Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake PS5 Review
Summary: While not perfect, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is an incredible remake of two fantastic, staple games of the genre. While it may not be for every type of player, the new enhancements, updates, and quality-of-life improvements make it a must-have for returning fans and modern JRPG enthusiasts.
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A Refined Legacy
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is the latest remake in the series and the continuation and final two parts of the Erdrick Trilogy. Although the first two titles in the franchise were released before the third game, they are chronologically the sequel to Dragon Quest III and its recent remake. As the final part of the remake trilogy, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake are immaculately designed with only a few flaws to mention.
Dragon Quest I & II takes place after Dragon Quest III Remake and concludes the Eldrick Saga. Dragon Quest I occurs after the heroic adventures and triumph of the legendary hero Eldrick. After vanquishing the forces of the underworld, peace has returned to Alefgard. However, that peace doesn’t last long as the Dragonlord has arisen and plunged the world into chaos by unleashing hordes of monsters into the realm. To make things worse, the princess Gwaelin has also been kidnapped by his forces. The game begins as a descendant of the hero Eldrick is given a mission to use his strength to rescue Princess Gwaelin, defeat the evil Dragonlord, and bring peace to the realm once more.
Unlike many games of the modern era with extensive exposition and character backgrounds, Dragon Quest I, like similar games of its time, features a simplistic narrative layout that sees the hero embarking on a quest to defeat monsters and rescue as many people as possible. On his quest, the hero meets other characters, learns about the legacy of his ancestor, and more details about worldbuilding are revealed. While the narrative is incredibly derivative of classic JRPGs and far from grand or innovative, it remains serviceable in its own right. However, it is worth noting that for most of the game, players will move from one location to another, fighting monsters and meeting characters. The flow of the narrative isn’t all that exciting, but the conversations with several interesting characters make up for it.
This is especially due to the remake’s new impeccable voice lines in both English and Japanese. However, it is annoying how inconsistent the voice lines are. While the game not being fully voiced isn’t an issue, although it would’ve been nice if it were, the placement of voiced lines is odd and jarring.
If Dragon Quest I was a prototype, Dragon Quest II is its evolution. Set generations later, it expands the single-continent world into a full globe with kingdoms, oceans, and hidden shrines. Players now control three heroes who are the descendants of the first game’s protagonist, each with their own strengths and spells. This seemingly small addition transforms the experience from a solo trek into a genuine RPG party adventure.
Right from the opening, Dragon Quest II feels more ambitious. After a ten-minute engaging exposition dump, players start as the young prince of Midenhall, gathering two other heirs across the kingdoms of Cannock and Moonbrooke. Monsters of the Underworld have once again plunge the world into chaos. All that stands between the forces of evil and their wicked ambitions is a band of young princes and princesses of Erdrick’s lineage. Their journey involves sailing between islands, exploring elaborate dungeons, and uncovering the connection between the world of Alefgard and its mythic past.
Dragon Quest II’s narrative feels more mature. The story introduces tragedy, sacrifice, and a deeper sense of legacy. However, the characters are incredibly endearing and lovable, more so than in the previous game. The narrative greatly contributes to the Eldrick saga, and all feel connected as intended.
Gameplay in Dragon Quest is extremely minimalistic. Players travel between towns and caves, fight random enemies in turn-based battles, and gradually level up to gain strength and magic. There’s a sense of solitude throughout. The hero is alone in every fight, with no party to rely on, and must plan every step carefully. Each enemy encounter is a balance between greed and survival: do you push forward for more gold and experience or retreat to heal at the nearest inn?
On the other hand, while still mostly simple, battles are tougher and more tactical in Dragon Quest II. Enemies now attack in groups, requiring players to manage healing, offensive magic, and resource conservation. While the game still demands grinding, it rewards preparation and understanding of its systems. The game also includes a ship, which gives players the freedom to explore more areas and uncover secrets at their own pace.
Both games offer an impeccable sense of discovery. Stumbling upon hidden caves, unlocking new spells, and finding legendary items is what makes it timeless. The new gameplay features make the game even more attractive and approachable to new, modern players. This includes frequent autosaves, quick and easy access to equipment and item menus, menu shortcuts, fast load times, new time-saving objective markers, and more. Furthermore, the audio design and animations in both games are intricately crafted. Enemy animations and the sound effects heard when each falls in battle look and sound excellent, making the game feel more modern than ever. Both games offer simple but fun gameplay mechanics reminiscent of classic JRPGs. Not much new has been added, but most elements have been refined in all the right ways.
However, there are notable issues even with these new enhancements. Grinding is essential, and pacing is slow in both games. The late-game difficulty spikes in Dragon Quest II are especially brutal, particularly the final areas like Rhone. Additionally, despite being remakes, neither game has an option to turn off random encounters, which is a significant drawback, as the only way to rush to objectives or explore freely is to purchase an absurd amount of Holy Water.
Visually, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is phenomenal. Both games showcase impeccable art direction and combat animations, complemented by great sound design and sound effects. They also sport immaculate backgrounds with intricate animations, fantastic pixel effects, and a new, modern, and unique aesthetic that distinguishes it from the original 8-bit pixel style.
Final Thoughts?
All in all, while not perfect, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is an incredible remake of two fantastic, staple games of the genre. While it may not be for every type of player, the new enhancements, updates, and quality-of-life improvements make it a must-have for returning fans and modern JRPG enthusiasts.
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