Introduction Dragon Quest 11 is widely praised for its charming world, classic JRPG mechanics, and nostalgic appeal. However, even the best games have their share of baffling design choices and plot holes. In this article, we’ll explore five particularly dumb aspects of Dragon Quest 11’s story and gameplay mechanics that, despite the game’s many strengths, leave players scratching their heads.

1. The Illusion of Choice in Dialogue Throughout Dragon Quest 11, you’re frequently presented with dialogue options—usually a simple yes or no. On the surface, this suggests that your responses might influence the story or characters’ perceptions of the Luminary. However, this is little more than an illusion. Regardless of your choice, NPCs will repeat their questions until you provide the ‘correct’ answer, making these interactions feel pointless. In an era where many RPGs use dialogue choices to shape the narrative meaningfully, this outdated approach feels frustratingly hollow.

2. The Ridiculous Marriage System Many RPGs offer romance or marriage systems, allowing players to build relationships with companions. Dragon Quest 11 attempts this but in the most baffling way possible. To marry a party member, you need to defeat a superboss and then make a wish to a glowing muscular man named Drustan. The lack of actual romantic development or meaningful dialogue makes this system feel more like a bizarre side quest than a genuine relationship-building mechanic. The absence of depth in these interactions reduces what could have been a compelling aspect of the game to a mere checkbox on a list of RPG tropes.

3. Inconsistent Use of the Luminary’s Powers The Luminary’s abilities are a key element of the story, yet they are wildly inconsistent. One of the most perplexing moments is an early-game scene where the Luminary inexplicably time-travels to warn his younger self—an ability never explained or used again. This plot hole is even more baffling considering that other powers are conveniently lost or limited based on what suits the narrative at the moment. The inconsistency undermines the stakes and leaves players wondering about the actual extent of the Luminary’s powers.

4. The Pointless Horse Race in Galoppolis In Galoppolis, the Luminary is roped into a horse race disguised as the cowardly Prince Faris. The twist? You can lose the race entirely, finishing dead last, and the game will still proceed as if you won. NPCs cheer, the prince praises you, and the story continues without consequence. This lack of impact not only deflates any sense of accomplishment but also makes the whole sequence feel pointless. A more dynamic outcome based on performance could have added a layer of depth to this segment.

5. Vince Vanquish’s Absurd Redemption Arc The story arc of Vince Vanquish, the reigning champion of Octagonia, is perhaps one of the most baffling in the game. Vince is revealed to be drugging himself with super steroids and feeding fighters to a giant spider to fund an orphanage. After being exposed, he apologizes, and the townspeople forgive him almost immediately, with no lasting consequences for his actions. This bizarre acceptance stretches the game’s theme of forgiveness to absurd levels and leaves players questioning the morality of the game’s world.

Conclusion Dragon Quest 11 is undeniably a fun and charming RPG, but it’s also full of baffling design choices and plot holes that are hard to ignore. While these dumb aspects don’t ruin the experience, they certainly make for some amusing head-scratching moments. Here’s hoping that Dragon Quest 12 addresses some of these issues and brings a more cohesive and meaningful design to the series.