Square Enix's Minecraft-inspired Dragon Quest Builders is coming to Switch next year
UPDATE: eShop demo out now.
UPDATE 11/1/18: In anticipation of Dragon Quest Builders' release on Switch next month, Square Enix has launched a demo on the console's eShop.
It weighs in at an entirely reasonable 516MB, and offers a solid introduction to the game's quest-based building mechanics. The demo is available to download right now, and the full version of Dragon Quest Builders launches on February 9th.
ORIGINAL STORY 18/12/17: Dragon Quest Builders, Square Enix's Minecraft-style construction RPG, is coming to Switch next year on February 9th.
The game originally launched on PS4, PS3, and Vita last year, and was very well received. Despite its obvious similarities to Minecraft, both in its blocky aesthetic and in its core crafting and construction loops, it's an altogether more structured. focussed experience.
Dragon Quest Builders goes beyond mere open-ended survival, featuring a proper story-driven adventure. Here, you're charged with restoring the world of Alefgard, completing tasks to rebuild towns and attract new citizens. These in turn will help fend off enemies, and offer quests that send you exploring ever-further afield. It was a strong enough twist on the classic Minecraft formula to earn a Recommended badge in Eurogamer's review.
Dragon Quest Builders on Switch will apparently feature an exclusive "Great Sabrecub" which can "boost your speed and grant you special material by defeating enemies."
A sequel, simply titled Dragon Quest Builders 2, was announced for Switch and PlayStation 4 earlier this year, and will add co-op play, a feature missing from the original game. However, there's no word on a release date for that just yet.