Dragon Quest is heading back to smartphones, and the first decision is whether you want to help test it. Square Enix announced Dragon Quest RPG The Cursed Tree and the Chosen Isle on November 10, with an iOS and Android release planned for 2027. Its global launch plan excludes some regions.
For now, there is a closed beta application rather than a finished game to download. Here are the dates and the catch that matters before you start planning your party: beta progress will not move into the released game.
Featured image: official announcement gameplay showing a party crossing a grassy cliffside near a tower. Development content, subject to change. © ARMOR PROJECT/BIRD STUDIO/SQUARE ENIX. Developed by WRIGHT FLYER STUDIOS. Supplied through Square Enix's press hub; notices retained.
Apply by November 23, then watch for selection
The official beta page lists applications through November 23 at 2:59 PM UTC. That is 7:59 AM Mountain time, so don't leave it until that evening. Testing is planned for December 8–15, with exact test times still to be announced.
There are 25,000 tester places. If applications exceed that number, selection will use a lottery. Applying therefore gives you a chance to participate, not a guaranteed seat. The page says applicants will receive results by email on December 4 UTC, and participation is for players aged 18 or older.
Turn-based battles, exploration and a growing base
Square Enix describes a turn-based adventure with exploration, fast strike skills and pep powers. Bringing back spoils helps the player's base develop. Those are the announced building blocks; how well they work together is something the test can help players assess.
Our advice is to use a beta session to notice decisions. Look for battles that make you reconsider your next action, and whether a trip back to the base gives the next excursion a purpose. Those observations can help you write specific feedback about the game's rhythm. We haven't tested this build.
Check the phone you will actually use
Check the beta page's minimum and recommended device specifications before applying. These describe the test, and launch requirements may differ. We would check the actual model and software version rather than judging eligibility by how recently you bought the phone.
Match the operating system you choose in the application to your real device. Successful applicants receive the matching app. Meeting the minimum specification also does not guarantee stable performance during testing.
Treat it as a test, not an early permanent save
Because the save will not carry forward, we would approach the beta as a chance to explore systems and give feedback. Racing to maximize a temporary party could still be fun, but it is a different commitment from preparing your release-day file.
If a temporary run sounds more frustrating than interesting, waiting for the finished release is perfectly reasonable. The useful question is whether you want to spend time examining an unfinished game. A Dragon Quest logo does not make that choice for you.
A cartridge while you wait
Prefer a game for your existing hardware? Zypher lists Dragon Warrior for NES, a separate physical release from this upcoming mobile title. Check the listing's condition and included items before ordering. You can also sell your old games to Zypher to make space for the next addition.
Sources checked November 11, 2026: Square Enix's November 10 announcement and the official closed beta information. Plans and test details may change.
