Square Enix and KLab unveiled their new roguelite action RPG, Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, on April 21. The free-to-play spin-off of the Dragon Quest franchise achieved a remarkable feat by hitting 1 million downloads worldwide within its first day, subsequently climbing to the top of Japan’s revenue charts by April 22. By May 1, the game had amassed over 5 million cumulative downloads globally, though developer KLab recently touched upon concerns regarding its overseas performance (as noted by GameBiz).
During a shareholders Q&A on May 14, KLab CEO Tetsuya Sanada stated that Dragon Quest Smash/Grow‘s initial reception has been “largely in line with expectations.” Leveraging market trends and past title performances, KLab anticipates a substantial revenue uptick starting from the upcoming quarter.
Furthermore, the developer refuted claims that Smash/Grow has underperformed outside Asia. While KLab couldn’t disclose specific numbers due to Square Enix’s publishing role, CEO Sanada pointed out that overseas markets typically experience a slower start compared to Japan. He emphasized that the company doesn’t view the game’s current overseas revenue as sluggish.
Dragon Quest Smash/Grow deviates from traditional Dragon Quest titles by offering a fast-paced, action-driven roguelite experience where players battle waves of foes. The game introduces randomness via “Blessings,” which can be combined to enhance character growth. Beyond the main story, where players explore “rift” dungeons to restore world order, the game features a co-op mode for tackling special quests with friends. Its monetization strategy centers on an equipment gacha system, allowing players to strengthen their characters by obtaining better armor and weapons.
Dragon Quest Smash/Grow is available on iOS and Android.