Experiencing Deja Vu: DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake

Alright, folks. So here’s the scoop I didn’t spill at PAX East 2025. You know how I was yapping on about Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster? Well, sneaky ol’ Square Enix had more up their sleeves. Surprise! They let me dive into Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Can you believe it? Me neither. I’ve been a fan since the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake days, and I can assure you, fans and newbies will both be in for a treat with this two-pack RPG delight. Yep. Just like grandma’s apple pie—deliciously nostalgic.

So, let’s set the scene. While sipping on some overpriced coffee, I found myself, badge in hand, being briefed with other members of the “esteemed” press on the dos and don’ts of gameplay time. “Stick to main quests,” they said. “Don’t wander into high-level monster territory.” My brain went, “Pfft, as if I haven’t done this before.” But, seriously, if you’ve played Dragon Quest III HD-2D, you know the deal. 60 FPS on PS5, cool stuff popping off the ground, lightning-fast battles. Oh! And you can toggle the run button. Lifesaver, right?

Okay, focus! Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake. It’s like a whole throwback after III, you play as a descendant of Erdrick. Solo adventure vibes—no buddies. The original NES version was hard as a stale bagel, but now, they’ve found a sweet spot between challenging and annoying. Strategy’s the name of the game, folks. And let me tell you, the final boss will make you feel like you could lift a car. I mean, who doesn’t wanna be a superhero, even for a moment?

Switching gears now—Dragon Quest II. Here, we’re back to rolling with a posse. Unlike III, these buddies have names, personalities… the whole shebang. Each brings something unique to the table. I tried to sneak some details about a class system from the Square Enix rep, but they were tight-lipped. Apparently, you might end up with four mates on this ride, but no spoilers. Fun fact: there’s an option to let AI step in and control your pals during fights. Handy, right? And if you zapped a monster before, the game remembers. Smart, really.

I’m itching to get my hands on Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and being able to preview it was a bit of gaming magic. The visuals are stunning. Truly. Those HD-2D graphics tie everything together like a neat little bow on the trilogy. And the music? Fresh orchestrations of those beloved tracks. October 30th can’t come fast enough. Mark the date, people. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC. See you in the pixelated dungeons!