Dragon Quest 12 Gets a New Direction: Square Enix Cancels Original Plans, Rebrands as Beyond Dreams

May 28, 2026 - 02:41

Square Enix has officially scrapped the original version of Dragon Quest 12 and will instead release the game under a new title: Dragon Quest 12 Beyond Dreams. The original Dragon Quest 12 was announced in 2021 during a special livestream event that celebrated the series' 35th anniversary. At the time, the game was shown with a brief teaser trailer and a darker, more mature tone, which sparked excitement among long-time fans. However, development appears to have hit significant roadblocks over the past few years.

According to sources close to the project, the decision to start over was made after internal reviews found that the original direction no longer aligned with the creative vision of series creator Yuji Horii and his team. The new version, Beyond Dreams, is described as a reimagining that retains core elements of the classic Dragon Quest formula while introducing fresh mechanics and a completely rewritten narrative. Square Enix has not yet provided a release date, but the company has assured fans that the game is now in active development under a restructured team.

This move marks a rare but not unprecedented step for Square Enix, which has previously rebooted major titles like Final Fantasy 14 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. For now, the company is keeping details under wraps, promising more information in the coming months.