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The Dragon Quest series has been a cornerstone of Japanese RPGs for decades, but for many players, the earliest entries in the franchise remain unexplored territory. With the upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Square Enix is bringing these foundational adventures to modern audiences with the same stunning visual treatment that made Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake so appealing.
At Tokyo Game Show 2025, we had the opportunity to go hands-on with both titles during an extended play session. After spending about an hour and a half exploring what these remakes have to offer, this preview provides a detailed look at how each game maintains its unique identity while benefiting from thoughtful modernization. The experience offers a fascinating glimpse at how the series evolved from its humble beginnings, with the main menu allowing you to jump between either Dragon Quest I or Dragon Quest II, each delivering its own distinct story and gameplay approach.
Dragon Quest I: The Lone Hero’s Journey
Dragon Quest I stands out from other games in the series because you play as a single hero without any party members. The remake keeps this classic approach intact, maintaining the nostalgic feel through both gameplay and presentation.
The story begins in a small village where you’re tasked with chasing down a swindler to recover the Thief’s Key. True to Dragon Quest tradition, things get complicated when the key gets stolen again – this time by the enemy Robbin’Ood. After defeating him, you learn that a missing ally is trapped in a cave, and you’ll need to rescue them before you can finally get the key. As the hero, you venture into the cave, fight monsters, save your ally, and discover more story elements along the way.
The combat system in Dragon Quest I takes advantage of your solo status. You can freely swap weapons during battle without losing a turn, letting you act as an all-in-one hero. You can cast spells, tank damage, or deal heavy attacks without being stuck in one role. Players will use familiar Dragon Quest skills like Sizz, Heal, and Snooze throughout their adventure.
Dragon Quest II: Party-Based Combat
Dragon Quest II shifts focus toward combat over story elements. The quest involved searching for a lighthouse, only to discover that an evil Necromancer had set a trap. Fortunately, the party saw through the deception and prepared for battle.
The biggest change in Dragon Quest II is the party system. Each member has a specific role – Tank, Healer, or Sorcerer – and success depends on how well you coordinate them. The preview’s final boss, the Necromancer, proved especially challenging. Revive attempts sometimes failed, enemies could deliver one-hit kills, and losing the healer often meant game over. This RNG-heavy approach creates unpredictable battles that make each adventure feel unique, staying true to classic JRPG design.
Improvements and Presentation
Both games include helpful features from the Dragon Quest III Remake. The battle speed adjustment lets you set combat to Normal, Fast, or Ultra-Fast speeds. There’s also a shortcut system – by holding R1, you can assign up to four skills for quick access. This makes it much easier to heal teammates or use the right ability when needed.
The HD-2D art style brings the Dragon Quest world to life with beautiful visuals that match the quality seen in the Dragon Quest III Remake. The music enhances both battle sequences and exploration, creating an engaging atmosphere throughout the adventure.
Final Thoughts
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake offers a great way to experience why Dragon Quest is considered a top-tier JRPG series. The remake preserves the unique elements that made each original game special while adding modern conveniences that make them more accessible to today’s players. Whether you’re returning to these classic adventures or discovering them for the first time, the HD-2D remakes appear to offer the definitive way to play these foundational RPGs.
