The Dragon Quest Monsters series focuses on catching, raising, and combining ("synthesizing") iconic series creatures to build a fighting team.

Players take control of a Monster Wrangler who commands monsters in turn-based, strategic combat rather than fighting directly.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World features a robust collection of more than 500 new and fan-favorite monsters, evolved graphics and an engaging narrative that follows dual protagonists Bianca and Nera as they embark on a journey to bring the world of Witherwood back to life.

Square Enix revealed new details on two new gameplay features that will be in the game. Quick Scouting lets players recruit wild monsters without entering battle at all. Players will be able to spot one out in the field, then toss it some meat to try and convince it to join their ranks then and there. Rarer monsters that can't be found in the wild instead appear at the Scout Run, a paddock in Witherwood that opens later in the story. The second new feature, Joint Battles, pits protagonists Bianca and Nera against massive monsters neither can take on alone. The pair combine forces under shared HP and MP gauges, provoking the enemy's "Pet Hates" to build its Rage Gauge in order to tire it out. The mode can be tackled in the battle arena or online with up to four friends.

Brand new story details were also revealed, including the vanishing of Almira (voiced by Grace Saif), Witherwood's guardian and Watcher of the Archeagles. Additionally, three new monsters join the roster of creatures players can recruit: the mallet-wielding Hammerhood honcho, the golden-eyed See slug with its water-elemental "Bottom Feeder" Talent and the staff-wielding Panda pilgrim.

Additionally, players can take advantage of the free demo that’s now available on all release platforms. The demo covers the story up through the party's arrival in Witherwood and introduces Quick Scouting and Synthesis. Demo save data carries over into the full game and unlocks a Wrangler's Bundle of bonus items.

Befriending wild monsters has never been simpler with Quick Scouting

In the Dragon Quest Monsters series, when you see a wild monster you want to befriend, you have to engage it in battle and use a Show of Force before you can recruit it.Now, in addition to this tried-and-tested method, you can recruit monsters without needing to enter battle at all! If you lay eyes on a monster on your adventures, just throw a hunk of meat at it there and then, and you might be able to recruit it. It’s a low-risk, high-reward way to boost your ranks!

Take aim at a monster you want to recruit and throw some meat its way. The monsters in your party will then rush in and perform a Show of Force!

Looks like it worked! The new monster will be added to your main party or reserves on the spot if you have space or sent directly to the monster depot if not.

Monsters simply love meat, and the finer the cut you give them, the more easily persuaded they’ll be to join you. Some monsters have a taste for the unusual, so be sure try out all the weird and wonderful meats on offer.

Need monsters quickly? Pop over to the Scout Run!

At some point during the adventure, the Scout Run will open up at the paddock Witherwood. Here, you can encounter rare monsters not found in the wild, and they’re only recruitable with Quick Scouting! More monsters will appear as you progress through the story, so make sure you stop by regularly. When you enter the Scout Run, you’ll receive a quota of Scouty Snacks to use for Quick Scouting. Throw them at the monsters within the enclosure and see how many new friends you can make!

Joint Battles: Fight massive monsters using more than one party

As the protagonists continue their quest, they find their progress halted by a massive monster! Bianca and Nera will have to join forces if they want to defeat it. If you’re playing as Bianca during a Joint Battle, she’ll command the main party while Nera controls the reserves, and vice versa if you’re playing as Nera. This is a fight they can only win by working together!

A massive monster has blocked the girls’ way! With high HP and powerful attacks, it’s more monster that one party can handle. This calls for a Joint Battle!

In a Joint Battle, each party uses shared HP and MP gauges that apply to all its monsters. You can still issue orders to your reserve party with the Tactics option

Massive monsters have Pet Hates, specific actions you perform that rile them up and charge their Rage Gauge. When this gauge is full, the massive monster will let rip with even stronger attacks!

Once the massive monster’s anger has subsided, it’ll become too exhausted to move. This is your chance to pile on the pressure and try to finish the fight!

Try your hand at Joint Battles in the arena or online

Monster wranglers looking to prove themselves can do so in Joint Battles at the battle arena or by connecting with other players in Online Joint Battles. Win these matches before the end of round 10 and you can earn some must-have prizes!

Play through the story to unlock Joint Battles at the battle arena. Do you have what it takes to conquer every category? Connect online with up to four friends or players around the world and work together to defeat a range of massive monsters!

*A subscription to the online services of your chosen platform may be required to use certain network features.

Introducing Almira, one of the story’s key figures

Witherwood, the stage for Bianca and Nera’s adventures, was once kept safe thanks to Almira, a priestess devoted to the two Archeagles. However, when the Evil Eye suddenly descended from the heavens, not only did the Archeagles vanish, but Almira herself has neither been seen or heard from since...

The Watcher of the Archeagles and Witherwood’s guardian, Almira (Voiced by: Grace Saif)

A priestess known for her boundless humanity and kindness who was adored by all Witherwoodians for her selfless commitment to attending the Archeagles. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

Witherwood had long remained safe under the protection of the two Archeagles, Michelos and Lucifus... Until one day, the Archeagle Lucifus attacked the people of Witherwood, seemingly without rhyme or reason... What had happened to the Kingdom’s once-protector?

Get to know a few more of the game’s new monsters!

In this game, as with others, a host of all-new monsters will the join the ever-expanding roster. Here’s a sneak peek at a trio of those newcomers.

Hammerhood honcho: With a massive mallet and twisted headband, this monster of the beast family certainly stands out. It’s not averse to using its head as a weapon as well as its hammer.

See slug: A single sparkly golden eye sets apart this monster of the nature family. It comes with “Bottom Feeder” Talent, which teaches water-elemental spells and abilities.

Panda pilgrim: A monster of the beast family clothed in traditional garb. Cross this panda’s path and you’ll soon learn how sharp its “walking stick” can be!

Experience the game’s early stages with the demo - out now!

Ahead of the game’s full release on Dec. 3, a demo version is now available to download on all release platforms! The demo includes story content from the time of the girls’ arrival in Witherwood until the completion of the initial events there. It also introduces features such as Quick Scouting and Synthesis.

Play the demo of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World and get a taste of the adventure ahead!

Play the demo to receive items you can use in the full game!

If you keep your save data from the demo, you can receive bonus items when you play the full version of the game! You can also transfer the rank G and F monsters from your main party and reserves from the demo into the full game. Monsters you transfer this way will be available from the depot once you unlock it, but they’ll start from level 1 and their Talents and abilities etc., will be reverted to their default states. Now you can get a little headstart in the full game with your favorite monsters from the demo to keep you company!

No experience with past Dragon Quest Monsters games is needed to dive into this monstrously fun new adventure.

Pre-orders are now live, with Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch digital pre-orders starting at a later date.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) on Dec. 3, 2026.