As the franchise that pioneered Japanese RPGs, Dragon Quest initially struggled to gain traction outside its home country. Today, its legacy rivals even Final Fantasy, bolstered by the acclaimed HD-2D reimagining of Dragon Quest III. This success set high expectations for revisiting its predecessors, which faced unique challenges due to their simpler designs. While mobile and Switch ports of the first two games offered visual refreshes, their mechanics remained rooted in 1980s design—an obstacle for contemporary audiences.

Artdink’s solution proves ingenious. By reworking narrative structure and gameplay systems while preserving core identity, these remakes strike a delicate balance. Both adventures retain their foundational stories: a lone hero confronting the Dragonlord to save Alefgard in DQ1, followed by three royal heirs uniting against Hargon’s dark forces in DQ2. What elevates them are enriched character arcs, expanded lore via new vignettes, and seamless ties to DQ3. Princess Gwaelin’s expanded role and the addition of Moonbrooke’s princess as a playable character exemplify how classic frameworks gain modern depth.

Mechanically, the titles adopt DQ3 Remake’s polished HD-2D aesthetic while introducing thoughtful upgrades. Dragon Quest I transitions from solo battles to group encounters, granting the hero multi-target abilities and equipment-triggered skills. Scrolls and Sigils add customization, enabling spell enhancements and stat boosts. While these changes occasionally unbalance DQ1’s difficulty—especially in solo fights against swarming enemies—they’re offset by adjustable challenge settings and frequent autosaves. DQ2 benefits more naturally from its four-character party, allowing strategic synergy between Erdrick’s descendants via revamped skill trees and expanded gear options.

Exploration sees quality-of-life improvements rather than overhauls. Treasure markers and secret indicators streamline collection, while shortcuts reduce menu fatigue. New areas like DQ2’s seabed zones offer fresh exploration tied to lore-building collectibles. Though the classic town-dungeon rhythm persists, modern flourishes—such as dynamic camera angles and environmental animations—breathe life into every village and overworld. Koichi Sugiyama’s rearranged scores shine brightest here, with orchestrated battle anthems and overworld themes elevating nostalgia into grandeur.

Visually, Artdink’s signature blend of pixel art depth and 3D environments remains stunning. Grass sways under twilight skies, water ripples through coastal towns, and spell effects pop with vibrant clarity—all rendered in 4K/60fps fidelity. Performance holds steady across both titles, with no compromises on PS5. The only potential drawback lies in the games’ adherence to traditional design; those unaccustomed to turn-based combat and linear progression may find pacing sluggish despite gameplay tweaks.

Ultimately, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake succeeds by honoring its roots while embracing modern sensibilities. By expanding narratives, refining systems, and delivering audiovisual splendor, it transforms foundational RPG history into a compelling contemporary package.

Reviewed on PlayStation 5. Review code provided by the publisher.

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9.0

WCCFTECH RATING

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake