The first Dragon Quest, originally known as Dragon Warrior, came out in 1986, followed by Dragon Quest II (released as Dragon Warrior II) a year later. Now, Square Enix has completely updated both games with a beautiful HD remake, bringing these classic RPGs to a new audience while still appealing to longtime fans. I was immediately impressed by how the remake balanced staying true to the original games with modern improvements. Both titles put you in the shoes of a hero with a heroic lineage, setting you off on an epic adventure.
This HD remake from Square Enix isn’t just a visual upgrade – it includes new gameplay features, extra content, and options to make the game more accessible. While it features the first two games in the series, the first game has received significantly more polish and is the highlight of the collection. Both games benefit from improvements, though some minor issues remain.
Rating: 4/5
| Pros | Cons |
| Enhanced visuals, HD presentation, and voice acting | Dragon Quest 1 still feels basic |
| New content in Dragon Quest 2 | Missing accessibility options |
| Accessibility improvements | Some boss fights poorly balanced |
| Expanded gameplay systems |
Dragon Quest 1 Remake Improves the Game Beyond Nostalgia
While Dragon Quest I isn’t as polished as its companion game, it’s still a noticeable improvement over the original. This HD remake really brings the world to life with updated graphics for everything – the environments, characters, animations, and more. The game is also more user-friendly now, with features like faster movement, speed-up options for battles and conversations, and the ability to mark important locations on the map. These changes make the simple gameplay even more enjoyable.
I still love revisiting Dragon Quest 1, even with the remake! It’s a pretty simple game, and honestly, the story is mostly there to get you from one dungeon to the next. They’ve updated the battles so you fight multiple monsters at once, which is fun most of the time, though some bosses – Robin ‘Ood, I’m looking at you – are brutally hard. The characters aren’t really memorable, and sticking with just one party feels a bit weak compared to games with more developed teams. Honestly, the combat gets repetitive; I often found myself just hammering the A button to win, especially against easier enemies. It’s a classic, but it definitely shows its age in some ways.
Even with its flaws, Dragon Quest I‘s simplicity is actually one of its best qualities. The game is short – around ten hours if you play at a relaxed pace – and is a perfect starting point for anyone new to the series. This remake is especially good for those who love completing games, longtime fans, or players experiencing a classic JRPG for the first time, offering a glimpse into why the series remains so popular. The updated graphics, small improvements to make the game easier to play, and animated characters during battles are the remake’s biggest strengths. Dragon Quest I HD doesn’t radically change the original, but it’s a charming and refined experience that will appeal to players who enjoy the core elements of classic JRPG design, combined with the modern updates from Square Enix.
Dragon Quest 2 Is the Star of the Remake and Makes It Worth It on Its Own
While Dragon Quest I feels like an introduction, Dragon Quest II is where this HD collection really comes to life. The added content in DQ2 makes it more than just a nostalgic trip, giving players a compelling reason to jump in and play. Like the first game, Square Enix has greatly improved the graphics, and these HD-2D visuals are particularly impressive. The world map is gorgeous, and seeing your characters fight – especially the detailed weapon sprites that change with your gear – is a real highlight. I especially appreciate being able to switch weapons during battles – it’s a small detail that adds a lot, and I wish more games included it.
What really makes this game special isn’t just how it looks—it’s the new stuff you can play. Matilda, The Princess of Cannock, is now a playable character, and she’s quickly become my favorite! Her personality and how she plays are fantastic additions to the team, and I’m surprised she was just a minor character in the original game. There’s also a brand new ocean area to explore, complete with locations like Mermaid Town and exciting encounters like ghost ships and tough enemies. This new content adds a lot of depth, making it one of the best RPGs of 2025, even though the original came out back in the late 1980s.
Similar to the original Dragon Quest I, Dragon Quest II HD successfully blends classic charm with updated features. While the story is more captivating, it can still feel a bit slow at times, though helpful accessibility options improve the experience. The story itself has been refreshed, particularly with the Sigils, which now offer more combat choices. Scrolls add an extra layer of strategy to building your party and fighting enemies, and I really enjoyed trying out different combinations. This remake largely stays faithful to the original game, but the improved gameplay, new content, and expanded world make Dragon Quest II a worthwhile game to play.
Despite the Improvements, Some Small Shortcomings Remain With Dragon Quest 1 + 2 Remake
Okay, so both of these remakes look and play a lot better, which is great. But they aren’t perfect. With Dragon Quest I, the story is pretty basic, it’s a short game, and some of the bosses just aren’t very well balanced. They could have added more content to really make it shine, but I understand why they put more effort into Dragon Quest II. Dragon Quest II definitely has a better story, though even that feels a little thin compared to RPGs these days. Still, the story and characters are good enough to keep you hooked and wanting to see what happens next. They work well with the gameplay, which is the important thing!
I was surprised by a few choices Square Enix made in both games. Even though they included many accessibility features, they didn’t allow you to disable random battles, which made the frequent walking and backtracking feel tedious. The games are generally easy, so grinding for experience wasn’t necessary, but they do have occasional tough spots. I also wish there had been an option to switch back to the original music, even though I liked the new soundtrack. It was great to see weapon animations during battles, but it was a letdown that armor didn’t receive the same visual treatment, especially in Dragon Quest II where you control a larger party.
Even with a few small issues, these updated versions of the classic RPGs do a great job of bringing them to modern players. They’ve made the gameplay easier to pick up and more fun, while still offering plenty of depth for those who like to explore and try different things. New features like improved Sigils, scrolls, stronger attacks, and expanded maps add to the experience. Plus, the enhanced graphics, voice acting, and combat system make the worlds feel more alive and immersive than before, overcoming the limitations of the original games’ older technology.
The Dragon Quest I + II HD Remake successfully brings these classic RPGs to a new generation. While Dragon Quest I is still a simple but enjoyable game, it would have been even better with added content. Dragon Quest II, though, really shines thanks to new content, larger maps, and improved strategy. Despite a few minor flaws, these remakes prove that classic RPGs can be updated while staying true to their original spirit. Longtime fans will love revisiting these games with a fresh coat of polish, and newcomers will find an easy and engaging way to experience the early Dragon Quest world, especially with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined on the horizon.
The remastered collection, Dragon Quest 1 + 2 HD Remake, will be available on October 30th for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. We received a Nintendo Switch code from the publisher to review the game.
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2025-10-29 18:12