Following up on last year’s wonderful Dragon Quest III remake, Square Enix is now launching updated versions of the first two games in the role-playing game franchise. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake winds up featuring even more improvements and serves as an impressive statement of celebrating the past while also being unafraid to improve upon it. Whether you’re a returning JRPG veteran or one looking to experience the series’ origins for the first time, you’ll be in for a treat.
First off, the game is absolutely gorgeous. Just like III’s remake, Dragon Quest I & II have been lovingly remade in the “HD-2D” look that Octopath Traveler debuted. This allows for the original pixel art to shine while being updated with heavily stylized backgrounds and sharp imagery. This blend of classic and cutting-edge graphics is wonderful, and it really helps transport you to another world.
It’s not just a visual upgrade, though, as Square Enix has made a ton of improvements to each game. Dragon Quest I was undoubtedly the game that needed tweaks the most, as it was revolutionary when it was released, but it feels overly simple now. It’s still the shortest game in the trilogy; you can beat it in 12 hours or so, but it’s been wonderfully updated with additional story sequences, a few new dungeons, and the ability to face multiple enemies at once. The gameplay revamp, which comes with additional spells and abilities, is the most significant improvement, as it’s no longer a pretty one-note gameplay experience, even if you only have one hero to control. It’s a short, sweet adventure that is necessary to kick off the story, which is fully paid off in II.
Dragon Quest II could’ve barely been touched, and it still would’ve been a fantastic time, but Square Enix has done a great job of further fleshing out the legendary RPG. In fact, this is the game in the trilogy that features the most significant amount of new content. From making Princess Cannock playable to significantly expanding the use of sigils, which allow you to upgrade attacks and spells, there are a ton of additions that make this the most mechanically interesting version of II ever made. Throw in English and Japanese voiceover, and the extra presentation flourishes are the cherry on the cake.
What is really wonderful about this set is that the original three games feel like a truly cohesive trilogy. There’s no longer any need to make clarifications that I is a bit rough around the edges, but it is worth it for the narrative payoff down the line. Nor are there any worries about quality jumps from game to game. All three Dragon Quest games in the Erdrick trilogy are now wonderful experiences from start to finish with great quality-of-life features, such as handy objective markers that tell you where to go to continue the story. That’s something special worth celebrating, and it’s precisely the type of remake I love to see.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Review: Final Verdict
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D is a remake done right. Having the entire Erdrick trilogy remade in this fashion is really wonderful and a dream come true for fans. Not just remade, these games have been thoughtfully improved and modernized so that they are just as impactful an experience as when they originally released.
SCORE: 9.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D review. Reviewed on version 1.000.001.
