After 26 years, Square Enix has tackled one of gaming’s most notoriously bloated JRPGs and delivered a masterclass in thoughtful modernization. Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined cuts the original’s 100+ hour runtime down to a brisk 40 hours while preserving its episodic charm—though critics remain divided on whether the streamlining went too far or not far enough.
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Dragon Quest VII Reimagined: Review Score Breakdown
| Publication | Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 | “Best-looking DQ ever, magical experience” |
| GameSpot | 7/10 | “Wobbly on-ramp, but ultimately successful” |
| Forbes | 7/10 | “Stunning rebuild, feels soulless at times” |
| RPGFan | 4.5/5 | “True to spirit, best combat in series” |
| Metacritic | 81/100 | Generally favorable reviews |
| OpenCritic | 85/100 | 93rd percentile (Mighty tier) |
What Makes Reimagined Different?
The most dramatic change? You reach combat in under an hour instead of two. Square Enix eliminated entire island vignettes, tightened dialogue, removed random encounters (enemies roam freely), and introduced “Moonlighting” for dual vocation progression.
The Diorama Art Style: A Visual Marvel
Critics universally praise the handcrafted diorama aesthetic. RPGFan notes it looks “so much better” than Fantasian’s similar approach. The toylike character models honor Akira Toriyama’s designs while creating a pop-up storybook atmosphere.
The Controversy: Did Square Cut Too Much?
Pro-Streamlining: Nintendo Life and TheGamer celebrate the cuts as finally “a reasonable entry point” for intimidated newcomers.
Anti-Streamlining: Men’s Journal warns of “identity crisis,” citing jarring moments where party members leave and immediately rejoin within minutes.
The anthology structure—visiting islands, solving past-era problems, witnessing present results—remains intact but polarizes critics.
Who Should Buy This?
Perfect For:
- Series newcomers intimidated by 100-hour JRPGs
- Veterans wanting a prettier, faster revisit
- Fans of HD-2D aesthetics and turn-based combat
Skip If:
- You demand challenging, friction-filled classic JRPGs
- You hate hand-holding (quest markers are permanent)
- You’ve already completed the 3DS version recently
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Platform: Available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and PC with a free demo.
FAQs
Is Dragon Quest VII Reimagined easier than the original?
Yes, quality-of-life features like objective markers, faster combat, and the Moonlighting dual-vocation system significantly reduce difficulty and grinding compared to the PS1 and 3DS versions.
How long does Dragon Quest VII Reimagined take to beat?
Most reviewers completed the main story in 40 hours compared to the original’s 100+ hours—a 60% reduction while retaining core narrative beats.
