Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World has revealed new gameplay details and original monster designs ahead of its 3 December release. The spin-off follows the series’ monster-collecting formula, with players recruiting, battling and breeding creatures, while returning Dragon Quest 5 characters Bianca and Nera offer different abilities.

Players can collect more than 500 monsters across eight families, using four in battle and keeping four reserves. New creatures include onigiri-inspired Slime Balls, Bamboo Badboy and the dancing Groovy Grouse; monsters have ranks from G to X, sizes and personalities. Synthesis returns at level 10, with some powerful monsters requiring four-parent “grandparent synthesis”; the game is due for Switch, Switch 2, PS5, PC and Xbox Series X.