Item: DRAGON QUEST Smash/Grow
Rating: 85
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

85/100

Square Enix has taken a bold step with Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, and for the most part, it pays off brilliantly. It manages to capture the cozy, familiar aesthetic of the DQ series while injecting it with the 'just one more run' energy of a roguelite. The combat is snappy and satisfying, particularly when you trigger a screen-clearing Coup de Grâce.

The Vocation system adds a layer of long-term strategy that many mobile roguelites lack. Investing in your character's tree feels meaningful, and the co-op mode is surprisingly stable and fun. While the gacha elements for 'Transmuter Vouchers' are present, the core gameplay loop is strong enough to keep you engaged without feeling forced to spend. It’s a must-play for DQ fans and a great entry point for those new to the series.

Reviewed on: Fri Apr 19 2024

Dinsun Review

I've been a Dragon Quest fan since the NES days, so I have high standards for the blue slime. Smash & Grow is an interesting experiment. It’s definitely more 'mobile-friendly' than a 100-hour DQ odyssey. The 'Blessings' system is a decent way to add variety to the dungeon crawling, but it can feel a bit simplified. The combat is fast and the vocations are classic, which I love, but the 'Smash' part of the title isn't quite as deep as I'd hoped. It’s a lot of tapping and simple positioning. The co-op is a highlight, though—taking down a big boss with three others feels very 'classic RPG party.' It's a solid time-killer for DQ fans, but it won't replace a full-fledged entry in the series. Also, be prepared for typical Square Enix mobile monetization.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Classic Dragon Quest art style and music are as charming as ever
Roguelite mechanics add good replayability to short sessions
Fun and functional 4-player co-op mode

Combat feels a bit too simplified for veteran RPG players
Gacha elements and in-app purchases are pervasive
Can feel repetitive after a few hours of rift crawling

Technical Report

Performance: Polished and stable, but requires at least 4GB of RAM for a smooth experience.

Accessibility:

Auto-battle options
One-handed play mode
Subtitles in multiple languages

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love the Dragon Quest universe and want a casual, replayable RPG to play on the go.

Skip if: You want a deep, traditional JRPG story or you're tired of gacha-style mobile progression.

Similar Games:

Dragon Quest Tact
Archero
Slay the Spire

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 15 hours
Status: Completed the first two story arcs and reached Level 30 with a Warrior party

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

6747737418

Free13+★0 0 reviews

Author : SQUARE ENIX

Pubish Date : Mon Mar 16 2026

Last Update Date : Sun Apr 19 2026

Support Languages : English, Korean, Traditional Chinese

Genres :

Version 1.0.0Sun Apr 19 2026

Official Release.
Requires iOS 15.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Play now and claim Premium Transmuter Vouchers for 10 pulls!
DRAGON QUEST with fast, intuitive combat!
Embark on a new roguelite RPG adventure!
Smash your way through hordes of monsters, then blow them away with Dragon Quest’s signature Coup de Grâce attacks! Grow your character with random Blessings and adapt your battle strategy to match an ever-changing tactical situation. No quest is ever the same in this unique Dragon Quest experience!
Game Features
- BLESSINGS
Mix and match Blessings for a unique experience every run! Blessings reshuffle every stage. Race through rifts with luck and strategy!
- VOCATIONS
Forge your party from a variety of classic vocations! Beyond levelling up, unlock vocation tree nodes to enhance each vocation’s abilities!
- MAIN STORY
Embark on a grand adventure to restore order to the world! Navigate dungeons known as rifts that have appeared all over the land with your trusty mechanical ally Roly in tow!
- CO-OP QUESTS
Join forces with up to 3 other players for exciting co-op quests! Bring your characters together and crush hordes of monsters!
- PACKED WITH CONTENT
Bring your best party to bear in even greater challenges! Smash through swarms of monsters in the Gauntlette, take on formidable bosses in Shrines, and dive into a wealth of content waiting to be explored!
Compatibility
iOS: Requires iOS 15.0 or later and an iPhone XS or newer (4GB RAM minimum).

Ratings & Reviews

N/A out of 5 with N/A Counts

Age Rating 13+

DRAGON QUEST Smash/Grow brings the legendary JRPG series into the roguelite genre with fast, intuitive combat. Players navigate mysterious 'rifts'—ever-changing dungeons filled with monsters and treasures. By collecting random Blessings and mastering various Vocations, you can build a unique party for every run. Whether you're playing the main story with your mechanical ally Roly or joining 3 other players in co-op, every quest offers a fresh tactical challenge.

Features

Classic Dragon Quest monster designs

Deep Vocation tree progression system

Randomized Blessings for high replayability

4-player real-time co-op quests

Spectacular Coup de Grâce special moves

Tips

Mastering the Rift

In each run, you'll choose between different paths in the rift. Some offer harder battles but better Blessings. Always look for synergies between your current Vocation and the random Blessings you receive to maximize your combat efficiency.

Promotion Videos

Dragon Quest Smash & Grow Launch Trailer

Gameplays

Co-op Questing

Enter the multiplayer lobby to team up with three other Transmuters. Coordination is key; have one player focus on healing Vocations while others deal heavy damage to the boss to earn high-tier rewards.