it was not the first dark FF game. This is not a binary. There are levels here. What was unprecedented about FF16 was how gratuitous it was like a Western television show or videogame with cursing, sex scenes, homosexuality, gore, etc. A lot of people flocked to Asian entertainment because it wasn't that.

FF16's financial disappointment also due to a combination of factors, not just the gratuity. It was a Playstation 5 exclusive, as if we were still operating on an economic model from 20 years ago when that was no longer case. The Switch had long since supplanted Playstation as the console you bought if you wanted to play JRPGs, and it had also become expected that you would be able to play most JRPGs on PC (except for Nintendo exclusives like Xenoblade). The FF7 remake series has also suffered similarly in sales due to this exclusivity. FF16 also had forgettable aesthetics and alienating gameplay design such as no command based combat, no party, no world to explore, etc. It was developed by the FF14 dev team and the same game designers, and exhibits a lot of the same issues that FF14 players have complained about. Pointless sidequests. Empty zones. A lot of the runtime is squandered on excessive conversations that are not presented in an engaging manner. Etc. The game is not that fun outside of the godzilla battles.

No Final Fantasy has had the same dark fantasy aesthetic and claiming 16 is not the darkest, at least on the way it looks, in the series is extremely strange. FF16 was touted as "Game of Thrones meets FF". There were also rumors that DQ12 would be more action based, like FF16. And yes, I know all the problems that 16 has but 16 bombing and FF7 Rebirth not doing as they wanted on sales was a clear sign for them that whatever they need to do to save themselves from bankruptcy, "changing up the formula" has not worked out at all.

FF7 Remake was also exclusive to Ps5 for a while and sold a lot. No. The problem with Rebirth is not the exclusivity, is that people realized that the remake series is **** and gets worse the more you play. If FF16 was awesome it wouldn't have mattered that it was locked to the Ps5 for a while. The problem is that no one wanted a poor man's Devil May Cry with a Final Fantasy label on it.

DQ being the "more where that came from" franchise clearly meant that it is the one place where changing things up too much will not go well with the fanbase, specially when their other attempt, FF16, bombed so hard. Acting like the reception to it had nothing to do with this pivot and claiming even entertaining the idea is "absurd" seems... naive would be the most charitable way to put it.

Cipher wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 02:33
The problem with Rebirth is not the exclusivity, is that people realized that the remake series is **** and gets worse the more you play.

You mean Western audiences weren't up to having a special needs main character and cringe dance numbers? Who could've guessed?

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:20
Blaming FF16 is absurd because it was not the first dark FF game. This is not a binary. There are levels here. What was unprecedented about FF16 was how gratuitous it was like a Western television show or videogame with cursing, sex scenes, homosexuality, gore, etc. A lot of people flocked to Asian entertainment because it wasn't that.

FF16's financial disappointment also due to a combination of factors, not just the gratuity. It was a Playstation 5 exclusive, as if we were still operating on an economic model from 20 years ago when that was no longer case. The Switch had long since supplanted Playstation as the console you bought if you wanted to play JRPGs, and it had also become expected that you would be able to play most JRPGs on PC (except for Nintendo exclusives like Xenoblade). The FF7 remake series has also suffered similarly in sales due to this exclusivity. FF16 also had forgettable aesthetics and alienating gameplay design such as no command based combat, no party, no world to explore, etc. It was developed by the FF14 dev team and the same game designers, and exhibits a lot of the same issues that FF14 players have complained about. Pointless sidequests. Empty zones. A lot of the runtime is squandered on excessive conversations that are not presented in an engaging manner. Etc. The game is not that fun outside of the godzilla battles.

beautiful summary of the many faults of ff16, in my opinion the single worst game Squeenix has ever made. Yes, worse than FF13. I'd also like to add that i think the kaiju battles are awful, though i'd like to really stress and hammer on the awful combat in ff16. it is the ONLY time in my life when i have felt a combat system prevented me from enjoying a game. I literally think skyrim combat is "fine", and i could not stand 16. My thumb got tired from pressing the button so much that i couldn't physically get through some segments without having to rest my thumb. (Though i also do have arthritis so, you know, but still).

A lot of meaningless exposition in conversation as well, lots of circular writing. I really hate 16. Some good graphics tho. i'm a big graphics *****.

I don't like the fluoride stare.

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:20
Blaming FF16 is absurd because it was not the first dark FF game. This is not a binary. There are levels here. What was unprecedented about FF16 was how gratuitous it was like a Western television show or videogame with cursing, sex scenes, homosexuality, gore, etc. A lot of people flocked to Asian entertainment because it wasn't that.

FF16's financial disappointment also due to a combination of factors, not just the gratuity. It was a Playstation 5 exclusive, as if we were still operating on an economic model from 20 years ago when that was no longer case. The Switch had long since supplanted Playstation as the console you bought if you wanted to play JRPGs, and it had also become expected that you would be able to play most JRPGs on PC (except for Nintendo exclusives like Xenoblade). The FF7 remake series has also suffered similarly in sales due to this exclusivity. FF16 also had forgettable aesthetics and alienating gameplay design such as no command based combat, no party, no world to explore, etc. It was developed by the FF14 dev team and the same game designers, and exhibits a lot of the same issues that FF14 players have complained about. Pointless sidequests. Empty zones. A lot of the runtime is squandered on excessive conversations that are not presented in an engaging manner. Etc. The game is not that fun outside of the godzilla battles.

rusty_shackleford wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:22
I did not like FF16 because it felt like a single character action game with RPG elements

Yeah FF16 didn't even looked like an RPG it was barebones in it's gameplay if it hadn't the game would have been praised globally, the tone wasn't really the problem but Square Enix will pretend it was because they are a bunch of ******* that wont accept accountability for making games for NON GAMERS and specially NOT RPG GAMERS and diluting the formula, 16 could have been great but instead they went after the normies with their **** slop game design and that's what they ******* get.

And the FF7 DEMAKES man... peak example of why I am correct in going against the FANATICS, Square Enix destroyed one of the most beloved FF games for money and the FANATICS clapped all the way though it, ******* idiots.

Looks like they went back to the status quo, too bad. I was looking forward to a more mature take on the series with a revitalized battle system. If you played one DQ, you've played them all pretty much. Hopefully we can at least get a sneak peak at some scrapped concepts and prototypes.

Looks like a British guy hooked on coke

This was the original reveal btw:
Dragon Quest XII The Flames of Fate - Reveal Teaser [HD 1080P]

@Tweed ?

rusty_shackleford wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:22
I did not like FF16 because it felt like a single character action game with RPG elements

felt? It was one. It was literally DMC with a Final Fantasy skin.

Finarfin wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 17:18

rusty_shackleford wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:22
I did not like FF16 because it felt like a single character action game with RPG elements
felt? It was one. It was literally DMC with a Final Fantasy skin.

Is DMC really that mindless and **** easy? I only played 1 when it came out

I actually like FF16 btw despite everything

I didn't dislike FF16, it just didn't feel like a mainline Final Fantasy. The Characters were nice, Clive was a cool protagonist. Hell, My character's outfit in FFXIV is what he wears.

I don't love it don't get me wrong, it's still a 7/10, still not Final Fantasy, still not an RPG, etc, but I knew all that going into it since I played it on PC and read the discourse prior so I wasn't disappointed

FF16 Cid was ******* kino

I really like the environmental designs.
The coloration especially looks excellent.

The designs of the chracters/monsters, though...

While they were fine for the old JRPG style, thay look like silly cartoon garbage in the new environments.
And the main character is atrocious looking.
He looks like he's both an Antifa supporter, and high as a kite.

the mc looks like angry lesbian went ftm

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:36
The protagonist's design is terrible.

maidenhaver wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:18
It was going to be M-rated before, wasn't it?
All that was said that it would be darker, not necessarily rated M. You can have a heavier feel without going M.

Looks the same as everything else out of japan. Did japan change or did you?

methoxetamine wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 18:25
I don't love it don't get me wrong, it's still a 7/10, still not Final Fantasy, still not an RPG, etc, but I knew all that going into it since I played it on PC and read the discourse prior so I wasn't disappointed

FF16 Cid was ******* kino

wasnt ff16 the one with the geh kissing? i dewishlisted after that went public

J1M wrote: ↑ May 31st, 2026, 12:02

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:36
The protagonist's design is terrible.

maidenhaver wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:18
It was going to be M-rated before, wasn't it?
All that was said that it would be darker, not necessarily rated M. You can have a heavier feel without going M.
Looks the same as everything else out of japan. Did japan change or did you?

that is an objectively false statement and you know that very well.

Mordred wrote: ↑ May 31st, 2026, 12:41
wasnt ff16 the one with the geh kissing?

Indeed

Mordred wrote: ↑ May 31st, 2026, 12:41

methoxetamine wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 18:25
I don't love it don't get me wrong, it's still a 7/10, still not Final Fantasy, still not an RPG, etc, but I knew all that going into it since I played it on PC and read the discourse prior so I wasn't disappointed

FF16 Cid was ******* kino
wasnt ff16 the one with the geh kissing? i dewishlisted after that went public

J1M wrote: ↑ May 31st, 2026, 12:02

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 00:36
The protagonist's design is terrible.

All that was said that it would be darker, not necessarily rated M. You can have a heavier feel without going M.
Looks the same as everything else out of japan. Did japan change or did you?
that is an objectively false statement and you know that very well.

I was making a legitimate point in a signature way. I'm sure a lot of people were 13 when they liked some of this anime stuff and now at 24 they find it somewhat off-putting.

I do think it would be interesting to have someone explain what is good vs bad design in this style using similar-fidelity examples though. I can explain the subtleties of why ice cream or bread is good, but not Dragonball character designs.

aweigh wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 02:54

Val the Moofia Boss wrote: ↑ May 30th, 2026, 01:20
Blaming FF16 is absurd because it was not the first dark FF game. This is not a binary. There are levels here. What was unprecedented about FF16 was how gratuitous it was like a Western television show or videogame with cursing, sex scenes, homosexuality, gore, etc. A lot of people flocked to Asian entertainment because it wasn't that.

FF16's financial disappointment also due to a combination of factors, not just the gratuity. It was a Playstation 5 exclusive, as if we were still operating on an economic model from 20 years ago when that was no longer case. The Switch had long since supplanted Playstation as the console you bought if you wanted to play JRPGs, and it had also become expected that you would be able to play most JRPGs on PC (except for Nintendo exclusives like Xenoblade). The FF7 remake series has also suffered similarly in sales due to this exclusivity. FF16 also had forgettable aesthetics and alienating gameplay design such as no command based combat, no party, no world to explore, etc. It was developed by the FF14 dev team and the same game designers, and exhibits a lot of the same issues that FF14 players have complained about. Pointless sidequests. Empty zones. A lot of the runtime is squandered on excessive conversations that are not presented in an engaging manner. Etc. The game is not that fun outside of the godzilla battles.
beautiful summary of the many faults of ff16, in my opinion the single worst game Squeenix has ever made. Yes, worse than FF13. I'd also like to add that i think the kaiju battles are awful, though i'd like to really stress and hammer on the awful combat in ff16. it is the ONLY time in my life when i have felt a combat system prevented me from enjoying a game. I literally think skyrim combat is "fine", and i could not stand 16. My thumb got tired from pressing the button so much that i couldn't physically get through some segments without having to rest my thumb. (Though i also do have arthritis so, you know, but still).

A lot of meaningless exposition in conversation as well, lots of circular writing. I really hate 16. Some good graphics tho. i'm a big graphics *****.

Why were you hammering buttons? Most of the damage comes from the spells.

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Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Gay