10) Dragon Quest Builders
Dragon Quest has been around for a long time, and each title wears its lineage proudly. Indeed, the familiarity of the series is certainly a big part of Dragon Quest’s appeal. So despite the massive popularity of Minecraft-like building games inevitably attracting the attention of Square Enix, it felt a little strange when Dragon Quest Builders was announced. A Dragon Quest title that wasn’t a turn-based role-playing game about a hero saving the world? What sorcery! But we shouldn’t have worried because Dragon Quest Builders is a spin-off that manages to seamlessly integrate superb building mechanics into a narrative and setting that feels totally connected to the roots of the franchise.
Dragon Quest Builders certainly doesn’t play like a traditional Dragon Quest game. Gameplay centers around collecting resources, crafting, and occasional combat, which is a familiar loop for anyone who has played Minecraft. Yet there’s still an intriguing, cleverly written story that will appeal to children and adults alike. Builders is a fine spin-off, setting itself apart from the series it’s based off but weaving enough nods to franchise that it never feels as though it’s using the Dragon Quest name for extra attention.
