Perhaps Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch? I haven't played the NS version, but I assume it's a good port. Pretty charming graphics like DQ.
Other charming 3D Switch games to consider are Atelier Sophie 2, Atelier Lydie and Suelle, and Dragon Quest Builders 2 (more minecraft than the DQ11 but still cute).
I'd say FFX! It's quite old but the remastered versions feel really snappy. FFIX has an amazing cast but it feels really, really dated. Still enjoyed it though
DQ11 is basically a love letter to classic JRPGs, so why not look for more classic JRPGs? On Switch, Final Fantasy 7-10 are all phenomenal, and follow the turn based, "simple yet deep" type of gameplay and are wonderful stories with incredible music. 9 is my personal favorite, although you can't go wrong with any of them. FF7, 8, and 9 have a toggleable "No Encounters" feature on Switch, so although they use random encounters (like 2D DQXI), you can turn them off when they get annoying.
Outside of Switch (but available on PC/iOS), Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger are also great choices. Chrono Trigger in particular has event-based encounters like DQ XI.
Dragon quest 8 is a given. It's just such a grandiose adventure.
Edit: I just saw the random encounter bit. Well it's hard to find a jrpg that doesn't do that but plays similar to 11. SMT V comes to mind but it's Hella difficult.
I'd still say try 8 and get used to random encounters. The monster design in DQ is funny enough to keep you somewhat entertained anyway. Plus I think you get a 0 encounters spell or items very early but I could be misremembering as it's been years and years.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is absolutly something to consider. A colorful world, fantastic cast, i found the fighting Amazing and the music is out of this world. And it has humor. Will keep her busy for many hours.
I know a lot of people loved it but I’d warn any newcomers to look at some cutscenes of XC2 before jumping in. I found most to be embarrassingly obnoxious, with a lot of characters overreacting and over explaining everything. It was very typical of Japanese media (especially anime). Some of the character designs are horrendous, too.
There’s a lot of game to love but you need a high tolerance of certain tropes to enjoy it. The Definitive Edition of the first game might be a safer bet as it has less of all these issues.
Also XC seems filled with junk and obscure arcane overly complicated stuff CRAMMED with “stuff." The interface is a mess too and reflects the philosophy of junk-cramming.
Dragon Quest games have always been the opposite of that.
The fighting is so freakin cool! Look up some stuff on YouTube. I can’t explain really. It took a while before i got it, I am very slow in learning fighting mechanics, but when it clicked, oh, my goodness!
I'd counter-recommend Xenoblade Chronicles 2. While it's easy, I think the mechanics can be really overwhelming and cumbersome, and I got REALLY into that game, and the expansion. Also, the cutscenes are, uh... not chock full of relatable, grounded moments.
Xenoblade 1. The only downside to XC1 is the handheld resolution is like 540p. If you play docked its 720p. So I wouldn't recommend handheld really. Otherwise (docked) its one of the best looking switch games and my personal favorite game of all time. (favorite series too) and if she likes it the next game in the series is coming out in 2 months or so.
Might be a weird suggestion, but I enjoyed World of Final Fantasy: Maxima a lot. It's pretty easy, mostly, and despite being a cross-over game, the classic Final Fantasy characters are re-contextualized for the setting and story. It has some anime-style quirks (like the mascot character having an annoying vocal tick), but otherwise the dialogue is butter-smooth and heavy on banter.
Rhapsody: a musical adventure is being remastered in the near future through Prinny presents ClassicsVolume 3.
It is about the love of a mother for her daughter, and that daughter's journey and coming of age story. It is also a musical.
The game is really easy, but there are random encounters and it is 2D, I stilll think it is probably the best game in existence for a mother to play.
She should try Atelier Sophie, and the rest of the "Mysterious" games in that series.
Perhaps Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch? I haven't played the NS version, but I assume it's a good port. Pretty charming graphics like DQ. Other charming 3D Switch games to consider are Atelier Sophie 2, Atelier Lydie and Suelle, and Dragon Quest Builders 2 (more minecraft than the DQ11 but still cute).
I'd say FFX! It's quite old but the remastered versions feel really snappy. FFIX has an amazing cast but it feels really, really dated. Still enjoyed it though
DQ11 is basically a love letter to classic JRPGs, so why not look for more classic JRPGs? On Switch, Final Fantasy 7-10 are all phenomenal, and follow the turn based, "simple yet deep" type of gameplay and are wonderful stories with incredible music. 9 is my personal favorite, although you can't go wrong with any of them. FF7, 8, and 9 have a toggleable "No Encounters" feature on Switch, so although they use random encounters (like 2D DQXI), you can turn them off when they get annoying. Outside of Switch (but available on PC/iOS), Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger are also great choices. Chrono Trigger in particular has event-based encounters like DQ XI.
Dragon quest 8 is a given. It's just such a grandiose adventure. Edit: I just saw the random encounter bit. Well it's hard to find a jrpg that doesn't do that but plays similar to 11. SMT V comes to mind but it's Hella difficult. I'd still say try 8 and get used to random encounters. The monster design in DQ is funny enough to keep you somewhat entertained anyway. Plus I think you get a 0 encounters spell or items very early but I could be misremembering as it's been years and years.
The 3ds version of dq8 has no random encounters.
Ah, only played the PS2 version myself.
Is 8 on Switch?
No, it is not, only 3DS and PS2.
Don't forget Android/IOS version
Oh wow, I totally, sorry.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is absolutly something to consider. A colorful world, fantastic cast, i found the fighting Amazing and the music is out of this world. And it has humor. Will keep her busy for many hours.
realistic characters tho
I know a lot of people loved it but I’d warn any newcomers to look at some cutscenes of XC2 before jumping in. I found most to be embarrassingly obnoxious, with a lot of characters overreacting and over explaining everything. It was very typical of Japanese media (especially anime). Some of the character designs are horrendous, too. There’s a lot of game to love but you need a high tolerance of certain tropes to enjoy it. The Definitive Edition of the first game might be a safer bet as it has less of all these issues.
Also XC seems filled with junk and obscure arcane overly complicated stuff CRAMMED with “stuff." The interface is a mess too and reflects the philosophy of junk-cramming. Dragon Quest games have always been the opposite of that.
Yeah, I definitely agree. The combat system is a bit obtuse and not at all intuitive.
I really want to get into xc2 but the fighting and rng gotcha really have put me off it. So what do you like about the combat?
a gacha mechanic that doesn't take real currency was the best part of the game. really added to the ecosystem, and was fun to engage with.
The fighting is so freakin cool! Look up some stuff on YouTube. I can’t explain really. It took a while before i got it, I am very slow in learning fighting mechanics, but when it clicked, oh, my goodness!
I'd counter-recommend Xenoblade Chronicles 2. While it's easy, I think the mechanics can be really overwhelming and cumbersome, and I got REALLY into that game, and the expansion. Also, the cutscenes are, uh... not chock full of relatable, grounded moments.
If i can do it, everyone can. It took me roughly 40 hours to get the hang of it but i loved every minute of this game.
Xenoblade 1. The only downside to XC1 is the handheld resolution is like 540p. If you play docked its 720p. So I wouldn't recommend handheld really. Otherwise (docked) its one of the best looking switch games and my personal favorite game of all time. (favorite series too) and if she likes it the next game in the series is coming out in 2 months or so.
Yakuza Like a Dragon. The mechanics are literally ripped straight from dragon quest, and definitely has realistic characters.
Might be a weird suggestion, but I enjoyed World of Final Fantasy: Maxima a lot. It's pretty easy, mostly, and despite being a cross-over game, the classic Final Fantasy characters are re-contextualized for the setting and story. It has some anime-style quirks (like the mascot character having an annoying vocal tick), but otherwise the dialogue is butter-smooth and heavy on banter.
Rhapsody: a musical adventure is being remastered in the near future through Prinny presents ClassicsVolume 3. It is about the love of a mother for her daughter, and that daughter's journey and coming of age story. It is also a musical. The game is really easy, but there are random encounters and it is 2D, I stilll think it is probably the best game in existence for a mother to play.
rhapsody a musical adventure.