Ahead of its October launch, Square Enix has unveiled further details for Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake, highlighting combat enhancements and new items for players. Mirroring the original JRPGs, players will once again engage monsters in turn-based battles across an overworld and various dungeons.
The foundational elements of classic Dragon Quest gameplay, such as spells and skills, are all present. For those finding battles challenging, the game now offers an optional in-game menu setting that suggests optimal actions to exploit enemy weaknesses. When enabled, this feature displays text above foes, indicating the most effective moves to use against them.
A new addition comes in the form of Scrolls, which empower characters to learn extra spells and skills. These valuable items can be discovered in treasure chests throughout the games but are character-specific. The five elemental Sigils—Sun, Star, Moon, Water, and Soul—originally from Dragon Quest 2, make their return in Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake, activating diverse combat effects upon collection.
In Dragon Quest 1 HD, Sigils are acquired through a quest to aid fairies, while in Dragon Quest 2 HD, they are gathered as part of the mission to defeat Hargon, the malevolent high priest commanding a monster army. Each Sigil grants unique bonuses, such as guaranteed critical hit damage for special abilities, and can upgrade other abilities under specific conditions.
Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake is set to release on October 30 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and Switch. Players planning to experience the game on Nintendo hardware should note that there will be no upgrade path between different Switch console iterations.
“The games achieve a stunning blend of classic pixel art and contemporary touches. I hadn`t fully appreciated how much Square Enix`s `HD-2D` aesthetic had evolved in recent years.”
— Steve Watts, in a preview