Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake

I don't know what the next step for the series will be. While Dragon Quest XII is inevitable, I would love to see the fourth, fifth, and sixth installments receive the same treatment. Although ports of the Nintendo DS versions are also something I'd like to see, the HD-2D format creates the perfect space to offer us unforgettable adventures that will not only please nostalgic fans but also serve as a gateway for a new generation.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a beautiful and modernized overhaul of two classic JRPGs that are essential for any fantasy fan’s Nintendo Switch 2 library. It combines stunning graphics with engaging gameplay and storytelling for the complete portable package.

A visually stunning homage to classic JRPGs. The HD-2D style shines brilliantly, the orchestrated soundtrack stirs deep emotion, and the narrative enhancements add depth without betraying the original essence. It stands as an ideal experience for longtime fans and a perfect entry point for newcomers alike. A respectful celebration of the Dragon Quest legacy.

Given how generally safe Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake played things, it’s truly remarkable just how much Square Enix has added and changed in Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. It’s as though the original games were summaries of the stories, and these are full-blown novelizations. The expanded narrative bits, new areas, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and presentation overhaul make Dragon Quest I & II come off like entirely new games. While I occasionally lamented the loss of the zippy pace of the original Dragon Quest I, this is still a must-play for fans of the series and those who can appreciate RPGs with a slightly old-school sensibility.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake manages to bring new life to two foundational works of the genre thanks to its striking art direction, the modernization of its interface, the addition of new gameplay features, and expanded content across both combat and storytelling.

This remake is one for the ages, and that’s whether you remember playing Dragon Warrior 2 on a little CRT television three decades ago or whether you’ve never even touched the series in your life. And there are decades of games and history to dive into if you can’t get enough.

Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake has turned out to be an excellent game that takes modern audiences into full account. There are plenty of options to make your gameplay experience as easy or as challenging as you want, and both games were already true classics in their original form.

With Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Square Enix didn't simply reapply the formula of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. On the contrary, the Japanese publisher went even further. Thanks to a more developed and modernized narrative, these three foundational games that form the Roto trilogy become a truly epic family saga spanning several generations. The gameplay is also enhanced, benefiting from abilities from later games, the ingenious scroll system, and, above all, quality-of-life options that make the experience much more comfortable. The result is captivating adventures that are hard to put down thanks to their simplicity, efficiency, and tenderness—qualities that are definitively the hallmarks of Dragon Quest.

Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake is a wonderful remake of a pair of classic games. It's clear a lot of time and energy was invested in attempting to modernize the originals without losing what makes them distinct, and they've generally succeeded and succeeded well. Most of the improvements add to the game, and the revamped plots are a step up from the original. The game's only problem is that it's an extremely shiny and well-crafted update of two NES-era RPGs. Assuming you're not turned off by that concept, there's no better way to experience the origin of the genre than by playing Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake beautifully concludes Square Enix’s remake trilogy. By using the iconic HD-2D style, it’s able to recapture the retro magic of the originals while giving them a modern facelift. Both games adhere to old-school turn-based combat that holds up despite being fairly simple, with the first offering a tightly focused solo adventure and the second being more expansive with its party-based structure – not to mention its stronger emphasis on storytelling and character development. By including helpful quality-of-life features, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remake feels approachable without losing that warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling. And while it doesn’t resolve some uneven difficulty woes, when taken alongside last year’s Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this collection stands as a heartfelt tribute to the origins of Dragon Quest’s enduring RPG legacy.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn’t what I expected in the best possible way. The remake of Dragon Quest I is great, if frustrating at times, as it fleshes out the characters and combat of Alefgard. Dragon Quest II is the real highlight here, though, transforming the black sheep of the series into one of the best entries with delightful characters, a gripping story, and fun, strategic battles. Both games are gorgeous, with fantastic pixel art and orchestrated music, so they’re both well worth your time.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an absolute triumph. It brings a gorgeous visual overhaul, addictive turn-based combat, and top-tier quality of life updates to the table. I was wowed by its orchestral score, and by the high-reward exploration throughout. Voice acting is brilliant too – I just wish there was more of it. Overall, this is a shining example of what a remake should be, and playing through this duology has been a real highlight of my year in gaming.

If you enjoyed last year's Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, you won't go wrong by picking up this collection. These graphics are likewise bursting with life, and the classic Dragon Quest monster designs are as charming as ever – which makes the sting of character designer Akira Toriyama’s passing that much harsher. But it's good to know his Dragon Quest legacy is in fine form.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a deeply satisfying follow-up to last year’s remake project, closing out the Erdrick trilogy on a fittingly high note. A gorgeous art style, tons of new content and quality-of-life updates, and a wonderful soundtrack all combine to make this one an easy recommendation for any retro JRPG fans. If you’re interested in RPGs, I’d suggest you pick this up at your earliest opportunity. These games stand as excellent reminders of why Dragon Quest is so highly respected today.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake masterfully modernizes two timeless RPGs with the gorgeous HD-2D art style. Significant story changes, wonderful quality-of-life improvements, and flawless performance on Nintendo Switch 2 make this a must-play game for any fan of the genre. Without a doubt, this is the definitive way to experience the Erdrick Trilogy for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.

If you're looking for a blueprint on how to treat milestones in video game history with respect while breathing new life into them, you've found it in the new edition of the two legendary first adventures of the Erdrick trilogy! Skilfully enhanced in terms of both gameplay and content, both parts prove to be absolute time-consuming experiences that invite exploration and experimentation and captivate with their beautiful fairy-tale storytelling.

With Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Square Enix is ​​showing us all how to improve old JRPG classics without disappointing old players and make new players love the game.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a great package. Collectively I still think last year's remake of Dragon Quest III is stronger, but this is a fantastic companion and well worth diving into whether you've played the games before or just want to know the history and legacy.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a wonderful return to two classics that helped define an entire genre for years to come.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is another slam dunk for the HD-2D genre of RPGs. It brings two classics to life in a whole new way, and it opens the door to new players to experience these games--even if that door opens a little too far at times. This remake is the best of both worlds, as new players can experience Dragon Quest's origins for the first time, while longtime DQ fans can see these mainstay RPGs in a whole new light.

My questions at the beginning were answered pretty clearly. Dragon Quest 1 is a game that’s hard to mess with too much, as its simplicity holds most of its lasting appeal. Adding too much makes it top-heavy, although it doesn’t help when what is added feels shallow and poorly balanced. Perhaps there’s another version of this project that’s simply better in my eyes that pulls the effort off more cleanly. In fact, I can see the vision in Dragon Quest 2, which is a more robust, thoughtful, and gracefully implemented set of updates to what is at heart a Famicom game from the earliest days of RPG history. The end result of this package is strangely funny; two sides of a coin I never would have expected. It’s the worst time I’ve ever had with Dragon Quest 1, and the best time I’ve ever had with Dragon Quest 2. If this is your first time with this pair of historically powerful journeys, I almost don’t know what to tell you. But if you enjoyed your time with DQ 3 last year, you owe it to yourself to see the story through to the end. These are classics in every sense of the word, warts and all.

Dragon Quest returns with a gorgeous set of remakes that make this the best possible way to experience the iconic adventures today.

To be completely honest, Dragon Quest II is practically worth the whole package on its own: it’s the game in the Erdrick trilogy that Square Enix has refreshed the best, thanks to an already solid foundation — particularly in terms of narrative and character development. By overcoming the limitations that plagued Dragon Quest III last year, this new release delivers a more complete and satisfying experience, even considering a first installment that remains somewhat raw — yet brave — despite its new HD-2D makeover. Will it change the minds of those who dislike nostalgic revivals and the inherent anachronism of Dragon Quest? Probably not. But it will definitely please anyone who loves diving into the history of the genre, surrounded by vivid colors and unforgettable music.

While it offers a whole host of improvements, the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake experiences end up being quite different. Dragon Quest I’s remake offers an amazing story upgrade but has frustrating battles throughout, while Dragon Quest II’s remake is one of the most amazing and memorable Dragon Quest experiences there is. Together with the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake released a year ago, they do make a definitive trilogy that all Dragon Quest fans and those new to the series should explore. It was a worthwhile return to the games that made middle school me the RPGamer I am today.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake honors the origins of the JRPG with care and restraint. The HD-2D art style remains enchanting, blending nostalgia and modern flair, while the reorchestrated soundtrack breathes new life into these timeless worlds. Yet, this remake feels content to admire the past rather than reinvent it. The first game is a humble adventure that shows its age, and the second expands beautifully but never surprises. On Switch 2, performance is smooth and the artistic direction shines, though the handheld mode suffers from a noticeably blurred image that hurts the overall clarity. Square Enix plays it safe, but in doing so, delivers a respectful and comforting journey, one that reminds us why Dragon Quest will always be the heart of Japanese RPGs.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake brings back the origins of Dragon Quest in a beautiful and faithful remake that modernizes just enough without losing its essence, while clearly showing the seams of its age.

Despite its issues, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a beautiful collection that modernizes these games in many compelling ways. In doing so, however, it loses the identity of the first game and only offers band-aids for the issues of the second title. These are still incredibly basic RPGs which will mostly appeal to long time fans of the series, but they’re likely the best versions of these classic titles.

Ultimately, my feelings toward Dragon Quest I & II HD Remake boil down to "Would I recommend it over DQIIIHD or Dragon Quest XI? Well… no." Both of those games are far better experiences for both new and old DQ fans. That's not to say DQI&IIHD lack any value--there's good times to be had, especially with DQII. You're not forced to play either of the games before enjoying the other, so if you just want to play one, you're free to do so. But the games don't quite stack up compared to other recent Dragon Quests, even with all the new bells and whistles, and Dragon Quest I's remake in particular feels like a lot of wasted potential. But if you're looking for another source for that distinct Dragon Quest flavor of turn-based charm and whimsy, there's certainly nothing wrong with revisiting these two adventures.