The verdict is in and it’s overwhelmingly positive. Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake launches tomorrow on October 30, 2025, and review scores paint a picture of two classic JRPGs lovingly restored for modern audiences. IGN led the charge with a glowing 9/10, calling it a beautiful conclusion to Square Enix’s remake trilogy that recaptures retro magic while delivering a contemporary facelift. Critics across the board praised the stunning HD-2D visuals, expanded storylines, and smart quality-of-life features that make these NES-era classics accessible without sacrificing their nostalgic charm.
Critics Praise Visual Overhaul
Square Enix’s HD-2D art style continues proving itself as the gold standard for remaking classic JRPGs. The technique combines gorgeous 2D pixel art with 3D environments, dynamic lighting, and depth of field effects that create a distinctive aesthetic that feels both vintage and cutting-edge. Dragon Quest I and II benefit enormously from this treatment, transforming flat NES graphics into vibrant worlds that pop with personality.
Push Square awarded 8/10 while noting the remakes offer “undeniable Dragon Quest charm” and “gorgeous HD-2D visuals” paired with fantastic music. The orchestral arrangements elevate Koichi Sugiyama’s iconic compositions, while full voice acting in English and Japanese adds emotional weight to scenes that originally relied purely on text boxes. Character models and monster designs have been completely overhauled, bringing these 1986 and 1987 classics into 2025 with style.
Major Review Scores
- IGN – 9/10 – Beautifully concludes the remake trilogy
- Nintendo Life – 9/10 – The new work on characterization really elevates the party
- Noisy Pixel – Near perfect remakes that embody how to approach cornerstone classics
- Push Square – 8/10 – Traditional perhaps to a fault but smoothed rough edges
- GameSpot – Absolute stunner in audiovisual department
- Game Rant – Loving tribute to two RPG classics
- RPG Fan – Many quality-of-life additions make games easier to access
- Screen Rant – New spin on an old tale
Dragon Quest II Steals the Show
While both remakes received praise, reviewers consistently singled out Dragon Quest II as the standout experience. The 1987 sequel benefits from massive content additions that essentially double its original playtime. New scenes flesh out party members Prince of Midenhall, Princess of Moonbrooke, and Prince of Cannock, transforming them from silent companions into fully realized characters with motivations and arcs.
Nintendo Life noted that the additional content doubles original playtime and makes the experience much richer. Screen Rant agreed, stating that Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake feels more like a culmination of events rather than a simple sequel, especially given the new scenes that set up antagonist Hargon as a major villain. This reimagining positions DQ2 on par with last year’s Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake in terms of scope and quality.
Noisy Pixel went even further, claiming the remake revitalizes Dragon Quest II with meaningful narrative expansions that made them genuinely invested in an entry they previously had little care for. The profound, interconnected storytelling across both games creates a cohesive experience that justifies calling this the Erdrick Trilogy rather than just two separate adventures.
Dragon Quest I Remains Challenging
The original Dragon Quest presents a tougher sell for modern audiences. As a solo adventure lacking party mechanics that define the genre, DQ1 feels deliberately limited compared to everything that came after. The 15-hour runtime keeps things focused, but reviewers noted that old-school design philosophies shine through more prominently here than in its sequel.
Game Rant acknowledged that Dragon Quest 1 struggles to justify itself beyond nostalgia, with shallow, slow, and repetitive combat holding it back from being as inviting as it could be for new players. The remake introduces the ability to battle multiple enemies simultaneously rather than the original’s one-at-a-time encounters, along with attacks capable of hitting multiple foes for balance. These changes modernize combat without fundamentally altering the experience.
Push Square noted that Dragon Quest I is a strange beast but quite interesting in its own right, offering a tightly focused adventure that works precisely because of its simplicity. Players facing the Dragonlord alone across a compact world creates a different kind of tension than party-based adventures provide. It’s not for everyone, but it’s historically important and executed well within its constraints.
| Feature | Dragon Quest I | Dragon Quest II |
|---|---|---|
| Playtime | 15 hours | 30-40 hours with new content |
| Party Size | Solo hero only | Three party members |
| Combat | Simple turn-based, now multiple enemies | Party-based strategic combat |
| New Content | Revamped cutscenes and QoL features | Doubled playtime with major story additions |
| Appeal | Nostalgic curiosity | Fully fleshed modern JRPG |
Quality of Life Improvements Welcome
Square Enix packed these remakes with modern conveniences that respect player time without trivializing challenge. Multiple difficulty options let players adjust the old-school grind to their preference. Objective markers guide players who don’t want to wander aimlessly looking for the next story beat. Fast battle options speed up encounters for veterans who’ve mastered the combat systems.
Auto-saving prevents losing hours of progress to unexpected deaths or crashes. The visual wound system lets players monitor health by observing their character’s body rather than staring at UI elements. Fast travel options reduce backtracking tedium, though some reviewers felt this overly simplified exploration and devalued certain utility spells.
RPG Fan praised the quality-of-life additions for making games easier to access while maintaining the localization’s fun tone. The balance between modernization and preservation hit the sweet spot for most reviewers, though purists may take issue with how much hand-holding the remakes provide compared to the unforgiving originals.
Completing the Erdrick Trilogy
These remakes conclude a journey that began with 2024’s Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. The confusing timeline means Dragon Quest III actually occurs chronologically before the events of DQ1 and DQ2, making it more of a prequel despite being the third numbered entry. Together, these three games comprise the Erdrick Trilogy, telling the complete saga of the legendary hero and descendants who shape the Dragon Quest universe.
IGN stated that when taken alongside last year’s Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this collection stands as a heartfelt tribute to the origins of Dragon Quest’s enduring RPG legacy. Noisy Pixel agreed, calling them near perfect remakes that embody how you should approach cornerstone classics. The trilogy now exists in definitive modern form, ready to introduce new generations to the franchise that established many JRPG conventions.
For players who grabbed Dragon Quest III last year, I and II provide essential context about where the series began and how its design philosophy evolved across consecutive releases. The three games work beautifully as a package, with each entry building on lessons learned from its predecessor.
Platform Details and Performance
Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake launches simultaneously on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the new Nintendo Switch 2. Multi-platform availability ensures maximum accessibility regardless of preferred gaming ecosystem.
RPG Site confirmed the game runs great on Steam Deck with recommended settings delivering smooth performance. Nintendo Switch 2 delivers a crisp portable 30fps experience according to early reports. The HD-2D visual style scales beautifully across different hardware configurations, meaning even base Xbox One and original Switch can deliver gorgeous presentations.
Cloud save support across platforms lets players seamlessly continue adventures between home and portable play. Controller support works flawlessly, though these turn-based RPGs play equally well with keyboard and mouse on PC. Expect install sizes around 5-8 GB depending on platform, modest by modern standards.
Some Old-School Frustrations Remain
Not everything about these remakes earned universal praise. Several reviewers noted that quality-of-life improvements can’t completely solve fundamental design issues baked into NES-era game design. Random encounters remain frequent and sometimes frustrating. Difficulty spikes appear seemingly at random, requiring grinding to overcome stat checks. Dungeon layouts stay relatively simple and linear despite visual upgrades.
Game Rant specifically called out uneven difficulty that doesn’t outweigh excellent new content, with the grind-heavy pacing holding back accessibility for newcomers. Push Square acknowledged that offerings are traditional perhaps to a fault, requiring a certain old-school mindset to be properly appreciated. Players expecting modern JRPG conveniences like visible enemies to avoid or skill-based combat will be disappointed.
Noisy Pixel mentioned that some purists may take issue with overly simplified fast travel that removes exploration tension and devalues certain utility spells. The dungeons retain older, linear structures with minimal reimagining despite gorgeous visual presentation. These aren’t complaints about execution but inherent limitations of faithfully remaking 40-year-old game design.
Who Should Buy This
Critics agree that Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake will appeal most strongly to existing franchise fans and JRPG enthusiasts who appreciate gaming history. The remakes successfully modernize presentation and streamline rough edges, but they can’t completely disguise their NES origins. Players expecting contemporary pacing and mechanics may bounce off despite gorgeous visuals.
Game Rant stated it’s a respectful return to two foundational RPGs that still have value today, even if they don’t age gracefully in every area. Longtime fans will appreciate how faithfully these classics have been recreated, but anyone looking for a modernized experience may find Dragon Quest 2 carries most of the weight while Dragon Quest 1 struggles to justify itself beyond nostalgia.
For newcomers to the franchise, starting with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake makes more sense given its superior mechanics, longer playtime, and more polished presentation. But completionists and lore enthusiasts will want to experience all three entries in the Erdrick Trilogy to understand the full narrative arc.
FAQs
When does Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake release?
The game launches on October 30, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
What are the review scores for Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake?
IGN and Nintendo Life both awarded 9/10, Push Square gave 8/10, and most outlets praised it as a successful modernization of classic JRPGs with gorgeous HD-2D visuals.
Which game is better, Dragon Quest I or Dragon Quest II?
Critics universally agreed Dragon Quest II is the stronger experience with massive content additions that double playtime, fuller party mechanics, and improved storytelling. Dragon Quest I remains a short, focused solo adventure.
Do I need to play Dragon Quest III first?
Chronologically, Dragon Quest III occurs before I and II despite the numbering. While not required, playing III first provides context for the Erdrick Trilogy’s overarching narrative.
Are these remakes good for newcomers?
Reviews are mixed on this point. Quality-of-life features help accessibility, but old-school design philosophies remain. Dragon Quest 2 is more newcomer-friendly than the original game.
How long does it take to beat both games?
Dragon Quest I takes approximately 15 hours, while Dragon Quest II now takes 30-40 hours with the expanded content, totaling around 50 hours for the complete package.
Does the game run well on Steam Deck and Switch?
Yes, RPG Site confirmed excellent Steam Deck performance with recommended settings, and the game delivers smooth 30fps on both original Switch and Switch 2.
Conclusion
Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake successfully concludes Square Enix’s ambitious project to reimagine the Erdrick Trilogy for modern audiences. With stellar 9/10 scores from major outlets like IGN and Nintendo Life, the remakes prove that classic game design can coexist with contemporary presentation when handled with care and respect. The HD-2D visual style continues delivering stunning results, elevating these NES-era adventures into gorgeous experiences that honor their legacy while welcoming new players. Dragon Quest II particularly shines with massive content additions that transform it from a simple sequel into a fully realized JRPG on par with modern genre standards. While Dragon Quest I shows its age more prominently and won’t convert skeptics, it remains a historically important curiosity that works within its focused scope. Quality-of-life improvements strike an admirable balance between accessibility and authenticity, though some old-school frustrations inevitably persist. For franchise fans and JRPG enthusiasts who grabbed Dragon Quest III last year, this collection is essential. Newcomers should temper expectations about dated design philosophies, but there’s genuine value in experiencing the games that established so many genre conventions. With the complete Erdrick Trilogy now available in definitive HD-2D form, there’s never been a better time to understand where Dragon Quest’s legendary 40-year journey began.