DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake review

Review of the remaster of Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD

I'm a little obsessed with Dragon Quest 1. So I walked over this remake a critical, demanding look. This first game is balanced quite thinly, and any changes made could have disastrous results. Well, some significant changes have been made and the game still runs pretty well. It turns out that such a simple yet sophisticated structure is ideal for expansion, if you know how to do it.

I've played Dragon Quest 1 at least a dozen times on almost as many different platforms. This new version is the most challenging since the original NES version. What are the rules, honestly? It was a refreshing challenge. I had to fight the final boss battle twenty times or more before I beat it. For players who have more or less memorized this timeless classic, this will be a stunning new experience.

More challenging than ever (free)

On top of that, you have new cutscenes, voiced dialogue, new mechanics, and the need for new strategies. For example! Previously, every fight in Dragon Quest 1 was 1 on 1. You were never outnumbered, only outgunned and overpowered. Conversely, in the HD-2D remake, most battles will have you fighting multiple opponents. Thus, all old strategies are practically useless. It's such a simple change that opens up the game wide.

The games also come with plenty of useful modern touches. The Zoom spell costs nothing at all, and its shortcut is built right into the world map. Autosaving starts after each battle, which means that death will not cost you much progress. New voice acting, new scenes, expanded dungeons and access to more spells for each character. On top of that, auto combat feels better than ever. I just wish the combat speed switches were more reliable. Combat at normal speed feels like you're moving in slow motion for no good reason. I changed the speed to maximum and the fights immediately became more manageable. Not too fast to be clear. Fast enough for you to sit through.

Many improvements in auto combat

I talk about autobattles all the time, and for good reason. But it's not the same mindless panacea in these games. You either burn mana recklessly or absorb a lethal dose of damage in a short amount of time. No, this time you will have to be smart and careful if you want to survive. This is a significant improvement over the old super-powered monster you were in previous Dragon Quest games.

I always liked the story in these games. This is a classic setting, built on timeless archetypes with professional precision. Despite this, these remakes feel like an update in terms of storytelling. Dragon Quest 2 has a powerful and impressive story. However, it wasn't until the new version that I really felt that power. The Princess of Moonbrook is handed the best deal right from the start. She mourns this catastrophic loss, and her cousins… are also present. Okay, this isn't prestige television, but it's a great start. I was a little excited to watch it all happen, and I definitely didn't expect it.

Unexpectedly strong story

Even the first game was a little more difficult than I expected. It's absolutely incredible what a few well-placed musical cues can do. Add to this the sublime, fantastical dialogue and you have a quite touching story at times. I gained a new understanding of the threat the Dragonlord poses and the stakes in this epic conflict.

The increased difficulty level is a double-edged sword. While I applaud the exciting combat in a Dragon Quest game, there is a delicate balance to be struck. Especially the first one. Sometimes it's too easy for your hero to get confused. After all, you can only take so many actions per turn, and you are often outnumbered. I find that I often play with difficulty. After all, you don't want things to get too easy either. This is an insidious curse in itself.

Some nasty boss battles

Like Dragon Quest III, the graphics are a mixture of pixel art and polygons. It seems retro at first, but the mixture is quite cohesive. Character animation is limited, although you still see a variety of different expressions based on simple body language. It's a natural extension of the old pixel art style of animation and feels like a gradual evolution of older graphics. The thing is, these games look great. They capture the feel of classic Dragon Quest, going beyond what players are used to in previous versions.

If you've never played the first two Dragon Quest games before, now is the time to start. They are filled with modern updates, but the original atmosphere is still perfectly preserved. And if you've played them a dozen times, even better. This is a significant deviation from the original formula, at least for the first one. Dragon Quest II was a little more finished, so it required fewer modern enhancements. The increased difficulty is both great and terrifying. I'm glad the games are more difficult now, but be prepared for it. High-speed battles could be much faster, but you quickly get used to it. Either way, this collection of remakes should be a no-brainer for any Dragon Quest fan.

***PS5 code provided by publisher***