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Dragon Quest VII Reimagined: Everything We Know

Among recent remakes and reimaginings, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined might just be the most surprising and, honestly, one of the most exciting. The original was a massive, content-packed adventure that pushed the limits of what a JRPG could be at the time. Now it’s back with a new look and some cool upgrades, but it still holds on to the heart of what made the original so special. From what we’ve seen so far, this isn’t just a prettier version of the same game. It’s a full-on reimagining, aiming to bring a new experience into one of the most ambitious entries in the series. And whether you played the original on PS1, the 3DS remake, or you’re totally new to the Dragon Quest world, there’s a lot to get excited about. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up to be a true JRPG revival of all time.
What Is Dragon Quest VII Reimagined?
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is basically one of the best JRPGs you didn’t know you needed. It’s got those classic epic stories, colorful worlds, and turn-based battles that actually make you think. However, what makes it stand out is how it nails the whole adventure vibe; like, the characters and quests totally stick with you way after you stop playing. And the battles? Yeah, they’re fun, but it’s really the whole journey that sucks you in. Now, this remake? It’s throwing all that into a giant magical world with a fresh new look that’s super easy to jump into, whether you’ve been on board since day one or this is your first rodeo.
Story
This game takes you to Estard, a quiet island, where the hero is a fisherman’s kid craving adventure. Alongside his best friend, he stumbles on some ancient tablet fragments in a creepy old shrine. When they put the pieces together on a pedestal, a magical portal opens up. It throws them into a bunch of lost continents and a whole lot of trouble. Turns out, the world used to be way bigger, but a dark force wiped out most of it. Thanks to a map fragment from the fisherman, they can travel back in time to when those continents still existed. Each place has serious problems, and only this growing team of heroes can fix them.
Then there’s the big bad: Demon Lord Orgodemir. After an initial showdown, he’s not done; he comes back disguised as a god, tricking everyone and sealing the continents away again. But the heroes? They refuse to quit. With help from the Four Elemental Spirits, they uncover Orgodemir’s tricks. Then they head to the Dark Palace for the final battle between good and evil. If you’re into wild adventure, mysterious worlds, and classic JRPG vibes with a twist, this game’s looking pretty promising.
Gameplay
There’s a huge world to explore here, and honestly, it can take well over 100 hours if you want to check out every side quest. The epic battles keep that old-school Dragon Quest feel turn-based, with a first-person view and those classic 2D fight scenes. Outside of battle, everything’s in 3D, which makes wandering around a bit more immersive. Getting from place to place never gets boring. You’ll be walking, sailing, and even flying on a magic carpet. Each one works better in different spots, so you’re always switching it up depending on where you want to go.
The twist? Instead of just one big map, you collect these ancient stone shards and put them in pedestals back on Estard, your home island. That sends you back in time to continents stuck in the past, where you fix problems. And there’s tons of other stuff too, like building up your town, hitting the casino, entering contests, and even catching monsters for your Monster Park.
Development
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is shaping up to be something really cool. Square Enix is handling publishing and co-development, and HEXADRIVE is right there in the mix too, bringing their tech chops into play. Meanwhile, ArtePiazza is back in the game; they worked on the original 3DS version, and now they’re helping bring this edition to Switch, with a neat 3D diorama-style look that’s both fresh and nostalgic. And yes, Yuji Horii is back. He’s overseeing everything. So the soul of the story and the characters isn’t lost in the upgrades. With that team behind it, it really feels like a chance to revive something classic while making it click for modern audiences.
Trailer
The Dragon Quest VII Reimagined trailer kicks off on this quiet, tiny island called Estard. At first, it feels like just a calm fishing village. But then you meet the hero, a young fisherman’s kid who’s clearly ready to get out there and see the world. Pretty soon, they stumble on these old stone tablets, and boom, portals open up to these long-lost continents. You get quick peeks at the team growing, with some cool characters joining in, each bringing something different to the table. Battles look familiar but way slicker, turn-based, and still classic, but with a fresh new look. The towns look lively and packed with cool spots to uncover.
The voiceover starts out calm, with soft music that gradually builds as the tone shifts. Then, you catch a hint of the big bad guy, Demon Lord Orgodemir, showing up and making things tense. That final boss fight? Yeah, it’s going to get wild.
Release Date and Platforms
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is set to launch on February 5, 2026, and it’s coming to all your favorite platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. Right now, preorders are open, so you can lock in your copy early. Even better, if you buy digitally on Xbox, you can take advantage of Xbox Play Anywhere, letting you play seamlessly on both your console and PC. Moreover, the Digital Deluxe Edition sweetens the deal by offering 48-hour early access starting February 3, 2026, letting you dive into the journey two days ahead of launch. Plus a bonus pack that includes a Dragon Quest VIII outfit for the hero and a few Seeds of Proficiency to give your squad an early edge.