Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake serves as the newest entry in Square Enix’s lineup of remade classics in the beloved Dragon Quest series. As the final pieces of this remake saga, Dragon Quest I & II are beautifully reimagined, delivering a refined experience with only a handful of minor shortcomings.
A Completed Saga
Dragon Quest I unfolds in the aftermath of the legendary hero Erdrick’s triumph over the forces of darkness. Peace briefly returns to the land of Alefgard, but it’s quickly shattered when the Dragonlord rises to power, unleashing monsters across the realm and abducting Princess Gwaelin. A descendant of Erdrick takes up the mantle, tasked with rescuing the princess, confronting the Dragonlord, and restoring order to a world on the brink.
True to early JRPG design, Dragon Quest I embraces a straightforward narrative structure rather than providing deep character backstories or lengthy exposition. The hero travels from town to town, fighting monsters, helping those in need, and uncovering the legacy of their storied ancestor. The plot is simple, classic even, and though it doesn’t strive for grand twists or intricate storytelling, it fulfills its purpose. While the moment-to-moment narrative pacing can feel plain, the charm of the world and the memorable cast of characters encountered along the way help keep the journey engaging.
This is especially due to the remake’s new impeccable voice lines in both English and Japanese. However, it is annoying how inconsistent the voice lines are. While the game not being fully voiced isn’t an issue, although it would’ve been nice if it were, the placement of voiced lines is odd and jarring. If Dragon Quest I was a prototype, Dragon Quest II is its evolution. Set generations later, it expands the single-continent world into a full globe with kingdoms, oceans, and hidden shrines. Players now control three heroes who are the descendants of the first game’s protagonist, each with their own strengths and spells. This seemingly small addition transforms the experience from a solo trek into a genuine RPG party adventure.
Right from the opening, Dragon Quest II feels more ambitious. After a ten-minute engaging exposition dump, players start as the young prince of Midenhall, gathering two other heirs across the kingdoms of Cannock and Moonbrooke. Monsters of the Underworld have once again plunge the world into chaos. All that stands between the forces of evil and their wicked ambitions is a band of young princes and princesses of Erdrick’s lineage. Their journey involves sailing between islands, exploring elaborate dungeons, and uncovering the connection between the world of Alefgard and its mythic past. Dragon Quest II’s narrative feels more mature. The story introduces tragedy, sacrifice, and a deeper sense of legacy. However, the characters are incredibly endearing and lovable, more so than in the previous game. The narrative greatly contributes to the Eldrick saga, and all feel connected as intended.
A Simple But Straightforward Gameplay Style
Gameplay in Dragon Quest is extremely minimalistic. Players travel between towns and caves, fight random enemies in turn-based battles, and gradually level up to gain strength and magic. There’s a sense of solitude throughout. The hero is alone in every fight, with no party to rely on, and must plan every step carefully. Each enemy encounter is a balance between greed and survival: do you push forward for more gold and experience or retreat to heal at the nearest inn?
On the other hand, while still mostly simple, battles are tougher and more tactical in Dragon Quest II. Enemies now attack in groups, requiring players to manage healing, offensive magic, and resource conservation. While the game still demands grinding, it rewards preparation and understanding of its systems. The game also includes a ship, which gives players the freedom to explore more areas and uncover secrets at their own pace.
Both games offer an impeccable sense of discovery. Stumbling upon hidden caves, unlocking new spells, and finding legendary items is what makes it timeless. The new gameplay features make the game even more attractive and approachable to new, modern players. This includes frequent autosaves, quick and easy access to equipment and item menus, menu shortcuts, fast load times, new time-saving objective markers, and more. Furthermore, the audio design and animations in both games are intricately crafted. Enemy animations and the sound effects heard when each falls in battle look and sound excellent, making the game feel more modern than ever. Both games offer simple but fun gameplay mechanics reminiscent of classic JRPGs. Not much new has been added, but most elements have been refined in all the right ways.
Even Simplicity Has Drawbacks
Even with the new upgrades, a few issues stand out. Both titles still demand a considerable amount of grinding, which slows down the pacing, and Dragon Quest II’s late-game difficulty spikes, especially in punishing areas like Rhone, remain notoriously harsh. Despite being modern remakes, neither entry offers an option to disable random encounters, which feels like a missed opportunity. As a result, the only practical way to move quickly or explore without constant battles is to stockpile an unreasonable amount of Holy Water.
Visually, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake absolutely shine. The art direction is consistently stunning, and the combat animations are fluid and expressive. Excellent sound design elevates the experience further, with crisp effects and atmospheric audio. The richly detailed backgrounds, lively environmental animations, and beautifully layered pixel art give the games a fresh, modern identity while still respecting the charm of their 8-bit origins.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn’t perfect but it still delivers an outstanding reimagining of two JRPG classics. The thoughtful enhancements, updated presentation, and new quality-of-life features make it an essential experience for longtime fans and a compelling entry point for modern players alike.
The Review
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn't perfect but it still delivers an outstanding reimagining of two JRPG classics. The thoughtful enhancements, updated presentation, and new quality-of-life features make it an essential experience for longtime fans.
PROS
- Great visuals
- Great retro appeal
CONS
- Forced random encounters
- Grindy
