Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, & PC)

A fairytale was once enough for our hearts to skip a beat. But as we grow older, we look for mystery and spice. The unexpected turn of events that completely turns the tide of the characters’ lives and fate. This is the artistry that games earn to perfect. But even decades ago, some franchises managed to tell pretty profound stories. 

Dragon Quest will be among the first to spring to the memory of RPG-fans. Even when some of its entries haven’t quite reached the same peak as others, it remains a franchise, long beloved for its enjoyable, heroic tales. And now, a return to one of the most memorable entries: Dragon Quest VII.

So, is this not-so-new Square Enix game for you? Cue our Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden beoordeling. 

Eenden op een rij

Dragon Quest VII has quite a long history, first released in 2000 in Japan as Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden, before heading to the West in 2001 as simply Dragon Quest VII. A remake for the Nintendo 3DS launched in 2016 called Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past. And now, a second remake, or reimagined 2026 version, Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden, for current-gen consoles and PC. 

Why, you ask, is one entry getting all of the attention in the world? Besides bringing newcomers into the fold? Well, the pacing of the original was a big issue, for starters. Twenty hours in, and you still hadn’t unlocked classes, not to mention faced any proper battles. 

The story dragged, too, only consolidating its multiple story arcs into one blended adventure far later on in your playthrough. And it’s all well and good to be infuriated, frustrated even. But the underlying story and gameplay structure are still damn fun. With the original’s playthrough in the 100+ hours, the 2016 remake in the 60 to 80+ hours, and now, the 2026 version in the 40 to 60+ hours, one thing’s clear: this isn’t a game for the impatient. At least if you’re to enjoy its nuances. 

Fatal Attraction?

Dus wat maakt het Dragon Quest VII special? Real quick, the hero, and their companions, of the story embark on a time-traveling adventure. It all starts rather slowly, building its themes gradually as you discover more islands. Each island offers its unique charm and adventure. Meeting the people there, learning their troubles. Helping out however you can. And traveling to the future to see the impact of your actions brought to life is the cherry on top. 

It’s, indeed, a fine adventure to embark on, much unlike the usual story arcs in the Dragon Quest franchise. This one’s deliberate, wanting to leave no stone unturned. And while some fans appreciated the time to bond with NPCs, the distractions, wandering off into distinct islands to unearth some new mystery, others found the slow burn rather annoying. And the latter group won the debate, with the 2016 remake funneling down your playthrough into a more concise adventure. 

Yet, the remake remained lengthy for Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden to once again try to streamline the story and gameplay. And at this point, I wonder whether it’s erasing the original’s charm altogether. The story’s structure, in itself, is made to be lengthy. To understand why the world needs saving, you explore each island, putting together the puzzle pieces of the past. It’s the joy, in fact, of the story when you meet quirky characters and discover their rich histories.

Patience, My Friend

It’s not all for naught. Not at all. When you discover an island whose people have been turned into animals. The majority of the islands have self-contained stories. And while some can appear as filler, they ultimately are a testament to the ultimate story arc. It all makes sense in the end, and feels all the more triumphant to have stuck with it.

But perhaps the islands were too many. Even when you finish adventuring through them, you still won’t have unlocked the compleet verhaal. So, having some of them removed (others optional) in Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden is possibly wise. Perhaps purists will think not. Some islands are definitely more significant than others, and I’m glad to see them untouched. 

Meanwhile, some islands have some of their quests and activities removed. Again, wisely so, in some cases. So, ultimately, three islands have been scraped off: El Ciclo, Gröndal, and Providence. Activities like the casino and the grading organization. No more random battles. But also QoL changes here and there, some grand, others unnecessarily so. Enabling killing weaker enemies with a single hit without having to enter turn-based mode is definitely work made easier. But having map markers, on the other hand, takes away the curiosity to explore. Even more strange is how you can turn them off on the map, but still see them when exploring. Perhaps a glitch?

Easy does it

The dumbing down of Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden can feel too on the nose that a kid could play it without a fret. Health points are easy to stack up, given the rampant healing statues you’ll come by. So are magic points, easy to restore from using vocational skills and finding MP-restoring items in the environment.

This isn’t the game that will make you bang your head against the wall in frustration. It wants to make it as easy as possible for you to cruise through it. Even when it means holding your hand through the least frictionless paths possible. While the turn-based gevechten remains much the same as 2016’s remake, it’s made easier than ever.

Take the enemies you encounter on the map, and how each has its weaknesses highlighted for you. So, it’s only picking attacks and spells that counteract, and you’re good. Inventory is no longer split individually, but pulled from the same storage. And thus, much easier to manage. Revival of party members costs gold. But it’s gold you likely will have already stacked up on.

Beneath the Surface

Dat wil niet zeggen dat Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden lacks depth. In fact, the tools and assets you have at your disposal are pretty impressive. Vocations are the most exciting, where you unlock jobs and classes like Mages, Martial Artists, Warriors, Sailors, and so much more. And each has its unique flair with skill animations that look great on screen.

When you unlock the freedom to equip two vocations at a time, the possibilities for party builds and synergies become all the more interesting and satisfying to use. Variety is here in plenty, whether you’re looking for AoE attacks, heals, or ranged damage, as are Let Loose, unique abilities distinct for every vocation.

But with how easy it is to cruise by the combat encounters, you’re more likely to fully exploit Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden’s depth in the endgame content, which offers greater challenge. But at that point, the chances of heading back in for more runs are slim. One go is enough, with little incentive for a rerun. But at least the sound and visuals are pristine. It’s the first thing that catches your eye, and will likely be the reason you’ll stay longer than presumed.

Characters look adorable, with their toy-like 3D models, along with the bright, Fantasian-like diorama environments. Meanwhile, voice acting is charming enough, while the music is both nostalgic and cheerful. 

Vonnis

Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden already has the advantage of reimaging an entry that nails adventure. Even with its lengthy playthrough, the story characters and side quests add depth and distractions worth chasing. But the 2016 remake, and the new 2026 version, all have cut the excess fat. Perhaps a little too invasive, when some of the story content and environments have been completely chopped off. But more streamlined, and thus more accessible, nonetheless.

Newcomers now have no excuse not to check out Dragon Quest VII opnieuw uitgevonden. Well, at least with the knowledge that the playthrough will be a little too easy. Everything is easy to find, with map markers showing you where to go. At no point will you ever feel lost, which can be a deal breaker for curious souls wanting to go out of their way to discover hidden secrets. This isn’t an adventure keen on allowing you to forge your own path. Rather, one that weaves multiple, self-contained arcs, blending them gradually into one, overarching tale.

And the fact that in the end, your journey will feel worth it counts for something. An enjoyable journey with charming characters, whose visuals and surroundings are full of warmth and joy. Whose combat isn’t here to give you a hard time. Instead, giving you all the tools you need to get through battles in the smoothest, frictionless way possible. Whether that’s enough to pique your interest depends on your Dragon Quest fandom or lack thereof. Your patience for lengthy playthroughs, but relaxing and full of charm.