Square Enix has released a new remake of Dragon Quest 7, turning the low-tech PlayStation original into a fully modern 3D game while preserving the series' old-school charm. The game, originally released in 2000, has been reworked more extensively than the recent HD-2D remakes of the first three Dragon Quest titles.
The new version retains the franchise's iconic diorama-style world and character designs from artist Akira Toriyama, scanned from physical dolls. Turn-based combat remains central, with battles that are simple to grasp but offer depth through a vocation system. Up to four party members can fight together, each developing attributes from their chosen vocations, and later characters can pursue two vocations simultaneously.
The story follows a fisherman's son from Estard Island, who joins Prince Kiefer and their friend Maribel to explore a sealed temple. By assembling puzzle piece stone fragments, they travel back in time to save islands from catastrophe, causing them to emerge in the present. The narrative is family-friendly and endearing, with a plucky band of teenage adventurers.
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined eases new players into its systems gently, with no assumed prior knowledge. The game's simplicity makes it an excellent starting point for newcomers to Japanese role-playing games, while offering satisfying tactical challenges in later stages.
