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There are several RPGs out there that have become staples of the genre or so iconic that we still talk about them even decades after their original release. One of those is the complete Erdrick Trilogy. This collection of games introduced us to the wonderful world of Dragon Quest, and while it was stuck in the past for several years, we now have a complete remake collection done most spectacularly. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake wraps up the Erdrick Trilogy. It does so through many quality-of-life changes, story additions, and other features that make these versions the ultimate way to experience the iconic RPGs of yore.
The Lone Hero
Normally, I break down a review into story, gameplay, and visuals, but since this review includes two games, I’ll cover each in its own section.
The first game in Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is, well, Dragon Quest I, first known as Dragon Warrior. This is also a good time to tell you that, of these two, I never played the game that started it all, so I went into Alef’s adventure blind. I know the hero is also known as Solo, but Alef is the “canon” name I’m going for.
In any case, the story picks up years after the events of Dragon Quest III, meaning that if you played the remake of that one, which is the first one of the trilogy in chronological order, you’ll be able to understand everything with ease.
The land still has that sense of familiarity. I reviewed Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, and it was surprising to see just how alike some of the locations felt, which, from a story perspective, made sense. The gorgeous HD-2D art style Square Enix has been using still makes every location shine, making every town, dungeon, and castle unique.
For the new ones out there, Dragon Quest puts you in the shoes of a descendant of Erdrick, as he tries to prove his ties to the legendary hero, while also saving the world from the Dragonlord. Since I had never played this game before, I was not expecting it to take a solo approach, with no party members—it was pretty exciting.
The gameplay part remains unchanged from Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake in terms of its turn-based mechanics and multi-enemy fights. This was interesting, especially in Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake, as you’re a one-hero party and end up facing three or four enemies at once. However, the game added many spells to let your hero deal with all foes with ease. Also, while Dragon Quest, especially the Erdrick Trilogy, is quite grindy, the difficulty options return, so you can avoid that grind and focus on the story.
Several other QoL features return, such as showing the objective on your map, speed options for combat, tactics if you want to have your character act in a certain way during combat, but also many new additions, such as new spells that let Alef be the one-man party capable of taking any challenge head-on.
Beyond that, there are also new dungeons and story events that weren’t available in the original that many veteran players will enjoy, as they make the narrative feel more cohesive and easier to follow.
Overall, the first game of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake surprised me more than I thought it would, mainly due to its one-hero party approach, but with all the mechanics I got to experience in the third entry, and then some more. However, the one that really made my jaw drop and became one of my favorite Dragon Quest games ever thus far is, undoubtedly, the second entry, and the one that ends this iconic trilogy.
The End of a Legacy
Regardless of the version you played of Dragon Quest II, you’ll likely remember it for one thing: its difficulty. Yes, players still have trauma from the descendants’ journey, yet it is one that some also remember fondly, and might even become one of their favorites thanks to this remake.
Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake ends the Erdrick Trilogy, but this time, it puts you in the roles of four (you read that right) Princes and Princesses of Alefgard who are descendants of Erdrick. Fans of the original will remember the trio of heroes who banded together to save the world. Still, this time, you have another one joining the roster, the Princess of Cannock, or as the game suggested to call her, Matilda.
Again, in terms of gameplay, it is pretty similar to the other two titles, with the difference here being that you must manage your whole party, so some Scrolls will only work with some party members, and some equipment will only be available for some Princes or Princesses.
Since difficulty has always been a controversial topic for original Dragon Quest II fans, the truth is that I still felt that difficulty remained. The big difference is that you can now lower it, making the encounters much more manageable. Yet, I preferred playing it on normal difficulty, as it provided a more balanced experience with some required grinding, but never one that became too tedious.
Beyond the gorgeous graphics and changed locations that differ a bit from those of its predecessor, the real standout here is the new story additions, which made the whole narrative feel much more enjoyable, to the point that this entry rose to the top of my favorite Dragon Quest games, but also, as one of my favorite RPGs ever.
Another notable thing is that, of the two games in Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, this one features the most expanded content. I won’t go into details, of course, as that would spoil the surprise, but it was a welcome sight to see how the new additions never slowed the story’s pacing. It was the complete opposite: I always felt the narrative moved forward at a better pace thanks to how carefully curated these new additions were.
The Erdrick Trilogy At Its Finest
The Erdrick Trilogy is, without a doubt, what set the foundations for what Dragon Quest became, and it is also one of the most memorable storylines in the series, which now shines in its ultimate form thanks to Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. With all its changes, additions, and modern features, these entries remain faithful to the originals while also being highly approachable for players who want to see the games that paved the way for this massive RPG universe.
If you haven’t played any of these games before, give them a chance, as these are the best ways to experience the epic tales. However, I recommend starting with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake first, as watching Alefgard change throughout the game is impressive. Hopefully, this will encourage Square Enix to continue the trilogy remakes, because even if Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is on its way, I’d love to see Dragon Quest IV through VI get the same HD-2D treatment one day.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (PS5 Reviewed)
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake wraps up the legendary Erdrick Trilogy in a fantastic way. While the second entry is the winner in terms of new features and additions, both are must-play titles for RPG and Dragon Quest fans alike.
Pros
- Many new story additions that enhanced the beloved original stories
- Several new QoL features
- The HD-2D style is still gorgeous and timeless
Cons
- Dragon Quest I HD-2D didn't get as many additions as its successor
