v0.1.27 – Last Bastion freeze fix

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.27

Fixes the cutscene freeze after the Heliodor boss (Last Bastion), re-aligns about 460 shifted NPC lines in the Medal Academy and Nautica's Undersea Palace, and uses more official names.

⚠️ IMPORTANT – USE THE SAVE REPAIR TOOL

If you already have a save game, run DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.27.zip on a COPY of your save. The patch cannot change names that are already stored inside an existing save. Without the tool, an existing save still shows "Hendrik$" (a stray character after Hendrik's name) in battle, and saves from older versions also keep the old party and NPC names (Veronica / Sylvando in 0.1.17 – 0.1.20 saves, the scholar Snorri, Connie, Da, Son, the Tockle Ickle ...). The tool backs up every file it changes and fixes the save's checksum. Instructions are inside the zip (README_SAVE_REPAIR.txt). A brand-new game started with this version does not need it.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.27

• Cutscene freeze fixed – reported by Sola: after beating Tyriant in Act 2, the Last Bastion cutscene stopped on King Carnelian's line "...Hendrik. You have fought well for our kingdom...". We reproduced it in an emulator: the longer message timing we had added to that scene was the cause, and the original timing plays through. That scene and two others with the same kind of timing table (one in Act 1, one in Act 3) now keep the original timing.
• About 460 NPC lines re-aligned: in the Medal Academy (Heliodor region) and Nautica's Undersea Palace almost every NPC said the line meant for the next Japanese message (found by scanning all Japanese / English pairs for shifts). A few lines that were missing were translated.
• More official names: the Tockle who asks for help is Ickle (was Kurutch / Kurucchi) and his uncle Tickle (was Ojitch); Miko's son is Ryu (was Harima); the siblings dressed as the fire dragon are Atsuo and Atsuko (were Teba and Saki); the undersea monster is Bathysfear everywhere (was partly Death Aegir).
• Save repair tool: also converts the Tockle name Kurutch / Kuruch to Ickle in older saves.

Known issues

• Layout changes from earlier updates (Memories list, Tockle profile, field Magic help box) are not checked on real hardware yet; tell us if text still overlaps.
• If a cutscene still stops, please tell us which scene and your device / mode (2D or 3D).

Downloads

• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_v0.1.27.zip – Windows patcher
• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_Linux_v0.1.27.zip – Linux / Steam Deck
• DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.27.zip – save repair tool (use it on existing saves!)

v0.1.26 – Soft lock fixes (GitHub #17), Tyriant, King Carnelian

Fixes two cutscene soft locks (one reported on GitHub, one on Discord), plus Tyriant, King Carnelian and Hendrik's name.

⚠️ IMPORTANT – USE THE SAVE REPAIR TOOL

If you already have a save game, run DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.26.zip on a COPY of your save. The patch cannot change names that are already stored inside an existing save. Without the tool, an existing save still shows "Hendrik$" (a stray character after Hendrik's name) in battle, and saves from older versions also keep the old party and NPC names (Veronica / Sylvando in 0.1.17 – 0.1.20 saves, the scholar Snorri, Connie, Da, Son ...). The tool backs up every file it changes and fixes the save's checksum. Instructions are inside the zip (README_SAVE_REPAIR.txt). A brand-new game started with this version does not need it.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.26

• Soft lock fixed – reported on GitHub (#17) and patched: in Act 2 at Arboria, after Veronica dies and Serena plays her harp at night, the line "This is a sad love song..." stopped the cutscene. The timing of that line ran past the next one; it is corrected. Thanks citytomas48-beep.
• Dead name-tag pointers fixed in about 100 cutscenes (195 speaker tags / lines read an empty slot, which can show an empty or garbled name tag and may freeze a scene). This is the likely cause of the cutscene that stopped after the Heliodor boss in Act 2. Thanks Sola.
• Hendrik no longer shows a stray character after his name in battle ("Hendrik$") – new games only; existing saves need the save repair tool.
• Tyriant (the Heliodor boss) has one name everywhere (it was Zolde in cutscenes and chats); the name tag King of Heliodor is now the official King Carnelian. Thanks Sola.
• Save repair tool: also converts Hendrik, the Mysterious Youth and the High Lama in older saves.

Known issues

• Layout changes from the last updates (Memories list, Tockle profile, field Magic help box) are not checked on real hardware yet; tell us if text still overlaps.
• If a cutscene still stops, please tell us which scene and your device / mode (2D or 3D).

Downloads

• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_v0.1.26.zip – Windows patcher
• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_Linux_v0.1.26.zip – Linux / Steam Deck
• DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.26.zip – save repair tool (use it on existing saves!)

v0.1.25 – Official names and places, Draconian Quest

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.25

A names-and-places update: many characters, towns and regions now use the official English names, and "Restricted Play" is "Draconian Quest".

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.25

• Official names (about 1,500 lines): Miko (Hotto), Queen Frysabel / Fryssy, Snorri, Dora-in-Grey; Hekswood, the Sn'rfelt, the Kingsbarrow, the Champs Sauvage, the Emerald Coast, the Hotto Steppe, the Arborian Highlands, Mount Pang Lai, Angri-La, Royal Library, Tower of Lost Time, Heliodor Sewers, Tantegel Castle, Princess Gwaelin, Erdrick ... on the maps, in cutscenes, quests and NPC lines. Thanks Sola.
• Draconian Quest replaces "Restricted Play".
• Snorri's name tags (72) pointed at the wrong name; fixed.
• The tutorial vehicle is the Face Invader; the monster book entry says Masqueraider.
• Save repair tool: also fixes the scholar's name ("Eckehar" + junk) in saves from 0.1.18 or older.
• A cutscene line with an em dash (no glyph in the game font) now uses a hyphen.

Known issues

• Layout changes from the last two updates (Memories list, Tockle profile, field Magic help box) are not checked on real hardware yet; tell us if text still overlaps.
• Saves made with 0.1.17 - 0.1.20 need the save repair tool (DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair, attached again).

Downloads

• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_v0.1.25.zip – Windows patcher
• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_Linux_v0.1.25.zip – Linux / Steam Deck
• DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.25.zip – save repair tool (only for old saves)

v0.1.24 – Saint's Song, Dora-in-Grey, Dave and menu text fixes

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.24

Fixes the Japanese text in Serena's Saint's Song bar, the over-long Cock-a-doodle-doo name, and a missing Tockle data screen.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.24

• Saint's Song: the bar under Serena's ability list is English now ("Link: after Mark of the Saint"; the Paladin one says "...Mark of the Paladin").
• Cockadoodledoo: Erik's skill name no longer wraps over the next row of the spell list.
• Tockle profile / your profile: overlapping weapon names, "Personality", "Hometown" and "1st Finder" are squeezed to fit; "Part with checked Tockle" no longer wraps.
• Weather Forecast spell is "Forecast" (no more wrapped name / mid-word help text); the Records > Details category names fit.
• Dora-in-Grey: the mural boss uses its official name everywhere (cutscenes, name tag, chapter titles, title description); "Meltoa" is gone.
• Dave: Sylvando's navigator uses the official name Dave (Japanese: Alice).
• Tockle data screen: a few placeholder text boxes blanked in 0.1.22 are restored. Please check this one: collect a Tockle and look at the bottom screen.

Known issues

• The Memories list (Medal Academy tree) was adjusted in 0.1.23; tell us if any row still overlaps.
• Saves made with 0.1.17 - 0.1.20 need the save repair tool (DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair, attached again).

Downloads

• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_v0.1.24.zip – Windows patcher
• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_Linux_v0.1.24.zip – Linux / Steam Deck
• DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.24.zip – save repair tool (only for old saves)

v0.1.23 - area banners, Sniflheim names, Memories list

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.23

A small update: area banners with the official names, the last "Sikesubia" is gone, and a first fix for the overlapping Memories list.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.23

• Area banners: all 29 town / dungeon name banners use the final official names ("Undersea Kingdom Muurea" is now Nautica, no more "Gondolia Castle Town").
• Sniflheim: the old name "Sikesubia" is replaced in item "Found" lines, the map and area lists and one villager line.
• Memories list: long titles no longer run into the next row: narrower text and 87 shortened titles. This is a first adjustment, so tell us if anything still overlaps.

Known issues

• Serena's "Saint's Song" may still show Japanese-looking characters in the bar under the skill list (not reproduced yet).
• Saves made with 0.1.17 - 0.1.20 need the save repair tool (DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair, attached again).

Downloads

• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_v0.1.23.zip – Windows patcher
• DQXI_3DS_English_Patch_Linux_v0.1.23.zip – Linux / Steam Deck
• DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.23.zip – save repair tool (only for old saves)

v0.1.22 - official names, pep wording, repaired NPC name tags, layout fixes

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.22

Spells, skills, items and monsters now use the official English names, "the Zone" is "pep", and several layout problems reported by testers are fixed.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.22

• Official names: spells, skills, Pep Powers, items, monsters, monster attacks, passive skills and Training Camp fights follow the official English release wherever we could match them to the Japanese: about 300 spell and skill names (Erik's Rubblerouser, Boulderbringer, Mountainmover, Ridgeraiser, Cock-a-doodle-doo, Kafrizz / Kafrizzle, Sleeper Hit, Helichopter, Lightning Storm ...), about 380 items (Pep Pip, Pep Pop, Wayfarer's Clothes ...), about 100 monsters (Cheater Cheetah, Ursa Major, Cureslime ...) and 190 monster attacks. Battle messages, quests, NPC talk, books, the tutorial and the monster book were updated to match. The official release uses British spelling; we kept American spelling, and where an official name did not fit a menu we kept ours. Thanks mcjodice and Q.
• "The Zone" is "pep": "{name} is pepped up!", "lost the power of pep!", "Easier to get pepped up", Pep Chance, "Needs pep: ..." (about 130 lines). Thanks mcjodice.
• Other official terms: the Tree's soul is the Heart of Yggdrasil, the Luminary's Sword is the Sword of Light, the forge is the Fun-Size Forge ("forging" instead of "mysterious smithing").
• Skills menu: names like "When Equipped: Healing Magic +30" overlapped the next row; they use short forms now ("Equip. Mending +30", "Light/Bolt Res. +20%", "Win: Small MP Regen"). Thanks Q.
• Quest guide: 13 long lines no longer wrap in the middle of a word ("fishe / men"). Thanks Q.
• Battle: enemy names in the target list sat too high and touched the border (3D and 2D). Thanks Amarlian.
• Menus: "Explanation" instead of the cut-off "View Explanati"; the Labyrinth start menu entries ("Pick Floor", "To Town") no longer overlap. Thanks mcjodice.
• Blank placeholder text: Japanese placeholder text left on 1,050 window text boxes is blanked, so it cannot flash as gibberish or overlap a label.
• NPC name tags: the Mermaid Queen's name tag in the Undersea Palace showed a line of dialogue instead of "Queen Marina"; the Medal Academy teachers and staff, Doge Rotondo and Connie had the same problem. 370 name tags are repaired, plus four blank monster attack names and one blank item name. Thanks Q.
• Wording from the player suggestions sheet (checked against the Japanese): Sylvando's "Soldiers, darlings!", the shop merchants' Fun-Size Forge line, Erik's "We're on the run, technically", the priest at Cobblestone Tor, the Race House dad, the injured knight; "Grand Grand Master Pang" fixed.

Old saves

Saves made with 0.1.17 – 0.1.20 still need the save repair tool (DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.22.zip, attached; same tool as in 0.1.21, README inside). Spell, skill, item and monster names are not stored in saves, so nothing else needs repairing.

How to use the patcher

1. Make sure your game file is decrypted (one-time step, see the README).
2. Run DQXIEnglishPatcher.exe (Windows) or use the Linux zip (./patch.sh).
3. Choose your Japanese .cia or .3ds, choose where to save the English version, press Patch.
4. .cia: install with FBI on a 3DS with custom firmware. .3ds: use in Azahar / Citra.

Known issues

• Serena's skill "Saint's Song" may show Japanese-looking characters in the bar under the skill list (reported on 0.1.20; not yet seen in this version). Please tell us if you still see it.
• Some menu, status and stat labels (Stats, Magic, Restricted Play ...) keep our wording where the official name did not fit or would clash with the text around it.
• Update (Luma) folders are turned off for now.

v0.1.21: redraw Veronica/Sylvando names, add save repair tool

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.21

Fixes how Veronica's and Sylvando's names are drawn (0.1.20 showed them with a tiny last letter in battle messages) and adds a save repair tool for existing saves. Everything else is the same as 0.1.20.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.21

• Names redrawn: the party names are stored in 6 characters (the save's name field holds only 6 plus an end marker), so two letters of Veronica and Sylvando share one character. In 0.1.20 that character was drawn too small in battle messages ("Veronic" + a tiny "a"). The game shrinks the last character of a name and the battle-message font keeps each letter's outline, so the pairs now sit earlier in the name ("Ve"+ro+ni+"ca", "Sy"+lv+an+"do") and the last letter is a normal one. In battle text the "a" and "n" of Sylvando sit a little closer than other letters; that cannot be spaced wider.
• Existing saves need the repair tool: the names are stored in the save. A new game started with 0.1.21 is fine. A save made with 0.1.17 – 0.1.20 holds the old form and will show wrong letters or a stray symbol after the name until it is repaired (below).
• Why: in 0.1.17 – 0.1.19 the names were 7 letters, one more than the field holds, so the 7th ran into the next field: the junk symbol after "Veronic" and "Veronic ,Serena" in the Link requirements. It is also the likely cause of an Old 3DS crash (Veronica in the 4th slot, everyone on Manual, choosing each attack): the same save also crashed the unmodified Japanese game, so it is not a translation bug. Whether repairing the names removes the crash is not confirmed yet; please tell us.

Save repair (saves made with 0.1.17 – 0.1.20)

DQXI_3DS_Save_Repair_v0.1.21.zip rewrites the old names in an existing save (both the 7-letter names and the 0.1.20 form) to the new form and fixes the save's checksum, so you can keep your game. Nothing else in the save is touched; your original files are kept in a backup folder.

1. Make a new patched game with 0.1.21 (above).
2. Back up your save: on a 3DS open Checkpoint (or JKSM), pick Dragon Quest XI and back it up; copy that backup folder to your PC. (Azahar/Citra: the save folder is under sdmc/Nintendo 3DS/.../title/00040000/00199200/data/00000001.)
3. Run DQXI_SaveRepair.exe, pick the folder that holds Data0, Data1, Data2, Data3 ... (or drag the folder onto the exe). It prints how many names it repaired per slot. Linux/Mac: python3 DQXI_SaveRepair.py "folder".
4. Put the repaired files back (Checkpoint/JKSM: restore the backup; emulator: replace the files while it is closed) and play.

How to use the patcher

1. Make sure your game file is decrypted (one-time step, see the README).
2. Run DQXIEnglishPatcher.exe (Windows) or use the Linux zip (./patch.sh).
3. Choose your Japanese .cia or .3ds, choose where to save the English version, press Patch.
4. .cia: install with FBI on a 3DS with custom firmware. .3ds: use in Azahar / Citra.

Known issues

• Saves made with 0.1.17 – 0.1.20 show wrong letters or a stray symbol in Veronica's and Sylvando's names until you run the save repair tool above (or start a new game).
• Update (Luma) folders are turned off for now.

v0.1.20: Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.20

A fix for cutscene problems introduced in 0.1.19, plus several wording and name fixes from testers. If you are on 0.1.19, please update.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Delete any old update folder from the SD card first: SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.20

• Cutscene crash fix (issue #15): the cutscene message timing change in 0.1.19 wrote a time value over a data field in two scenes: the Heliodor prison break and the Hekswood scene where Hendrik fights Jormun. On a real 3DS (reported on an Old 3DS) this could crash the game or stop the dialogue from appearing. Those two scenes now keep their original data. If a cutscene still crashes, please tell us which one. Thanks citytomas48-beep.
• Cutscene timing: scenes are no longer lengthened for the longer English text (that made characters vanish, animations repeat and music start early on real hardware). Every line keeps its original start and every scene its original length; a line stays up longer only when the next one has not started. Long lines may close a little early. Thanks mcjodice for the video.
• Party names (new games only): Veronica and Sylvando are stored as 6 characters now (two letters share one character) instead of 7. The save's name field holds 6 characters plus an end marker, so the 7th made the game read a stray byte as part of the name: a junk symbol after "Veronic" in battle lists and "Veronic ,Serena" in the Link requirements. It may also be related to one tester's crash with the Veronica + Serena Link move (not confirmed). Existing saves keep the 7-letter names and the stray symbol; start a new game to fix it.
• "~" is a wave again: the "" used for drawn-out sounds and singing ("fun", "Neigh~") was drawn as a tiny dash that looked like a quotation mark. It is drawn as a wave now (about 570 lines). Thanks mcjodice.
• Wording: the field Magic menu's Evac help text reads "Warps party outside of dungeon" and fits; the Gallopolis line says "the hero of Gallopolis" (it had been changed to "Luminary of Gallopolis"), and likewise "hero of the Sea City" and "Hero of Aliahan"; "Chirping Nectar" is "Birdsong Nectar" everywhere (thanks Amarlian); the Link move "Great Mage's Radiance" is now "Archmage's Radiance" so it fits the Link list.
• Gibberish flash in dialogue boxes: the letters that briefly showed before a line ("S0@H" over "smt 8@n-l") came from two developer placeholder strings built into the game, not the layouts. They are blanked. It only happened on slow loads, so please tell us if you still see it (and on what device). Thanks Amarlian.
• Yes / No prompts: the first answer reads "Yes" instead of "OK" (the confirm button elsewhere still says "OK").

How to use

1. Make sure your game file is decrypted (one-time step, see the README).
2. Run DQXIEnglishPatcher.exe (Windows) or use the Linux zip (./patch.sh).
3. Choose your Japanese .cia or .3ds, choose where to save the English version, press Patch.
4. .cia: install with FBI on a 3DS with custom firmware. .3ds: use in Azahar / Citra.

Known issues

• Saves started before 0.1.20 keep the old 7-letter names "Veronic" and "Sylvand" with a stray symbol after them in some lists (start a new game to get the full names without it).
• Old 3DS: crashes when Veronica and Serena use their Link move are reported and not yet understood; please report the enemy or area and the version on the title screen.
• Update (Luma) folders are turned off for now.

v0.1.19: Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.19

The rest of the story is rewritten: Acts 2 and 3 now read like Act 1, the names match the official script from start to finish, and several bugs players found on real hardware are fixed.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off: some of the fixes in this version are code edits that an update folder cannot carry. Sorry for the frequent updates – they are needed as the translation keeps improving.

Before installing on a 3DS: delete any old update folder from the SD card first – SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200.

What's new in 0.1.19

• Acts 2 and 3 story cutscenes rewritten: about 2,400 more lines, from the undersea kingdom and the Last Bastion through Octagonia, Hotto, Veronica's funeral, the Celestrians, Jasper, Mordegon and the final fight with Calasmos, now read as natural English with each character's own voice. The meaning follows the Japanese; the official script was used only to check names and tone. Every line was checked to fit its box (three lines, 3D and 2D).
• Cutscene timing: message times were recalculated for the rewritten scenes, so the last line is no longer cut off before you can read it, and the talking gesture lines up better with the text (reported by a tester).
• Names match the official script in all three acts: the villain is "the Dark One" everywhere (it was a mix of Demon King / Demon Lord / Dark One), the great tree is "the World Tree", the Prophet is "the Seer", Jacola is "Alizarin", the Gold Plague is "Gold Fever", Kiragold is "Gyldygga", Boogie is "Booga", the Army Kings are "Spectral Sentinels", the Divine Folk are "Celestrians", the Time Keeper is "Timekeeper", Arachnatron is "Arachtagon", and the marsh west of Gallopolis is "Laguna di Gondolia" (NPC talk and maps). About 700 lines were updated.
• Battle Swap menu (reported by a tester on a real 3DS): its two options showed as letters like "B,FD" and "OCFD". They now read "Bench" (swap in a reserve member) and "Order" (change the party order).
• Poison and other status labels on the party panel outside battle: poison no longer shows as "TH". It reads "Psn", dead is "KO" and curse is "Cur".
• Victory message: "Eleven gains ... experience points!" – a stray "0" after the leader's name is gone.
• Shop: one greatsword showed as "1@h2,-t II"; it is now "Big Blade II".
• Maps: about 260 area labels that had been pushed toward the middle of the map are back where the place is (for example the Laguna di Gondolia label was far to the right, and Gallopolis was cut off).
• Dialogue boxes: the Japanese placeholder text that flashed before a line on slow loads is gone (reported by a tester on Azahar Android).
• Smaller fixes: the Knight's Vow sign's first line fits its box, and the objective "Go to the prince's chamber in Gallopolis Castle" no longer overflows (both reported by a tester).

How to use

1. Make sure your game file is decrypted (one-time step, see the README).
2. Run DQXIEnglishPatcher.exe (Windows) or use the Linux zip (./patch.sh).
3. Choose your Japanese .cia or .3ds, choose where to save the English version, press Patch.
4. .cia: install with FBI on a 3DS with custom firmware. .3ds: use in Azahar / Citra.

Known issues

• Saves started before 0.1.18 keep the cut-off names "Veronic" and "Sylvand" (start a new game to get the full names).
• Crashes on Brownies / Hades Condor reported on an Old 3DS (see the 0.1.18 notes). This version adds more rewritten text again; if your Old 3DS / 2DS still crashes, please report the enemy or area, whether the 3D slider was on, and the version on the title screen.
• Not every map label has been checked in the game, and some NPC and party-chat lines in Acts 2 and 3 may still read stiffly.
• Equip screen party marks and the "combo available" picture are still Japanese; the retro Adventure Log windows draw the apostrophe like a left quote mark.
• Update (Luma) folders are turned off for now.

Help us test

These changes pass our automatic text checks but not everything has been seen in the game. Please post a screenshot (or just "OK") with your model or emulator and 2D/3D mode.

• Battle: the Swap menu (Bench / Order), the victory message, and a poisoned character on the field party panel.
• Act 2 and Act 3 story scenes: lines that read oddly, are cut off, or disappear too soon.
• Region map near Gallopolis: label positions, and the shop item "Big Blade II".

v0.1.18: Gallopolis lines, official names, keyboard fix, Act 1 cutscene rewrite, patcher polish

Dragon Quest XI (3DS) English Patch – v0.1.18

A fix-and-polish update: a rewrite of all Act 1 story cutscenes into more natural English, more official names, the on-screen name keyboard, forge and Tockle screens, long enemy names in battle, plus an attempt to help Old 3DS players who reported crashes.

No game data is included. The download contains only the differences from the original files. You need your own legally obtained copy of the Japanese game (decrypted, see the README).

AI-assisted project. The translation and the patching tools were created with the help of AI (Anthropic's Claude), working with the project's author, who tested the result in emulators and on real hardware. Some lines may still be awkward or wrong – please report them.

Recommended: make a NEW full patched game

Patch your original Japanese file again with this version and install the new full .cia (or use the new .3ds in an emulator). Update ("luma") folders are still turned off. Sorry for the frequent updates – they are needed as the translation keeps improving.

Before installing on a 3DS: delete any old update folder from the SD card first – SD:/luma/titles/0004000000199200. Files left there override the new game and some text stays untranslated.

Old 3DS players, please read

A tester with an Old 3DS (it has about half the memory of a New 3DS) reported crashes when meeting Brownies and Hades Condor. We could not make this happen on a New 3DS or in emulators, so we cannot promise this update fixes it. We could not find a safe way to reduce memory use. This version adds about 160 KB of text to the game compared with 0.1.17 (the longer official names and the rewritten Act 1 cutscenes) and removes some code edits that were not needed. If your Old 3DS / 2DS still crashes, please report it with the enemy or area, whether the 3D slider was on, and the version shown on the title screen.

What's new in 0.1.18

• On-screen keyboard (New Game name entry): the upper-case page now types what the keys show. The keys B, C, D, F, O, 0 (zero), , and . used to type other characters (thanks to the player who reported this on GitHub).
• Forge and item details: the headers "Basic Stats" and "Special Effects" and the button "View Effects" are no longer cut off, and the stray extra letter under them is gone. The Equipment Effects list now reads "Weapon Guard" / "Shield Guard" without wrapping a letter onto a second line.
• Tockle profile: "Motivation:" and "How to get:" no longer wrap over the next row; the source reads "StreetPass" or "Your World", the barrier line reads " Barrier" and the broadcast log says "1st Finder".
• Sylvando: now "Mister Sylvando" with he/him/his, like the official script (our text had "Lady Sylvando", she/her and the parade crew's "our sister") – about 160 lines of NPC talk, party chat, cutscenes and story summaries. The circus poster line that ran out of its box is shortened.
• Gallopolis Race House: the injured jockey is "Faiz" (was "Ogui") and his horse "Sharukh" (was "Mogupakkun"); "I'm cheering" now reads "I'm rooting for you"; the racetrack lines read "where romantics come to chase dreams" and "The Sand National was a sensation, but other races are being held as usual".
• Gallopolis is a Sultanate: "King of Gallopolis" is now "Sultan of Gallopolis", "Kingdom of Gallopolis" is "Sultanate of Gallopolis" and the royal couple are "the Sultan and Sultana", like the official script (about 375 lines; the bedroom stays "Royal Bedchamber"). Thanks to the tester who spotted this.
• Slayer of the Sands: the Gallopolis monster is called "the Slayer of the Sands" everywhere, like the official script (it was "Desert Killer" / "Death Scorpion" in about 150 lines), and the Sultan's lines about sending his finest knights use the official wording.
• Gallopolis wording: the castle gate, the instructor and "our gallant prince" lines, "the prince can't even ride a horse" and Faris asking his father to hear the travelers' pleas now read more naturally (tester suggestions), and more Gallopolis castle NPC lines were reworded to the official sense. The Sultan's name tag now just says "Sultan" so it no longer wraps over the text.
• Equip screen: long item names such as "Cast-Iron Claymore+1" no longer wrap in the equipment list.
• Stats and spells: the label "MagRec" is now "MagMend" (Magical Mending). Serena's speed spell was shown as "Swiftly"; it is now "Accelerate", and the stronger one is "Acceleratle" (official names).
• Gallopolis Racetrack: "Hear info" is now "Info" and "Entry fee" is "Fee" (they were cut off and left stray letters); the track direction reads "CW" / "CCW" so the bottom-screen course line no longer overlaps. Labyrinth of Time start menu: the long entries are shortened so they stop overlapping.
• Battle help text: about 100 spell and skill descriptions are re-broken by word to fit the narrow help panel (no more "Protects yoursel / f"), and about 20 are worded shorter. Zoom's description now reads "Warp to a previous location" (it ran out of its box in the field Magic menu).
• Player line suggestions: Gemma, Dunstan and Amber's opening lines in Cobblestone the garbled movement-controls tip, and about 35 Gallopolis NPC lines (palace guards, the fans at the palace gate, knights in training, the wife tired of horse talk, Faris's plea and others) now read more naturally. Every suggestion was checked against the Japanese, and only wording that keeps the original meaning was used. Thanks to the players who sent them in!
• Knight's vow sign (Gallopolis): each vow is on its own centered line again, with periods (reported on a real 3DS).
• Text scan fixes: 18 lines that had grown to four lines (their last line scrolled or overlapped) now fit in three, and Phnom Nonh is no longer called "Puchalao" in about 30 lines of party chat, NPC talk and cutscenes.
• Arboria: the elf village now has its official name everywhere (about 150 lines still said "Lambda"), including the "Elder of Arboria" and the "Arborian" clan, and Veronica and Serena's pep power is now "Arboria's Blessing" (was "Lambda's Prayer").
• Map area names: "Gallopolis Castle Town" no longer squeezes together on the bottom-screen map; town areas use their official names ("Gallopolis", "Heliodor", "Sniflheim", "Downtown Heliodor") there and in the Zoom list, quest log and story guide.
• More official names: Phnom Nonh's father and son are "Da" and "Son" (were Bahatra and Cheron), and Gondolia's Doge's son and his friend are "Placido" and "Benigno" (were Yahim and Rad). Their speaker name tags are updated too, and Valentino's tag no longer says "Seidon".
• Battle, bottom screen: most long enemy and boss names (for example "Slayer of the Sands") now stay on one line under the party member instead of splitting in the middle of a word.
• Act 1 story cutscenes rewritten: about 2,000 cutscene lines from Cobblestone to the Tree of Life were rewritten from the Japanese into more natural English, and each character sounds like themselves (Erik's teasing "Mr. Luminary", Sylvando's "darling", Rab's warmth, Flint's country talk). The hero is "the Luminary" throughout. The meaning follows the Japanese; the official script was used only to check names and tone. Lines from player suggestions were kept, and every line was checked to fit its box in 3D and 2D.
• Even more official names: Flint, Noah and Connie in Hotto; the Rainbough (was "Rainbow Branch", about 170 lines); Saikiki Beach and the Hotto Steppe in Lonalulu; Snorri, the Hekswood and the Sn'rfelt in Sniflheim (also on the bottom-screen maps); the squid boss is always "Kraagon"; and Michelle calls her fisherman "Kai" (Kainoa), so he is no longer mixed up with his grandson Kainui.
• Battle messages: the victory line no longer reads "Eleven's0 team" (stray "0"), and the "attacked before you could brace" ambush message no longer splits a word and runs off the screen with long monster names.
• Veronica and Sylvando's names no longer get cut off as "Veronic" / "Sylvand" (the save file only holds 7 letters per name; the last two letters are now one character). New games only: existing saves keep the short names.
• Map: the Gallopolis-area map labels "Bakurava Stones" / "To Bakurava Dunes" now read "Celestial Sands".
• Serenica: the ancient sage was translated as "Serena", the same name as our Serena ("Veronica and Serena are Serena's reincarnations"). She is now Serenica, her official name, in about 40 lines.

How to use

1. Make sure your game file is decrypted (one-time step, see the README).
2. Run DQXIEnglishPatcher.exe (Windows) or use the Linux zip (./patch.sh).
3. Choose your Japanese .cia or .3ds, choose where to save the English version, press Patch.
4. .cia: install with FBI on a 3DS with custom firmware. .3ds: use in Azahar / Citra.

Known issues

• Saves started before 0.1.18 keep the cut-off names "Veronic" and "Sylvand" (start a new game to get the full names).
• Crashes on Brownies / Hades Condor reported on an Old 3DS (see above).
• The "combo available" picture is still Japanese (a full scan of the game text found no Japanese left in dialogue).
• The retro Adventure Log windows draw the apostrophe like a left quote mark (font limitation).
• Some very long lines or long book/recipe item names may still be tight in 2D mode or in item lists – please report them with a screenshot.
• Update (Luma) folders are turned off for now.

Help us test

These changes pass our automatic text checks but nobody has seen them in the game yet. If you get there, please post a screenshot (or just "OK") with your model or emulator and 3D/2D mode.

• Name tags: Placido's speaker tag in Gondolia (the Doge Rotondo's son; was "Yahim") and Valentino's in Puerto Val...