After the recently launched Erdrick Trilogy, Dragon Quest fans are certainly hungry for more. With Dragon Quest XII details still under wraps, we can all look forward to the recently announced Dragon Quest VII Reimagined to tide us over.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined revives the classic adventure, and players will join a new cast of characters (compared to the Erdrick Trilogy) on a journey across multiple islands, uncovering the narrative piece by piece.

After spending around 2 hours in the game, which took us through sections entitled “Emberdale to the mountain” and “Wetlock to the battle with Gracos,” we familiarized ourselves with the basic gameplay, showcasing the combat system, along with a couple of boss battles that tested our wits. Series veterans will appreciate the updated yet familiar gameplay, while newcomers can take a stab at the fantastic vocation system that was a highlight of this entry.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Hands-on Preview

When Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was first announced, one noticeable difference was the new art style, which featured a diorama-like aesthetic that some liked, while others didn’t. Personally, coming from the stunning HD-2D style of the remakes, this switch to more handcrafted 3D models didn’t quite sit well with me at first, but after playing the game and seeing it in action firsthand, it grew on me bit by bit. If anything, the detail and the colors really pop, and the spell effects looked fantastic, especially when paired with the voice acting.

If by any chance you’ve played any of the recently released Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined follows pretty much the same formula in terms of gameplay. Players will experience turn-based RPG gameplay with a party of characters, but this time around, with a fresh coat of paint. You can attack, defend, use an item, and other classic commands that RPG players will be familiar with.

As with the HD-2D remakes, quality of life additions abound in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, with auto-battles and speeding up battles being the best of them all, since they make combat encounters feel like a breeze, mainly because Dragon Quest titles tend to be pretty grindy. You can even heal completely just by interacting with save points this time around, making dungeon runs tolerable.

One of the biggest highlights of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was its vocation system, which is essentially a job system that each character possesses, offering unique skills that can synergize with those of other party members, depending on the composition. Some examples of these vocations are Fledgling Fisherman, Sailor, Troubador, and a new one introduced in this release, called the Monster Master, who can summon monsters in battle. While we didn’t get to try it out, we’re sure it’ll be an interesting vocation to tinker with, because vocation combinations are such a key component of this entry.

One reason why this additional class is intriguing is the ability for the characters to select two vocations called “Moonlighting.” As you take on battles, you level up your proficiency with these vocations, unlocking new abilities along the way. Experimentation is highly encouraged because proficiency gained from a mastered vocation won’t disappear, potentially setting players up with game-breaking combinations. Players can change vocations when they see fit, so trying them to find the perfect party is good practice.

Each vocation in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined will have perks associated with it, activating when your character gets attacked multiple times. When the character gets worked up, a new command called “Let Loose!” will appear, allowing that character to use their unique skill. Some of these are increasing attack power and agility from the Sailor, taking another action when you inflict a status from the Thief, restoring HP and reviving allies from the Priestess, and more.

These skills are extremely useful, especially during long battles against bosses. It may even be a tactical advantage for players to activate the Let Loose skill multiple times, making battles easier due to the benefits.

In Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, some of these vocations are hidden, and uncovering them requires meeting specific conditions, such as mastering a combination of particular vocations. As you can imagine, combinations of vocations and their Let Loose abilities will be key to conquering the game, so explore away!

Boss battles in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined are pretty tricky, as evidenced in our gameplay. Unlike other RPGs, where offense proves to be the best defense, you’ll need to use the full complement of skills and abilities you have to get out alive.

As with other Dragon Quest titles, status changes and effects are essential, such as casting spells that improve your attack and defense. A vocation perk called Ocean’s Devotion will even let each of your allies neutralize the next attack that targets them, making sure that each turn is critical in setting the party up for victory.

Overall, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined looks to take the classic gameplay and systems that made the original release a beloved installment in the series and blend modern improvements to make the frustrations a bit more tolerable. Although our gameplay session lasted only a couple of hours, the impressions were positive, and we’re definitely looking forward to its release early next year.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC, on February 5, 2026.

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All footage under development