Neal: Dragon Quest is a storied Japanese RPG collection on the planet of video video games, closing in on its fortieth anniversary in 2026. The gaps between major entries, particularly within the final 30 years have been farther and farther aside (it has been greater than eight years since Dragon Quest XI). In these gaps, Sq. Enix has gotten right into a behavior of constructing remakes of older video games. And now it’s time to return to the start. Sizzling on the heels of final 12 months’s wonderful HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III comes Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. All three of those video games make up the Erdrick Trilogy and have a linked story and world between them. That makes the pairing of Dragon Quest I and II in a single recreation make sense. They stand alone, however they’re linked. As a substitute of standing alone on this evaluation, Jordan Rudek and I (Neal Ronaghan) are going to hitch forces to combat the Dragonlord in a twin evaluation. So Jordan let’s begin with the primary recreation right here: what’s your historical past with Dragon Quest I and the way do you’re feeling in regards to the new remake?
Jordan: I’d be ashamed to confess that I by no means completed Dragon Warrior/Quest on the NES, regardless of being an avid fan and enjoyer of the OG Remaining Fantasy, if it weren’t for the way approachable and polished the HD Remake of Dragon Quest 1 is. I’ve additionally dabbled within the Sport Boy Shade model and the cellular port that got here to Change in 2019. It was the DS and 3DS video games that actually pushed into Dragon Quest fanhood, and my love for the collection has solely grown. You possibly can rely me amongst those that are thrilled to have trendy iterations of the Erdrick Trilogy, and after completely having fun with the Dragon Quest 3 remake final 12 months, my physique was prepared for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. After lastly ending the primary recreation, an extended standing quest of my very own, I’m smack dab within the cozy center of RPG nation. It feels each devoted but in addition fleshed out and polished to an HD-2D shine. If I recall appropriately, we additionally partnered up in reviewing the cellular trilogy that I touched on earlier, however how did you discover the Dragon Quest 1 remake?
Neal: I used to be a type of younger children who simply knew it as Dragon Warrior, because the NES cartridge for the unique Western launch made it into my assortment within the early ‘90s. I finally completed it whereas I bought older, however it was actually a recreation the place I realized numerous early Japanese RPG mechanics, even when the style didn’t absolutely click on with me initially. It’s been a very long time since I touched Dragon Quest I earlier than the brand new remake and I legitimately needed to double-check that the sport didn’t simply wholesale change your entire recreation due to how fleshed out and full the sport felt. A ton of story and lore is peppered in all through what was initially a extra cut-and-dry expertise.
Dragon Quest I’s HD-2D remake remains to be the unique recreation via and thru, however it makes it extremely approachable and trendy. They didn’t go for a shot-for-shot remake right here, however this doesn’t change the vibes and fundamentals. The basic story, conventional turn-based fight, and memorable rating are all there, emboldened by new know-how and growth. It’s not with out its warts. The fight with a single social gathering member can put on skinny and irritating over time. However general, the unique Dragon Quest is a vastly vital online game and that is an unbelievable method to expertise that historical past. Additionally I like the various issue settings. You possibly can rock a traditional issue or make it simpler or more durable. It’s good to have choices. The rest so as to add on the Dragon Quest I remake?
Jordan: I’ll simply throw in that I beloved feeling like an absolute powerhouse of a unit by the top of the sport; my thoroughness in looking for scrolls and treasure chests all through the journey was a worthwhile reward. The best way that the characters you encounter actually revere, admire, and love you actually bought to me by the point I had rolled credit.
However now we get to show our consideration to the Dragon Quest 2 remake, and I can safely say I’ve even much less expertise with this recreation. This meant that going via the remake was successfully a maiden voyage for me. Perhaps you possibly can fill in among the background right here for us?
Neal: My solely expertise with Dragon Quest II was within the Change port again in 2019. I appreciated the chance to play the sport again then, however I believe I summed it greatest once I ended the evaluation with “Dragon Quest II isn’t a foul recreation; it’s simply 32 years previous and could be the weakest entry in some of the legendary RPG franchises of all time.”
Do you continue to discover that to be the case with the brand new HD-2D Remake?
Jordan: Sure and no. I discover my enjoyment of the sport coming in waves; at factors the pacing is fairly terrible, however there are some genuinely touching moments, and the brand new character–the Princess of Cannock–is pleasant. Different new options embody Mini-Medals, ability-granting scrolls, and the Tombola mini-game, all of that are welcome modifications. An undersea space accessed later within the recreation brings welcome depth, pun meant, to the world and story. The best way this remake has been handled seems to acknowledge the tough edges of the unique and situate that imperfect form inside a fuller, extra enticing shell–not simply lipstick on a pig, however extra like a complete makeover of a pig. Whereas it’s simpler to see the failings of the sport if you evaluate it in opposition to the primary and third video games within the collection, there’s no denying that the remake therapy makes it a greater than competent RPG. I’m wanting forward a bit, however sure moments, just like the post-game, had me cheering and booing in equal measure.
I believe I simply seemed like I’ve break up personalities right here. Did the additions and modifications of the remake assist redeem Dragon Quest 2 in your eyes?
Neal: It’s nonetheless the lowpoint of the Erdrick Trilogy for me very soundly, however the hole between this recreation and the primary and third recreation is way narrower now. The remake erases the most important complaints I had with the unique recreation. Because of the bells and whistles (and choices) of the remake, the again half of the sport doesn’t collapse. The problem isn’t as steep and also you aren’t required to take notes or slavishly comply with a information. Even when Dragon Quest II didn’t rocket to the highest of my franchise greatest record, the kind of remake Sq. Enix put collectively for it’s precisely what I’d have wished. This can be very consultant of what this recreation was when it initially got here out, however the tough facets are polished as much as make it way more pleasurable.
What had been the elements that had you cheering and booing in Dragon Quest II?
Jordan: Sure segments of the sport have a maddeningly excessive encounter price, the place you’re working into enemies each few steps. It’s one thing I don’t have numerous persistence for nowadays, and one of many causes I haven’t gone again to the primary two Breath of Hearth video games, as an illustration. The flip facet of that’s that the quantity of expertise you achieve from these battles units you up properly for some actually powerful finish recreation fights. What all the time introduced a smile to my face, although, was when townsfolk would discuss with occasions from the primary recreation. There’s a satisfying sense of continuity between the three entries within the trilogy, and it might be that taking part in Dragon Quest II proper after I–the place you might need essentially the most appreciation for shifting from a staff of 1 to a staff of 4–is the best expertise.
Is there one thing particular in regards to the two remakes right here that shocked or dissatisfied you?
Neal: The largest shock is how a lot these video games really feel model new. They’re nonetheless the unique video games from the Eighties at their core, however all of the story expansions, visible prospers, and gameplay refinement make them really feel contemporary. These are the sorts of remakes and revisits I wish to see. It’s not altering what these video games had been, however it’s updating them and making them extra palpable to a wider trendy viewers.
That being mentioned, you might be 100% proper at among the encounter charges, particularly in Dragon Quest II. Perhaps I’m simply spoiled by different remasters and remakes making encounter price versatile or toggleable, however it was a really classic previous RPG “go to battle seemingly each two steps.” That stands out amidst the ocean of different modifications, even when I suppose you possibly can kick it to Dracky Quest (the best issue that makes it so that you by no means die) to treatment a few of that.
These remakes are nonetheless unbelievable for what they’re: a loving replace to 2 vastly vital RPGs. Among the warts are simply what these video games had been after they had been made practically 40 years in the past.
Any parting ideas on Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D?
Jordan: Even when Dragon Quest III is the narrative start line for the trilogy, it was Dragon Quest I that got here out first–virtually 40 years in the past–and the remake is an unbelievable entry level for the collection and for RPGs typically. Such as you mentioned, the modifications and refinements are considerate and significant, making it so longtime followers can also see the reverence that the builders have for the unique video games. With one other remake coming early subsequent 12 months for Dragon Quest VII, we’re experiencing a humiliation of riches in the course of the lengthy look ahead to Dragon Quest XII, however it’s straightforward to be affected person with Sq. Enix hitting it out of the park with these HD-2D variations.
It’s a straightforward advice for me for the explanations we’ve mentioned.
Neal: If this had been the video model, we would have a flashy reveal of the rating, however you, pricey reader, already know the rating. Anyway, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a good bundle. Collectively I nonetheless assume final 12 months’s remake of Dragon Quest III is stronger, however this can be a unbelievable companion and nicely value diving into whether or not you have performed the video games earlier than or simply wish to know the historical past and legacy.
