Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Could Be the Perfect Revival of a Classic

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was one of the most exciting surprises from last week’s Nintendo Direct. The beloved but often overlooked PS1-era RPG is returning in 2026 with a brand-new look and feel. Arriving alongside a wave of Dragon Quest remasters, this remake stands out thanks to its ambitious art style and quality-of-life improvements.

A Bold New Visual Direction ✨

Instead of leaning into the now-trendy HD-2D pixel art, the remake takes inspiration from dioramas and toy-like designs, evoking the charm of Yoshi’s Woolly World or the Link’s Awakening remake. The result sits between the retro charm of Dragon Quest III HD-2D and the cinematic realism of Final Fantasy VII Remake.

The secret behind this style? Real doll scans. Characters like Hero, Kiefer, and Maribel were modeled using hi-res captures of figurines. According to producer commentary, this “diorama style” adds warmth, storybook whimsy, and emotional depth to Akira Toriyama’s original designs.

Release Date and Platforms 🗓️

The wait isn’t long. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches on February 5, 2026 for:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X/S
• PC
• Switch 1 and Switch 2

One caveat: the Switch 2 physical edition will be a game key card only, and progress will not transfer between Switch generations.

A Vast Adventure Across Time ⏳

At its core, Dragon Quest VII remains a massive island-hopping, time-traveling RPG. Heroes explore ruins, tackle classic turn-based combat, and experiment with a deep job system while battling the Demon Lord Orgodemir.

• The main story can take over 100 hours, making it one of the lengthiest entries in the series.
• The original PS1 version struggled with dated visuals and launched late in the West (2001), overshadowed by Final Fantasy X.
• A 2013 3DS remake, Fragments of the Forgotten Past, streamlined graphics and abridged content.

New Features for the 2026 Remake 🆕

Square Enix promises major improvements:

• Streamlined storytelling without losing narrative depth.
• Redesigned UI for smoother navigation.
• A new “Moonlighting” system letting characters combine abilities from two jobs at once — a fresh twist on the job system.

Where It Fits in Square Enix’s Strategy

Square Enix has experimented with many remake models:

• Full reimaginings (Final Fantasy VII Remake).
• Simple HD upgrades (Chrono Cross, Legend of Mana).
• Hybrid faithful rebuilds (Dragon Quest III HD-2D, Final Fantasy Tactics).

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined introduces a fourth path — blending faithful storytelling with a fresh, handcrafted aesthetic. This approach could work wonders for other classics, including:

• Chrono Trigger (also with Toriyama’s designs)
• Earthbound, often imagined by fans in clay-model form
• Even the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX Remake

Final Thoughts

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined isn’t just another remake — it could be a blueprint for how to revive RPGs that seemed too dated or too ambitious to modernize. If successful, it may shape how Square Enix and other publishers approach their back catalogs in the years to come.