Anecdotally, it’s been mentioned that in its native Japan, Dragon Quest is extra well-liked than Closing Fantasy, which is extra well-liked overseas. That is most blatant for any followers of fantasy anime who will discover Dragon Quest’s plain affect over the style, from monster designs like Slimes to different fantasy tropes pioneered by the early Dragon Quest video games.
As somebody who grew up primarily in america, I’m within the camp of players extra conversant in the Closing Fantasy collection, with solely a passing familiarity with Dragon Quest. Plus, whereas newer entries like Dragon Quest 11 have been rapturously obtained by followers, it’s the older Dragon Quest video games that maintain that sure air of historical past and mystique for somebody like me who’s extra within the legacy of the collection.
Which additionally means it’s been a reasonably good couple of years for me as Sq. Enix is lastly remaking these older, beloved, Dragon Quest video games for contemporary methods – and with a contemporary new look. Reasonably than a full, polygonal improve, Sq. Enix is using the retro-modern fusion they name HD-2D from its Octopath collection to revive video games like Dragon Quest 3 for contemporary audiences. And that continues with its subsequent remake, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, coming later this 12 months.
Regardless of being launched earlier than Dragon Quest 3, Dragon Quest 1 and Dragon Quest 2 are literally sequels, so taking part in Dragon Quest 3, 1, and 2 in that order is chronologically right inside the sport’s universe. I obtained an opportunity to play these subsequent two lately on PlayStation 5, and I got here away much more excited to lastly uncover these early Dragon Quest titles.
The Greatest Solution to Play the Authentic Dragon Quest Video games
The primary three Dragon Quest video games comprise the “Erdrick Trilogy” – named after the hero of Dragon Quest 3. It’s no spoiler to say that in Dragon Quest 3, Erdrick is profitable in his mission to avoid wasting the dominion from evil. You’ll then play as Erdrick’s descendents in Dragon Quest 1 & 2. Thus, Sq. Enix is definitely releasing these video games in chronological order, which is sweet of them.
Up till these remakes, these have solely been launched as ports on cell and sure sport consoles, however there’s no must trouble with these now, until you need a really traditional expertise.
How Sq. Enix is Modernizing Dragon Quest
Given the legendary standing of those video games, Sq. Enix has to stroll a little bit of a tightrope attempting to keep up elements of them that followers already love whereas modernizing among the extra dated bits. These adjustments, except for the artwork fashion, are sometimes associated to gameplay and storytelling, I’m instructed. In Dragon Quest 1 for instance, there was no celebration system within the collection but, so the entire marketing campaign is performed utilizing a single character who fights one enemy at a time. This has been modified in order that now the participant, whereas nonetheless solo, faces a number of enemies without delay.
The 2 video games are additionally “shorter” in comparison with trendy RPGs, with How Lengthy to Beat clocking Dragon Quest 1 at around 10 hours, whereas Dragon Quest 2 dials it up to 16 hours of playtime. Sq. Enix says they’ve beefed up among the content material and cutscenes to attempt to push these numbers up a bit, however don’t count on to be abruptly taking part in a 100-hour RPG.
Even Higher Wanting Than Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D
The principle draw of the remakes, definitely, is the visible fashion. Sq. Enix has championed this HD-2D artwork fashion – whereby pixelated 2D participant character fashions exist in a vibrant, 3D world. Regardless of already taking part in video games like Octopath Traveler 2 and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D on this artwork fashion, it by some means appears to be like even higher within the upcoming assortment.
The textures are even sharper, making the distinction between the 2D pixels and the 3D world starker, however extra hanging consequently. The 2D pixels have additionally obtained an improve, although you won’t understand it at first. I in contrast among the screenshots Sq. Enix despatched over with my copy of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D working on the Swap, and so they’re fairly totally different, with the pixelwork in Dragon 1 & 2 HD-2D trying far more detailed and complicated than the pixels in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D.
The character fashions are just a little bigger, and far more detailed with their armor and weapons trying significantly refined within the new remakes. I discovered the artwork fashion, mixed with the attractive music, drawing me into the world of Dragon Quest fairly fully. Sq. Enix put out some chips throughout my preview occasion and I discovered myself munching away whereas absolutely engrossed within the story of the hero’s celebration discovering the wreckage of a fallen kingdom.
In a approach, Dragon Quest’s, let’s say “traditional” storyline and trope-ish setting is less complicated to understand at present than perhaps a decade in the past. These days, with graphics as superior as they’re and storylines attempting to compete with the largest motion pictures and TV exhibits, Dragon Quest is a reminder that some tales are timeless for a motive. I’m trying ahead to taking part in each of those HD-2D remakes after they’re launched on October 30, 2025 for all main methods – together with the Nintendo Swap 2.
Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Options Editor.