Price of Five AAA Games: New Dragon Quest Mobile Entry Stuns Fans with Outrageous Microtransactions

The free-to-play title Dragon Quest Smash/Grow officially launched on Android and iOS on April 21, but early adopters are already reeling from the shock of its predatory pricing model.

In an effort to drive traffic to their official web store, the developers offered free vouchers that can only be redeemed via the web version of the marketplace. It was there that players discovered a staggering offer: the "Gem Pack I" priced at $330. This massive bundle includes 50,000 Paid Gems, 9,500 Bonus Gems, and 100 Coins.

Gems serve as the primary premium currency, essential for pulling on banners to obtain powerful gear that significantly boosts character stats. While currency can be earned through gameplay, the community has pointed out that these paid packs provide a colossal advantage and drastically accelerate progression. Square Enix’s pricing strategy has sparked widespread outrage; for context, the most expensive bundle in Genshin Impact sits at $100—making this Dragon Quest pack more than three times as expensive.

Developed by KLab Games and published by Square Enix, Dragon Quest Smash/Grow is a roguelike set in the iconic universe. The gameplay loop centers on clearing dungeons, collecting random buffs, and acquiring gear through the "Transmuter" gacha system.

This controversy follows recent reports that PEGI is set to introduce stricter age rating rules regarding video games featuring loot boxes and microtransactions.

What’s the most you’ve ever dropped on a single microtransaction in a mobile game? Let us know in the comments!