Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Preview
Release Date: December 3, 2026
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Square Enix
If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I can’t resist a creature-collecting RPG. With less than an hour played of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, I already know I’m hooked.
The game radiates charm, starting with my adorable companion, Fluffy, who helps me navigate the mechanics of befriending and battling monsters. After a brief personality quiz, I’m paired with a Woebergine, perhaps an odd choice, but undeniably cute.
Befriend ‘Em All
After meeting Fluffy, I dive right into monster recruitment. Drawing from my extensive RPG experience, I try to scout as many monsters as possible. The scouting mechanic requires a balance of weakening the creature first; I quickly learned that failing to scout locks you out for the remainder of the battle, a strategic twist that adds depth.
Among the colorful roster, I encounter amusingly named creatures like Fat Rat and the formidable Drakularge, who promptly wipes out my team. Clearly, some foes are better left for later!
The game promises over 500 monsters to tame, but it doesn’t stop at simple recruitment. The synthesis system allows merging of two monsters to create a new one, enabling players to carry over abilities—akin to breeding in Pokémon.
Before synthesizing, you can preview the resulting monster, which leads to delightful surprises. I blended a Slime and Platypunk to create a special Mottle Slime, while a Skeleton and Platypup resulted in a Guaardvark—some combinations are more intuitive than others.
Entirely charming, the creatures and environments fill the game with endearing moments. Despite my short time with it, I found myself already attached to my monsters, eager to strengthen my team and explore what The Withered World has in store.
If you’re eager to explore more creature-collecting RPGs, check out our list of best JRPGs or recommendations for games like Pokémon!
