Sales figures of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake have surpassed Square Enix's expectations. One month after its release, over two million copies had been sold. The remakes of Dragon Quest I & II are now ready.
The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake brings together two classic single-player JRPGs (1986 & 1987) in one modernized collection, serving as the concluding chapter of the Erdrick Trilogy that began with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Square Enix has stuck to chronological order by releasing Dragon Quest III first, as it is the story that precedes Dragon Quest I & II. These remakes have been rebuilt in the same striking HD-2D visual style. They preserve the charm of the originals while integrating modern gameplay features, additional story elements, and quality-of-life improvements for new and returning players alike.
Set after the events of Dragon Quest III, Dragon Quest I opens with peace returning to Alefgard following the defeat of the Lord of the Underworld. However, the Dragonlord soon rises again, spreading chaos throughout the land. The player embarks on a journey to rescue the princess, reclaim the Sphere of Light, and restore balance to the realm. This new version of the game expands the adventure with new dungeons, new story events and reimagined scenes. Combat has been reworked to enable battles against multiple enemies rather than the traditional one-on-one encounters of the original game, resulting in more dynamic gameplay. Strategic depth remains crucial, as the lone hero must balance attack, defence and healing options, while mastering weapons and spells. Sigils, which were previously only seen in Dragon Quest II, now play a role in both games as powerful items that enhance abilities and grant battle bonuses. Scrolls introduce a new way of learning spells and skills. Mini medals can be collected and traded for valuable rewards. The adventure lasts around ten to fifteen hours and features optional difficulty settings, as well as adjustable battle speed and autosaving between encounters.
Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake; Square Enix
Dragon Quest II is set generations after Erdrick’s descendants founded three peaceful kingdoms. This peace is shattered by a monstrous invasion, prompting the young princes and princesses of the Erdrick bloodline to unite and defeat the darkness threatening their world. For the first time, the Princess of Cannock joins the party as a playable character in Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake, bringing agility and unique combat abilities to the team. Players can explore a larger world, including an expansive ocean floor region filled with new monsters, hidden treasures and key story events. Locations such as a ghost ship, a mermaid town and an undersea treasure vault enhance the adventure. A new activity in the form of the Tombola minigame allows players to trade collectible tickets for equipment, accessories, and rare items. The treasure-collecting and upgrade systems involving sigils, scrolls and mini medals continue, offer an incentive for exploration. The game takes thirty-five to forty hours to complete, with optional side content and a greater narrative scope than the first game.
Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake; Square Enix
However, players should be aware that the basic game design and turn-based battles can be challenging, especially in the first game, and that both games require a lot of grinding. The underlying story and most quests are also rather simplistic. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake boasts a host of modern features, including enhanced map navigation and objective markers, item-based combat interactions, an auto-battle function, and a fully orchestrated soundtrack performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, both games feature English and Japanese voice-overs (though not everything is voiced) and German text.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake was developed by Artdink and published by Square Enix. It is available on PC (Steam, Windows Store), PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S.
The HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest I & II is a modern reimagining of the classic JRPGs, featuring substantial visual enhancements and quality-of-life improvements to the gameplay.
