Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn’t just a fresh coat of paint, but a complete reimagining – hands-on

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Since its announcement, there’s been a lot of discussion among fans as they ponder what Square Enix has planned for the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Given that the remake of Dragon Quest III was well received, one might argue that the original two games are quite rudimentary. However, it’s intriguing to consider what modifications will be made in this remake, especially since there’s been a lot of talk about how these games follow on from III in terms of timeline. Will we see an attempt to link it more closely with its sequel?

Last week, I got a sneak peek at the upcoming remakes before Dragon Quest day, although my playtime was limited, it provided valuable insights to address my lingering questions. The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D versions are not merely graphical upgrades; they represent a comprehensive reinterpretation of these games, showcasing their potential in a more contemporary setting.

I’d like to clarify; when these initial Dragon Quest games were first launched, they had relatively thin stories compared to current RPG standards. While their simplicity is charming, it’s puzzling to consider a high-budget remake for either game without significant modifications given how basic they are compared to later installments. For instance, the original Dragon Quest is a single player adventure, so what aspects could be altered to make it more appealing? Similarly, guiding players through Dragon Quest II isn’t much of a solution to its core issues. Altering either game fundamentally means they won’t offer the same experience as the originals, whether for better or worse.

In response, the team decided to make a multitude of changes. The original Dragon Quest I now features multiple enemies during battles, and the game has been adjusted accordingly. The narrative, although still sparse, places more emphasis on it as well. Upon entering Erdrick’s cave, you’ll encounter another group of adventurers vying for any blessings. As you navigate through the dungeon, you’ll notice each member of this party splitting off from one another, and you can converse with them to learn about their reasons for venturing there originally. They are survivors of a village that was destroyed by the Dragonlord.

In a nutshell, the additional story significantly enhances the gaming experience in Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest II. The narrative serves not only as a gameplay element but also as a guide for players. Although we didn’t encounter the new character in Dragon Quest II during our demo, any fears that the remakes might be too restrictive have been alleviated. The original games are still available, and I believe they wouldn’t have been improved by a remake that merely updated visuals without exploring the potential of these games further.

It’s important to note that the enhanced visuals don’t lessen their impact on the overall experience. In a similar vein as Dragon Quest III, the HD-2D graphics are stunning; however, it’s crucial to mention that these visuals would have seemed almost superfluous if the game hadn’t been expanded in ways that could fully utilize the improved presentation. The same can be said for the music – while many of the tracks appeared to be existing orchestral recordings, some of which I might have been familiar with due to recent releases, their impact would have been diminished without the game’s expansion.

In addition, there’s not too much more to add. If you’ve ever played a Dragon Quest game, particularly Dragon Quest III HD-2D, then you have a good idea of what to expect from I & II HD-2D. However, even with the limited time we had to explore it, it seems that both longtime fans and newcomers will find something fresh and exciting when it releases on October 30 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam). I, personally, can’t wait to see what they have in store for us!

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2025-05-27 10:26