[Preview] Dragon Quest VII Reimagined First Impressions: Heroes Explore the Land of Memories

Note: The version tested is still in development. Final release may differ.

2026 is shaping up to be a big year for the Dragon Quest franchise, marking 40 years of legendary heroes and epic journeys. Following the recent HD-2D remake of the first game, the spotlight now falls on Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, a title that remains etched in the memory of many longtime fans. Since its original release in 2000, Dragon Quest VII has been celebrated for its expansive story and memorable adventures, and this Reimagined edition represents the second major overhaul, after the 3DS version. ThisIsGame Thailand had the opportunity to try the game through Square Enix Asia and Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, and here are our first impressions.

The first thing players will notice is the world’s diorama-inspired visuals. The game’s environments resemble miniature models, scanned into 3D for top-down exploration. Characters and objects rotate freely in the scene, while the UI is updated for modern convenience: a mini-map, zoom functionality for teleportation, and menus designed for larger screens with quick-access command bars.

Combat remains turn-based, preserving the series’ classic feel, but it’s modernized with features like Auto mode, adjustable speed, and strategic presets for each party member—allowing them to focus on offense, healing, or balanced tactics. Random encounters are replaced by monsters visible in the world, giving battles a more integrated and dynamic presence.

The game’s story unfolds in two main sections:

• Early Game – Emberdale: Players begin in Emberdale, where townsfolk believe they must drop a lantern into a deep pit to prevent a major earthquake. A local seer warns against the ritual, but the townspeople ignore her, prompting the hero to explore the dungeon beneath. This mini-maze includes helpful mini-map markers for stairs, key points, and culminates in a boss fight against Glowering Inferno.
• Mid-Game – Wetlock: Players travel to Wetlock, where an elderly man’s music mysteriously teleports townspeople to a mysterious tower. The journey reveals Gracos, a deep-sea demon responsible for catastrophic floods. The Highendreigh Tower dungeon is labyrinthine, eerie yet visually beautiful with calming white and blue tones. It will be interesting to see whether players can revisit this dungeon in the final release, as previous entries only allowed a single visit.

Vocations and Character Customization: The Reimagined edition keeps the series’ signature Vocation system, allowing full freedom in class selection. Characters can switch between Warrior, Martial Artist, and numerous other classes, each with unique perks affecting stats, abilities, and status effects. This system is complemented by ship exploration mechanics for reaching Gracos’ temple, giving players additional strategic and narrative depth.

All changes are accessible via in-game menus, eliminating the need to find Alltrades Abbey to switch classes, which encourages experimentation and personalized gameplay. The Reimagined version successfully reinterprets the original story, smoothing pacing and delivering a faithful yet fresh experience. Diorama visuals emulate vintage models without losing the original’s charm, while quality-of-life improvements borrowed from the HD Remakes of I–III make gameplay smooth and enjoyable in 2026.

Release and Pre-order Info: Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches February 6, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, both versions of Nintendo Switch, and PC. Pre-orders are already open, with the Digital Deluxe Edition granting 48-hour early access for eager fans.