Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined Evaluate: A Nostalgic JRPG That Balances Allure and Modernization

There was a resurgence of curiosity in prolonged, character-driven Japanese RPGs. Sq. Enix, the originator of the subgenre, has leaned absolutely into that momentum via remakes of the franchise that helped outline it, Dragon Quest. After remakes of the primary three entries from the sequence’ traditional NES period, the corporate has turned its consideration to a fan favourite initially launched for the PlayStation in 2000, Dragon Quest 7.

Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined is Sq. Enix’s newest remake of the Dragon Quest sequence, following 2024’s Dragon Quest 3 remake and final 12 months’s Dragon Quest 1-2 remake. When you’re questioning why the writer skipped forward to the seventh sport, it could possibly be as a result of DQ7 was remade again in 2016 for the 3DS, probably making it a better raise following the success of the sooner remakes. 

DQ7 marks an fascinating time for the franchise, as the primary six video games are cut up between two totally different story arc trilogies. With the seventh sport, developer Enix (earlier than it merged with Sq.) took a distinct method by making a sport that will stand by itself. Since then, the franchise entries that adopted have had no narrative ties to the others. For that motive, DQ7 is usually seen as being extra in the course of the pack when rating the Dragon Quest video games. Nonetheless, it is one of many higher entries in a legendary JRPG franchise. 

This quest isn’t dragging on and on 

Proper off the bat, what I and others who performed the unique model of DQ7 when it launched in 2000 will need to know is: Does it take three hours to succeed in the primary battle in Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined?

The reply is not any. When DQ7 first got here out, many gamers have been turned off by the sport’s sheer audacity of clicking via a lot storyline earlier than they actually obtained to do something apart from discuss to somebody. This time round, you are about an hour of prologue earlier than you will first swing your sword, which is an enchancment over the Nintendo DS model launched within the U.S. in 2016, the place it took nearer to 2 hours. Take into account, ready a complete hour earlier than the primary struggle remains to be a very long time for any sport, however there may be lots of story and character setup to get via.

This discount in time earlier than the primary battle is considered one of many quality-of-life upgrades which have turn into customary for the Dragon Quest remakes. Different enhancements embody the power to rapidly defeat enemies with out beginning a battle in case your occasion is at a better degree than they’re, teleporting to earlier areas immediately from the map and quest markers that clearly point out the place to go. These are welcome additions for newcomers and gamers with much less time to spend grinding, although some DQ7 diehard followers might take concern with how streamlined the sport has turn into.

Like the opposite Dragon Quest remakes, the visuals have improved considerably. The character designs stay trustworthy to the unique PSX model and the 3DS remake. Sq. Enix took the 3D fashions from the 3DS remake and added way more element. The areas have additionally been improved to present a extra open-world really feel. Characters are absolutely animated and show a wider vary of feelings throughout cutscenes. Whereas the cinematics is not going to make your jaw drop, they’re nonetheless efficient in delivering the Dragon Quest appeal the sequence is understood for. Add the melodies that date again to the primary sport launched in 1986, and you’ve got a deal with for each the eyes and ears.

Imagining extra of a narrative

If there’s a draw back to the streamlining, it is that it makes the sport’s lack of a powerful story extra obvious.

DQ7, like others within the franchise, follows the JRPG trope of a hero who begins from humble beginnings and ultimately rises to defeat a god. On this case, the protagonist is the son of a fisherman. He’s joined by Maribel, the mayor’s daughter, and Kiefer, the prince of the Kingdom of Estard.

The group discovers a Shrine of Mysteries that transports them again in time to islands that now not exist. Every island has its personal dilemma, normally resulting in a battle with a boss monster. As soon as resolved, the island reappears within the current, with townfolk recounting previous horrors whereas residing seemingly carefree lives. Every island additionally comprises fragments from each previous and current that should be collected to unlock a brand new island.

As soon as all of the islands are found, an evil energy reemerges and the group of younger individuals who solely not too long ago realized to struggle should defeat it to save lots of the world.

In a manner, DQ7’s story is not that dissimilar to earlier video games, the place each time a hero visits a brand new city, bother arises that should be handled. Right here, it is islands as an alternative of cities. As a result of these islands are small and the dilemmas are confined, DQ7 lacks a grand narrative buildup. As an alternative, it presents smaller aspect tales, some extra dramatic than others. One early island has gamers investigating an odd custom surrounding a volcano, resulting in a struggle with a Fireplace Spirit. One other island options townfolk reworked into animals, and vice versa, resulting from a monster’s curse.

The story serves the sport, but it surely is not notably compelling. Nonetheless, there’s appeal in a sport the place the son of a fisherman is destined to kill a god.

Get a job, hero

Some of the fascinating elements of DQ7 is the vocations system, its model of the franchise’s class mechanics. Each character begins with a job, and as they progress, they’ll change jobs. Every job has its personal stats, skills and a “Let Unfastened!” transfer, a particular means that costs after a sure variety of assaults or harm obtained. For instance, the hero’s particular transfer at the beginning of the sport creates a barrier to guard the occasion from a single assault.

There are greater than 20 vocations, every divided into tiers. Past the beginning job, there are newbie, intermediate and superior lessons. Newbie examples embody Martial Artist, Mage and Warrior. As you degree up a category, extra skills unlock, and as soon as it maxes out, it is time to choose one other.

When you max out two newbie jobs, like Thief and Sailor, you unlock the intermediate class Pirate. Mastering two or three intermediate vocations then unlocks superior jobs, reminiscent of Hero and Champion.

If that feels like so much, it’s. Luckily, a brand new characteristic referred to as Moonlighting lets a personality begin a brand new job whereas retaining expertise from one other. Contemplating that the sport can take about 40 hours to complete, the power to change lessons continuously and reward gamers for increase their characters is a brilliant transfer by Sq. Enix. 

And sure, you learn that proper — the sport solely takes round 40 hours to finish. Sq. Enix trimmed areas and dungeons, making this each a better model to complete and one which is not as trustworthy to the unique, which might take greater than 80 hours to complete. Followers of the unique might grumble at these modifications, but it surely cuts down on a few of the extra monotonous components of the sport.

Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined is definitely advisable for JRPG followers, although everybody else might need to method with warning. The drawn-out storyline retains you taking part in however does not fairly persuade you of the sport’s greatness, which could possibly be a turnoff for players who aren’t blissful grinding their manner via aspect tales.

Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined is offered now on PC, PS5, Nintendo Change and Xbox Sequence X|S consoles for $60.