Since a new Dragon Quest 12 isn’t available yet, the creators decided to revisit the very beginning of the series to keep fans interested. And when it comes to Dragon Quest, going back to the beginning means looking at the origins of not just the series, but of RPGs themselves – it was one of the first role-playing games ever made. The original Dragon Quest essentially invented the JRPG formula, establishing the conventions that all subsequent RPGs have followed. Its impact is so widespread – extending even to other game genres – that it’s amazing to consider how much of modern gaming can be traced back to this one title.
This is a revamped version of the classic Dragon Quest – originally released in North America as Dragon Warrior – and its often-overlooked but equally well-made sequel. Considering how much role-playing games have changed in the decades since these games first came out, it makes you wonder if these two titles, even together, offer enough content to justify a full-price release today.
The game’s story is now more developed, featuring added scenes and voice acting to enhance the experience.
That’s a perfectly reasonable point. The original game has seen many improvements and updates over the years, both in this new HD2D version and in previous remakes and re-releases. However, it’s important to remember this game is quite old – it actually came out before the idea of controlling a group of characters was common. You only ever control the main hero directly.
This game comes from a time when stories in games were rare – partly because technology limited what was possible, and partly because developers hadn’t established common storytelling methods yet. Plus, it’s a remarkably short game – you can finish it much faster than completing a single chapter in many of the longer role-playing games released recently.
Efforts have been made to improve the original Dragon Quest experience. Although you still control only one character, battles are more exciting thanks to groups of diverse enemies. Features from later Dragon Quest games, like new spells and abilities, have been added to the original, giving players more options in combat. Surprisingly, these additions don’t disrupt the game’s overall balance.
The game’s story has been significantly improved with new scenes and voice acting. While it doesn’t quite reach the narrative depth of a modern Dragon Quest game – which some fans already consider less story-focused than other RPGs – it does a much better job of developing characters and making their interactions feel believable. The story now feels like a genuine narrative instead of just a reason to go on adventures, and the game also emphasizes its connection to Dragon Quest 3, the game that takes place before the events of 1 and 2.
Although Dragon Quest 1 might not be essential playing for RPG fans in 2025, it’s still a really good game, especially considering all the improvements made in this and previous releases. It’s a short and simple game, but this version includes helpful quality-of-life features like faster battles and frequent autosaves. More importantly, the game’s fundamental design remains enjoyable even now.
The early Dragon Quest games feel a lot like playing Dungeons & Dragons – you get a general idea of where to go and what to do, but you’re largely responsible for figuring things out yourself through exploration and problem-solving. This design choice is still present in the game and remains incredibly engaging and enjoyable. It’s quite different from many modern RPGs, and that uniqueness is appealing in itself. Even if you use the optional objective markers in this updated version, Dragon Quest does a fantastic job of making you feel like a true hero on a quest to save the world and help others. It’s a quick, cheerful, and thoroughly worthwhile adventure.
The story has been expanded with fresh scenes, locations, and completely new storylines. Beyond the main hero, you’ll also meet a variety of other interesting characters.
It’s easy to recommend this package because it fixes one of the biggest problems with the original Dragon Quest 1: its short length. Including Dragon Quest 2 ensures you get a lot of gameplay for your money. Plus, Dragon Quest 2 shares many of the strengths of the first game, but also builds on them with its own improvements. And the HD-2D version of Dragon Quest 2 adds even more enhancements.
Unlike the first Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest 2 put a lot more emphasis on storytelling. It built on that foundation with additions and improvements similar to what the HD2D version of Dragon Quest 1 received. The story was expanded with new scenes, places, and even whole new storylines, and it featured characters beyond just the Hero. This leads to one of the game’s biggest advancements – the ability to control a full party of playable characters.
Similar to the first Dragon Quest or Dragon Quest 3, Dragon Quest 2 feels like a classic Dungeons & Dragons adventure. The same things that make the original Dragon Quest enjoyable are also true for this game. In many ways, Dragon Quest 2 is even better – it has improved battles, a more compelling story, and more interesting dungeons. However, it loses some of the simplicity and fast pace of the original, which, while not necessarily a bad thing, is worth noting.
Dragon Quest 2 is well-known for being incredibly challenging, especially as you progress further into the game. Luckily, the HD2D remake offers options to make things easier if you need them. Like other recent Dragon Quest games, you can adjust the difficulty whenever you want – switch to “Dracky Quest” mode if it gets too hard! And if you’re stuck and unsure what to do, you can always check your objectives or turn on the helpful objective markers to guide you.
After fixing the initial bugs and confusing parts, these games actually aren’t very complicated. The developers have recognized this and added a lot of new features to address it. These include new spells and abilities, the ability to fight multiple enemies at once, and an improved system for customizing characters – inspired by the original Dragon Quest 2 – which gives players more choices in how they develop their characters, add bonuses, and select moves.
“The updates aren’t just limited to the mechanics, the story, and the storytelling either.”
Honestly, the improvements aren’t just about how the game plays. The graphics are stunning – they call it HD-2D, and it’s beautiful. It really brings all the classic locations to life without losing that original charm and feel. Plus, the music is incredible! They’ve taken the original themes and turned them into these amazing orchestral pieces. It’s a total upgrade, but it still feels like the games I remember.
It’s truly impressive how good these remakes are. The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D versions might actually be the best way to experience these classic games, which is a difficult feat considering their history and the many different versions that fans have debated over the years.
These games successfully combine the strongest elements of earlier versions with smart, modern improvements. They look and sound fantastic, and they manage to retain everything that made the originals great – even the unique qualities that came about because they were so innovative for their time. Overall, I think they’re definitely worth playing in 2025. While they might not be the very best Dragon Quest or RPG titles available, they’re still highly enjoyable.
This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- 10 Most Badass Moments From Arrow
- The Simpsons Kills Off Marge Simpson In Shocking Twist
- How Mariska Hargitay’s Husband Supported Her After Sexual Assault
- Vanessa Kirby Reveals Pedro Pascal Got ‘Snappy’ During Fantastic Four Events
- Jim Parsons Doubles Down On The Big Bang Theory Reboot Chances: “I Could Imagine, But…”
- 7 Characters The Hulk Has Definitely Smashed
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is Coming Soon to Switch 2: Release Date Revealed
- Brent Oil Forecast
- Banjo-Kazooie Director Gregg Mayles Announces Departure from Rare After Over Three Decades
2025-10-31 22:43