I had mentioned playing Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster at PAX East 2025. What I did not disclose, however, was that Square Enix had another title to demo. What I can now tell you, the gaming masses, is that I got to experience Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake early. As a fan of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, I can confidently say that both series veterans and newcomers alike will enjoy this two-pack of epic RPGs.
Members of the press were given instructions on how much gameplay they could experience for each title. We were advised not to deviate from the main objectives, as higher-level monsters were off the beaten path and could decimate our party. If you have played Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, you know some things to expect. The game runs at 60 FPS on the PlayStation 5, you can grab helpful items off the ground while traversing the overworld, you can make fights move at the speed of light, and you can toggle the run button so you don’t have to be holding it all the time.
Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake
Now it’s time to discuss specifics. Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake is the next game chronologically after III, which is why Square Enix released the games in this particular order. In it, you play as a descendant of Erdrick, the main character of III. You embark on a quest to destroy the Dragonlord all by yourself, with no allies joining your quest throughout the whole adventure. The original title on the NES was unbelievably difficult, but thankfully, Square Enix has rebalanced the RPG, making it challenging but not frustrating. It is quite a different experience compared to other games in the series. Decisions have to be even more strategic than they were previously. The tradeoff is that you will feel like an unstoppable force by the end of the journey. I have always wanted to feel like a superhero!
Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake
Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake, on the other hand, returns to the party system. Unlike III, your party all have names and unique personalities. Each one has a “specialty” they can utilize, but Square Enix was curiously mum on details regarding whether there is a class system. The representative did hint that the party may hit four total members as you progress, but was quiet on details. You can have AI control your party members or make decisions for them yourself. One quality of life feature I noticed that was helpful was that it will say if a monster is vulnerable to a spell if you have cast it on them already.
I am so ready for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and was grateful for the chance to play it early. The titles look gorgeous in the HD-2D graphical style, leading to a nice cohesion across the trilogy. Music-wise, fans can expect brand new orchestrations of their favorite tracks. I recommend checking out Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake when it launches on October 30 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC.
