Editing List of homages in Dragon Quest XI

As {{DQ11}} is the 30th anniversary title of the series, it boasts a wide variety of references, allusions, and homages to the ten games that came before it. These range from key items of past adventures making a reappearance after several real-life years, one-off monsters returning suddenly, and broad inspiration from past characters and circumstances.
==All versions==
Th following are present in the PS4, Switch, 3DS, and PC versions of the game.
===Characters===
*[[Veronica]] and [[Serena]] are magical twins who travel the world looking for the legendary hero, and one of them is proficient in offensive magic while the other is proficient in supportive magic, like [[Maya]] and [[Meena]].
*[[Jade]]'s status as a princess and her mastery of martial arts draws inspiration from Tsarevna [[Alena]]. The difference is that the former is soft-spoken, lady-like, and sharp of tongue while the latter is boisterous, child-like tomboy.
*[[Rab]] is a former king who travels the world in disguise to locate a loved one, similar to [[Pankraz]]. Additionally, the legendary hero of their respective worlds is their grandson. Rab is also the oldest party member in the group and acts as a mentor to Jade, mirroring [[Borya]]'s relationship with Alena.
*[[Erdwin]] and his party are inspired by the classic Dragon Quest III {{Hero 3}}, [[Warrior]], [[Sage]] and [[Mage]] vocations.

===Items===
*The [[Six Orbs]] from {{DQ3}} play a pivotal role in the game's story. While the orbs had first reappeared in {{DQ9}}, this was as simple alchemical ingredients and had nothing to do with plot progression.
*The Sword of Light looks like Erdrick's Sword.
*Several outfits reference part titles:
**"The Trodain" for [[the Luminary]] is based on the outfit from [[Eight]] from {{DQ8}}.
**"The Kitty Cat" for {{Veronica 11}} is based on the [[cat suit]] from {{DQ3}}.
**"The High Priestess" for {{Veronica 11}} is referencing [[Jacqueline]] from {{DQ7}}.
**"The Flapping Fairy" also for [[Veronica]] references [[Stella]] from {{DQ9}}.
**"Skintight in Scarlet" for [[Serena]] is based on a very similar outfit [[Anlucia]] can wear in {{DQ10}}.
**"The Divine" for [[Jade]] is based on [[Jessica]]'s divine buster from {{DQ8}}.
**The clown costume for [[the Luminary]] and [[Hendrik]] is based on the [[gadabout]] outfit from {{DQ3}}
*The Slime Quest machines in the casino use music and sounds from the [[Slime MoriMori (series)|Rocket Slime]] games.

===Monsters===
*[[Calasmos]] is protected by a cloak of darkness during the final battle, which must be removed by using a sacred item as a tool. This is based on [[Zoma]]'s infallible shield of ice, which must be destroyed by the [[Sphere of Light]].
*The [[Abominable Showman]] returns as an opponent in a martial arts competition, albeit as a muscle-bound pro wrestler instead of a yeti. Other fighters of the Endor tourney get referenced on other participants of the MMA tournament: [[Sinderella]] ([[Prima Donna]]), [[Golden Boy]] ([[Quick Draw McGore]]) and Erik's partner ([[Attila the Hunk]]).
*[[Robbin' 'Ood]], along with his henchmen, once again reappears as a side-mission boss.
*In the Definitive Edition of the game, it's possible to ride on [[great sabrecat|great sabrecats]] like in {{DQ8}} and {{DQ10}}.

===Themes===
*{{Hero 11}} and [[Erik]]'s escape from prison is reminiscent of {{Hero 5}} and [[Harry]]'s escape from the slave camp, with the hero and his friend jumping from a waterfall and being rescued by nuns.
*The relationship between the [[Mermaid|mermaid]] Michelle and fisherman Kai is a more tragic take on the romance between Unda and Rod of {{DQ6}}.
*[[Time travel]] plays a significant role in the game's story, serving as a brief instance of exposition during the beginning of the Luminary's adventure upon his return to [[Cobblestone]], and as a major plot point during the end of the second act. The first instance references the {{Hero 5}} of {{Dragon Quest V}} returning to [[Whealbrook]] during the third generation, and the latter pays homage to the act of time traveling righting the wrongs of the past being the foundation to {{DQ7}}.

==Definitive Edition and 3DS exclusive==
The [[Echo Chamber]] from [[Tickington]] allows players to travel to the worlds of past games for additional adventures, allowing them to meet several characters from those titles and visit famous locales for original scenarios.

In the 3DS version, the tockles sent via streetpass can wear special outfits, including gear from heroes and party members from other games, like [[Alena]]'s hats.

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[[Category:Dragon Quest XI lists]]