Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake

The HD-2D edition of Dragon Quest I & II is a masterful package that builds on the recent similar version of Dragon Quest III, overcoming that game's shortcomings while clearly positioning itself as a “sequel” to III. In particular, Dragon Quest I reconstructs the original game's exploration, combat and story with impressive quality. Dragon Quest II still has issues in areas like exploration and storytelling, but overall it shows a deep understanding of – and strong respect for – the original versions, making it a memorable remake.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a beautifully crafted revival of two JRPG cornerstones that still hold up remarkably well, now enhanced with modern presentation and a few smart quality-of-life improvements. If you want to explore the true origins of the genre and see where Final Fantasy and other giants first took shape, this collection is an absolute must.

I might not have liked everything they did with Dragon Quest I here, but it got me to reflect on what parts of Dragon Quest I found special to me. In Dragon Quest II, a game I originally respected but didn’t really enjoy as much, it got me to reflect on what I value from this entire franchise. Dragon Quest II was the perfect playground for this team to take the lessons learned from the pacing and storytelling of nine other Dragon Quest games and apply them to a game that always felt lacking. It manages to elevate so much of the original II and turn it into one of my new favorite games in the series. It’s a crowning achievement, and anyone who enjoys classical turn-based RPGs should give DQII its flowers now.

While not perfect, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is an incredible remake of two fantastic, staple games of the genre. While it may not be for every type of player, the new enhancements, updates, and quality-of-life improvements make it a must-have for returning fans and modern JRPG enthusiasts.

Overall, both Dragon Quest games are a blast to play. The remakes give both a visual upgrade with more characters and brilliant soundtracks. Both games have beautiful open worlds, while offering challenging fights. The first Dragon Quest is hindered a bit by not having a party system but is still fun to play. Both games also stumble in the story department but the exploration, combat and open world are too good to ignore. If you want to check out these classics, the remakes are the best way to do it right now.

The Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D remake closely resembles the originals in every relevant aspect and offers solutions to familiar problems. It represents the perfect version for revisiting the old classic or for getting into the series for the first time.

The HD-2D Remake renaissance is, gladly, here to stay. This glowed-up pair from Dragon Quest’s origins look, sounds, and feels fantastic while balancing innovations and classic frictions.

The simplicity of the first Dragon Quest might be a hard sell for newcomers, however, the second entry is a true classic, with the new visuals elevating the experience while staying true to the original design. Additionally, some well-thought-out quality of life improvements help modernise both games.

This package has the best HD2D art-style in the industry, offering a fascinating look into the games that gave birth to this beloved genre. While Dragon Quest I has little to offer beyond a padded nostalgic trip, the second game stands out as a timeless gem.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake successfully blends the old with the new, faultlessly complementing the third game and becoming the definitive way to experience the Erdrick trilogy on modern systems. The new story additions enrich its mythology and characters, while the gameplay novelties will please turn-based RPG fans. There's some unevenness here and there in both games, but nothing that detracts from the heartwarming, majestic experience of cherishing one of the most influential RPGs ever made in Japan.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake brings gorgeous graphics, wonderful RPG gameplay, and a fantastically retooled front and back-end system. It captures the majesty of the original releases, while putting its own stamp of modern gaming on every aspect of each adventure.

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD2D are not must-play RPGs in 2025, but both are still very good examples of the genre that most fans will get something out of.

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake is the best way to experience the first two games of the historic franchise. With its stunning presentation, additional content, gameplay changes, and well-written worldbuilding narrative points, it's a package deal that won't disappoint those who want to get into the series or fans of the original.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake from Square Enix goes right back to the beginning of the JRPG genre. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the trek there is worth taking. Well, at least the two role-playing games now look fantastic.

Excellent remakes of two of the most important games in JRPG history, with pitch perfect presentation and a substantial charm, despite the inherent simplicity.

Dragon Quest I & II: HD-2D Remake is even better than the remake of Dragon Quest III thanks to the addition of new quality of life improvements, a more balanced difficulty and the fact that it is two games in one. And, by the way, these are two of the most important JRPG ever, now more accessible than ever.

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake is another faithfully remade package full of the traditional turn-based RPG fun that defined the genre back in the day so if you enjoyed the remake of Dragon Quest III, you will certainly enjoy this collection, too.

There's little you can do about it: the first two Dragon Quest games fail to offer the variety and inventiveness of the third installment, rightly considered one of the fathers of modern Japanese role-playing games. The remake makes a commendable effort to enrich the original formula, but it can't work miracles: although expanded, the storylines remain simple, and the combat system (especially in the first installment) is often overshadowed by grind sessions and rather exhausting random encounters. However, the additions are numerous and well-thought out, and will make veterans happy. The HD-2D style remains in splendid form, accompanied by a historical soundtrack that fully conveys the atmosphere of the era. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake thus proves to be a solid restoration, suspended between fidelity to the past and a desire for renewal. Limited by its source material, but precisely for this reason, fascinating: a perfect window into an era, finally re-proposed in its most accessible and carefully preserved version.

Happily, the good times for Dragon Quest fans are very much continuing with the release of the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. It looks great, it plays well and it’s solid value for money with the amount of playtime you get across both games. Almost every system has been carefully crafted and improved, and it’s tough to point out areas where major flaws really let the game down. Though it perhaps doesn’t quite reach the near-perfect levels of III, it might actually just come down to a matter of taste, over which aesthetic you like more, or which story you’re most into.

There are no surprises with the Dragon Quest 1 & 2 Remake compilation. The two games retain all the charm of the originals, enhanced by the ever-delightful HD-2D graphics, and are enriched with new stories, activities and events. While the two games are not exactly equal, the gameplay adjustments and new features modernise two episodes that were in dire need of an update. It's impossible not to succumb immediately to the charm of this duo, which is as addictive as a delicious treat.

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 I & II HD-2D Remake shines with stunning visuals, atmospheric music, and smart QoL upgrades that breathe new life into the classics. The turn-based battles remain challenging, the extra content offers hours of fun — a must-play for every JRPG fan.

In fact, aside from some potential quality-of-life improvements that weren't implemented, the only real drawback is the fact that the two titles weren't included as they were originally conceived in the late eighties. This would have allowed players, both seasoned veterans and newcomers, to see how the genre has evolved and the enormous importance this franchise had in defining many other classics that have provided us with countless hours of entertainment. If you're a fan of the franchise, it's a no-brainer. If not, it's the perfect opportunity to delve into the origins of the JRPG with modern touches. Don't miss out.

Even with all the quality-of-life and technical improvements, you can't help but notice how outdated these games are. Even so, any veteran will enjoy Dragon Quest I-II HD-2D as good "comfort food". You won't be surprised with them, nor disappointed.

Ultimately, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a respectful and sincere restoration project that focuses entirely on the enduring charm of these two JRPG staples. Square Enix doesn't force the remake: it modernizes just enough—autosaves, clearer maps, stunning HD-2D graphics—but leaves the original structure intact, with its slow pace, stiff difficulty, and genuine sense of adventure from another era. The improvements to the second installment and the small narrative additions add depth, but those expecting a revolution will be disappointed. It's a return to the origins, designed for those who love the genre's history and want to relive—or finally discover—where it all began. In closing, the usual question remains about the target audience for these remakes: new generations will likely find everything anachronistic, so once again, the decision was made to appeal to nostalgic fans.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a philologically impeccable collection — one that adds without distorting, modernizes without overreaching, and brings back two timeless classics in their best possible form. Yet, it’s fair to say that these games haven’t all aged gracefully, at least in terms of pure gameplay mechanics and narrative pacing.

Dragon Quest I&II HD-2D Remake is an interesting restoration effort, with both titles polished to perfection thanks to Square Enix’s excellent work. We’re looking at two games that made RPG history (and not only that), now brought back with a respectable HD-2D visual style and enhanced with a few smart tweaks aimed at making them more accessible to modern gamers — without compromising their original spirit. That said, these are still two inherently old-school titles (if you’ll pardon the term), inevitably tied to the earliest foundations of JRPG mechanics. Nevertheless, all the development team’s efforts (including a superb reworking of the soundtrack) allow every fan of the genre to enjoy, without compromise, two cornerstones of video game history — which, incidentally, had never officially reached our market before. If you’re fully aware that you can’t expect 1980s games to have modern gameplay, you can safely grab this pair of remakes and witness an essential lesson from two milestones without which we probably wouldn’t know JRPGs as they are today.

It's another swing and a hit for Square Enix. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake upgrades the first two games in the legendary franchise with improved combat, refined writing, and a much-improved story across both games. Meanwhile, the incredible visuals and a fantastic soundtrack round out a package that should make any JRPG fan giddy with excitement.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake's collection of JRPGs provides a truly excellent nostalgia trip. For those seeking a cozy fall, be sure to swap out one's pumpkin spice lattes for its signature turn-based action.

All of those quality-of-life features of Dragon Quest III HD-2D are back, too, including quest markers, difficulty settings, and the ability to speed up battles. They’ve even added a few more that I happily imbibed in, including marking treasure chests and secret spots on the map. As always, you can turn off these features if you want a more pure experience, but especially in the still open-ended Dragon Quest II, I am delighted they are here, no matter what my grandma might have thought of them.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is arguably as good as the remake of the third Dragon Quest game, if not better. The stories of both games have also been fleshed out and tied together more coherently than ever before. While the third game in the Erdrick Trilogy defined modern role-playing games, it’s wonderful that the other two parts to this story have finally been given such genuinely excellent remakes.

Consisting of remakes of the first two games in the series, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is a somewhat simpler experience than Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. You play the first game with just one party member, for example. It's still charming, though, with Dragon Quest 2 being a highlight, but both titles still might feel a little too archaic in ways.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake faithfully recreates the experience of the original titles in this iconic JRPG series, polishing their roughest edges for a modern audience without losing their unique magic. From the simple compelling grind of the original Dragon Quest to its sequel’s broad character-centric adventure, both titles are lovingly realised in a colourful, vibrant art style and brushed up with a number of quality of life enhancements. While not all changes will please the most diehard fans, this is undoubtedly the definitive way to experience these classic titles.

Anyone who hasn't played the games before should start here. The improvements and new content are too good to recommend the originals to newcomers alone. If Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake succeeded by staying mostly the same but giving a new generation a chance to play a classic RPG, then Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake succeeds by making these classics more accessible and providing changes that work well with a modern audience. They're pretty much perfect.

If you’ve never played the first two Dragon Quest games before, this is the absolute best time to start. They’re crammed with modern upgrades, while the original vibe is still nicely preserved. And if you’ve played them a dozen times, even better. This is a significant departure from the original formula, at least for the first one. Dragon Quest II was a little more fully cooked, hence it needed fewer modern improvements. The upgraded difficulty is great and awful at the same time. I’m thrilled the games are harder now, but like, be prepared for that. The high-speed battles could be a lot faster, but you get used to it quickly. Either way, this collection of remakes should be an easy decision for any Dragon Quest fan.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake elevates some of the most iconic and inspiring games in JRPG history into modern unforgettable adventures that are just as rich and rewarding as any other entry in the long-running Dragon Quest franchise.

The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake revitalizes two foundational JRPGs with stunning visuals, meaningful narrative expansions, and smart quality-of-life improvements. While some purists may take issue with modern conveniences and simplified dungeon layouts, the remakes deliver a near-definitive experience that bridges nostalgia with accessibility. With a stronger emotional core and improved gameplay balance, this collection elevates the Erdrick Trilogy into essential territory for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake is the best way to enjoy these classics thanks to its beautiful technical aspects and quality-of-life improvements. These are two very demanding games, and their greatest strength lies in their role as an archaeological review of the origins of a genre as beloved as turn-based JRPGs.

I found the first game in the series to be a smooth and enjoyable adventure — only partly dated, with its rough edges softened by the new features introduced by the development team. As for Dragon Quest II, I was even more impressed by how modern many of its mechanics feel and by the variety of the overall experience, which also provides a solid level of challenge, especially on the “Draconian Mission” difficulty. Of course, these are still productions from the mid-1980s which, although updated, retain the charm of a bygone era — something that may not appeal to everyone — and this is particularly noticeable in the somewhat unexciting mission structure.

If the remake of Dragon Quest III was as faithful as possible to the original, the remake of Dragon Quest I and II is a flood of new features and changes that result in something just as good—if not better. One of the best and most complete remakes ever made.

Unlike say, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, there is little here that would convert someone who was not already a fan of that venerable JRPG series. Its offerings are traditional perhaps to a fault, and while modern conveniences have smoothed away some of its rougher edges, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake does require a certain old-school mindset to be properly appreciated.

The restoration work on Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake stands as one of the finest seen in recent years. It serves as a homage to the original games and an enhancement and expansion of their worlds. These classics are deeply nostalgic, very much products of their time, with all the charm—and limitations—that entails.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake completes the Erdrick trilogy, bringing with it the definitive way to experience the birth of JRPGs.

Square Enix remains the king of retro remakes, once again proving its mastery with this beautifully stylized version brimming with charm and nostalgia. The original creator of console RPGs may no longer be as groundbreaking as before, but this is still a gem for fans of the genre—even if it offers little to those watching from the sidelines.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake only completes what Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake already established a year ago, with the same excellence as then. Frankly, as long as the classic instalments of the series keep coming back like this, I'm in no hurry for Dragon Quest XII.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is the perfect example of how to properly bring two timeless classics back to life. With modernized mechanics, a beautifully reorchestrated soundtrack, and a stunning visual style that pays homage to old-school JRPGs, it’s a faithful yet fresh experience. While the stories still reflect the era they were born in, the new additions make this remake an absolute must-buy for fans of the genre.

Square Enix once again offers us remakes of (almost) impeccable quality with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D. It's a chance to revisit these iconic works from 40 years ago, in a enhanced version that is much more accessible than the originals. It's beautiful, it's smooth, and it's a joy to play, even though the formula was a real challenge to modernize. Don't miss it, whether you've played the 1986-1987 originals or not.

Some tired writing tropes of the 1980s stick out in sometimes frustrating ways, but Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a masterful reworking of two genre pioneers. It’s amazing to have them back.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an exceptional remake of two of the most important titles in JRPG history. Completely updated for modern times without losing their own identity, they are in no way inferior to similar (and inspired) current titles. Both deserve the attention and dedication of every good fan of the genre.