So, I was chatting about this game I played, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, at PAX East 2025. Didn’t think to mention Square Enix had another little surprise tucked away. And, wow, did I get my hands on something fun: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. No joke, if you’ve liked the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this one’s going to sit well with you whether you’re a series old-timer or just jumping in.
So, let me set the scene — the press folks were told how much of the game we could nose around in. And, man, they said stick to the path, or those off-beat monsters would kick our behinds. If you’ve rocked Dragon Quest III HD-2D, you get it. Runs at 60 fps on the PS5, stuff to grab on the ground — you get it — and this funny thing where the fights go at warp speed! Oh, and the run button thing, big help.
Now, Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake…
Okay, so here’s the scoop. This one follows III chronologically. Makes zero sense? You’re the descendant of Erdrick from III — a whole solo gig, by the way. The original on NES was tough-as-nails. I mean, it was brutal. But here, Square Enix’s done some magic. Challenging? Yeah. Maddening? Not anymore. You’re strategic, you’re tactical — you end up like some unstoppable bulldozer by the finish. Who doesn’t wanna feel like a superhero by game’s end, right?
And then there’s Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake…
Switching gears here, this one’s back to party time. Party system, I mean. Not like there’s music and snacks. Characters with names, quirks, all that jazz. Specialties and all. The Square Enix folks were all hush-hush about the class system though. Maybe there’s more folks joining? Hint, hint. AI can handle your party’s moves, or you can play puppet master. Oh, and if a spell messed up a monster before, it tells you! Neat trick.
Honestly, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake’s looking snazzy with this HD-2D style. Visuals are smooth, and the music’s got new orchestrations — ear candy for returning fans. Releases October 30 on all the cool platforms: Switch, PS5, Xbox. Count me in!
