
The spin-off building-cum-adventuring game debuted just over a week ago, but Japanese gamers are already showing off their most brilliant and wacky creations.
Unsurprisingly, the newest Dragon Quest game, even in spite of being a series spin-off that doesn’t feature monster collecting, is making a major splash in Japan. Dragon Quest Builders, the new adventure RPG/crafting game hybrid available on a number of consoles and handhelds, is tearing up sales charts and making many a Western JRPG fan cry big, bitter tears of jealousy and frustration, given that Square Enix have so far made no announcements concerning a release for the game outside of Japan.
Although many in the games media all but accused Dragon Quest Builders of plagiarism due to its surface resemblance to worldwide smash hit/digital surrogate parent to 10-year-olds everywhere, Minecraft, the game’s full release, which landed in Japanese storefronts January 28, brought with it a robust story mode and action RPG elements to complement the game’s main building mechanics.
According to early reviews, Dragon Quest Builders also, ahem, builds on the Minecraft formula with a more user-friendly building interface and classic JRPG-inspired items and crafting materials. Meaning, inevitably, thousands and thousands of Japanese gamers are ignoring the game’s story elements altogether in order to futz around in Builders‘ crafting sandbox, and they’ve come up with some truly inspiring creations.
Let’s take a look:
There are, of course, a lot of the expected tributes to Dragon Quest lore, creatures, and previous installments
@Rucachan 4 時間: お疲れ様ですー練習がてらスライム。何番せんじだ!って漢字ですね。 #PS4share pic.twitter.com/J1m3474hEB #DQB
— テト 🦇🍾/🧪💥/🖤💀/🍋 (@m90w09m) January 31, 2016
DQビルダーズ体験版やって見た!
— ibara. (@ibara_380) January 22, 2016
スライム型の家を作った(^ω^)土でな! pic.twitter.com/SV1ERlmVIZ
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/691264273914339329
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/691264273914339329
ドラゴンクエストビルダーズでDQ3のアリアハン製作中 #DQB pic.twitter.com/EgwXkZxW5Y
— JeJe (@jejeizm) February 4, 2016
SFC版DQ1勇者とローラ姫
— 雪見いなりX (@INARI_YUKIMI) February 4, 2016
ちょとアレンジ#DQB #ドラクエビルダーズ pic.twitter.com/NTfHstMf8I
みんなすごいなぁ #DQB pic.twitter.com/wIcOe65gyn
— のん (@non24rink) February 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/694780251985973248
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/694517460028887040
Some are drawing inspiration from other games and pop culture
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/694568989138165760
DQBのりゅうおうがヨッシーの色違いで笑えると話題になってたんで #DQB #ドラクエビルダーズ #ドラゴンクエストビルダーズ pic.twitter.com/O9OBMvzM0G
— けい (@_kei2412) February 3, 2016
#DQB #PS4share pic.twitter.com/9HMSIOAC48
— 納豆もなか (@tonton_holo) February 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/694953755184226304
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/695174040877551616
増えた #DQB pic.twitter.com/dJLCAAKWsv
— へこし (@hekoshi_dq10) February 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/695305287582904320
At least a few players are attempting to bring commerce to their towns with real-world shops, such as this 7-Eleven and Nitori furniture store
#PS4share #DQB
— さ↓さ↓こ→〜 (@sasakou1234) February 3, 2016
セブンイレブン出来たw
店内暗すぎ
ガラスブロックみたいなの欲しい pic.twitter.com/nKVZsobHea
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/694189359113764864
Of course, many are just had at work on their own castles, towns and abodes
なんとか完成
— Atleit (@vacant_lot_g) February 1, 2016
建物のじゅもん載せとくので召喚したい方はどうぞ
_(:3」∠)_ pic.twitter.com/SzSmymna3i
戦いの前。やっと床とか統一した。壁は変わらずちくはぐww 2枚目の聖なるほこらは地下っぽくしたかったけど無理だったのでとりあえず水で囲んだよヽ(=´▽`=)ノ #DQB pic.twitter.com/4HpmzSgBVN
— さやか (@sayaka_don) February 2, 2016
名残惜しい。メルキド。でも、旅に出ます。新天地が待ってる! #DQB pic.twitter.com/zyMKNcG5Pc
— らくてんまる🎮 (@rakutenmaru) February 2, 2016
やっと完成した!
— 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏 (@Lenn_unique) February 2, 2016
じゅもん いとへぞかめへみじふぼいおはつむふ pic.twitter.com/sFRPH7QBKi
やっとフリーの公開用の建物完成したから一応晒しておく じゅもん[ぼせへしたぎごへぎちずぞあはつむる] 建物の名前[ようふうのおやしき] …誰か反応くれるといいなぁ pic.twitter.com/m0joCPnE0C
— コスモス@🎮と時々☕ (@CosmosStarlight) February 2, 2016
Lots of cool stuff going on here! Again, there doesn’t seem to be any official word on a western release of Dragon Quest Builders. It would certainly be a damn shame if the rest of the world missed out on what appears to be a super fun game, but then again, maybe Square-Enix are worried that putting the game in the hands of US players might see a noted increase in giant phallus monuments throughout the land of Alefgard.
Source: Friends Channel
Feature image: Twitter/@dragstardatto
You may also like:
Tokyo Dragon Quest ad made entirely with Lego lets commuters remove blocks to defeat the bad guys


Crafty Dragon Quest Builders player creates Mario Kart-inspired custom race course
Proof that Japanese Twitter users have Dragon Quest on the brain 【Pictures】
Gigantic real-life Dragon Quest video game slime to appear in Japan this Christmas
Tokyo Dragon Quest ad made entirely with Lego lets commuters remove blocks to defeat the bad guys
Dragon Quest creator reveals secrets behind mysterious ending
How to make a lucky sushi roll with KFC fried chicken skin【SoraKitchen】
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Trouble making friends? Sticker collecting works surprisingly well
Japanese dating site’s picture of ideally attractive woman: young, no sleeves, college education
What is Teru Teru Bozu? The tragic history behind the Japanese fine weather doll
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Starbucks Japan adds cult drink to its permanent coffee menu due to popular demand
Four things to hate about looking for an apartment in Japan as a foreigner
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
If you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out
Studio Ghibli releases Spirited Away bags in Japan, based on a mysterious festival
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Slime-y guitar is not something you will find in a Dragon Quest game, but you can in real life
Japanese Lego master makes incredible sculpture of diabolical Dragon Quest villain【Pics】
Japanese commercial for upcoming Dragon Quest XI evokes nostalgia and excitement all at once
Dragon Quest XI’s main protagonist’s outfit may reveal a spoilery secret origin
Dragon Quest town and adventure RPG attraction coming to Japanese theme park
Japanese kid turns dad’s retro game collection into awesome Dragon Quest clock【Photos】
Just-married Japanese gamers’ quest for love ends with Final Fantasy/Dragon Quest-themed wedding
Best random JRPG encounter ever? When giant 3-D Dragon Quest Slimes appear in Tokyo!【Video】
Twitter users claim Dragon Quest theme is eerily similar to university song, North Korea’s anthem
Japanese gamer recreates battle screen from Dragon Quest – using 15,000 cotton swabs
Japanese Dragon Quest fan finds her one-button fix for composer’s questionable politics
Japanese convenience store registers now playing Dragon Quest level-up music for shoppers【Video】
The unforgettable Dragon Quest theme music took an amazingly short time to write, composer says
Killing Machine appears at Japanese baseball stadium, Dragon Quest fans thrilled【Video】
Dragon Quest’s Slime is now a geisha (and delicious)
Leave a Reply