Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined review: Streamlining an underrated epic

Published: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6:22 pm

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined: A Streamlined Epic

The classic role-playing game, Dragon Quest 7, has been reimagined for modern audiences. This new version, titled Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, aims to revitalize the original game, which faced challenges in its initial release due to its experimental structure and timing.

The core narrative remains intact: players begin on a single island and uncover a mystery involving a dark force that destroyed other lands in the past. By collecting Stone Fragments and repairing magical tablets, players travel to the past, solve regional problems, and restore the world. The game emphasizes helping others, battling destiny, and overcoming personal constraints.

Reimagined streamlines the original's gameplay. The introduction is significantly shortened, and the Stone Fragments are easier to find. Waypoint markers have been added to guide players. These changes result in a faster-paced experience, with some players completing the game in approximately 40 hours, a considerable reduction from the original's playtime.

Beyond story streamlining, the game features a faster combat pace and an EarthBound-like battle shortcut. Difficulty options are modular, allowing players to adjust experience and gold rates. The vocation system, Dragon Quest's version of a job system, has also been tweaked, allowing for a main and secondary vocation.

Visually, Reimagined boasts a unique style, with the main characters represented by physical dolls and the world constructed to emulate that style. This approach, combined with a high frame rate and resolution, creates a visually appealing experience.

BNN's Perspective: While the streamlining efforts make the game more accessible, the changes may come at the cost of the original's identity. The faster pace and simplified mechanics could potentially diminish the emotional impact of the story for some players. However, the enhanced visuals and gameplay improvements offer a compelling experience for both new and returning fans.

Keywords: Dragon Quest 7, Reimagined, RPG, gameplay, story, streamlining, combat, visuals, vocation, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC.

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