Remakes aren’t anything new. We’ve seen many over the years. From horror classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill 2 to action adventures like Gears of War. So it makes sense that Square Enix would remake some of their classic Dragon Quest games. More specifically, the first two. Dragon Quest 1 and 2 are classic RPG titles that bring back that retro feel of gaming from long ago. Are they worth revisiting and should newcomers give them a chance? Here is a review of Dragon Quest 1 And 2 HD-2D Remake.
A Hero’s Story
Dragon Quest 1 follows your character as they embark on a perilous quest to take the down the evil Dragonlord. You come from the line of Erdick, a legendary hero and now you must take up the mantle to save the world once again in his name. Now the story of Dragon Quest 1 is pretty basic. A simple good vs evil story. There are many characters you can meet on your quest but they are pretty forgettable. They have tons of dialogue but none really stuck with me on my playthrough. Except for the overuse of the word, ‘thy’. It makes the plot forgettable and that is a shame because the world is beautiful to look at. Villages are beautifully lit up and the soundtrack that plays when you visit them in Dragon Quest 1 is brilliant and catchy as hell. Same can be said about Dragon Quest 2 in these areas. Both games have the retro, classic look and feel but the visuals are updated to make them more appealing for modern audiences. Soundtrack and visuals are brilliant in both games but I found the plot’s simple and lacking.
Dragon Quest 1 is hit the most by this because it is a solo adventure. No party system. Just you alone against the many enemies of bosses in this world.
A Lone Wolf Vs Friends
Dragon Quest 1 and 2’s combat gameplay is simple but fun and challenging. Players encounter various enemies and bosses on the road. When thrown into an encounter, players face against one or multiple enemy types. In the first game, you face them alone. You can decide to attack them with normal sword attacks or special moves like a fire slashes that apply burn damage or spells like Crackle which freezes enemies in ice, breaks and deals big damage. Enemies also have weaknesses so choosing the right method is key.
Unfortunately, Dragon Quest 1 is a lone wolf game. No party system which leads to more difficult fights. Enemies can kill sometimes before you even get a turn which can become frustrating as you go on. Dragon Quest 2 introduces the classic party system and gives you more characters to control. As you level up, you will have access to more weapons, armor, spells and gear. You will become more powerful and you and your party can become unstoppable. Boss fights are good too and are the most challenging so it is recommended to explore as much as you can before facing them.
A Wonderful World
The world of both games is beautiful and one of the best parts. Upgraded visuals make everything stand out more from the big open forests to the beautiful towns. Dungeons and enemy designs stand out. My favourite was the dragon from the first Dragon Quest. Makes exploring that more fun. Something is always hiding around every corner of the map.
Verdict
Overall, both Dragon Quest games are a blast to play. The remakes give both a visual upgrade with more characters and brilliant soundtracks. Both games have beautiful open worlds, while offering challenging fights. The first Dragon Quest is hindered a bit by not having a party system but is still fun to play. Both games also stumble in the story department but the exploration, combat and open world are too good to ignore. If you want to check out these classics, the remakes are the best way to do it right now.
