{"id":135923,"date":"2026-02-03T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/#article-196208"},"modified":"2026-02-03T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:00:00","slug":"feature-reimagining-the-scenario-was-necessary-making-old-new-fans-happy-with-dragon-quest-vii-reimagined","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2026\/02\/03\/feature-reimagining-the-scenario-was-necessary-making-old-new-fans-happy-with-dragon-quest-vii-reimagined\/","title":{"rendered":"Feature: &#8220;Reimagining The Scenario Was Necessary&#8221; &#8211; Making Old &amp; New Fans Happy With Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8dfe57f054943\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8dfe57f054943\/small.jpg\" class=\"media_thumbnail\"><\/a><\/div>\n<figure class=\"picture\" data-uuid=\"8dfe57f054943\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Ruff\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8dfe57f054943\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined-ruff.large.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8dfe57f054943\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined-ruff.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Ruff\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Image: Square Enix<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>2026 marks 40 years of the <strong>Dragon Quest<\/strong> series, a staggering achievement for one of the RPG genre&#8217;s biggest and brightest. Known for its cosy atmosphere, warm character, humour, and iconic art, Dragon Quest is due a big year, and Square Enix is kicking things off with a brand new &#8220;reimagining&#8221; \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/nintendo-switch-2\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined\">Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bringing what is regarded as one of the longest RPGs of the PlayStation era to Switch 1 and Switch 2, Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined has attracted joy \u2014 and a few raised eyebrows \u2014 for streamlining events and making a few tweaks to the game. What was a 100+ hour experience (or 70-ish-hours on 3DS) is now much leaner. So, how to you retain the magic when you&#8217;re trying to appeal to new audiences, but make sure that old fans are satisfied?<\/p>\n<p>We had a chance to ask the game&#8217;s producer, Takeshi Ichikawa, a few questions about the upcoming reimagining \u2014 which, for the record, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/reviews\/nintendo-switch-2\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined\">we absolutely loved<\/a>. Ichikawa has worked on the Dragon Quest series since 2018, starting out with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/nintendo-switch\/dragon_quest_builders_2\">Dragon Quest Builders 2<\/a> as an assistant producer.<\/p>\n<p>As a long-time fan of the series, we asked him about his experience with the original PS version, what changes were difficult to make, and whether the team got to share their work with the series&#8217; artist, the late Akira Toriyama.<\/p>\n<p><!-- cache: html:nintendolife.com\/ssl\/nintendo-switch-2\/related-articles:196061 @ 1770192241 --><\/p>\n<aside class=\"block object-related\"> <\/aside>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Nintendo Life: Before we dive into Reimagined, can you share with us the first time you experienced Dragon Quest VII, and what you thought of the game &#8211; PlayStation or 3DS version?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Takeshi Ichikawa, Producer of Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined:<\/strong> I was in the lower grades of elementary school when I first played the PlayStation version. I remember thinking at the very beginning, \u201cWhen will the battles start?\u201d and I don\u2019t think I managed to clear the whole game back then.<\/p>\n<p>When I played it again as an adult, I was able to complete it successfully, and I found the dark world filled with irrationality especially striking and modern.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\" data-uuid=\"84316e918d5fb\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/84316e918d5fb\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/84316e918d5fb\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Image: Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>There\u2019s a lot of pressure to keep the traditions of Dragon Quest intact while modernising certain aspects. How do you juggle those expectations with a game like Dragon Quest VII Reimagined?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As a major title with a passionate fanbase, there was certainly pressure. However, the excitement of being able to deliver this beloved franchise in a way that feels fresh outweighed it, and I believe we were able to enjoy the development process.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"right\">\n<p>I remember thinking at the very beginning, \u201cWhen will the battles start?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Having worked on previous Dragon Quest games before in various different ways, how different is it working on a remake like Reimagined to say, a mainline entry such as Dragon Quest XI or a spin-off like Dragon Quest Builders 2?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a remake, we believe it\u2019s essential not only to offer players a fresh experience but also to preserve the charm of the original version. Striking the right balance between these two is crucial.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Given that it\u2019s a big year for Dragon Quest in 2026 with the 40th anniversary, why is this year the right time to return to Dragon Quest VII? And why kick off the celebrations with this one?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past originally released in 2000 &#8211; so this year is its 26th Anniversary! Because of this, we felt it was the perfect time to bring its storytelling and unique atmosphere to a wider audience &#8211; especially now, in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n<p>DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined not only \u201creimagines\u201d the story and emotional portrayal of its characters but also makes the game significantly more approachable and accessible. We believe this game will be enjoyable for both previous DRAGON QUEST VII players and newcomers alike!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\" data-uuid=\"e6e3829828eaf\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/e6e3829828eaf\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/e6e3829828eaf\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Image: Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>What attracted you to the diorama style that\u2019s used in Reimagined? Why did you decide to go with something completely different, as opposed to the HD-2D style used for Dragon Quest III and Dragon Quest I &amp; II?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The original DRAGON QUEST VII was defined by Akira Toriyama\u2019s designs, featuring charming, stylized characters. We considered how to convey that cuteness while still capturing the game\u2019s unique atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, we discovered that movies and games featuring doll motifs were well-received globally, which inspired us to combine this concept with DRAGON QUEST VII\u2019s character designs. We felt this approach would create a visually appealing style, leading to the visual expression seen in the game.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to show this work to Toriyama. However, as mentioned earlier, we kept in mind throughout production that the visual style needed to match the charm of his adorable illustrations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dragon Quest is usually known for being lighthearted and charming \u2013 at least, it always feels very cozy to us! But Dragon Quest VII is often considered one of the darker entries. How do you balance this and do you make any changes in Reimagined to lean more one way rather than the other?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DRAGON QUEST VII is a work whose appeal lies in two aspects: the irrational and dark scenarios encountered throughout the journey, and the exciting coming-of-age story of an ordinary boy growing into the savior of the world. This title preserves that appeal while reimagining it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\" data-uuid=\"8152e720c2622\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8152e720c2622\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8152e720c2622\/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Image: Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve talked about <a class=\"external\" href=\"https:\/\/gameinformer.com\/exclusive-interview\/2025\/11\/10\/heres-how-the-dragon-quest-vii-reimagined-team-streamlined-its-main\">streamlining the game\u2019s narrative<\/a> and the discussions you had on which scenarios you wanted to keep, rather than get rid of. How tough was it to cut the sections you eventually settled on, and do you have a favourite that was a must-keep for the final game?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We felt that reimagining the scenario was necessary to create a more fast-paced and immersive narrative experience. Throughout the process, we consciously made adjustments to ensure that the original version\u2019s unique atmosphere and core story remained intact.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you were to sum up Dragon Quest VII Reimagined in one sentence (or one word if you want a challenge), what would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"left\">\n<p>Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to show this work to Toriyama.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>This title allows you to experience the irrational nature of the world and the exciting story of growth that lies beyond.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And finally, to wrap up this interview, what does Dragon Quest mean to you? And how will you be celebrating the 40th anniversary?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>DRAGON QUEST VII is the story of the growth of a boy from humble beginnings, and I hope that, through developing this title, I too have grown. I would be delighted if this game could serve as the beginning of delivering a wonderful 40th anniversary celebration of DRAGON QUEST to everyone.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><em>This interview has been slightly edited for clarity and flow.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Thank you to Ichikawa-san and the team at Square Enix for making the time to speak to us.<\/p>\n<p>Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined launches on Switch 1 and Switch 2 on <strong>5th February 2026<\/strong>. Will this be your first time playing the game, or did you play it on PlayStation or 3DS? Let us know down below!<\/p>\n<aside class=\"object object-youtube\">\n<figure class=\"youtube with-primis\" data-videoid=\"xVamke1SJCY\" data-start=\"0\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xVamke1SJCY?rel=0&amp;hd=1&amp;showinfo=0&amp;modestbranding=0&amp;autohide=1\"><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<p><!-- cache: html:nintendolife.com\/ssl\/nintendo-switch-2\/related-articles:196937,195940 @ 1770192315 --><\/p>\n<aside class=\"block object-related\"> <\/aside>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Image: Square Enix 2026 marks 40 years of the Dragon Quest series, a staggering achievement for one of the RPG genre&#8217;s biggest and brightest. Known for its cosy atmosphere, warm character, humour, and iconic art, Dragon Quest is due a big year, and Square Enix is kicking things off with a brand new &#8220;reimagining&#8221; \u2014 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nintendo-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135923"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135923\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}