At Tokyo Game Show 2025, visitors could choose a 15-minute demo of either Dragon Quest I or Dragon Quest II. The two slices highlighted sharply different play: a lone hero fighting groups while pursuing thieves in DQ I, and a four-person party defending a mermaid’s home in DQ II. The game has since launched, but these are impressions of what attendees could play at the show—not a review of the full release.
What was available at TGS 2025?
Square Enix offered either demo at its booth from September 25 through 28, with each play limited to 15 minutes. The event also included a September 27 stage featuring game designer Yuji Horii and producer Masaaki Hayasaka. Square Enix’s TGS event page listed the demo sessions and stage.
Dragon Quest I: a solo hero against groups
The DQ I slice began with the Robbin’ ‘Ood Thieves stealing a key. Players followed the thieves into a mountain cave, where the pursuit led to a fight. The sequence gave the demo a clear short arc: investigate the theft, track the culprits, then face them underground.
How the combat differed from the original
In her September 26 hands-on report, PlayStation Blog Japan’s Sachie Kobari contrasted the remake’s group encounters with the original game’s one-on-one battles. Even though the hero was alone, attacks such as the Thorn Whip and Sizz could hit multiple enemies. The report says enemy weaknesses were highlighted, offering a way to choose targets and make those attacks count.
#1 Best Overall
- A fully modernized remake of the originals: Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements make these the best versions of the games yet.
- Traditional DRAGON QUEST style battles: A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more.
- Two legendary adventures, in one package: Experience the epic origins of the DRAGON QUEST series with both DRAGON QUEST I and DRAGON QUEST II. Two games beautifully remade and bundled together in one definitive offering.
- Experience a timeless musical score: An immersive, authentic, and diverse musical composition that captures the timeless essence and magic of the DRAGON QUEST universe.
- GAME-KEY CARD. 17 GB - Full game download via internet required.
Kobari found that being outnumbered kept the fights tense and described the Thieves showdown as especially challenging. She says she won by exploiting weaknesses and healing constantly. That is one reporter’s reaction to a brief demo, not evidence that the entire remake is uniformly difficult. Read Kobari’s PlayStation Blog Japan report.
Dragon Quest II: a party, a mermaid’s home, and an underwater route
The DQ II demo centered on defending a mermaid’s dwelling, with the party diving beneath the sea to reach it. Unlike the solo-hero slice, this party had four members, including Princess of Cannock, who is newly playable in the remake.
Rank #2
- DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagination of two legendary RPGs continuing the ‘Erdrick Trilogy’, brought together in one package.
What the demo showed about Princess of Cannock
Kobari noted Princess of Cannock’s spells Kacrack and Frizzle, along with the abilities Thin Air and Hypnowhip. The report also says she occasionally acted autonomously despite the player issuing direct orders. That brief behavior was one detail in the demo; it does not establish how often autonomous actions occur across the full game.
Travel between the surface and the sea
The slice showed the party traveling by ship above water, then using Lorelei’s Harp to descend beneath the sea. That transition connected the exploration mechanic to the mission: the party moved from the surface route into the underwater setting where the mermaid’s dwelling needed defending.
Rank #3
- Included is the following: DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake for PlayStatio 5 PS5, 2 pack of PremGear 2 Sizes Thumbsticks made to increase accuracy and comfort (1 High-Rise, 1 Mid-Rise), PremGear Quality Cleaning Cloth
- A MODERNIZED REMAKE: A fully modernized remake of the originals: Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements make these the best versions of the games yet
- TRADITIONAL BATTLE STYLES: A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more
- TWO LEGENDARY ADVENTURES: Experience the epic origins of the DRAGON QUEST series with both DRAGON QUEST I and DRAGON QUEST II. Two games beautifully remade and bundled together in one definitive offering
- A TIMELESS MUSICAL SCORE: An immersive, authentic, and diverse musical composition that captures the timeless essence and magic of the DRAGON QUEST universe
How the two demo slices differed
| Demo | Party | Combat focus | Exploration hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Quest I | One hero | Group encounters, area attacks, and enemy weaknesses | Chasing the Robbin’ ‘Ood Thieves into a mountain cave |
| Dragon Quest II | Four members, including Princess of Cannock | Different party spells and abilities, with occasional autonomous actions noted by the reporter | Traveling by ship, then descending underwater with Lorelei’s Harp |
The comparison reflects the specific slices Kobari played and described, rather than a comprehensive account of every system in either game.
How the demos fit the released remake
Square Enix describes the product as a full remake combining Dragon Quest I and Dragon Quest II, with new scenarios for both. Its product information identifies Princess of Cannock as DQ II’s fourth party member and places the games after Dragon Quest III in the Erdrick trilogy, whose three stories connect when played together. Square Enix’s August 2025 announcement provides that framing.
The game launched October 30, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Microsoft Store on Windows. Square Enix lists October 31, 2025, as the Steam date. The company also announced a digital-only Erdrick Trilogy Collection bundling Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Square Enix’s launch announcement has the platform and collection details.
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