The Dragon Quest series may be known for sticking to its traditions, but its mainline games have introduced and used interesting new features for years. Newer games have improved on past mechanics in fun and unique ways while often debuting new gameplay aspects that keep the series feeling fresh. The upcoming Dragon Quest XII will surely implement some of these past features, and there are definitely a few older systems that the newest game should incorporate.
Since a logo reveal during the Dragon Quest 35th Anniversary livestream, no footage for Dragon Quest 12 has been shown. The game is still likely years away from premiering, so it may be a long time before fans know exactly what DQ12 will offer. Other than series director Yuji Horii enigmatically teasing some combat and tonal changes, not a lot has been shared about the game right now. However, that hasn't stopped people from dreaming about what the newest mainline game could offer.
There are several staples of the Dragon Quest series that don't appear in every single entry. For instance, Vocations found in games like DQ3 and DQ7 are featured in multiple titles but aren't in even a majority of the mainline games. Other features - like DQ8's Alchemy Pot - have been reconfigured and refined across later entries, with Dragon Quest 9's Krak Pot and DQ11's Fun-Sized Forge. So, it's certainly possible that some of the features and classes may return in Dragon Quest 12 in some capacity.
Dragon Quest 12 Could Have Vocations Return
Debuting in Dragon Quest 3, Vocations were further refined in Dragon Quest 6 and continued to improve in DQ7. Since then, Vocations were an integral part of DQ9 on the Nintendo DS and Dragon Quest 10, which still hasn't been released in the West. Reintroducing Vocations into Dragon Quest 12 could be a nice way to set the game apart from DQ11 while still featuring a nostalgic part of the series' past.
Dragon Quest 12 Could See Monster-Taming Return
Taming monsters and recruiting them into parties was a massive part of Dragon Quest 5. It remains a fan-favorite feature, and although it appeared in a smaller capacity in Dragon Quest 6, the gameplay elements also inspired the Dragon Quest Monsters spin-off series. It's been quite a few years since a new Monsters game arrived - and even longer for Western fans. With the upcoming Dragon Quest Treasures changing from a Monsters spin-off to something new, there's a major void for this kind of DQ content. Perhaps Dragon Quest 12 could remedy this by adding monster-taming features back into the mainline series.
Dragon Quest 12 Could Improve Crafting Systems Like The Krak Pot & Fun-Sized Forge
King Trode's Alchemy Pot in Dragon Quest 8 was a great way to craft items and weapons, and the system was further improved (and could even talk) in DQ9's Krak Pot. In Dragon Quest 11, a similar feature was utilized for the Fun-Sized Forge. Dragon Quest Builders 1 and 2, spin-offs completely focused on building and crafting, have been well-received. So, it seems highly likely some kind of crafting system will arrive in Dragon Quest 12, even if there are no official details yet.
The Dragon Quest series is full of interesting mechanics that can change up gameplay. Most recently, DQ11 S introduced Western audiences to Tickington and the Altar of Ages, allowing fans to visit past worlds from the mainline series. It seems unlikely Dragon Quest XII will have something quite so ambitious again, simply because of how much development time it would take up, but there are thankfully plenty of other mechanics the game could borrow from past entries.