After nearly four years of radio silence following its initial reveal, Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate has finally re-entered the conversation—and not because it’s been canceled. In fact, quite the opposite.
Series creator Yuji Horii has officially confirmed that the long-awaited sequel is still very much in development.
In a recent interview, Horii reassured fans that The Flames of Fate has not been scrapped and that the team is “working really hard” on the project. While no new gameplay footage, trailers, or firm release windows were provided, Horii’s comments put to bed months of speculation that the next mainline Dragon Quest title had quietly been shelved.
“We haven’t canceled it, don’t worry,” Horii said. “We’re still developing it, little by little. The team is doing their best.”
This brief but impactful update comes after a conspicuous lack of information since Dragon Quest XII was first announced during the series’ 35th anniversary event in May 2021. Back then, a cryptic logo reveal was all fans had to go on, accompanied by promises of a “darker,” more mature tone and a revamped battle system that would “change the way Dragon Quest plays.”
The long wait and absence of updates naturally gave rise to speculation. Was the game trapped in development hell? Had Square Enix reprioritized its slate following restructuring efforts and shifting market trends? Some even wondered if the controversial shift in tone meant the game was being retooled from the ground up.
Horii’s comments now seem to suggest that development is continuing at a steady—if cautious—pace.
What We Know About Dragon Quest XII
Despite the lack of new footage or screenshots, we do know a few key things about Dragon Quest XII. The subtitle, The Flames of Fate, hints at a potentially darker and more narrative-heavy entry than past games. Horii previously mentioned that the game would feature more player choice, suggesting a branching story or moral decision system—something relatively new for the traditionally linear series.
Another major shake-up is the battle system. While past titles have leaned heavily into turn-based combat, Horii and Square Enix have hinted at a reimagining of this format. Whether that means action-RPG mechanics, real-time elements, or simply a more strategic spin on traditional turn-based combat remains to be seen.
Square Enix has also confirmed that DQXII is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, signaling a visual leap forward for the series. This would make it the first Dragon Quest mainline title built on UE5, potentially putting it on par graphically with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and other AAA JRPGs in the modern era.
Why the Silence?
Industry insiders speculate that the delay in updates may stem from internal shifts at Square Enix. The company recently announced a renewed focus on “quality over quantity” following disappointing sales for several titles in 2023 and 2024. That could mean more time allocated for polishing high-profile projects like DQXII.
Additionally, Square Enix recently revealed it was reevaluating its global strategy after falling short of earnings expectations. It’s possible that part of this reevaluation includes timing the release of Dragon Quest XII to better align with global marketing opportunities, platform strategies, or even next-gen console transitions.
Release Date and Platforms Still Unconfirmed
One major detail still missing? A release date. Or even a release window.
There’s also no confirmation yet on which platforms Dragon Quest XII will land. Given the development on Unreal Engine 5, it’s safe to assume current-gen platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC are on the table. Whether the game will make its way to Nintendo’s next console—rumored to be launching in 2025—is still up in the air.
If Horii’s timeline of “little by little” is anything to go by, fans may be waiting until late 2026 or even 2027 before they can get their hands on The Flames of Fate.
Final Thoughts
While the wait continues, Horii’s confirmation is a major relief for Dragon Quest fans worldwide. In an industry where silence often spells doom for in-development titles, knowing that DQXII is still alive—and being actively worked on—is the spark of hope many needed.
Stay tuned to 1-Up Games for the latest on Dragon Quest XII and all things Square Enix.
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