When Can You Start Playing?
The English-language Steam store page lists December 3, 2026 as the release date; the official Asian announcement lists the Steam version for December 4, 2026. The early-access time below uses PST, as listed on Steam.
Digital Deluxe is planned to offer 48 hours of early access, with Steam listing the early access start as December 1, 2026 at 09:00 (PST, UTC−8), which converts to December 2, 2026 at 01:00 Beijing time (UTC+8).
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Digital Deluxe early access start (planned) | 2026/12/1 09:00 PST (UTC−8); Beijing time 2026/12/2 01:00 (UTC+8, converted from PST) |
| Release date listed on the English-language Steam store page | 2026/12/3 |
| Steam version date in the official Asian announcement | 2026/12/4 |
What Does Each Edition Include?
| Contents | Standard | Digital Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Base game (digital) | ✓ | ✓ |
| The Mega Mole Hole | — | ✓ |
| Monster Marathons | — | ✓ |
| Metallic Ring | — | ✓ |
| Scout Run VIP Card | — | ✓ |
| Way of the Wrangler exclusive bonus: Necklace of Animation×1, Beastie Bites×10, Seeds of Skill×10 | — | ✓ |
| 48 hours of early access (planned) | — | ✓ |
| Adventure Starter Set (early purchase bonus, conditions below) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hearty Meat Set (digital purchase bonus, conditions below) | ✓ | ✓ |
Comparing the table above, what Digital Deluxe adds over Standard is the four DLCs, the Way of the Wrangler exclusive bonus, and 48 hours of early access; both purchase bonuses apply to both editions.
What Do the Four DLCs Do?
Digital Deluxe includes the following four DLCs:
| DLC | Officially Announced Use |
|---|---|
| The Mega Mole Hole | Lets players select by rank or family and re-encounter monsters they have already befriended |
| Monster Marathons | A running-and-jumping minigame scored by progress and finish, yielding crafting materials, experience, and gold |
| Metallic Ring | Turns nearby enemy monsters into Metal Slime, Liquid Metal Slime, Metal King Slime, Hunter Mech; usable at 30-minute intervals of in-game time |
| Scout Run VIP Card | Increases scouty snacks and the number of monsters appearing, and shortens Scout Run waiting time |
The base game's Scout Run screen. Square Enix.
What Are the Two Purchase Bonuses and How Do You Claim Them?
| Bonus | Applicable Editions | Contents | Deadline/Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure Starter Set (early purchase bonus) | Standard or Deluxe | Monster Munchies×10, Bonus Balls×3, Seeds of Skill×5 | Steam purchase deadline: 2027/1/5 08:59 PST (UTC−8) |
| Hearty Meat Set (digital purchase bonus) | Digital Standard or Digital Deluxe | Monster Munchies×5, Smoked Sirloins×5, Meaty Treats×5 | Included with digital edition purchase |
After the full game launches, both purchase bonuses can be claimed in-game via Check Additional Content.
How Do Demo Rewards and Purchase Bonuses Differ?
The two are separate kinds of content. The Adventure Starter Set and Hearty Meat Set introduced in this article are for full-game purchases; demo-side rewards (such as the Wrangler's Bundle) and party carry-over are covered separately in the demo feature: DQM Demo Guide. The demo reward is the Wrangler's Bundle; the exclusive bonus bundled with Digital Deluxe is Way of the Wrangler, containing Necklace of Animation×1, Beastie Bites×10, Seeds of Skill×10.
Sources
© ARMOR PROJECT/BIRD STUDIO/SQUARE ENIX © SUGIYAMA KOBO
Frequently asked questions
When does Digital Deluxe early access begin?
Planned to begin December 1, 2026 at 09:00 PST (UTC−8), corresponding to December 2 at 01:00 Beijing time, for 48 hours of early play.
What purchase bonuses do I get for buying the Steam Standard edition?
A digital edition purchase includes the Hearty Meat Set; purchasing the Standard or Deluxe edition before January 5, 2027 at 08:59 PST additionally grants the Adventure Starter Set. Both purchase bonuses are claimed in the full game via Check Additional Content.
What are the demo reward and the Deluxe exclusive bonus called?
The demo reward is the Wrangler's Bundle; see the Demo Carry-Over Guide for carry-over conditions. The Deluxe exclusive bonus is Way of the Wrangler, containing Necklace of Animation×1, Beastie Bites×10, Seeds of Skill×10.