Dragon Quest VII Reimagined isn’t just a simple remaster — it’s a ground‑up modern reworking of a classic JRPG. Released worldwide on February 5, 2026 for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, this version reshapes the original’s long story, modernizes gameplay, and divides opinions within the community.
In this guide, we break down every major addition, removal, and overhaul, help you understand how this remake compares to the original, and give you a snapshot of how fans are reacting.
๐จ A New Vision: Visuals, Story & Core Design
๐งฑ Hand‑Crafted Diorama Art Style
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined trades in old 3D models for a diorama‑like handcrafted art style — think detailed miniature figures brought to life, with environments that resemble physical models more than digital meshes. This gives the world a distinct look while keeping Toriyama‑style charm.
๐ Streamlined Narrative With Added Scenes
The remake trims and reshapes the original narrative to improve pacing. While keeping the tablet‑fragment exploration core, it also introduces new story vignettes, such as deeper looks into the main characters’ pasts and an expanded role for characters like Maribel and adult Kiefer.
⚙️ Gameplay Overhauls: Systems That Matter
๐ Moonlighting Dual Vocations
One of the biggest innovations is Moonlighting — the ability for characters to equip two vocations at once. This lets you blend spells, abilities, and perks from two paths for deeper build variety.
⚔️ Battle Modernization & Quality‑of‑Life
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Visible enemies and instant field defeats for weak foes to reduce random battles.
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Battle tactics, auto‑battle, and speed controls for smoother combat flow.
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New battle perks like “Let Loose” abilities that trigger powerful skills when characters get worked up.
These changes aim to make combat feel less tedious while preserving strategic depth for tougher fights.
✂️ What’s Been Cut — Simplifying the Journey
In order to make the experience more focused and accessible, several areas and systems from older versions were removed or reworked:
๐ Removed Regions & Scenarios
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El Ciclo
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Grรถndal
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Providence
These areas and their associated side stories no longer appear in the remake — a controversial choice among fans.
๐ฏ Side Activities Cut or Restructured
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Casino and related minigames like Monster Meadows and Excellence Grading Organization are absent.
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Lucky Panel survives in a redesigned form, but its context has changed.
๐️ Optional Content Shift
Some side quests and town features that were optional in previous versions are simplified or removed entirely — trading hours of exploration for tighter narrative flow.
๐ What’s Been Added or Expanded
Even with cuts, the remake adds meaningful content:
๐ช New Story Beats
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Childhood flashbacks for the main party.
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Expanded adult Kiefer storyline with unique gameplay moments.
๐ New Modes & Mechanics
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Battle Arena challenges for post‑game fights and rare rewards.
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Reinvented mini‑games that reward players with rare items early.
These additions help balance the removed material and offer fresh incentives for series veterans.
๐ง Community Response: Divided but Engaged
Reactions from fans and early reviewers are mixed:
๐ Praise
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Many players appreciate faster pacing and reduced filler content.
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The visual style and modern conveniences make the game more approachable for new audiences.
๐ Criticism
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Purists feel key areas and stories that gave the original its depth have been lost.
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Some long‑time fans miss the exploration and optional quests that defined the original’s charm.
This divide reflects broader trends in RPG remakes — balancing nostalgia with streamlined modern design.
๐ง Quick Comparison: Classic vs Reimagined
| Feature | Original | Reimagined |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Style | Classic 3D | Hand‑crafted dioramas |
| Story Pacing | Long & meandering | Streamlined with new scenes |
| Combat | Turn‑based w/ random battles | Tactical with visible enemies and options |
| Vocations | One at a time | Moonlighting dual vocations |
๐ฎ Final Verdict: Who Should Play It?
Ideal for:
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Players new to Dragon Quest VII.
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Fans who want a faster, more polished JRPG loop.
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Those who enjoy modern reworks with quality‑of‑life improvements.
Less ideal for:
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Purists who prefer every detail from the original intact.
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Players who loved long, optional side stories and deep exploration.
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