Square Enix continues its ongoing effort to revisit some of its most recognisable role-playing games with the development of Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, a full remake of the original PlayStation title from 2000. The new release follows the earlier 3DS remake from 2013. Still, this latest version aims to go further by reshaping the adventure with a refreshed visual direction, streamlined progression and an updated approach to storytelling.
Long known within the fan community as one of the most challenging and lengthy entries in the Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest VII is remembered for its sprawling time-travel narrative and wide range of locations. The remake seeks to maintain the scale and ambition of the original while making the overall adventure more accessible for modern audiences. Early impressions of the game suggest the developers have taken bold steps to refine both the structure and the presentation of the story.
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined takes players back to a world where the Hero and his companions uncover lost history by travelling to past eras, exploring forgotten continents and confronting ancient threats. As they journey through shifting timelines, they find a conspiracy linking old kingdoms to present-day events, strengthening their bonds along the way. The remake remains faithful to this concept while offering a visually expressive approach that brings the characters and environments to life in new ways.
New visuals and refined storytelling
One of the most striking features of Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is its new 3D art style. The development team used diorama models and doll-like character references to achieve a more emotive, animated look inspired by the late Akira Toriyama’s artwork. The result is a whimsical, expressive world that feels closer to an animated adventure film than previous entries in the series.
Beyond the visual redesign, the team has reworked several parts of the game’s narrative and pacing. Producer Takeshi Ichikawa explained that improving the flow of the adventure was one of the remake’s primary goals.
“The ‘reimagined’ elements of the narrative allude to improvements in the game’s overall framework, which offers a much deeper and more compelling experience,” Ichikawa said. “In our effort to streamline the overall story progression and provide a more engaging narrative, we decided to cut subplots that have little or no direct relevance to the main scenario. While some content has been removed, entirely new scenarios have also been introduced. Our goal was to build upon the strengths of the original game while striving to deliver a deeper, more immersive story experience for modern players.”
Hands-on previews of the game include early sections such as the Emberdale dungeon, where villagers perform a dangerous ritual to calm a fire demon inside a volcano, and the Wetlock scenario, which confronts the party with a mysterious magic user who transports citizens to a tower in a flooded region. These areas demonstrate the remake’s balance of classic dungeon-crawling and updated storytelling.
Updated combat and a fresh approach to progression
While the remake stays close to the traditional turn-based combat system, the new visuals give battles a sharper sense of impact and tactical clarity. Each character feels more distinct, from their animations to their combat roles, with characters like the wolf-riding bandit Ruff standing out during encounters.
Difficulty remains consistent with the original, offering fair but demanding battles, especially during boss confrontations. Players will still need to plan their skills carefully and adapt to tougher enemies, though the remake provides more tools to manage the challenge.
The most significant new combat feature is the Moonlighting system, which allows characters to equip two vocations at the same time. In the original game, switching classes reset a character’s level, leading to extensive grinding. The dual-vocation system eliminates much of this busywork and gives each party member a wider range of abilities. This approach encourages more strategic play and offers greater variety in party setups, enhancing both flexibility and long-term character development.
The developers’ rework maintains the original game’s ambition while refining its systems to suit modern expectations better. Many players regarded the 2000 version as difficult to revisit due to its length and structure, and the remake aims to address these challenges without sacrificing depth or charm.
Ichikawa expressed confidence in the project’s ability to appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers. “We believe that existing fans will find the game satisfying. At the same time, since this title has been reimagined from the ground up as a modern release, we’re also excited for many new players to enjoy it as their first Dragon Quest experience,” he said.
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is scheduled for release on 5 February 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.
