Dragon Quest Builders

Dragon Quest Builders is a single-player action role-playing and sandbox construction game. The story is set in Alefgard, a land once destroyed by the Dragonlord after the hero of legend chose to join him rather than oppose him. In this alternate timeline, humanity has lost the ability to build, and the player assumes the role of the Builder, a chosen figure gifted with the knowledge of crafting. Tasked with rebuilding civilization from the ruins, the Builder travels across different regions, restoring settlements and resisting the Dragonlord’s monstrous forces.

Gameplay combines action combat with resource gathering and construction. Players freely explore each chapter’s map, mining materials such as stone, wood, and ore, then use these resources to craft tools, weapons, furniture, and building blocks. Settlements serve as central hubs where townspeople gather, offering requests and guidance. The Builder’s creations, from houses to fortifications, increase the town’s score, and reaching milestones allows progression through the story. Combat is real-time, with the player using crafted weapons to fend off monsters that roam the wilderness or attack during scripted sieges.

Progression is structured into self-contained chapters, each with its own map, cast of villagers, and objectives. At the start of every chapter, the Builder loses previously gathered items and equipment, requiring players to adapt anew to each region’s unique challenges and available resources. This design emphasizes learning new blueprints, experimenting with construction styles, and facing different monsters and environmental hazards across deserts, forests, and ruined cities.

Beyond combat and construction, players manage hunger and health. Food items must be gathered or cooked to maintain stamina, while equipment like armor and shields can be crafted to improve survivability. Certain resources unlock specialized recipes, allowing for advanced fortifications, decorative buildings, or stronger weapons. Townsfolk may also provide new blueprints when their requests are fulfilled. A free-build mode, Terra Incognita, is unlocked outside the main story, letting players construct freely without restrictions. Villagers in this mode can still inhabit player-built towns, and monsters can be fought, but the focus is on creative building.