Square Enix’s HD-2D remake treatment has transformed the foundational Dragon Quest titles into stunning modern adventures that honor their legacy while addressing decades-old frustrations. Released October 30, 2025, this double-pack reimagines two 38-year-old NES classics with expanded storylines, gorgeous visuals, and quality-of-life improvements—though the results are remarkably uneven between the two games.
Table of Contents
Dragon Quest I & II Review Scores at a Glance
| Publication | Score | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Famitsu | 34/40 | Solid modernization effort |
| GameSpot | Mixed | DQ2 shines, DQ1 struggles |
| The Sixth Axis | Highly Positive | Elevates originals significantly |
| Inverse | Highly Positive | DQ2 becomes series highlight |
| Shacknews | Mixed | DQ1 frustrates, DQ2 excels |
| GameSpew | Positive | Beautiful but archaic |
Dragon Quest I: Ambitious but Flawed
The original Dragon Quest receives additional characters, dialogue, locales, events, and even bosses in this remake, attempting to flesh out what was originally a barebones solo adventure. Unfortunately, the additions feel like annoying padding that adds little value, creating an arduous and frustrating experience for many reviewers.
What Works:
- Stunning HD-2D visuals with orchestral soundtrack
- New spells and abilities for solo hero
- Autosave feature eliminates punishing death penalties
- Expanded NPCs and locations add world-building
What Doesn’t:
- Frequent deaths even with new abilities, as facing multiple enemies as a lone hero presents significant challenges
- Difficulty spikes require grinding or lowering difficulty
- New content feels padded and unnecessary
- Random encounters remain frustratingly frequent
For veterans seeking the original’s tight simplicity, these additions may feel intrusive. Check our JRPG beginner’s guide for difficulty management strategies.
Dragon Quest II: The Star of the Show
Dragon Quest II benefits dramatically from the remake treatment. The expanded content is more substantive, with the main party given life and personality, plus a fourth character introduced to balance encounter difficulty throughout the adventure.
Major Improvements:
- Party-based combat creates strategic depth
- Rich rewriting and enhancement of party members creates real camaraderie, with phenomenal voice acting comparable to Dragon Quest 8
- Anthology-style storytelling adds memorable vignettes
- Better pacing and exploration after obtaining ship
- Feels like a culmination of events rather than a middle entry, likely becoming the definitive version
Minor Drawbacks:
- Some backtracking and padding present
- Returning to familiar locations from DQ1 feels repetitive
- Still features old-school difficulty spikes
For optimal party composition strategies, explore our Dragon Quest tactics guide.
The HD-2D Magic
The HD-2D aesthetic combining classic pixel-art character sprites with 3D environments and realistic lighting creates breathtaking visuals across bloom-covered bridges and dimly lit dungeons. Small touches like rats scurrying in caves and shining reflections on palace floors, plus unique pixel art for every item, show tremendous love and effort.
The presentation feels even more refined than Dragon Quest III’s remake, with richer colors and enhanced whimsy in locations like underwater mermaid kingdoms. The orchestral arrangements of classic Koichi Sugiyama compositions complete the audiovisual excellence.
Quality-of-Life Improvements
Modern conveniences make these ancient RPGs more accessible without sacrificing challenge:
- Autosave: No more trekking to churches after deaths
- Speed Controls: Faster text, combat, and movement
- Difficulty Options: From Invincibility (Dracky Quest) to challenging
- Inventory Management: Improved but still occasionally cumbersome
- Random Encounter Pacing: Sped-up battles reduce grinding friction
These features align with contemporary JRPG standards while preserving the core challenge. For more quality-of-life tips, visit our Dragon Quest optimization guide.
Should You Play Both Games?
Skip Dragon Quest I If: You’re new to the series and prefer streamlined modern RPGs. The solo adventure feels padded and frustrating despite improvements. Start with DQ2 or jump to Dragon Quest III or XI instead.
Play Dragon Quest II Immediately: One reviewer realized upon finishing that “this might be my favorite game in the series” due to the comprehensive reimagining transforming one of the series’ most divisive entries into one of its most defining.
Play Both For: The complete Erdrick Trilogy experience with deepened story connections between DQ3, DQ1, and DQ2. Chronologically, DQ3 happens first, making the trilogy best experienced in release order: III → I → II.
The Streaming Controversy
Square Enix implemented restrictive streaming guidelines for the first 30 days, requesting players avoid sharing endgame content due to “big surprises” in these 38-year-old games. Players face potential temporary or permanent suspension for sharing content on sites deemed inappropriate, creating confusion in the community.
While the intentions involve protecting new narrative additions, the restrictions feel unnecessarily heavy-handed for classic games. Visit the official Dragon Quest portal for current streaming policies.
Platform Performance
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake releases simultaneously on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. All versions run smoothly with consistent performance, though Switch players should note there’s no upgrade path to Switch 2.
Pricing:
- Standard Edition: $49.99
- Includes both complete games
- No microtransactions or DLC
For cross-platform RPG recommendations, check our multi-platform JRPG guide.
The Verdict
While not recommended over Dragon Quest III HD or Dragon Quest XI, there are good times to be had, especially with Dragon Quest II. The package represents ambitious modernization that succeeds brilliantly with one game while stumbling with the other.
Dragon Quest II’s transformation into a series highlight justifies the purchase alone, making this a must-play for franchise fans. Newcomers should manage expectations around Dragon Quest I’s frustrations or simply skip to the superior sequel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Play Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Before This?
While not strictly required, playing Dragon Quest III first enhances the experience significantly. Chronologically, DQ3 occurs first in the Erdrick Trilogy timeline, with DQ1 and DQ2 following Erdrick’s descendants centuries later. The remakes deepen story connections between all three games, adding callbacks, familiar locations, and narrative threads that reward playing in order (III → I → II). However, each game tells a complete standalone story, so jumping directly into this double-pack won’t leave you confused—you’ll just miss enriching contextual details and satisfying “aha!” moments.
Is Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Worth It for Series Newcomers?
It depends on your tolerance for old-school JRPG design. Dragon Quest II in this package is absolutely worth experiencing and serves as an excellent entry point with party-based combat, engaging characters, and anthology-style storytelling. However, Dragon Quest I struggles with pacing, solo combat frustrations, and padding that may alienate newcomers. If you’re new to Dragon Quest, consider starting with the universally acclaimed Dragon Quest XI or the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake instead. Return to this package later once you’ve fallen in love with the series’ charm, monsters, and turn-based combat systems.
