Square Enix is reportedly remaking one of the most polarizing RPGs from its vast catalog of games, and it’s allegedly part of the legendaryDragon Questseries.Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Remakewas released at the end of 2024, and with theDragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remakereleasing later this year, classicDragon Questgames have become a big part of Square Enix’s current offerings, and it looks like at least one more is now on the table.
According to a report fromMP1st, Square Enix is allegedlydeveloping a remake ofDragon Quest 7, and it will possibly release in 2026 (viaEurogamer). Reportedly, the project is being described as a “remake” internally and not as an “HD remake,” implying that the project could be much more substantial than the previousHD-2D Dragon Questremakes, despite both of those projects also having “remake” in the title.
Dragon Quest 7 Is Reportedly Getting A Remake
Dragon Quest May Be Coming Back In A Big Way
Dragon Quest 7previously got a remake on the Nintendo 3DS in 2013 in Japan, and it later came to the US and other regions in 2016, after high fan demand. That version’s non-battle segments are rendered in 3D, while battles are 2D, which could explain the reasoning behind Square Enix’s purported internal naming of the alleged new remake as just “remake,” and dropping the 2D-HD part, sincethe 3DS release was not fully 2D to begin with.
TheDragon Questseries is one of themost beloved JRPG franchisesin history, and coupled withFinal Fantasy’s brand identity crisis at the moment and the success of the first 2D-HD remake, thesupposed existence of yet anotherDragon Questremake isn’t too surprising. TheFinal Fantasyseries' muddy identitymight be paving the way for more classic turn-based remakes from other series, while Square Enix re-evaluates theFFfranchise and its future.
Why Dragon Quest 7 Was So Divisive In 2000
A Game Behind The Times
Even when it was released in 2000,Dragon Quest 7was quite outdated, in terms of both graphic fidelity and game design choices. The game was on the PlayStation 1, and it didn’t make its way to North America until 2001, the same year thatFinal Fantasy 10was released on the PlayStation 2, whicharguably revolutionized JRPGswith stellar visuals that still hold up in 2025, as well as voice acting, cinematic presentation, layered world-building, and more developed characters.
Additionally,Dragon Quest 7has an extremely slow start and characters that are still some of the most divisiveamong the fan base. The game’s mixed reception would ultimately lead toDragon Quest 8featuring a fully integrated world, a smaller and stronger cast of characters, and a plot that takes itself a bit more seriously, which resulted in the game seeing overhwlmingly positive reception and is the title that argubaly put the series on the map for a larger RPG audience.
Dragon Quest 7also already had a recent remake on 3DS, so it might be theDQgame that needs the remake treatment the most in the series (DQ9arguably has that distinction). Rumors should always be given their due skepticism, and this one is no different, but given Square Enix’s current treatment ofDragon Quest, it wouldn’t be surprising if another remake does exist.
