Dragon Quest began an RPG empire for Enix in Japan in 1986, which was followed up by a 1989 release in North America. Its sequel, Dragon Quest 2: Luminaries of the Legendary Line, launched only a year later in both territories. The rest is history, as the Dragon Quest series is still huge in Japan while the rest of the world treats the games as a more niche RPG franchise.
For the Dragon Quest diehards, they are likely more than delighted to play these two classics again with the release of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake. Taking into account the base games and the improvements made in the remake, let’s go through which game in the collection is better. There will be no spoilers to worry about here.
Dragon Quest 2: The Story
Humor And Charm
Even though the second game is decades old, it feels like a modern RPG. The HD-2D graphics are one aspect, as are athe new soundtrack and vocals. While Dragon Quest 1 Remake has voiced dialogue too, it isn’t as dynamic because the story is simpler.
With a full party, characters can bounce back and forth with each other in Dragon Quest 2 Remake. It’s a cliché story of an evil wizard trying to destroy the world, but the narrative is elevated thanks to the charming characters and witty humor, which elevates it above the first entry.
Dragon Quest 1: The Hero’s Journey
A Classic RPG
Even though the story is just as cliché as the second game and there’s only one protagonist, that will be okay for some. Sometimes simpler is better, and Dragon Quest 1 Remake invokes the very nature of a hero’s journey without lengthy dialogue getting in the way.
The protagonist starts as a wannabe hero, but after passing each trial, more and more people start to believe he truly is the second coming of the hero of yore: Erdrick. While the Hero lacks a party, there are recurring characters that he keeps running into, almost like a Pokemon game where rivals keep popping up. It’s a nice way to give players a sense of progression in this short adventure.
Dragon Quest 2: The Party System
Battles Are Swifter
Dragon Quest 1 Remake is a rough game to get into gameplay-wise if players are coming off other big turn-based RPGs with party systems. The Hero is the only main playable character, and he must face multiple enemies at once. Battles take much longer in that game, whereas Dragon Quest 2 Remake has three party members for about half its runtime.
In the second half of Dragon Quest 2 Remake, Matilda joins the party, who is the sister of Caradoc, another party member. Even with just three party members, battles flow better and players can strategize more easily with more characters to work with.
Dragon Quest 1: Every Upgrade Matters
A Party Of One
The plus side to having just one character to manage is that players will treat every reward like a godsend. Players will know exactly what to do with each new weapon, accessory, piece of armor, and so o,n because there is only one character in Dragon Quest 1 Remake to worry about.
This applies to the various Seeds that can improve stats, Scrolls that can imbue new spells, and the list goes on. While it is a pain to fight battles alone, that challenge may be what players are looking forward to the most.
Dragon Quest 2: The Ocean Floor
A Proper Use Of The Remake Formula
Both Dragon Quest games have a lot of great changes in the remake, from the improved graphics to the beefed-up battle systems. However, in terms of brand-new content and not just tweaked areas, the second game wins without a doubt.
There is an upgrade for the ship in Dragon Quest 2 Remake that allows it to go underwater, which is a completely new feature. This isn’t just for a single dungeon either, as players can explore a large section of the ocean floor. It’s almost like a second overworld.
Dragon Quest 1: Protagonist Vs Protagonist
From Powers To Expressions
Both Heroes are silent protagonists in Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, which is the case for every main character in the mainline Dragon Quest games. However, both characters are not created equally. For example, the Hero of Dragon Quest 2 Remake cannot learn spells naturally, and while he isn’t weak, he’s less diverse than his party.
The Hero of Dragon Quest 1 Remake is much stronger by default, since he is traveling alone, but he’s also more expressive when he interacts with others. He feels more like a character, whereas the Hero of Dragon Quest 2 Remake feels more like a blank slate for the player to project themselves onto.
Dragon Quest 2: The Pacing
Something New Around The Corner
Dragon Quest 1 Remake‘s simplicity is great, but there’s not a lot of exciting stuff that happens during the story. Dragon Quest 2 Remake‘s beginning is more engaging, with a kingdom’s fall kickstarting the whole journey. Each new section of the game feels like a mini arc in an anime, from freeing a character from her doggy prison to going down to the aforementioned ocean floor.
The pacing is just better in Dragon Quest 2 Remake, between big dungeons and smaller moments where the story can breathe. It’s a lot easier to stay engaged, whereas Dragon Quest 1 Remake can start to drag in the later stages.
Verdict
Dragon Quest 2 Remake
Dragon Quest 2 Remake is a proper sequel in every way, and these games should be played in order. While it will be fun for beginners to jump into a simple and classic RPG like Dragon Quest 1 Remake, they will be blown away by what awaits them in the second game.
Both RPGs are some of the best Square Enix has to offer, and hopefully, they’ll remake more games in this style soon, because between this collection and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, they are nailing it. Thanks to the charming party, great pacing, and imaginative world, Dragon Quest 2 Remake is better than Dragon Quest 1 Remake, and maybe even the best game in the Erdrick trilogy.
- Released
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October 30, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
