Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Review

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One of the oldest lessons I learned when I started my career as a game reviewer was knowing how to separate intention from expectation. Analyzing a game for what it sets out to do is harder than it sounds, because I often get carried away by what I wish it was rather than what it proposes to be, and that expectation clouded my judgment — and if not met, sometimes left me bitter. Looking back, I realize I did that with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.

At the time, I complained that the game lacked many modern quality-of-life features and still clung to old-fashioned mechanics, such as random encounters and limited inventory. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D also features those mechanics, but was it fair of me to criticize the game for simply being what it’s always been, when the alternative would’ve been a disregard for its original design? Today, I see that it wasn’t.

That doesn’t mean the duology brings nothing new to the table, or that some choices that harken back to the past aren’t underwhelming. Both Dragon Quest I and II add new story scenes, combat abilities, and even a whole new party member in the second one. The remakes manage to modernize and appeal to contemporary sensibilities without losing the heart of what made these games classics in the first place. After all, the very template of JRPG was born here.

Yet, despite the welcome additions, there were still moments of unevenness, such as the unbalanced combat in the first game or the silent protagonist archetype, which in the second game felt increasingly bland when compared to fully voiced dialogues and fleshed-out side characters. I explain that better in my review of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, so let’s venture forth.

Welcoming Story Additions

The first thing you notice when starting either of the two games (preferably the first one, then the second, but you do you) is how much richer the narrative feels. The opening of Dragon Quest I HD-2D begins with a voiced cutscene, introducing our protagonist as a skilled warrior saving Tantegel soldiers. Soon after, he arrives at the castle and proclaims himself heir to Erdrick, a legendary hero, guided there by a mysterious voice in his dreams.

Our non-voiced, non-canon-name hero must then prove he truly is of Erdrick’s lineage, setting out to rescue the kidnapped princess of Tantegel while helping anyone in need along the way. The added story bits give a broader sense of the trilogy’s overarching lore, better explaining the backstory of Dragon Quest III’s hero while setting the stage for the second game.

The entire narrative is carried by beautifully voiced side characters whose personalities compensate for our hero’s silence. I played the first one ten years ago, so I don’t recall exactly which story scenes are new, but if I’m not mistaken, it’s pretty much all of them. The original merely had our hero moving from one point to another, collecting items and talking to key characters who’d help move the story forward.

The remake, however, lends the plot more substance, providing a raison d’être for each character and more tangible motivations for their goals. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s endearing enough to capture our attention and make us care about the story. Ultimately, the least interesting character in the whole narrative is ourselves.

The hero’s silence works here because it better replicates the feeling of going on a solo adventure, but we have no backstory or even a place of origin. We simply exist and are tasked with defeating the big baddie to save the world. It’s a faithful replica of the original, and fine, I accepted it. But I can’t help wondering if giving our protagonist a voice and personal motivations wouldn’t make the story even richer.

That became clearer once I started Dragon Quest II HD-2D. Right from the start, there’s a recap of previous events, followed by the introduction of our new cast of heroes and their motivations for facing the villain Hargon. From the beginning, we’re in the company of the ever-talkative and amusingly charming trio of cousins. More often than not, Caradoc, Peronel, or Matilda would engage in introspection or banter, discussing their quest and developing their character. Meanwhile, all our hero would do was nod in oblivious silence, making the silent protagonist trope a bit jarring.

However, as Caradoc wisely said during the game, I’d rather praise the positives than mock the negatives. So, although our Midenhall prince’s silence adds little to the narrative, I was more than well accompanied by Cannock and Moonbrooke’s cousins throughout the journey. Watching the four retrace Erdrick’s steps, meet characters I’d just seen, and rise up to their heroic roles was a glorious adventure. I dare say that among the trilogy, the second game is the one that stole my heart in every possible way.

Classical Turn-Based Combat With A Plus

The revamped gameplay also contributed greatly to my appreciation, at least in the long run. At first, I had my doubts about the one-character-only format of Dragon Quest I HD-2D, and it didn’t take long for those doubts to be confirmed.

On one hand, the solo combat forced me to use skills I’d usually ignore in a party, making each battle oddly strategic. On the other hand, it was common to face three or more enemies and die in the first turn, either because they paralyzed me or unleashed a nasty all-out assault. Luckily, auto-save was always there to bail me out.

Still, I died far more often in the first game than in the second. That is, until the game introduced the Sigil mechanic. Sigils were a narrative device in the second game, but this time they appear as a battle mechanic in both. Every new Sigil collected changes combat in some way, like restoring MP when defending or allowing spells to crit. My favorite, however, is the Soul Sigil.

This Sigil alters specific skills and spells when your character meets certain conditions, like being below 50% HP. The modified abilities might simply be empowered versions of the originals or completely different functionalities. It’s an incredibly fun and dynamic mechanic that saved me in more situations than I expected. Once I got the Soul Sigil, combat changed drastically, and I had far more tools to handle my annoying enemies.

There’s also the Scroll mechanic, single-use items that teach a new spell or ability to a character. Since we only have one member in Dragon Quest I HD-2D, there’s no guessing who to use them on. My hero’s arsenal was packed by the end of the game, with a wide range of abilities and spells for buffs, debuffs, utility, and attack. To illustrate how these mechanics empower your battle options, I had an easier time defeating the final boss than that stupid golem guarding Damdara.

All these new mechanics return in Dragon Quest II HD-2D, but turned up to eleven. Scrolls and Sigils again modify your abilities and spells, but while the first game only had one party member, here all four enjoy their benefits. I kept experimenting until I found the abilities that best suited my strategy, and once I did, I bulldozed through enemies like an overpowered chosen hero.

While battles in the first game could still feel unfair at times, those in DQII were consistently fair and balanced (except for Zin failing at the worst moment possible). Each party member has an archetype, but everything depends on the equipment you give them and the Scrolls you teach. The character I initially thought was the least combat-oriented ended up as my main DPS during post-game, simply because I hadn’t fully explored every battle possibility.

Strangely enough, even though each character has their own skillset and is locked to it, Dragon Quest II HD-2D customization felt more flexible to me than the third game, even though the latter has a vocation system. The second game’s progression is more organic, and I always knew I’d learn a stronger ability or spell down the road without overthinking party composition. Despite being as traditional as turn-based games get, Square Enix still managed to introduce new features, making the duology more engaging and encouraging me to experiment with everything these mechanics offer.

Trekking The Entire World, Twice

The duology’s traditionalism brings something that might make some people frown: grinding. At no point during the main campaign did I have to stop to level up my characters because I felt underpowered. However, I’m one of those who love exploring every nook and cranny in a JRPG, collecting better gear, and naturally earning more experience along the way. I imagine those who don’t enjoy that or choose to avoid the pesky random battles won’t feel the same.

Dungeons in both Dragon Quests are uninspired. There aren’t any notable puzzles or traits that differentiate one from another beyond visuals and enemy types. You just wander through them until you reach your goal, beat a boss, and move on. However, since there’s a quality-of-life option that shows treasure chests on the map, there’s an incentive to spend time scouring them — just don’t forget to check barrels, pots, and even patterned floors sometimes (you’ll only get the Snoop ability much later).

Aside from the rewarding treasure hunting, we’re also joyfully accompanied by the new HD-2D visuals and a revamped soundtrack. Honestly, if you play every Dragon Quest HD-2D back-to-back, the presentation might feel a bit disenchanting.

I’ll never tire of this graphic style or Dragon Quest’s soundtrack, but they do repeat to the point of exhaustion over dozens of hours. Except for a few boss battles — especially the final ones, which are always a gift to our ears — don’t expect much new music while spelunking through caves or hiking through forests.

The HD-2D style also isn’t known for being cutscene-rich. We have a few more interactive moments, mainly in Dragon Quest II HD-2D, but those are reserved for later on. If there’s one recommendation I’d give you (something familiar to Dragon Quest fans) it’s to do the post-game story content. To be fair, it shouldn’t even be called post-game since it’s practically canonical, but still. It’s a perfect ending, and one that managed to get me sobbing by the credits.

A Remake For The Ages

In short, the refreshed visuals, new story additions, and revamped combat mechanics make Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake the ideal way to experience the most traditional JRPGs in the genre’s history and conclude the Erdrick trilogy.

There’s a good reason Square chose to release the games in story-chronological order, albeit confusing for those unfamiliar with the series. It’s not just the story that follows a streamlined format in these remakes — the gameplay evolution does too.

Whereas the third game had vocations, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake introduced Scrolls and Sigils, which enrich and invigorate turn-based combat. Sigils are the kind of mechanic that feels so simple and efficient, it makes you wonder why no one thought of it before. Once again, I’m convinced that remaking these classics in HD-2D was a brilliant decision by Square, and I’m eager for the Zenithia trilogy to receive the same treatment.

Closing Comments:

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.