What's Different in the HD-2D Version of "Dragon Quest I & II" Coming Out Tomorrow? New Features and Changes Revealed from Pre-Release Information
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/810/G081099/20251020044/
Writer: New Continental Order | 2025/10/28 22:00 (UTC)
The HD-2D remake of “Dragon Quest I & II” (available on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) will be released on October 30, 2025 (PC version launches on October 31). This title combines the remakes of the original “Dragon Quest I” (hereafter DQI) and “Dragon Quest II: The Revenge of the Dragon King” (hereafter DQII) into a single package.
The HD-2D version of “DQI & II” follows the same approach as the previously released HD-2D remake of “Dragon Quest III: And Then, to Legend…” (Nintendo Switch / PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC), significantly revising both the systems and story compared to the original Family Computer version. This article summarizes the key new features and changes confirmed from pre-release information.
Common New Features & Changes in HD-2D “DQI” and “DQII”
The most immediately noticeable difference between this remake and the original is its graphics, which rival those of modern games. This visual quality is achieved through Square Enix’s Shinozaki Team’s unique graphical technique, “HD-2D,” blending pixel art with 3DCG.
In terms of story, numerous new episodes and events have been added that weren’t present in the original. According to Masaki Sasaki, the game’s producer, at the “Dragon Quest I & II” TGS 2025 Special Stage during Tokyo Game Show 2025, playtime has significantly increased: approximately 10–15 hours for DQI and 35–40 hours for DQII—far exceeding that of the original.
Fans of the original may be curious about dungeon layouts, but during a media preview event for “DQI & II,” it was confirmed that while HD-2D gives the Wind Tower and Lighthouse in DQII new visual appeal, their structural design remains faithful to the original. Additionally, a new feature has been added: players can now view the locations of treasure chests within dungeons via an on-screen setting.
HD-2D “DQII” Lighthouse Thumbnail image for Gallery No.005 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
The diamond icon on the map marks treasure chest locations. This display can be toggled ON/OFF in system settings. Thumbnail image for Gallery No.006 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
A major feature of the HD-2D version is that protagonists now learn “skills” not present in the original. Some skills and spells are acquired by using scrolls obtained from treasure chests, rather than through level-ups. Since available skills vary per character, each hero’s individuality remains intact.
Acquiring “Power Up” via a scroll from a chest Thumbnail image for Gallery No.007 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
Immediately putting the skill to use in a tough battle Thumbnail image for Gallery No.008 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
In the original DQII, players collected five emblems representing “Sun,” “Star,” “Moon,” “Water,” and “Life” during mid-game. In this HD-2D remake, emblems also appear in DQI, where they are gathered similarly to how they were in DQII.
Additionally, possessing an emblem now grants special effects under specific conditions or probabilities. For example, the Sun Emblem causes certain skills to trigger “One Strike of Devastation,” while the Moon Emblem makes some spells go haywire. When holding the Life Emblem and meeting certain conditions, select skills and spells transform into powerful “Super Skills.”
In the original DQII, players had to collect all five emblems solely for story progression—but in this HD-2D version, each emblem grants unique battle effects upon acquisition.
The effect of the Life Emblem transforms “Dragon Slash” into “Demon King Slash” Thumbnail image for Gallery No.009 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information Thumbnail image for Gallery No.011 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
For Dragon Quest fans, one highlight is the exclusive “Memories of the World” obtainable during specific events in this HD-2D version. These are textual entries explaining what happened between DQIII and DQI, as well as between DQI and DQII—filling in gaps left ambiguous until now.
Previously, connections within the “Loto Trilogy” could only be vaguely inferred from in-game text or statements by series creator Yuji Horii. Now, these narrative links are officially expanded upon.
Information on “Memories of the World” was also revealed during the Tokyo Game Show 2025 stage event Thumbnail image for Gallery No.013 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
New Features & Changes in HD-2D “DQI”
In the original DQI, battles were strictly one-on-one between the hero and a monster. In this HD-2D remake, however, the protagonist now fights multiple monsters at once, leading to new skills and spells targeting groups or entire enemy formations.
A single monster may not seem threatening—but in large numbers… Thumbnail image for Gallery No.015 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
As mentioned, this HD-2D version adds numerous new story elements and events that enrich the narrative. A major addition is a storyline involving seeking help from Lubis, a spirit who also appears in DQIII, to save a world shrouded in darkness—filling in gaps left unresolved in the original.
A previously unexplained setting now gives deeper meaning to the story Thumbnail image for Gallery No.016 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
Additionally, during the media preview event for “DQI & II,” players encountered new content involving a party of adventurers aspiring to be heroes and an episode about the descendants of Kandata from DQIII. Furthermore, it was announced that non-human races such as fairies and dwarves will appear as NPCs.
Of course, Kandata is included—but so are reclusive fairies and craftsmen dwarfs—adding classic Dragon Quest charm to these new storylines Thumbnail image for Gallery No.017 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information Thumbnail image for Gallery No.018 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information Thumbnail image for Gallery No.019 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
New Features Exclusive to HD-2D “DQII”
In the original DQII, players join a trio: the Prince of Lorecia, the Prince of Samartia, and the Princess of Moonbriuk. In this HD-2D remake, the Princess of Samartia becomes an additional playable character.
As the younger sister of the Samartian prince, she moves swiftly and expertly wields a variety of skills—plus spells that manipulate Mel and Hyado elements. Yet she also has a playful side, occasionally acting up during battles.
In the original, she only saw her brother off—but now she adventures alongside him Thumbnail image for Gallery No.020 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information Thumbnail image for Gallery No.021 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
The game world now includes a previously absent “undersea area.” Here, merfolk live quietly in their own hidden settlements—such as the town of Almeha and the dungeon known as the Mermaid Sanctuary.
Not only land but also the underwater realm faces threats from Hargon Thumbnail image for Gallery No.022 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information Thumbnail image for Gallery No.023 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
In the Mermaid Sanctuary, players face a formidable foe: Miliela, who never appeared in the original but made a brief appearance in the Super Famicom version. In this HD-2D remake, she stands as Hargon’s direct subordinate, confronting the Prince of Lorecia and his allies.
Even minor roles getting turned into major challenges is one of the joys of remakes Thumbnail image for Gallery No.024 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
Further, during the Tokyo Game Show 2025 stage event, it was revealed that the underwater world is nearly as large as the surface world, and a new story event—the Ghost Ship—has been added. This involves chasing a ghost ship drifting through the sea depths based on NPC clues about this hidden region beneath the ocean floor.
From the image, structures resembling castles seem to exist in the deep sea Thumbnail image for Gallery No.025 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
Other highlights include a special event at the Lighthouse where players interact with the Emblem Guardian during the media preview. The scene reveals the keen intuition of the Samartian siblings, suggesting deeper character development through such additional storylines.
Many may imagine the Samartian prince as laid-back—but this might change Thumbnail image for Gallery No.026 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information Thumbnail image for Gallery No.027 / What’s new in tomorrow’s HD-2D “Dragon Quest I & II”? Summarizing confirmed new features and changes from pre-release information
These are the confirmed new elements and changes in the HD-2D version of “DQI & II” so far. There will undoubtedly be more surprises revealed only upon actual gameplay—making this especially enjoyable for players who have played through the original multiple times. Additionally, as a concluding chapter to the Loto Trilogy, it also offers newcomers an excellent opportunity to experience the roots of the Dragon Quest series alongside the HD-2D “DQIII.”