DaRmaZat Alefgard itself has never felt quite so alive.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake brings the earliest chapters of the Erdrick saga together in one package, letting you start with either tale from the game’s start screen. Both adventures have finally been polished with HD-2D flair, voice acting, and new narrative touches, giving even veteran eyes a reason to linger. Following 2024’s HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III, it’s gratifying to finally see these foundational entries receive the same care.
A Land Both Familiar and New
Years after the heroic Erdrick defeated the Lord of the Underworld, the Dragonlord rises anew, and his minions plague the land. In the first story, a lone descendant of Erdrick must traverse forests, mountains, and towns to rescue Alefgard from the latest threat. The second journey fast-forwards generations, where the young princes and princesses of Erdrick’s line rally against a resurgent darkness.
In the first adventure, NPCs chatter, market stalls bustle, and subtle touches give the world a tangible texture. Encounters are no longer one-on-one; even early foes now attack in groups, forcing tactical attention. In Dragon Quest II, the world expands further, with ships enabling river and sea exploration, and new towns, dungeons, and castles to visit. The princes and princesses of Erdrick’s lineage carry distinct personalities, and the addition of the Princess of Cannock as an active party member adds both narrative energy and combat utility. Fully voiced sections, delivered in an old-English-style accent (or Japanese, in case you prefer), give the characters and NPCs weight and occasionally elicited a smile from me, particularly when their banter turned playful.
Two Games, Two Journeys
Of course, in this remake, the typical Dragon Quest combat remains classically turn-based, but Dragon Quest I emphasizes the solitary journey, with no party to share the adventure. Every enemy encounter—often against reused enemy models—demands patience, mastery of the right abilities, and careful resource management, and some bosses feel more like a battle of attrition than strategy. The scrolls and sigils hidden throughout Alefgard offer small ways to tip the odds, though progression can still feel repetitive when pacing between towns and dungeons drags.
By contrast, Dragon Quest II thrives on its ensemble system. Four characters bring a mixture of support, offense, and occasional mischief to fights. Spells and abilities interact more dynamically, and higher enemy encounter rates make each battle feel consequential. Grinding remains necessary, but in my experience, the variety of options prevents the tedium that occasionally weighs down the first title. The remake also adds several quality-of-life improvements. You can choose from three difficulty levels, speed up or automate battles, use the handy Heal All feature, display quest markers on the map, and now find a priest in every town to manually save your progress. Exactly, thanks to remakes like this, it’s a real blessing to experience these classic games for the first time in 2025—without the frustrations we had to endure back then.
A World Painted in Pixels and Flames
One thing that’s beyond doubt is that the HD-2D visuals lend both games a truly cinematic quality. Dragon Quest I dazzles with pixel-perfect details, while Dragon Quest II adds even more spectacle with stunning water effects, fire, and atmospheric lighting that makes towns and dungeons feel layered and lived-in. Automatic blurring of off-focus NPCs or objects sometimes feels unnecessary and might remind you of the engine’s age, but rarely detracts from the overall beauty.
In both remakes, the musical score cleverly alternates between sweeping orchestral pieces and occasionally outdated jingles, yet the combination enhances the sense of an epic, ongoing journey across generations. I was also really surprised by the rich voice acting, reinforcing character identity and leveraging otherwise simple interactions into immersion. Performance is smooth as well, and I did not encounter any game-breaking issues during my long play sessions.
Final Thoughts
Experiencing Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a curious, often charming balance of contrasts. The first game’s solitary, narrower scope, and occasionally grinding battles can be trying, while the second’s expanded party and world-building feel rich and engaging. Both share a visual and auditory polish that elevates them far above their original iterations. The fully voiced dialogue and subtle environmental details make traversing Alefgard a surprisingly immersive experience, even if pacing and repetitive encounters occasionally wear on the rhythm.
After Dragon Quest III laid the groundwork, these two remakes complete the early chapters of the Erdrick saga, providing hours of exploration, battles, and story for both newcomers and series veterans. I thoroughly enjoyed them, as the package ultimately feels like a lovingly restored classic, vivid enough to remind you why Alefgard has remained so enduringly magical.
Additional Information
Release Date: Oct 30, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Square Enix, ARTDINK
Publisher: Square Enix
Relevant links: DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake on Steam
