DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

System: Nintendo 3DS Release date: 16/09/2016

Important information

As of 27/03/2023, it will no longer be possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

Please visit our Support section for more information.

Subscribe to on

YouTube

Travel to the past to save the present in DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, a timeless RPG for Nintendo 3DS family systems.

From one little island to a world of possibilities!

Join young Auster and his friends, Prince Kiefer and Maribel, as they embark on a quest to restore long-forgotten lands. Use mystical stone tablets to travel back in time and come to the aid of troubled towns. Solve perplexing puzzles and face unique monsters in classic turn-based battles to shape the world’s past and present.

CI7_3DS_DragonQuest7_3DS_DragonQuest7_S_Battle_Golem3_EN.jpg

In this huge adventure, you must conquer dungeons and defeat enemies that block your path. To overcome monsters, issue commands to individual party members in turn-based battles – or, if you’re confident that your party can handle the situation, you can activate “tactics” to let fights play out automatically.

Masterclass

Using over 50 different vocations, any hero can hone their skills and learn powerful new abilities. You could become a mage, a pirate or even a shepherd! Master a variety of professions to build an unstoppable party of heroes.

Test your team’s fighting prowess against hundreds of unique monsters, including many favourites from the DRAGON QUEST series. You can also befriend certain creatures, which lets you acquire their abilities to use in battle, or send them to seek out special items for you.

A traveller’s tale

Expand your adventure with traveller’s tablets, special stone slabs that can be exchanged with other players via StreetPass or online* to access challenging new dungeons. Conquer these perilous lairs and you might get some highly sought-after items…

An epic quest awaits as you fight to restore a shattered world in DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, only on Nintendo 3DS family systems.

Get started on your quest by heading to our Story & Characters section.

*Wireless internet connection required. The registration of Nintendo Network ID and acceptance of the network related terms and privacy policies required.

This description was provided by the publisher.

What you need to know

This content is sold by Nintendo of Europe SE. The payment will be made with Nintendo eShop funds usable through the Nintendo Account used to complete the purchase.

This content is sold by Nintendo of Europe SE, payable with Nintendo eShop funds usable through your Nintendo Account. The Nintendo Account Agreement applies to the purchase of this content.

This content may be purchased by users who have registered a Nintendo Account and accepted the respective legal terms.

The details of this offer apply to users who sign in with a Nintendo Account with the country setting corresponding to the country setting of this website. If the country setting of a Nintendo Account is different, the details of this offer may be adjusted (for example, the price will be displayed in the respective local currency).

After your payment has been processed, the content will be downloaded to the applicable system linked to your Nintendo Account. This system must be updated to the latest system software and connected to the internet with automatic downloads enabled, and it must have enough storage to complete the download. Depending on the hardware model you own and your use of it, an additional storage device may be required to download content from Nintendo eShop. Please visit our Support section for more information.

In the case of games that use cloud streaming technology, a free launcher application or demo can be downloaded.

Please make sure you have enough storage to complete the download.

In the case of games that use cloud streaming technology, a free launcher application or demo can be downloaded.

Please make sure you have enough storage to complete the download.

The details of the offer are displayed based on the country settings of your Nintendo Account.

The Nintendo Account Agreement applies to the purchase of this content.

The use of an unauthorised device or software that enables technical modification of the Nintendo console or software may render this game unplayable.

This product contains technological protection measures.

Content not playable before the release date: {{releaseDate}} . For pre-orders, payments will be taken automatically starting from 7 days before the release date. If you pre-order less than 7 days before the release date, payment will be taken immediately upon purchase.

Please note: for games that support 3D images, you can only appreciate the 3D effect of Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL on the system itself. Game visuals display in 2D on Nintendo 2DS and New Nintendo 2DS XL. All screenshots and game footage on this site are captured in 2D mode.

Story & Characters

Surrounded by vast blue oceans as far as the eye can see, the residents of Estard Island live peacefully, unaware of any kind of existence beyond their own.

CI7_3DS_DragonQuest7_Screenshots_ShrineOfMysteries_Arriving.jpg

Destined to become a great fisherman like his father, Auster is a seemingly ordinary boy who wants more from his life than just fishing. With the help of his best pal Prince Kiefer, Auster hopes to find out if there really is a world beyond Estard Island, a hunt that leads them to discover an ancient site known as the Shrine of Mysteries. It’s here that they learn about mystical stone tablets that, when pieced back together, can open up portals to the distant past.

CI7_3DS_DragonQuest7_Screenshots_JustArrived_FirstIsland.jpg

The boys’ lucky streak continues when Auster’s father salvages one of these rare stone fragments from the ocean floor. However, upon bringing the fragment to the shrine and completing the stone tablet, Auster, Kiefer and their childhood friend Maribel are teleported to a mysterious location a long, long way from home.

The trio soon realise that they’ve not just woken up on a new continent – they’ve travelled back in time to when this island existed in their world. To make matters worse, the island is afflicted by a terrible curse, and its people suffer under the monsters’ unholy rule.

How many other islands are lost in time? How did they come to be this way?

To find the answers, they’ll need to travel across the world and throughout time. By helping to right the wrongs of the past, the islands can flourish and be restored to the present day. It’s up to Auster and his friends to solve the problems of the past and rebuild the world!

Calling all heroes

With such a huge adventure ahead, there are lots of characters to meet on your travels through time – and some of them might even fight alongside you. Meet some of the cast of this grand adventure below:

Auster hails from the small seaside town of Pilchard Bay, where he’s fated to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a legendary fisherman. One day, Auster makes a discovery that will change not only his destiny, but also that of the entire world.

Prince Kiefer may be royalty, but this thrill-seeking prince of Estard is well-known for his troublemaking antics. When he’s not being told off by his dad, Kiefer is usually sneaking out of the castle so he can solve mysteries with his best friend, Auster.

Maribel is daughter to the mayor of Pilchard Bay and a childhood friend of Auster. She can be a little headstrong and has a habit of getting herself involved in others’ affairs.

Ruff is a bit of an animal – no, really! Born as a wolf cub but transformed into a human by some mysterious magic, this feral friend is full of energy and always ready for a scrap.

Mervyn once fought in a legendary war aeons ago. Though much older than Auster and his friends, age hasn’t slowed Mervyn down one bit. He’s a polite and charming addition to your band of heroes.

Now you’ve met our heroes, see what they’ll get up to on their adventures in our Gameplay section.

Hear the story behind the story of DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past in our interview with the localisation team.

Gameplay

In this massive adventure, you'll control a party of heroes who travel back in time to discover long-forgotten islands overrun by monsters and troubled by strange curses. Navigate maze-like dungeons, solve mystifying puzzles and face foes in turn-based battles – it’s your job to fix whatever’s troubling these islands in the past in order to restore them in the present.

When you’re not rebuilding the world, there are tons of side quests and fun distractions to keep you and your heroes busy.

CI7_3DS_DragonQuest7_3DS_DragonQuest7_S_ExploringIslandOnWayToEstard.jpg

It’s a wild world

There are sprawling open fields out there just waiting to be explored. Tread carefully though – monsters wander out in the wild, cavort in caves and dawdle in dungeons. Sneak around them or, if you’re feeling brave, charge into them to fight your foes face-to-face! Visit the Battles section to learn the basics of besting these beasties.

Save the town

Whether in the past or the present, you’re never too far from a town. Why not pop in for a chat with the friendly locals and find out how to help those in need?

Towns are full of useful establishments such as shops stocked with gear and items, banks for safely storing your riches, and churches where you can lift curses, resurrect allies and even save your progress. Find your way around each settlement by taking a glance at the map on the Touch Screen.

To pass the time…

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t be hasty when it comes to rebuilding the world. There are plenty of errands, distractions and side quests to occupy your free time. Why not help populate the newly-established town of Haven with peace-loving monsters? You might also try your luck at the casino, or seek out mini medals that you can swap for some cool rewards.

Picking up the pieces

Keep your eyes peeled for rare items called tablet fragments, which are scattered all over the world. If you find one, piece it back together at the Shrine of Mysteries and see what happens – you might uncover a brand new continent! Progress further in your adventure and you’ll get a fragment detector that glows whenever one of these shards is nearby. Handy!

CI_3DS_DragonQuest7_3DS_DragonQuest7_S_MonsterMeadows_MonsterCave3_EN.jpg

One for the road

Should you happen upon a stone slab known as a traveller’s tablet, you can use it to access special dungeons where powerful enemies await. You can acquire these runes by sending monsters you’ve befriended into a certain cave to find them for you.

Don’t forget – sharing is caring! Assign a traveller’s tablet to a befriended monster and it’ll be exchanged with other players you meet via StreetPass. When you receive tablets from other players, the monster they send with it may even move into your Haven, adding to its population. You can also visit the Download Bar in the Haven and share tablets with others players online*.

New challenges await

From launch, special traveller’s tablets will be distributed weekly via the Download Bar. Some of these tablets will feature brand new dungeons filled with tougher enemies, whereas others will continue the game’s story after you’ve finished the main quest.

Are you ready to face off against all sorts of monsters? Prepare for combat in our Battle section!

*Wireless internet connection required. The registration of Nintendo Network ID and acceptance of the network related terms and privacy policies required.

Battle

There are monsters aplenty causing trouble all over the place. Some are small and cute, while others are positively ginormous! No matter what their size, be prepared to put up a fight if you bump into one on the map.

Let battle commence

When monsters approach, you'll face them in classic turn-based battles. In combat, you call the shots – you can issue commands to each party member individually or by assigning battle behaviours called “tactics” to streamline your strategy.

CI7_3DS_DragonQuest7_Screenshots_Battle_Slimes_Forest_EN.jpg

Attack with a variety of weapons and conjure up powerful spells to stay on the offensive. Study foes carefully and choose a magical attack that they’re weak against to strike effectively! You can also use items in battle to help you out in a pinch. If one of your party members is on their last legs, toss them a medicinal herb to keep them fighting fit.

If you’re victorious, your party will gain experience, helping your heroes to level up and grow stronger. They might even earn some gold coins and items, too. As they level up, heroes will become stronger and learn new spells and abilities depending on their vocation. Visit the Vocations section to find out more.

Changing gear

Your heroes might be tough, but those rags are so two dungeons ago! Smart tacticians should keep an eye on what weaponry and gear their characters have equipped. You can find more powerful armour and equipment in dungeons, or purchase them from shops in nearby towns.

Monster mash

Big or small, monsters are full of surprises that are bound to put experienced heroes through their paces. Some foes will call for backup from their buddies, whereas others can partner with allied monsters to take more powerful forms.

Watch out for attacks that inflict status aliments and be ready to throw an antidotal herb on a poisoned pal. Knowing when to heal, defend or even flee from a battle can save you the trouble of visiting a church to revive a fallen teammate later.

Here be monsters

On this massive quest, you’ll encounter hundreds of different monsters. Prepare for battle by familiarising yourself with some of the DRAGON QUEST series’ most iconic fiends:

slime – These gooey blue guys are everywhere! Look out for them and several other members of the slime family such as slime stacks, king slimes and more.

metal king slime – It is said that those who manage to fell these metallic majesties will be rewarded with grand amount of experience – as long as they don’t run away first!

meowgician – Don’t get smitten with these kittens! They’ve got their paws on all kinds of dangerous magical spells that’ll cause trouble for your party.

goodybag – What riches does this cheeky customer have in store? Defeat it in battle to get your hands on whatever loot it’s carrying.

golem – Whether they’re made of stone or even gold, these hulking heavyweights pack quite the punch!

Friend or foe?

After a certain point in your journey, you’ll learn how to befriend certain monsters encountered in battle. Befriended beasts can come in quite handy – some will teach you new abilities, while others can be sent to the Monster Meadows, a safe place where they can live happily and even seek out new traveller’s tablets for you.

Did you know you can customise your heroes with new abilities? Find out more in our Vocations section.

Vocations

Don’t let adventure get in the way of your heroes’ career goals! Vocations let you influence how your heroes will grow, and there are more than 50 of them to undertake. From classic DRAGON QUEST classes to more unconventional roles, any hero can try their hand at different vocations, so choose roles to best suit your party.

Here are just some of the available vocations:

Gladiator

Martial Artist

Troubadour

Sage

Dancer

Dress to impress

Assign a vocation to a party member, and you’ll not only change their stats but also give them access to new spells, abilities and even stylish new outfits. They say you should always dress for the job you want.

Career goals

Stick with a vocation long enough and you’ll master it. Once you’ve maxed out a class, you can take up another vocation while keeping the spells and abilities learnt from previous roles. Keep mastering multiple vocations and you'll unlock advanced roles with exciting new abilities.

Monster medley

Ever wanted to learn the slick skills of a slime? Attack with the moxie of a meowgician? Rare items called monster hearts can be found hidden in certain chests or won from battles. Each monster heart is linked to a baddie and you can assign it to one of your heroes to teach it a monster vocation. Not only will you gain new abilities unique to that particular creature, but you’ll also borrow its appearance as well!

If you master a variety of monster vocations, more powerful advanced versions will become available for your party to learn.

Download version (Nintendo 3DS)

System

Nintendo 3DS (European version)

Release date

16/09/2016

Age rating

PEGI 12

Languages

English, Spanish, French, German, Italian

Download size

11635 blocks

How to download this title

Nintendo 3DS Game Card