Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince

In short: Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is an RPG game released in 2023 by Square Enix, available on Switch. Our score: 7.8/10 (worth buying, especially on sale).

An acclaimed RPG by Square Enix.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince follows Prince Psaro on a quest to defy his demonic heritage by becoming the greatest demon-slayer. This RPG blends monster-taming and strategic turn-based combat with a unique synthesis system for creating powerful allies. The narrative explores destiny, free will, and overcoming adversity with classic Dragon Quest charm.

Game details

• Developer: Square Enix
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Release year: 2023
• Platforms: Switch
• Category: RPG

Our review

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince offers a refreshing take on the monster-taming RPG genre, building upon the beloved Dragon Quest universe. As the titular Dark Prince, Psaro, players embark on a quest to become the Master of Monsterkind, forbidden from harming monsters himself. This unique narrative constraint forces a reliance on befriending and fusing a vast array of over 500 different monsters, which is undoubtedly the game's strongest suit. The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, monster recruitment, and the incredibly deep synthesis system. Fusing monsters allows for the creation of powerful new allies with inherited skills and stats. This system is addictive and provides a huge amount of strategic depth, encouraging continuous experimentation. The monster designs are classic Toriyama, charming and varied, making the collecting aspect immensely satisfying. Graphically, the game is a mixed bag. While the monster designs and character models are appealing and main…

Pros

• Deep and addictive monster synthesis system
• Vast number of unique monsters to collect
• Charming monster designs
• Hundreds of hours of content

Cons

• Environments can be bland and repetitive
• Early game can feel slow and grindy
• Skill management during synthesis can be overwhelming
• Minor frame rate dips on Switch

FAQ

What is Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince?

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is an RPG developed by Square Enix for the Nintendo Switch, released in 2023. It's the latest installment in the Dragon Quest Monsters series, focusing on recruiting and battling monsters.

When was Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince released?

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince was released in 2023.

On which platforms is Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince available?

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is available on Nintendo Switch.

Who developed Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince?

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince was developed by Square Enix.

What is the main gameplay of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince?

The main gameplay of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince revolves around exploring worlds, recruiting various monsters to join your team, and engaging in turn-based battles against other monsters and trainers. You can also synthesize monsters to create stronger allies.

More about this game

• Is Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince worth buying?
• Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince guide
• Compare games

Similar games

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Disco Elysium
• Mass Effect 2
• Persona 5 Royal
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Last updated: 06/10/2026