When Square Enix released the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake last year, they set a high bar for modernizing classic JRPGs. It was vast, customizable, and breathtaking. Now, with the release of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, the "Erdrick Trilogy" is finally complete.
While these two titles are simpler and undeniably older than DQIII, Team Asano has performed a minor miracle here. They haven’t just slapped a coat of paint on these 8-bit relics; they have fundamentally rebalanced them to be playable—and genuinely enjoyable—in 2025.
The HD-2D Treatment: Still the Gold Standard
By now, we know what to expect from the HD-2D engine, but it rarely fails to impress. The water effects, the tilt-shift lighting in dungeons, and the reimagined sprites are gorgeous. Hearing the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s swelling renditions of the Alefgard overworld theme adds a gravity to the experience that the NES beeps and boops only hinted at.
The visual continuity between this and DQIII is the real treat. Seeing the world of Alefgard "age" between the timeline of III and I adds a narrative texture that wasn't there in the 8-bit originals.
Dragon Quest I: Short, Sweet, and Solitary
The first half of the package is the original 1986 classic. You are the descendant of Erdrick. There is a Dragonlord. Go get him.
The Good:
Respect for Time: The game remains a tight 8–10 hour adventure. Square Enix didn't bloat it with unnecessary fetch quests, though they did add new story cutscenes to flesh out the lore.
The "Lonely" Vibe: The HD-2D lighting emphasizes the isolation of a solo hero wandering dark caverns. It’s a unique mood that modern party-based RPGs rarely capture.
The Bad:
Simplicity: There is no getting around the fact that this is a game with one party member and limited commands (Attack, Spell, Item, Run). Even with the beautiful visuals, the combat loop can feel repetitive.
The "Ye Olde" Dialogue: The localization returns to the heavy "Thee/Thou" archaic English. While nostalgic for NES Dragon Warrior veterans, it can feel a bit stifling compared to the charming, pun-heavy scripts of modern entries like DQXI.
Dragon Quest II: The Crown Jewel
This is where the collection shines. Dragon Quest II was historically infamous for its brutal difficulty spikes and obscure progression. This remake fixes almost all of it.
The Improvements:
Princess of Cannock: Previously a minor character, she is now a fully fleshed-out party member with expanded dialogue and a stronger presence in the story. The banter between the three cousins (Midenhall, Cannock, and Moonbrooke) gives the journey a heart that was missing in 1987.
Rebalanced Combat: The "Prince of Cannock" is no longer a liability who dies if an enemy looks at him wrong. The team has smoothed out the difficulty curve, making the late-game snowy plateau (Rondarxia) challenging but fair, rather than broken.
Guidance: Subtle objective markers and the "Recall" feature (which memorizes NPC dialogue) eliminate the need to wander aimlessly wondering where the Silver Key is.
Quality of Life Updates
The best additions are the system-level changes shared across both titles:
Battle Speed: You can crank combat speed up to "Ultra-Fast," making grinding painless.
Auto-Battle: For trash mobs, setting the tactics to "Fight Wisely" lets you breeze through dungeons.
Quick Save: The ability to save anywhere (outside of battle) is a godsend for portable play on the Switch or Steam Deck.
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake – Story Trailer
The Verdict
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a vital piece of gaming preservation. It doesn't try to hide the simplicity of its source material, but it polishes the friction points until they gleam.
If you played Dragon Quest III last year, this is the mandatory epilogue. Dragon Quest I is a charming, brief appetizer, but Dragon Quest II is a surprisingly robust adventure that finally gets the respect it deserves.
Score: 8/10
Recommendation: Play them in chronological order of the lore (Start with DQ III, then DQ I, then DQ II) for the maximum emotional payoff regarding the Erdrick lineage.
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