Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake Review: A Gorgeous Reimagining Best Suited for Fans

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It’s always challenging to remake classic games, especially those that were pioneers in their genre. Square Enix’s Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake does just that, revisiting the very first entries in the hugely influential Dragon Quest RPG series. These original Dragon Quest games were key in shaping the role-playing genre, and now they’ve been updated with Square Enix’s distinctive HD-2D visual style. But this isn’t just a visual update; it’s a complete reimagining of the classics, designed to appeal to today’s gamers while remaining true to the spirit of the originals.

Since their original release in 1986 and 1987, Dragon Quest 1 and 2 have been remade or re-released many times. However, this HD-2D remake is the best they’ve ever looked and played. After about 40 hours with both games in Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake, I think this version will likely appeal more to longtime fans revisiting these classics than to newcomers.

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake Delivers Stunning Presentation and Stronger Storytelling

One of the best parts of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is how it looks. The game uses a special HD-2D style, first seen in Octopath Traveler, to create a beautiful experience. It’s the best the game has ever looked in any updated version, with bright, clear colors and incredibly detailed environments. Even the characters, shown in a pixelated style, feel more lively and unique than they ever have before.

The enhanced details are most apparent in the world design of Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake, especially while exploring the overworld. While the original games simply showed travel between towns, this remake brings the world to life. Towns are lit with inviting lanterns, rivers sparkle in the sun, and forests and ruins feel like impressive places to visit instead of just spaces on a map. This added environmental detail makes traveling feel more like a real journey of discovery, ultimately creating a more satisfying and immersive adventure in both games.

The presentation of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is excellent, and a big part of that is the fully orchestrated soundtrack, which rivals the music in many modern RPGs. The games also include classic sound effects for actions like attacking and moving between areas, retaining a nostalgic feel. This blend of old and new audio creates a nice connection to the games’ history. The only downside is that the music tracks are relatively short, leading to repetition as they loop frequently.

The Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake introduces voice acting to these classic games for the first time, and it’s done exceptionally well. Like Octopath Traveler, voice acting is reserved for key story scenes. While these moments aren’t super frequent, they effectively modernize the story and make it feel more engaging than previous versions.

The core stories of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake remain faithful to the originals, but Square Enix has significantly expanded upon them. The original Dragon Quest had a simple plot – a lone hero defeats the Dragonlord – but the remake adds new characters, a richer world, and more cutscenes to create a more engaging and emotionally satisfying experience. Similarly, the remake greatly improves the story of Dragon Quest 2, which was quite basic in its original form.

The game aims for a grand, cinematic feel, but it’s not a direct copy of the original. Players familiar with the older versions will notice changes. If you’re hoping for a perfect recreation, you’ll find a reimagining instead. And if you only want the classic story, you might overlook the ways the new content enhances the experience. Overall, it still captures the spirit of the original Dragon Quest 1 and 2, but with updated visuals, characters, and storytelling. Importantly, this version finally connects the stories of the first two Dragon Quest games with Dragon Quest 3, creating a more unified narrative.

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake Shows Its Age in Gameplay

Okay, so the gameplay in Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake was a bit of a surprise, honestly. I’ve always been a big fan of old-school turn-based RPG battles, and I still enjoy them, but this remake’s combat just didn’t grab me. The battles started out really slow, which was frustrating. Thankfully, the game has a ton of options to tweak things, so I ended up cranking both the text speed and battle speed all the way up to ‘Ultra Fast’ to make it feel more modern and playable.

Even making battles faster couldn’t fix how repetitive the gameplay felt, particularly in Dragon Quest 2. Dragon Quest 1 required careful planning and strategy, but Dragon Quest 2, with its party system, often meant simply choosing the ‘Attack’ command and letting your teammates handle everything. While you can take direct control of your party members using the ‘Follow Orders’ tactic, it doesn’t seem worth the effort when winning is already so easy.

Traveling across the world map in Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake can feel tedious, as random battles happen frequently – about every 5-6 seconds – unless you use items to avoid them. The game adds new combat features like Sigils and Scrolls, but they aren’t usually helpful and don’t significantly improve the gameplay. Ultimately, winning battles relies mostly on having good equipment. While Dragon Quest 1‘s combat is slightly more engaging, the difference isn’t substantial.

Even in the updated Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, you’ll still need to spend time battling enemies to level up. Trying to rush through the story can lead to running into enemies that are too strong. Dragon Quest 2’s remake helps with this by giving players shoes early on that boost experience points. However, in the remake of Dragon Quest 1, expect to do a lot of exploring and fighting if you want to be prepared for what comes next.

The simple combat in Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake isn’t necessarily a flaw. Players who enjoy classic JRPG battles might appreciate that the remake stays true to its origins. In fact, preserving tradition is a key part of what makes a Dragon Quest game feel like Dragon Quest. However, those used to more complex, fast-paced RPG combat might find it a bit slow and lacking in depth.

When comparing the remakes of Dragon Quest 1 and 2, Dragon Quest 2 is the clear winner. While the remake improves the story and adds challenge to Dragon Quest 1, it doesn’t quite measure up to its sequel. Dragon Quest 2 has always been considered the better game, and it seems Square Enix agrees, as they clearly put more effort into its remake.

Even the original Dragon Quest 2 was a big step up from the first game, adding features like a party of heroes, a larger world to explore, and more things to do. The Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake keeps all of that and adds even more – a fourth character to join your party, a stunning new underwater area, and the popular “Mini Medals” system. And with the remake’s improved graphics and style, the story of Dragon Quest 2 really stands out as being better than the first game’s.

While the HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 1 looks and plays better, it still feels more like a chore to get through than its sequel. The remake could have used more significant updates, similar to what Dragon Quest 2 received. Both games retain the old-fashioned wording from the originals, which can make the dialogue difficult to understand. These issues make it hard for some players to justify the $60 price tag for the combined remake.

The HD-2D remakes of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 and Dragon Quest 3 added helpful features that greatly improve the gameplay experience. Things like map markers, objective guides, and customizable settings make these classic games much more accessible. However, the remakes still retain some older design choices that can feel slow or repetitive if you don’t adjust those settings right away. Ultimately, these improvements make the games easier to enjoy, but the player needs to take advantage of them to avoid frustration.

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake Is a Classic Experience Made for Fans

The Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake lovingly revisits two classic RPGs that still offer a worthwhile experience, though they show their age in some areas. The game boasts beautiful updated visuals, surprisingly effective story additions, and a world that feels more vibrant than ever. However, the combat can be simplistic, slow-paced, and repetitive, with frequent battles and a lot of grinding, which might deter new players. While dedicated fans will enjoy the faithful recreation of these beloved games, those expecting a thoroughly modern RPG may find Dragon Quest 2 the stronger of the two, with Dragon Quest 1 relying more on nostalgia to justify its inclusion.

The HD-2D Remake of Dragon Quest 1 and 2 will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch starting October 30, 2025. We received a PC code from Game Rant to review the game.

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2025-10-29 18:07