'Dragon Quest Smash/Grow' Launches on Mobile as a Roguelite Action RPG

The iconic Dragon Quest franchise has expanded onto mobile devices with the launch of 'Dragon Quest Smash/Grow' on April 21, 2026.

Co-developed by Square Enix and KLabGames, this title is a free-to-play roguelite action RPG with in-app purchases, offering a fast-paced and distinct departure from the series' traditional turn-based JRPG roots.

The game celebrates the franchise's 40th anniversary, with series creator Yuji Horii serving as supervisor.

'Dragon Quest Smash/Grow' drops players into procedurally generated 'Rifts'—dungeons crawling with waves of monsters and a powerful 'Alpha' boss at the end.

The core gameplay loop is simple yet engaging: players tap and hold to move their character and release to attack.

As they combat foes, a 'Coup de Grâce' gauge builds up, allowing for a powerful room-clearing attack.

The defining feature of each run is the 'Blessing' system.

Blessings are random power-ups that appear after each stage, adding effects like fireballs or electrified attacks.

This system ensures high replayability, as no two runs feel the same.

Players assemble a party of three characters and can swap between them mid-battle to leverage different 'vocation' strengths, such as warrior or mage, each with its own upgrade trees.

Blessings are shared across the entire party.

Apart from the main story, the game features several modes: 'Multi Quest' for up to four-player co-op, an endless 'Gauntlet' mode, and 'Shrine' encounters focused on tough boss fights.

To celebrate the launch, players who pre-registered received 10 Premium Transmuter pulls.

This launch is part of a busy month for mobile gaming, coinciding with major updates for other titles like 'Wuthering Waves' [citation:7][citation:9].