For some time now, Sq. Enix has been below scrutiny from a portion of its veteran fanbase. It is typically stated that the developer has misplaced its essence, that it solely tries to please the West with its titles, and that it has by no means once more captured lightning in a bottle fairly prefer it did through the golden age of JRPGs.
I’ve seen, nevertheless, that these boasts and complaints do not normally come from strictly Sq. followers, however relatively from Last Fantasy lovers. That franchise is a chameleonic one which innovates with each entry, typically at the price of probably alienating its gamers.
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On the opposite aspect of the model, now we have Dragon Quest, the hallmark sequence of Enix. This property has adopted the identical design blueprint virtually religiously, which continues to captivate its followers in Japan whereas slowly profitable over gamers worldwide, as evidenced by the staggering sales success of Dragon Quest XI.
One other means Sq. has been making an attempt to introduce Dragon Quest to a contemporary participant base is thru its remakes. The Erdrick trilogy, comprising the primary three video games, obtained the HD-2D remedy. In the meantime, Dragon Quest VII, initially launched for the PS1 and later remade for the Nintendo 3DS, was as soon as once more rebuilt from the bottom up for contemporary consoles.
Titled Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, this new entry was conceived as a contemporary gateway into the franchise. It showcases the long-lasting, decades-old design of the JRPG’s pioneer whereas introducing new options and quality-of-life enhancements for a recent viewers. The aim was to fulfill each those that performed the unique and those that had by no means even encountered a Slime in battle.
I had performed the basic model earlier than, however by no means completed it. I put in about 25 hours, unlocked the Vocations system, adventured a bit extra, after which burnt out. The pacing of the remake is undoubtedly a lot better than the unique, but it nonetheless drags on too lengthy for these unaccustomed to the slow-burn nature of JRPGs.
After virtually ninety hours with the sport and a pristine platinum trophy, I really feel able to share my evaluate of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined.
The Story of the Previous
For those who lived on an island with just one fort and one village, the place everybody knew one another and your solely future prospect was restricted to a handful of actions, what would you do? You’d in all probability attempt to sail away looking for different lands. The issue is, individuals have tried that, and apparently, yours is the one island in existence.
That’s the premise of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined: a world populated by only a single isle. Fortuitously, the younger silent protagonist (son of the village’s biggest fisherman in Pilchard Bay) and Kiefer (crown prince of the Estard Kingdom) are dissatisfied with this actuality. They wish to enterprise out looking for new areas. And I am unable to fault them, as a result of I might be in the identical boat.
It is throughout this escapade between the 2 — unwillingly accompanied by Maribel — that they come upon a Shrine. After accumulating some fragments and putting them on an altar, the trio is transported to a different island. From then on, the journey really will get underway. The twist is that, after resolving the battle in that area and returning to the current, they hear experiences of a brand new island rising close to their dwelling. It does not take a lot to place two and two collectively and notice that saving the previous is the key to safeguarding the current.
Following this, we have to acquire extra fragments, place them on one other altar, and journey to a different area of the previous. The narrative construction reveals itself as a group of quick tales relatively than a single overarching story. Every area has its personal issues, tradition, and native taste, mirrored even within the dialogue. By fixing a disaster, the island seems within the current, typically mirroring what was skilled up to now.
This episodic construction is each a energy and a weak point of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined‘s storytelling. On the one hand, this format permits the NPCs’ reactivity to flourish. Each story beat that advances adjustments all their interactions and dialogues, as even easy villagers react actively to occasions. The truth that we’re usually confined to at least one village, dungeon, and subplot permits this evolution to really feel extra natural and intimate, enriching the world-building.
Alternatively, it is tough to see how these quick tales connect with a central plot or what the purpose of our hero’s journey is. I will not point out if a connection ultimately seems as a result of I wish to protect your expertise, however know that for twenty, possibly thirty hours, you will be touring from area to area serving to residents with out having a clue of what awaits you or what your position is past being a online game adventurer.
Which, to be truthful, wasn’t an issue for me. Truthfully, aside from just a few setpieces, I’ve by no means thought of Dragon Quest tales to be their strongest go well with. The main focus is all the time on the journey, not the vacation spot, and right here in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, that turns into much more evident. The plot of various areas takes an unexpectedly darkish flip, however the majority are extremely predictable in each execution and end result.
The narrative construction reveals itself as a group of quick tales relatively than a single overarching story.
Nonetheless, I used to be and engaged on each new island. Amassing new fragments, putting them on the altar, and teleporting to a forgotten previous was all the time a nice and intriguing journey. By no means understanding what awaited me or how it might be solved was an unorthodox storytelling technique that, inadvertently, confirmed me a brand new aspect of the style even after taking part in so many JRPGs.
In the meantime, gamers preferring that each character arc, subplot, and a little bit of foreshadowing connect with a central plot won’t have the endurance to endure the numerous hours of vignettes that Reimagined provides. They could find yourself dropping by the wayside earlier than seeing how their temporal adventures repay in the long term.
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Occasion Chat is Again, Considerably
The one consistency throughout the scattered islands and all of the time-traveling is our group, which experiences all these moments collectively. And sorry to begin this one on a destructive be aware, however my largest private bone to choose with JRPGs these days is silent protagonists. Even Yuji Horii has accepted that this archetype is not superb for contemporary video games, and I’ve to agree.
In pixel visuals, it is extra acceptable, however in 3D, with facial expressions, top-tier voice performing, and impactful set items, having a foremost character with the identical clean stare always, who at most solely nods throughout probably the most emotional scenes, is a detriment to the narrative.
A method the sport will get across the hero’s lack of a voice is thru Occasion Chat. This function was added with the unique launch of Dragon Quest VII. Whereas I could not discover the official supply, it is stated that Maribel was added to the sport particularly to make the most of this chat probably the most. Within the authentic, you may entry the menu and discuss to your celebration members, who would focus on something that had simply occurred. And I actually imply something, from coming into a random home to going through a particular enemy with a buff or debuff, and even petting a canine.
Occasion Chat was conceived as a method to counterpoint the characters and deepen their personalities with out bloating the principle story or hindering the pacing. The unique sport assumed you’d work together with this method, although. Once I first performed Dragon Quest VIII, I not often used the chat as a result of I used to be unfamiliar with it. For a very long time, I felt like my characters had no character, when in actuality their depth lay hidden behind the function.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined has toned down Occasion Chat considerably, however it’s nonetheless there. After my first battle, Kiefer had a definite dialogue. Two seconds later, I picked up a fraction, and his chat modified once more, displaying the system stays considerably intricate. These banters occurred, nevertheless, as a result of I sought them.
Typically, the interface will immediate a Occasion Chat. For those who press the corresponding button, a celebration member gives you a touch concerning the subsequent goal. For those who exhaust the dialogue, they’ll repeat that trace. Sometimes, I’d come throughout an attention-grabbing occasion, and the group had nothing to say, however different occasions, I’d do one thing unremarkable, hit the hotkey, and there it was: a definite dialog. This primarily pressured my hand, making me spam the Occasion Chat button virtually continuously, which sarcastically hindered my pacing relatively than serving to it.
If Dragon Quest VII Reimagined confirmed a cue every time a brand new chat was out there, just like the skits within the Tales of sequence, it might be far more pleasing. Because it stands, it feels counterintuitive. After forty hours, I ended urgent the button as a result of I used to be merely worn out. And do not get me incorrect, I am the kind of literary participant who reads each bestiary and merchandise description looking for tiny, teensy world-building parts that tie into the grand scheme. However I draw the road when all I get is repeated texts.
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Fortuitously, the remake added many new dialogues straight into the principle story, fleshing out characters with out leaning so closely on Occasion Chat. Nonetheless, it is solely a small portion in comparison with what you get whenever you discover the function to the top. Lots of Maribel’s acerbic and typically petulant remarks are reserved for Occasion Chat. For those who overlook it or do not wish to spam her at each flip, you will miss out on her eccentric character.
Each different celebration member is colourful and distinctive, and so they give physique to the entire we-must-save-the-world narrative. I ponder what number of gamers will miss their quirks and personalities as a result of they’ll overlook the Occasion Chat. It is an odd script machine, for positive. Possibly I’d really feel indifferent from the characters if I hadn’t engaged with the mechanic. However since I used to be continuously chatting away, my journey with them was extra satisfying. If I’ll provide you with a tip, do attempt to interact with the Occasion Chat at times to reinforce your storytelling expertise, even at the price of pacing hiccups at times.
The Most Traditional of Flip-Based mostly
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined maintains the turn-based system, however as a substitute of being a round-style battle, it is now particular person character turns. This implies every member acts the second you select their command.
The rhythm of battle is satisfyingly snappy. I could not play the HD-2D remakes at regular pace. Right here, even the default pace felt fluid sufficient. Along with fast-forward, the title brings a number of fashionable conveniences, resembling enemies showing on the sphere, Zoom (quick journey) from the phrase go, and, for the primary time ever within the franchise, a shared stock.
Different enhancements embody markers on the minimap displaying chests and the situation of the following foremost aim. There are additionally no extra celebration members being dragged in coffins. For those who win a battle with a member knocked out, they return with 1 HP. Lastly, now we have modular problem ranges, permitting you to vary expertise and gold beneficial properties, in addition to the energy of each your celebration and the enemies. These modifiers have been important whereas I used to be grinding to take down the sport’s superboss.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined incorporates a Vocation system, the sequence’ model of courses. Now, even the preliminary ones have ranks, and with every new one, we study a talent. The remake additionally added a function known as vocational perks. Typically, our characters get labored up, and after they let unfastened, a particular transfer associated to their Vocation turns into out there. The protagonist’s fisher vocation, for instance, makes your complete celebration invulnerable to a single enemy assault. Every Vocation has its personal distinctive perk that may flip the tide in a single motion.
The development and gameplay are as fundamental as they arrive, however nonetheless pleasurable as a result of the sport delivers precisely what a Dragon Quest fan expects. Since enemies seem on the map, there isn’t any longer a smooth bump when a combat breaks out, and you’ll even begin with a bonus when you whack them on the sphere. Plus, in case your stage is far greater than the enemies’, they die with out even coming into a battle display, which retains the momentum going.
General, all of the additions have been welcome. I performed the entire sport on the default problem, and amongst all of the Dragon Quest titles I’ve performed, Reimagined was the simplest. I solely noticed a Sport Over display when going through the superboss. I gained virtually each fodder battle on auto-battle, and I think I might have carried out the identical for some bosses. I feel I perceive why the remake was made so accessible, although.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined can nonetheless be a slog. The producers repeatedly talked about that the expertise was streamlined, however it nonetheless takes some time to get into gear. My first battle occurred an hour in, and unlocking new Vocations took 15 hours. For context, I had mastered the preliminary ones in six hours, that means I spent almost ten hours utilizing the identical expertise earlier than I might get pleasure from new ones.
On the intense aspect, as soon as I unlocked extra Vocations, the gameplay exponentially improved. I’d change them on a regular basis, mixing and matching two of them with the Moonlight system to attract the most effective of each single specialty. Mastering preliminary Vocations additionally unlocked middleman and superior ones, which motivated me to maintain battling and leveling up. But, it nonetheless took means too lengthy to unlock them.
The remake eliminated Monster Vocations. Now, Monster Hearts are equipment earned from defeating Vicious Monsters, a powered-up model of normal ones.
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Exploring Each New Island
It is doable I took longer as a result of I used to be exploring each doable nook of every new space. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined gloriously rewards gamers who wander away the overwhelmed path. For those who stick strictly to the development of combating enemies, incomes gold and making an attempt to purchase new tools within the subsequent village, you will quickly end up quick on money or counting on the identical outdated farming course of.
However when you discover each dungeon, break each barrel and urn, and acquire all Mini Medals, you will all the time be rewarded. You will not have to depend on grinding as a lot, particularly since exploration naturally results in extra fight, which grants you extra expertise and gold in the long term.
As soon as I unlocked extra Vocations, the gameplay improved exponentially.
A top quality-of-life function the remake added — which I completely adored — is an interface displaying whether or not or not an space has a collectible. There are two of those: Mini Medals and fragments. For those who open the database for these two, the sport reveals if any of the areas you have visited nonetheless have secrets and techniques.
One other means they streamlined the sport was by making some previous areas elective. You may go to them by discovering further fragments, however they don’t seem to be obligatory to achieve the ending. These elective areas provide further tools and objects that naturally make you harder and higher ready to deal with the following problem. Emphasis, nevertheless, is on elective, as a result of if it is already arduous to see the connection between the obligatory areas and the central plot, you will not discover any in these aspect tales.
What I loved most was seeing how my affect in previous timelines formed the islands within the current. There’s an elective area the place I stored going backwards and forwards, and every new story beat modified the island within the current day in a relatively convincing means. The NPC dialogue additionally develops in a relatively amusing method. Many maintain their traditions intact as seen within the outdated days, whereas others are distorted by the passage of time, fully altering the village’s backstory.
New Graphics, Similar Soundtrack
One of the crucial distinct adjustments between Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and the HD-2D is the visible presentation. The remake options an artwork fashion that makes an attempt to simulate Akira Toriyama’s timeless designs in a miniaturized 3D model.
To place it merely: I cherished it. The characters have a younger look that matches completely with the theme of boundless journey. The one uncanny valley second for me is Kiefer’s look, as a result of his face appears prefer it’s completely below a Giga Chad filter.
The most important glow-up for me is the setting. What I like most a few remake is seeing how small, pixelated worlds develop and increase in 3D, highlighting their magnitude. We nonetheless have a ravishing, nostalgic overworld, and each village, dungeon, and chateau appears unbelievable and well-polished.
My main gripe is that some NPC fashions are recycled to the purpose of exhaustion. It would not be an issue if it have been simply filler NPCs, however the identical mannequin for an outdated man or a mayor is reused for distinctive, named characters. Few have a very distinct design, normally reserved for these with outstanding roles.
The remake options an artwork fashion that makes an attempt to simulate Akira Toriyama’s timeless designs in a miniaturized 3D model. To place it merely: I cherished it.
In battle, the visuals additionally shine, particularly the animations. It is probably the most lovely Kaffrizzle or Gigalash look I’ve ever seen. This artwork fashion additionally permits the sport to run easily. There have been no graphics or efficiency choices, which I assume signifies the sport runs at a excessive body price and determination always. General, it is a visually stellar remake.
Now, I do know my subsequent remark could be controversial, however after taking part in 4 Dragon Quest video games within the final 12 months and a half, I need to say I’ve grown a bit uninterested in the soundtrack. I perceive and admire how iconic most tracks are, and I agree that the principle theme must be Japan’s nationwide anthem, however the leitmotifs turn into straightforward to establish after listening to Koichi Sugiyama on loop.
For the primary few hours, the tracks are nice, however as the sport progresses, you discover that the music for caves, forests, unhappiness, or pleasure is all the time the identical. They turn into stale after fifty-sixty hours of gameplay, particularly the battle theme, which by no means adjustments. I acknowledge it is a private take and will mirror my fatigue relatively than the sport’s personal deserves, so do not take it an excessive amount of to coronary heart, particularly when you love the sequence’ music and do not thoughts listening to it on repeat.
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Streamlined, However Nonetheless Dragged On
In the end, my expertise with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was very satisfying. As somebody already accustomed to JRPGs and Dragon Quest, my expectations aligned with what the remake provided. But, it is arduous to justify and even counsel this sport as a gateway for brand spanking new followers, as Sq. intends. Dragon Quest XI, as an example, can also be a protracted journey, however from the start, we all know why we’re on the journey, and the battle engages us from the get-go.
Regardless of being streamlined, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined nonetheless takes some time to hit its stride, each by way of story and gameplay. The Vocations, that are the lifeblood of the battle system, solely unlock fifteen hours in. This made my early dungeon runs really feel like little greater than chores the place I might strike an enemy and let auto-battle deal with the remainder.
After some time, nevertheless, the sport started to unfold. My customization choices grew richer, my characters developed their very own specialties, and the story began to really feel private and pull me in. From then on, I simply steamrolled to the top, with a smile on my face for each previous saved and current restored. JRPGs already require a little bit of tolerance from the participant, however even throughout the style, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined asks for a tad extra. Fortunately, the payoff is superb.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined introduces new techniques and quality-of-life enhancements that streamline the unique expertise and make it extra palatable for contemporary audiences. The sport nonetheless takes its candy time to indicate its playing cards, although. JRPGs are a style that calls for endurance and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined asks for a tad extra. Nonetheless, when you can embrace the episodic storytelling format and take advantage of the Occasion Chat and Vocation system, you will discover that your journey by time was properly price it.
- Launched
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February 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Everybody 10+ / Comedian Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Delicate Blood, Delicate Language, Delicate Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Writer(s)
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Sq. Enix
- Higher pacing than the unique, however…
- Fulfilling and rewarding sense of journey
- Vocation system is nice and enjoyable
- Distinctive and lovely artwork fashion
- Welcoming new high quality of life additions
- …it nonetheless takes too lengthy to get into gear
- Occasion Chat may very well be higher applied
- Silent protagonist undermines the narrative
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