Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Hands-on Preview

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a hands-on preview of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, due out in February 2026. The game is a full remake of Dragon Quest VII, which launched on the original PlayStation back in 2000. Not to be confused with the DS remake from 2016, Reimagined features all-new visuals, quality-of-life gameplay improvements, and promises to streamline the story.

I had the opportunity to experience two sections of the game. The first was the introduction, where we meet some of the earliest party members and explore Estard for the first time. The second segment took place a few hours further into the game and was more combat-focused, culminating in a big boss battle.

In my short time playing, the word that kept coming to mind was charming. The reimagined visuals play a big part in this. The main party was created as physical models and scanned into the game, while the environments have been crafted to resemble dioramas. The resulting look is unique, yet still in line with the overall Dragon Quest style. I spent much of the first section exploring every nook and cranny of the beautiful world—partly to seek out secrets, but mostly because I was simply delighted to wander through it.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined also features voice acting, and once again “charming” is the watchword. Those who have played more recent Dragon Quest titles will know what to expect, as the performances are consistent with later entries in the franchise. The characters brim with life and match the tone of the series perfectly.

In the first section, you explore Estard as the “Hero.” Everyone in Estard believes it is the only island in the world, surrounded by endless oceans, but the Hero and his friends suspect there is more beyond. As you explore, it becomes clear this may be true, and the Hero and his companions set out on trials to pursue their goal. This section is relatively light on combat, focusing instead on exploring two nearby towns and interacting with their inhabitants. The dialogue is well written, and Dragon Quest’s trademark humor shines through. Once party members join the Hero, you can chat with them at any time in the field. Sometimes they offer helpful hints, sometimes lore, and sometimes just casual banter. Features like this enrich the party dynamic and flesh out the characters.

The second section is predominantly combat-focused, and you’re quickly reminded that despite all the charm and whimsy, the battles can still be tough as nails. Thankfully, Square Enix has included multiple difficulty levels this time, since it’s just as possible to get wiped out in a random encounter as it is against a boss. Newcomers to the Dragon Quest battle system may want to start on one of the lighter settings.

For veterans, the battle system should feel comfortably familiar: turn-based combat, exploiting weaknesses, and using your party’s vocation system to your advantage. You can let party members act on their own according to tactical setups, or take direct control yourself. One of the quality-of-life upgrades in this reimagining is adjustable battle speed, a feature seen in many Square Enix remakes and HD-2D titles. Being able to change speed at will makes combat feel punchier; experienced players will breeze through encounters on ultra-fast mode, while those who prefer time to think and plan can slow things down. Combat is challenging without being frustrating, and the dungeon boss requires strategy rather than mindless button-mashing.

It’s fair to say Square Enix may be on to another winner with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. The visuals are delightful, and the gameplay retains the core loop that has entertained fans for over thirty years. If this much charm is evident in just 90 minutes of play, I can’t wait to see the rest.

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