Dragon Quest I & II: HD-2D Remake Reviews

The HD-2D Remake renaissance is, gladly, here to stay. This glowed-up pair from Dragon Quest’s origins look, sounds, and feels fantastic while balancing innovations and classic frictions.

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.

A legendary return to the roots of JRPG history.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a deeply satisfying follow-up to last year’s remake project, closing out the Erdrick trilogy on a fittingly high note. A gorgeous art style, tons of new content and quality-of-life updates, and a wonderful soundtrack all combine to make this one an easy recommendation for any retro JRPG fans. If you’re interested in RPGs, I’d suggest you pick this up at your earliest opportunity. These games stand as excellent reminders of why Dragon Quest is so highly respected today.

It's another swing and a hit for Square Enix. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake upgrades the first two games in the legendary franchise with improved combat, refined writing, and a much-improved story across both games. Meanwhile, the incredible visuals and a fantastic soundtrack round out a package that should make any JRPG fan giddy with excitement.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn’t what I expected in the best possible way. The remake of Dragon Quest I is great, if frustrating at times, as it fleshes out the characters and combat of Alefgard. Dragon Quest II is the real highlight here, though, transforming the black sheep of the series into one of the best entries with delightful characters, a gripping story, and fun, strategic battles. Both games are gorgeous, with fantastic pixel art and orchestrated music, so they’re both wel...

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D is a tribute to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series’ early roots. It combines familiar elements with refreshed lighting, expanded worlds, and improved user experience.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake bundles two classic JRPGs together that, somewhat confusingly, are linked to but set chronologically after Square Enix's 2024 revival, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Together, they comprise the Erdrick trilogy and continue the series' consistently high quality, offering traditional turn-based gameplay that is as tried-and-true as it is nostalgic.

A heroes' journey, twice retold.

It's been almost a year since the release of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and we're now treated to a similar remake of the original games.

Dragon Quest I+II HD-2D Remake is way more than just a fresh coat of paint, creating a truly memorable experience for newcomers and returning adventurers alike.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an absolute triumph. It brings a gorgeous visual overhaul, addictive turn-based combat, and top-tier quality of life updates to the table. I was wowed by its orchestral score, and by the high-reward exploration throughout. Voice acting is brilliant too – I just wish there was more of it. Overall, this is a shining example of what a remake should be, and playing through this duology has been a real highlight of my year in gaming.

If Japan's release schedule for Dragon Quest games going back to 1986 resembles a picket fence, North America's release schedule for the same series looks like a few of those pickets were knocked askew by a careless driver. Being a lifelong Western fan of Dragon Quest hasn't always been easy, but with great games like 2024's Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, it’s been substantially better. Now, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake rounds out the Erdrick Trilogy, giving this classic turn-based RPG ...

Despite being the series that defined Japanese role-playing games, Dragon Quest took some time to get the widespread recognition it deserved in North America and Europe. Nowadays, the franchise created by Yuji Horii is a household name as much as Final Fantasy is, and the popularity of the franchise led to the successful release of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, a very solid remake that was met with a warm reception from fans, thanks to its great visuals and how small choice tweaks made the classic gameplay more compelling.

My experience with the Dragon Quest franchise over the years has been anything but linear. Growing up, I exhaustively played Nintendo DS entries like Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime and Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, while I’ve more recently enjoyed other spinoffs like Dragon Quest Builders and Dragon Quest Treasures, and the incredible mainline adventure of Dragon Quest XI. Yet I’ve never really felt the desire to go back to the originals. I love admiring retro games, but it’s tough to gel with a NES RPG, especially when they’re such barebones experiences. With the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake double-pack, Square Enix has gone out of their way to elevate these originally paper-thin RPGs with a wealth of content that bring them up to bar with any other entry in the series.

Dragon Quest fans were really excited to see the release of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake last year, which was very well received and left people wanting even more. With the first three games in the series being known as the Erdrick trilogy, it might have seemed weird to release the remake of the third game before the other two. However, this is because the third game is a prequel to the first two, so it makes sense chronologically here. Now the first two games in the trilogy have arrived in ...

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake continues to show the power of the HD-2D engine and how beautifully it runs Dragon Quest. This is the definitive way to play both these titles with advancements in every area.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a wonderful collection of Slimy goodness, packed full of charm and quality of life improvements.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a masterful couple of remakes that breathe new life into the earliest and simplest games from one of the greatest RPG series. The first game can be a bit tough to get into for newcomers, but it is still the best way to play both titles, and it’s a brilliant package that will surely keep people playing Dragon Quest I and II for years to come.

If you’ve never played the first two Dragon Quest games before, this is the absolute best time to start. They’re crammed with modern upgrades, while the original vibe is still nicely preserved. And if you’ve played them a dozen times, even better. This is a significant departure from the original formula, at least for the first one. Dragon Quest II was a little more fully cooked, hence it needed fewer modern improvements. The upgraded difficulty is great and awful at the same time. I’m thrilled the games are harder now, but like, be prepared for that. The high-speed battles could be a lot faster, but you get used to it quickly. Either way, this collection of remakes should be an easy decision for any Dragon Quest fan.

Nearly four decades after their original release, Dragon Quest I and II return in stunning HD-2D form, proving that classic adventures can feel fresh without losing their soul. This remake doesn’t try to reinvent what made these games special—instead, it carefully updates the experience for modern players while keeping the heart of the originals intact. Whether you’re a longtime fan curious about revisiting these foundational RPGs or a newcomer wondering what started it all, this collec...

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake beautifully concludes this trilogy, recapturing the retro magic of the originals while giving them a modern facelift.

This collection completes the classic Dragon Quest trilogy with its beautiful HD-2D style and full orchestral soundtrack. It is a worthwhile return to the games that made the JRPG genre what it is today.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake masterfully modernizes two timeless RPGs with the gorgeous HD-2D art style. Significant story changes, wonderful quality-of-life improvements, and flawless performance on Nintendo Switch 2 make this a must-play game for any fan of the genre. Without a doubt, this is the definitive way to experience the Erdrick Trilogy for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Fans of the original Dragon Quest III will feel right at home with this stellar HD-2D Remake. Rise, fellow heroes, and slay the great Archfiend.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is the best way to experience this RPG classic. With new QoL features, expanded story content, and a gorgeous new visual style, this is an unmatched entry in the whole franchise. And while there are a few things that feel dated, it still stands out as a masterpiece of the genre.