Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Reviews
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined delivers a better-paced version of this 26-year-old classic while retaining its signature charm, but it also goes too far with some of its changes, sanding down the experience for newer players at the expense of the challenge and discovery I expect from the series.
Reimagined solves that problem without sacrificing what made the original special. For series veterans, it's a chance to revisit a flawed classic in its best possible form. For newcomers, it's finally a reasonable entry point into one of the franchise's most rewarding narratives. And, for the first time, I can say I’ve finished DQ7 without needing a week of rest.
The presentation is endearing, and the new gameplay mechanics, as well as the plethora of modifiers, will help new players navigate uncharted territory. Even if the challenge isn’t always there, those who’ve set sail on this adventure before will find plenty to love in this latest expedition.
For newcomers, it's a great introduction to the series’ classic game mechanics and defining style shepherded by creators Yuji Horii and Akira Toriyama. It’s a reimagining that’s worth using as a template for more games in the Dragon Quest series (and others) that need this loving treatment too.
This first full experience with a Dragon Quest game has sold me on the worldbuilding and playful spirit of the franchise, and now I want to explore it in other games. Ultimately and against all odds, Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined did make an on-ramp for a new fan. The ramp itself is a little wobbly, but what really matters is that now I feel like I've climbed aboard.
Overall, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a stunning rebuild of a classic PlayStation role-playing game. The stop-start aspect of the short story structure is still there, but definitely improved. However, despite its technical brilliance, it feels a little soulless at times and doesn’t hit you the way most Dragon Quest games do. So I can only really recommend this to die-hard fans of the original game, who will no doubt love it.
The classic JRPG from 2001 is back and better than ever with this compelling remake.
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined proves to be a strong revisit of a classic, trimming the fat and including welcome additions to make for a magical experience that no fan of classic JRPGs will want to miss. Though I'm hesitant to call this the 'definitive' version of the game, given the content cuts, I would certainly say it's the most fun version yet. Combine the more engaging pace of the narrative with some nice gameplay updates like moonlighting and those gorgeous visuals, and it's tough to argue that the previous versions are more enjoyable.At any rate, I'd highly suggest you pick this up if you're looking for another high-quality, old-school JRPG for your collection; Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined may not be all that innovative, but it absolutely nails its gameplay and aesthetics.
The game still takes its sweet time to show its cards, though. JRPGs are a genre that demands patience and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined asks for a tad more. Still, if you can embrace the episodic storytelling format and make the most of the Party Chat and Vocation system, you'll find that your journey through time was well worth it.
A loving remake of a JRPG classic, with pitch perfect graphics and charming, if simplistic, storytelling and combat.
In conclusion, I think few things speak better of a game than the fact that, after dedicating dozens of hours to it, we still want to put in even more to complete it 100%. That's exactly what happened to me with DQVII Reimagined (and I'm delighted that Sugiyama continues to drive me crazy).
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a very, very impressive remake. 26 years after its original release, this modernised edition of the game is everything I want from an RPG, and I can imagine it landing very well with people who grew up partying with Kiefer and Maribel. It's held back from a perfect score by only the smallest of gripes around pacing.
Boss battles are varied and there are some genuinely funny moments; however, the mission structure can feel repetitive, and some of the randomness lacks clear context and doesn’t always land. Despite its creativity and polish, it risks being overlooked in an already crowded genre.
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Another swing and a hit from Square Enix and the Dragon Quest franchise. Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined streamlines the entire experience and provides plenty of quality-of-life updates that I wish every studio would implement into their games. The visuals and sound design are once again in the higher echelon, and game's combat is still just as enjoyable as Dragon Quest combat always is.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a more compact and aesthetically appealing game than the original. The redundant narrative elements of the original have been appropriately modified and, although the plot remains more than canonical and quite "cheesy," the cast remain among the best in the series. Characters progression and customization are more efficient, and the combat system, while remaining hyper-classic, is now faster and more immediate. The ability to scale the difficulty as desired is excellent, but the game still needs some post-launch balancing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A guided experience from beginning to end, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined does away with any sense of exploration and challenge by holding the player's hand whether they want the guidance or not. What could be the most beautiful rendition of the greatest entry in the Dragon Quest series is instead Reimagined to be the beginner's first JRPG.
Sure, this may ultimately come at the cost of ever being considered truly definitive due to its more streamlined approach, but this is still the same journey and characters series veterans previously fell in love with, made easier for newcomers to enjoy thanks to a revised battle system and less tedious approach to exploration. Topped off by a wonderful art style that brings a fresh perspective to classic events, and Reimagned can comfortably make a case for being the best Dragon Quest remake yet. That’s certainly true in my case.
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Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is a very high quality remake and a potent reminder of just how endlessly charming the longstanding series can be. While the story does still drag its feet at times, sweeping gameplay improvements and some welcome streamlining make Reimagined a must for anyone with a hankering for old school JRPGs.