Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake continues the Erdrick Trilogy in October

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The Dragon Quest series concluded spectacularly in 2024 as Square Enix unveiled the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, a contemporary retelling of the classic 8-bit game. Some were puzzled about why the publisher chose to remake the third installment, but it was because it marked the start of the Erdrick Trilogy chronologically. This saga would culminate in the first two Dragon Quest games, and now these games are set to receive the same remake treatment. The Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake compilation brings together the initial two series entries, both constructed upon the basis established by the DQ3 remake. Before its upcoming October release date, Shacknews had a chance to test out both games, perfectly timed for Dragon Quest Day.

The Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-Remake closely resembles its earlier counterpart in numerous aspects, and given our review of the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, this is certainly a positive development. Many enhancements from the last game have been carried over to both of the initial Dragon Quest titles. This translates into even more captivating HD-2D graphics that breathe life into these worlds with vivid colors and intricate sprites. It also implies general improvements in various aspects, such as faster battle speeds. Additionally, it includes cutscenes with full voice acting, although it’s important to mention that our session only included Japanese voiceovers, with English still under development. Those who played the Dragon Quest remake last year will have a good idea of what to anticipate, but this preview session did offer some unexpected twists.

The most surprising moment came during my first playthrough of Dragon Quest. As I navigated through the game world, engaging in random battles, it didn’t take long to notice a significant change from the original game. In the 8-bit version of Dragon Quest, the hero only fought one enemy at a time, regardless of which creature was encountered. However, this is set to change in the upcoming remake. Although there’s still no party system in DQ1, players will now find themselves confronting multiple enemies during encounters. This could potentially make the game more challenging, as characters can become weary from battles, especially when delving into dungeons. On the plus side, players can exploit certain spells and abilities to strike multiple enemies at once.

In Dragon Quest 2, you’ll find that it was one of the initial games to incorporate a party system, but don’t let the presence of companions deceive you into thinking the game is any less demanding. As you venture through the Pillar of Winds labyrinth, foes may assail in groups as large as eight, with some villains even calling for backup reinforcements. Although the remakes have been introducing quest markers, navigating dungeon mazes remains the player’s responsibility and repeated skirmishes can grow tiresome. My party was defeated at least once, but thankfully, the autosaves were quite generous. The approach players take during these battles will be entirely up to them as they have the choice to control all characters or let the CPU manage the supporting party members and establish their unique playstyles.

Square Enix aims to seamlessly connect the storyline of the Erdrick Trilogy in these remakes, making it clearer and more coherent than ever. To achieve this, they’re creating fresh cutscenes that will not only explain the narrative and characters of each game individually but also weave together the broader narrative of the entire series. After traversing the Pillar of Winds in DQ2, I encountered one of the new cutscenes. The high-definition 2D art style and improved voice acting in these scenes create a much more intense and dramatic atmosphere compared to the old versions.

The epic tale of the Erdrick Trilogy will draw to a conclusion when the re-mastered Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake launches on Thursday, October 30th. Keep an eye out for its release across various platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, as well as both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

This sneak peek is derived from an initial version of the PlayStation 5, which was demonstrated during a press or influencer gathering held directly at Square Enix’s headquarters in Los Angeles, California. Please note that the ultimate game may undergo modifications before its official release.

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2025-05-27 10:28