Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest – The Adventure of Dai

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest – The Adventure of Dai is an action RPG that adapts the beloved anime and manga series from the Dragon Quest universe, following young hero Dai and his companions as they journey through a fantasy world to defeat the forces of darkness led by the Demon King Hadlar. Featuring 3rd-person perspective gameplay, anime-style visuals, and direct control mechanics, the game immerses players in epic battles and quests inspired by the original story, blending real-time combat with the charm of the Dragon Quest legacy.

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest – The Adventure of Dai: Review

Introduction

In a genre saturated with epic tales of heroism and sprawling worlds, few franchises evoke the whimsical charm and heartfelt adventure of Dragon Quest quite like the spin-off Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest – The Adventure of Dai. Born from the beloved 1989 manga by Riku Sanjo and Koji Inada, and revitalized through its 2020 anime adaptation, this action RPG catapults players into the shoes of young Dai, a boy destined to battle the encroaching darkness of the Dark Army. As a professional game journalist and historian, I’ve long admired how Dragon Quest spin-offs like Treasures or Builders expand the series’ cozy fantasy without diluting its core appeal. Infinity Strash attempts something bolder: a direct retelling of the anime’s early arcs, blending hack-and-slash action with narrative fidelity. Yet, while it captures the spirit of youthful heroism for devoted fans, its execution often feels like a half-formed echo of greater ambitions, resulting in a game that’s more nostalgic tribute than innovative triumph. This review delves deeply into its layers, arguing that Infinity Strash shines as an affectionate love letter to the source material but stumbles as a standalone action RPG.

Development History & Context

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest – The Adventure of Dai emerged from Square Enix’s longstanding stewardship of the Dragon Quest empire, a franchise that has defined JRPGs since Yuji Horii’s visionary Dragon Quest in 1986. Developed primarily by Square Enix in collaboration with Kai Graphics Inc. and Game Studio Inc., the project was helmed under Horii’s general direction, with original story contributions from Riku Sanjo and art oversight by Koji Inada—key figures from the manga’s inception. This 2023 release, timed to capitalize on the anime’s recent popularity surge, reflects Square Enix’s strategy of adapting multimedia properties into interactive experiences, much like their work on Final Fantasy spin-offs or the Kingdom Hearts series.

The vision was clear: transform the anime’s episodic heroism into an action-oriented RPG, emphasizing real-time combat over turn-based traditions to appeal to a broader, post-Devil May Cry audience. Technological constraints were minimal, given the modern hardware of platforms like PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam and Windows Apps). Released on September 28, 2023, the game leverages Unreal Engine for fluid 3D models and anime-inspired cel-shading, but it betrays hints of mobile optimization—repetitive level design and progression systems that echo free-to-play gacha titles, possibly a holdover from earlier concepts or budget efficiencies.

In the 2023 gaming landscape, Infinity Strash arrived amid a renaissance of action RPGs, sandwiched between the likes of Hogwarts Legacy‘s open-world immersion and Lies of P‘s Souls-like precision. Square Enix was riding high off Final Fantasy XVI‘s success, yet facing scrutiny for uneven spin-offs like Babylon’s Fall. The Dragon Quest brand, with its wholesome fantasy ethos, provided a safe bet for family-friendly action, but the post-pandemic market demanded tight, engaging loops—areas where Infinity Strash often falters, prioritizing fidelity to the anime over mechanical innovation. This context underscores its role as a fan-service vehicle rather than a boundary-pusher, developed in an era where anime adaptations (e.g., One Piece Odyssey) thrive on nostalgia but risk alienating newcomers.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its heart, Infinity Strash is a faithful retelling of the first 41 episodes of the 2020 Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai anime, framing the story through Dai’s shattered memories after a cataclysmic confrontation with the enigmatic warrior Baran. This meta-structure—Dai internally retracing his journey to reclaim his identity—adds a poignant layer of introspection, turning the game into a reflective odyssey of self-discovery. Divided into seven chapters, the plot chronicles Dai’s evolution from an island-bound dreamer to a burgeoning hero, weaving the manga’s shonen tropes with Dragon Quest‘s signature optimism.

The narrative opens on Dermline Island, where Dai, raised by the kindly shaman Brass among peaceful monsters, embodies unbridled courage. A botched abduction by fake heroes introduces themes of authenticity versus deception, while Princess Leona’s ritual unveils Dai’s latent power via a mysterious forehead crest—foreshadowing his Disciple of Avan heritage. The inciting incident erupts with the Dark Lord’s revival, triggering a monster rampage that Brass attributes to Hadlar’s return. Enter Avan, the legendary hero who once felled Hadlar, arriving with his sniveling apprentice Popp. Avan’s grueling seven-day training montage, culminating in a dragon-form duel, humanizes the mentor figure, only for tragedy to strike: Hadlar, resurrected and empowered by the Dark King Vearn, slays Avan in a sacrificial Megante explosion. Dai’s raw Avan Strash retaliation forces Hadlar’s retreat, birthing the central quest—avenge Avan and topple the Dark Army.

Chapter 2 deepens the ensemble dynamics in the Dark Forest, where Dai and Popp rescue young Mina from monsters, crossing paths with Maam, Avan’s martial artist disciple. Popp’s initial cowardice—fleeing from Beast King Crocodine’s ambush—highlights themes of growth through adversity. Maam’s healing prowess and moral compass ground the group, leading to the Romos siege, where Crocodine’s underhanded tactics (brainwashing Brass with a magic cylinder) test bonds of trust. Popp’s redemption arc peaks in a desperate Glimmer spell to free Brass, culminating in Dai’s crest-fueled victory and Crocodine’s honorable demise, a poignant exploration of pride’s double-edged sword.

Subsequent chapters expand this foundation: Chapter 3 shifts to Papnica’s ruins, introducing Hyunckel as a cloaked ally wielding Avan-style Earth Slash; Chapter 4 delves into Legion Commander intrigues at Sovereign Rock Castle, with Flazzard and Zaboera scheming amid Vearn’s orders; later arcs introduce Gomechan’s tears as emotional catalysts, Chiu and Merle’s comic relief, and escalating threats like the immortal legions. Characters like Dai (voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki in Japanese, Sabrina Pitre in English) radiate earnest heroism, evolving from impulsive fighter to strategic leader. Popp (Toshiyuki Toyonaga/Cole Howard) subverts the comic-relief mage trope, his arc from fear to self-sacrifice underscoring friendship’s redemptive power. Maam (Mikako Komatsu/Diana Kaarina) and Hyunckel (Yuki Kaji/Vincent Tong) add depth—Maam as the nurturing warrior, Hyunckel as the brooding anti-hero—while villains like Crocodine humanize evil through regretful monologues.

Thematically, Infinity Strash delves into heroism’s burdens: Dai’s crest symbolizes inescapable fate, mirroring Dragon Quest‘s chosen-one narratives, while Avan’s death explores mentorship’s sacrificial legacy. Themes of unity against darkness—evident in Popp’s growth and the group’s reconciliation—resonate with shonen staples, yet infuse Dragon Quest‘s moral clarity, emphasizing honor over vengeance. Dialogue, drawn from the anime, feels authentic but static, often delivered via stills, which preserves emotional beats (e.g., Crocodine’s final words) but hampers immersion. For fans, it’s a thematic treasure trove; for others, the episodic structure feels like an abridged recap, leaving arcs like Baran’s confrontation unresolved and craving the full anime’s nuance.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Infinity Strash pivots Dragon Quest toward action RPG territory, eschewing turn-based roots for real-time hack-and-slash combat that’s frenetic yet unrefined. Core loops revolve around chapter-based missions: traverse linear stages, battle enemy waves, and trigger story cutscenes via anime stills. Players control Dai primarily, with AI companions like Popp and Maam filling support roles—Popp spamming spells, Maam healing—though manual switching adds tactical depth in boss fights.

Combat emphasizes combo strings, dodges, and special moves like Avan Strash, a charged sword slash that builds meter for ultimate bursts. Enemies, from Skeletons to Furfang Legion brutes, demand pattern recognition, but the system feels floaty and numb, with input lag and repetitive animations plaguing encounters. Bosses like Crocodine shine, requiring phase shifts (e.g., countering Heat Breath paralysis), but fodder mobs devolve into button-mashing slogs. Character progression ties into Bond Memories—collectible items recreating manga scenes—that unlock skill augments, customizable via playstyle (e.g., aggressive for Dai, magical for Popp). This system innovates by rewarding exploration with narrative flavor, but grinding for them exposes the game’s mobile-esque gacha vibes, where rarity gates power spikes.

The Temple of Recollection stands as the mechanical highlight: a roguelike endless dungeon with over 100 procedural room combos, blending traps, monsters, and treasures. Runs escalate in difficulty, offering post-game replayability through randomized layouts and Bond Memory farming. However, it clashes with the main campaign—punishing permadeath and sparse rewards make it feel tacked-on, more endurance test than engaging diversion. UI is clean but cluttered, with anime stills interrupting flow and a world map that helpfully marks lore locations yet lacks dynamism. Exploration nodes are absent in many stages, forcing backtracking, while progression halts for story beats, creating a disjointed rhythm. Flaws abound: repetitive level design (forest-cave-castle cycles), lack of party synergy depth, and no new-game+ until late. For Dragon Quest purists, it’s a delightful action twist; broadly, it pales against peers like Tales of Arise, feeling like “sprinkles of action on an anime rewatch.”

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s fantasy setting mirrors the manga’s Alefgard-inspired world, a tapestry of serene islands, foreboding forests, and besieged kingdoms like Romos and Papnica. World-building excels in lore integration—Dermline’s monster harmony contrasts Sovereign Rock Castle’s militaristic dread—fostering an atmosphere of encroaching peril. Yet, stages are rigidly linear, with minimal interactivity; the overworld map’s location markers educate on geography (e.g., Holkia’s war-torn history) but can’t mask the emptiness.

Visually, Infinity Strash is a stylistic triumph, adopting anime cel-shading that faithfully recreates character designs—Dai’s spiky hair and crest glow vividly on PS5, with smooth 60fps performance. Environments blend Dragon Quest‘s pixel charm with 3D flair: lush Dermline foliage and Romos’ crumbling spires evoke nostalgia. Cutscenes, using 2020 anime stills and models from core Dragon Quest titles, prioritize fidelity over fluidity, creating a hybrid visual novel feel that’s immersive for fans but static for action seekers.

Sound design elevates the experience, with Koji Kikkawa’s orchestral score swelling during Avan Strash climaxes and tender themes underscoring Popp’s doubts. Voice acting is stellar—Japanese cast like Tanezaki’s spirited Dai adds emotional weight, while English dubs (Pitre’s earnest delivery) maintain accessibility. SFX, from sword clashes to Frizz fireballs, punchy and evocative, contribute to the heroic vibe. Collectively, these elements craft a cozy yet tense atmosphere, making the world feel alive despite mechanical confines—art and sound as the game’s saving grace.

Reception & Legacy

Upon launch, Infinity Strash garnered a middling reception, with an aggregate Moby Score of 6.0/10 from 25 critics, ranking #23,250 overall and #758 on PS5. Positive outlets like Hey Poor Player (80%) and TheXboxHub (80%) lauded its fan-service charm and Temple of Recollection’s addictiveness, calling it a “delight” for Dragon Quest enthusiasts. Mid-tier reviews from Shacknews and God is a Geek (both 70%) appreciated the narrative retelling but noted its “lizard brain” simplicity.

Criticism dominated lower scores: Nintendo Life (40%) decried the “chronic lack of focus,” with hours spent on static anime screens frustrating action fans. Noisy Pixel (40%) branded it a “miserable gameplay loop” disguised as a console title, while RPG Site (50%) lamented its tie to the anime as a “terribly designed” constraint. Push Square (50%) questioned its audience, and Digitally Downloaded (50%) accused it of cynicism, failing to capture Dragon Quest‘s essence. Nintendo Switch ports fared worse due to performance dips, averaging 51%.

Commercially, it underperformed, with modest sales bolstered by Dragon Quest loyalists but no blockbuster status—Steam pricing at $23.99 reflected tempered expectations. Legacy-wise, it hasn’t revolutionized the industry but reinforces Square Enix’s multimedia strategy, influencing future adaptations like potential Dai sequels. As a spin-off, it echoes Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity‘s niche appeal, preserving anime history without broad impact. Over time, its reputation may soften among fans as a “cute but basic” entry, but it risks fading like other middling tie-ins.

Conclusion

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest – The Adventure of Dai is a bittersweet endeavor—a vibrant homage to a cherished manga and anime that falters under its own ambitions. Its narrative depth and thematic resonance on heroism and camaraderie make it essential for Dai devotees, while art, sound, and the Temple’s roguelike spark offer glimmers of fun. Yet, repetitive combat, disjointed structure, and overreliance on stills undermine its action RPG aspirations, rendering it more interactive recap than compelling adventure. In video game history, it occupies a modest niche: a 2023 footnote in Dragon Quest‘s illustrious canon, best suited for series historians or anime completists. For newcomers, skip to the source material; for veterans, it’s a flawed but heartfelt detour. Final verdict: 6.5/10—infinitely nostalgic, but not quite strash-ing the competition.