Dragon Quest was released in 1986 in Japan and 1989 as Dragon Warrior in North America. That's how it started Dragon Quest series, one of the most important RPG franchises of all time that is still active today. Along with its sequel, Dragon Quest 2: Luminaries of the Legendary Lineyou can now enjoy both games on modern consoles thanks Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake.
Obviously, a lot has changed in the decades since these games were first released, and this isn't the first upgrade either game has received. However, thanks to these changes in Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remakeare now more accessible than ever, and RPG fans should jump at the chance to play them.
Difficulty modes
Go hard or invincible
Difficulty options from Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake return in both games of this collection. Players can switch between Dracky Quest, Dragon Quest, and Draconian Quest difficulty settings, which also includes an invincibility mode that prevents characters from dying in battle.
This is a godsend for a first game, especially since the hero is a one-man army. Other assistive features include automatic saves after almost every action, from entering rooms to ending battles, and there are still manual saves. There is also a guide feature on the world map to help speed up the story for those who need it.
Extended story
And voice acting
Of course, the graphics look good in the collection, as Square Enix really nailed their HD-2D style at this point. Along with this, the story was expanded in both games, most significantly in the second game.
Both games feature voice acting, but the characters come to life Dragon Quest 2 remake because there is a party system. The voice acting is well done and enhanced by the classical music. The only downside is that both Hero characters are silent, but minimally so Dragon Quest 1 remake's Hero emotes similar to Link v Zelda games.
The hero faces many new challenges
Improved combat
While Dragon Quest 2 remake is a bigger game, there are some things Dragon Quest 1 remake which are better, or at least more interesting. In the original version, players faced one monster at a time to make things fairer. In the remake, players now have to face the same number of enemies as in the second game, which is more exciting.
Fortunately, the Hero Dragon Quest 1 remake he is stronger this time with new abilities to destroy his enemies. There are also difficulty modes, again a godsend for new RPG players to rely on. Also, even though the game is shorter with a simplified story, it's fun to go back to the classic like Dragon Quest 1 remake.
Sigils are now more than key items
Improved attacks and power-ups
In the original version of the second game, there were key items called Sigils. Now collecting them will boost certain aspects of the game. For example, Water Sigil will amplify the effect of items. Soul Sigil is the most interesting addition, as characters with lower health can now convert attacks into more powerful ones.
They're kind of like Limit Breaks from Final Fantasy series that existed in Dragon Quest series before doing as Coup de Grace attacks from Dragon Quest 9: Guardians of the Starry Sky. Sigils appear Dragon Quest 1 remake too, which is an example of how combat has evolved for the lone hero.
Mini-medals appear in both games
Transfer from four
Mini-medals first appeared in Dragon Quest 4: Chapters of the Chosen. They have been added Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remakeand mini-medals were added Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake. Collecting mini-medals can be tricky as they can be hidden in chests, barrels or even lying on the ground.
It's worth it, though, as the items and equipment players can exchange them for are rare. There is also a Tombola, a sort of Powerball system that allows players to win rare loot. Both games in the collection don't have many side quests, so Mini-Medals and Tombola help expand their scope in a meaningful way.
Ship improvement
Unda Da sea
Both games feature new characters, dungeons, and monsters, which should be the norm for remakes. Of the two, the second game has a bigger new addition via the Ocean Floor. About halfway through Dragon Quest 2 remakeplayers can upgrade their ship to go underwater.
Players can explore an all-new world map, complete with dungeons and a mermaid city. It's kind of like how The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom added an underground area and a sky area to Hyrule that appeared in its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Party for Two expansion
Here comes Matilda
The Dragon Quest the series started with one playable character and then it expanded to three characters in the sequel and then four characters in the third entry. This has become standard in most Dragon Quest entries, and Dragon Quest 2 remake retroactively added fourth character through Matilda.
She is the sister of Caradoc who appeared in the original version but was just an NPC. Matilda first appears as a temporary party member and then joins just in time for players to go underwater. Having a fourth party member makes the game easier no matter what difficulty the players are on, plus he's just a fun character to have around.
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
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All Ages 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Gore, Mild Expressions, Mild Themes, Use of Alcohol
