While the mainline Dragon Quest games are single-player JRPGs, the series has numerous spinoffs that mix up the genre and sometimes incorporate multiplayer. Such is the case with Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, a mobile game that just launched on Android and iOS today. Smash/Grow features Vampire Survivors-style combat along with plenty of RPG-style quests and equipment, not to mention 4-player online co-op missions.
Players will start by creating their own hero. Customization options are relatively limited, consisting of the choice of gender, skin color, face, eye color, a few hairstyles, and hair color. The results aren't all that distinctive, but equipment also changes the character's appearance (much like in the now-defunct Dragon Quest of the Stars), so heroes will start to differentiate further as players gather new armor and weapons.
The game is broken up into chapters, with each chapter offering numerous single-player stages to tackle. During a stage, players directly control the movement of their characters. Upon finding an angel slime statue, the player gets to choose from three different weapons/upgrades to use during the stage. When the hero enters a room with monsters in it, the exits close and a battle begins. Here's the gameplay resembles a bullet heaven game, as your character automatically attacks nearby enemies. When the "Coup de Grace" meter fills up, you can manually aim and perform a powerful "Smash" move as well. It's a simple and fun combat system.
As for Co-op missions, you'll have to play for a little while to unlock them. Once they're available, players can spend tokens to party up and take on 4-player tower defense missions or boss battles together. The tokens that are required for co-op missions are awarded from completing single-player missions, and presumably, you'll be able to earn some every day. Premium pass owners get a "Co-op Pass," so it seems that they might be able to play co-op as much as they want. In general, limiting how frequently people can play together is a drag, but it could well be that co-op tokens are so numerous as to not be an issue. We'll see as the game continues!
Monetization comes in many forms, as you'd expect from this type of game. Players can purchase two types of premium passes (a regular one and a limited time one), gem packs, and more. There is a gacha component for gaining rare gear, and everything can be combined and/or leveled up to increase its power. As someone who spent way too much on Dragon Quest Tact (may that game rest in peace), the costly nature of mobile gacha games is never far from my mind. Smash/Grow at least offers some rewards for watching ads, so free players might have a decent chance at keeping up with paying ones.
Dragon Quest Smash/Grow is free with in-app purchases on Android and iOS. Release Celebration in-game bonuses are available through May 5. You can visit the game's official site for more details.
For fun discussions about Smash/Grow and all the latest Dragon Quest games and media, be sure to listen to the Slime Time Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or your podcast app of choice. I'm on it sometimes!