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Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Preview: The Legendary Hero’s Saga Reimagined for a New Generation

TIG SEA2 hours ago

35 3 minutes read

Before Final Fantasy was even born, there was Dragon Quest, the trailblazer that defined the JRPG landscape with its straightforward story, immersive world, and the timeless fantasy of stepping into the boots of a brave hero. Over the decades, the franchise has expanded into numerous sequels and spin-offs, with Dragon Quest XII still deep in development. Yet, no matter how far the series evolves, fans always hold the origins closest to their hearts.

Following last year’s reveal of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Square Enix surprised everyone by announcing that the first two titles would also receive a modern remake treatment, completing the legendary Erdrick Trilogy for the next generation. Recently, we had the chance to go hands-on with both games ahead of launch, thanks to Square Enix Asia and Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, during a special preview session timed with Tokyo Game Show 2025. Here is everything you need to know about this ambitious return to where the legend began.

In the demo, we played select early segments from both titles designed to showcase the essence of the adventure. Dragon Quest I’s preview began with the hero’s arrival in Galenholm, where a con artist disguised as a merchant tricks us into chasing down a key, only to have it stolen by the muscle-bound thief Robbin’ ’ood. This leads into the Craggy Cave dungeon and a climactic battle against a powerful wizard. Dragon Quest II’s demo shifted the tone to a quest for a sacred emblem hidden deep within a lighthouse labyrinth, hinting at the expanded narrative scope of the sequel.

The core gameplay remains faithful to its roots, balancing exploration and turn-based battles that fans will instantly recognize. Players traverse dungeons, towns, and overworld maps with random encounters leading into strategic combat. Each character features their own battle animations, and the UI mirrors the one from Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, ensuring a smooth learning curve. Whether you plan to start chronologically from the first title or jump straight into the remakes, everything feels seamless.

The original Dragon Quest was famously difficult because the hero fought alone, but this remake adds significant quality-of-life updates. Battle speed options make fights faster and smoother, while the modernized Tactics system from Dragon Quest III allows more responsive item usage and skill selection. These updates make the classic formula feel accessible without losing its old-school charm.

While the first game’s linear story remains short and unchanged in the demo, Dragon Quest II shows major improvements in scale and depth. The addition of new party members, including the Princess of Cannock, brings the total to four heroes and adds new strategic layers to combat. The enhanced Tactics system lets you define each character’s battle behavior, whether they focus on physical attacks, healing, or magic, making team coordination more dynamic and customizable.

What stands out most about these remakes is how they expand on the original narrative and world scale without losing their soul. The dungeons, particularly the lighthouse maze in Dragon Quest II, are more complex and puzzle-like, offering a deeper challenge. A minimap has been added for navigation, and new features like Mini Medals for collecting rewards and Shortcut Commands for quick teleportation or skill use streamline the experience. These features are present in both games, ensuring smoother progression and more reasons to explore.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is scheduled for release on October 30 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (both generations), and PC via Steam. The games have been rebuilt from the ground up with beautiful HD-2D visuals similar to Octopath Traveler, blending modern aesthetics with a nostalgic 16-bit-inspired style.

The first game follows the hero of Alefgrad as they embark on a quest to rescue the kingdom from demonic invasion and save the kidnapped princess from Dragonlord. Dragon Quest II picks up a century later, following the Prince of Midenhall on a mission to stop the evil sorcerer Hargon from destroying the world.

In the end, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is more than just a nostalgic revival. It is a bold reimagining that honors the origins of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises while elevating it for a new generation. The new content, polished mechanics, and expanded scope show that Square Enix understands what fans cherish about the series. This remake is not just a celebration of the past but a confident step toward the future, one that proves the spirit of heroism and adventure remains timeless.