Play the free demo today on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, launching on Feb 5, 2026.
Travel over time and seas, unravel the mysteries of the past, and fix the present! Claim an exclusive reward and continue where you left off when the game releases on Feb 5.
As someone who played the 3DS remake, I can already say this blows that game out of the water! It's so beautiful with such neat UI, voice acting adds so much, and having actual difficultly options is amazing!
It's actually the first one I started with. It's a good starting point, but keep in mind it's really long. Like 70-100 hours. I think the changes and additions in this remake like being able to speed up battles and being able to run in the world will definitely help with the pacing which was my biggest gripe with the original. That being said 11 is my favorite and is also a great place to start.
To be honest, it's been almost 10 years so I don't exactly remember. But the game was very grindy and tedious at points and if there were difficultly options you definitely couldn't adjust them after starting a new game like you can in this one.
For anyone familiar with the franchise, is this more like XI in terms of storytelling, or more like 1-3? I loved XI and didn’t like 1-3 as much because the story was minimal and I was expecting an XI-style story (my fault I know)
It's got more story than those games for sure, but it's more of a focus on many smaller stories. Each island has its own story to tell, but the grander narrative isn't anything crazy.
Just completed the demo, it's awesome. Definitely the best version of DQ7, and the game was already great before. This is an insta buy, and it might be a great entry point for new fans, too.
Oooh, I haven't actually 'loaded' my savegame yet (Just left the machine in sleep mode..) does it do the same 'previously on' recap thing that DQ11 did?
I loved that and feel it's a great addition to long RPG's!
EDIT: Answered my own question; it's even better and allows you to recap different chapters/read some world lore and even recap some sub-quests on that screen. Nice!
Oh they rewrote the story to achieve that. Trimmed the fat.
Not to say the gameplay isn't changed significantly. You can equip two job classes at once and no longer have to fight a kajillion random battles for jobs to level up.
The other thing I noticed is that even compared to the 3ds version, you just have less running around. The spaces are designed to reduce travel time. Like the first island has the same layout but running from the castle to the temple takes way longer in that game.
That was my first thought. "Man this is what modern pokemon games should look like." Not those garbage gamecube era textures and models fhat the sv/za/arceus have. Im not saying they're bad games, they're just ugly AF.
Unfortunately the art direction on this is just something i can't get past, compared to 11 as my first and then 3 remake after (though that one was a little disappointing after 11 already)
I agree, but i dont like the art style itself. Graphically it looks stellar and smooth. Animations even better. But as a comparison; it looks like Dragon Ball to a fan of Dragon Ball Z, more cartoonish and playful.
Yeah, pretty much in the same boat. Although since we're looking at the humans in every cutscene i just get frustrated. And since my backlog is already huge, I'm passing on this one.
Excited for this, I loved dq11 as my first insert into
the franchise and liked three as well but looking forward to a more 11 type of gameplay. Will be trying this out when I’m home.
Never played a DQ before, played FF and some other similar games a long time ago though
Demo has been so fun, I’ve been playing about 3 hours so far not really rushing it and haven’t hit the end yet so that’s pretty exciting. Definitely buying the full game
Loved the demo… it downloaded it on both S1 and S2 so I could compare.
S1 looks amazing on OLED but I think the 30fps bothers me too much.
S2 the game plays great and is smooth 60fps with very occasional minor stutter here and there (probably asset streaming). Also looks ok on the LCD screen of S2.
I’ve been playing DQ VII on my 3DS for a while. This new reimagined version seems to have cut a lot of content from the original. Not complaining, just noticing the difference there.
As someone who isn’t a fan of demos due to spoilers and the need to binge the game, can you unlock the free costume just by booting up the game and quitting?
The demo is just the first part of the game. So you can play, then if you buy the full game, your save just gets ported over. The demo doesnt lock you out of anything, so its just the first 3 or so hours of the actual real game.
Hopefully I'll like the demo. I wasn't exposed to DQ growing up so I don't know which ones are popular. I really liked XI a few years ago, but tried the DQ3 remake recently and didn't care for it at all.
Demo made me feel the same way as metaphor refantazio. Instant buy
How long is it?
About 3 hours more or less depending on how fast you go
There’s no way I’m watching a 3 hour trailer.
DQ11 demo had gameplay I assume this one does as well?
lol it was a joke when someone asked “how long was it” I was referring to the trailer!
I thought it was funny! 😁
Lol, most downvoted joke ever, I love it Take my downvote
Lol, most downvoted joke ever, I love it Take my downvote
the one question any DQ fan asks lol
talked down to by a 12yo who got his first lesson at school about the history of democracy?
We cant all be freshmen in intro classes
As someone who played the 3DS remake, I can already say this blows that game out of the water! It's so beautiful with such neat UI, voice acting adds so much, and having actual difficultly options is amazing!
The upgrade is insane. Everything just feels so much smoother and polished.
There’s difficulty options hell yeah
Is the OST orchestral?
Yes!
I’ve never played a DQ game would you recommend this one to start with?
It's actually the first one I started with. It's a good starting point, but keep in mind it's really long. Like 70-100 hours. I think the changes and additions in this remake like being able to speed up battles and being able to run in the world will definitely help with the pacing which was my biggest gripe with the original. That being said 11 is my favorite and is also a great place to start.
XI is probably just as good of a place to start and is cheaper.
Did the 3DS version not have difficulty options?
To be honest, it's been almost 10 years so I don't exactly remember. But the game was very grindy and tedious at points and if there were difficultly options you definitely couldn't adjust them after starting a new game like you can in this one.
It looks so good, I can’t wait
For anyone familiar with the franchise, is this more like XI in terms of storytelling, or more like 1-3? I loved XI and didn’t like 1-3 as much because the story was minimal and I was expecting an XI-style story (my fault I know)
More like 11. It’s episodic but there’s an overarching plot. You travel to different islands and each one has its own story.
Awesome. Sounds great. I preordered a copy on Amazon because the art style alone sold me but that’s good to hear.
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Nah I'm good, I preordered it physically. GKC or not, I can still resell it later compared to digital, and lend out to my nephew down the line.
So a linear type of story ?
It's got more story than those games for sure, but it's more of a focus on many smaller stories. Each island has its own story to tell, but the grander narrative isn't anything crazy.
It's also quite a bit darker than XI, something the writers preserved.
I appreciate that DQ7 has a party member that's a bit of a dick
Thanks! Can’t wait. Hopefully I finish Trails in the Sky remake before it gets here.
Just completed the demo, it's awesome. Definitely the best version of DQ7, and the game was already great before. This is an insta buy, and it might be a great entry point for new fans, too.
any word on the length of the demo?
around 3 hours-ish
awesome thanks
I'm 5 hours in and not yet finished
Is this worth it if this is my first DQ game?
absolutely yes, but dragon quest 11 is probably better
The DQ3 and DQ1+2 HD-2D remakes are also excellent ones to start with as well
Thank you. I think i'll just wait for it to be on sale again.
Yes
One thing I enjoyed about DQXI was the ability to play it in bursts and achieve some progress each time. No overly long cutscenes to sit through etc.
Is the gameplay similar in this?
The devs actually made VII Reimagined designed to be played like this, believe it or not.
Oooh, I haven't actually 'loaded' my savegame yet (Just left the machine in sleep mode..) does it do the same 'previously on' recap thing that DQ11 did?
I loved that and feel it's a great addition to long RPG's!
EDIT: Answered my own question; it's even better and allows you to recap different chapters/read some world lore and even recap some sub-quests on that screen. Nice!
I’m curious how they did that without changing the gameplay significantly?
Oh they rewrote the story to achieve that. Trimmed the fat.
Not to say the gameplay isn't changed significantly. You can equip two job classes at once and no longer have to fight a kajillion random battles for jobs to level up.
The other thing I noticed is that even compared to the 3ds version, you just have less running around. The spaces are designed to reduce travel time. Like the first island has the same layout but running from the castle to the temple takes way longer in that game.
The good news is that DQVII by nature is very episodic, so perfect for short bursts.
Pretty much, from what I recall.
Does anyone know if there is a way to toggle the camera zoom without going into the menu?
I’ve never played a Dragon Quest game this might be my first.
Sidenote I’d love to see Pokemon games in this art style it’s so neat.
That was my first thought. "Man this is what modern pokemon games should look like." Not those garbage gamecube era textures and models fhat the sv/za/arceus have. Im not saying they're bad games, they're just ugly AF.
This looks really good. Gonna give it a shot!
Dq8 gotta be next GOD PLEASEEEEE. I’ll take a remake, 3ds port, ps2 emulation idgaf I NEED ITTTTTT
I just beat XI (140hrs with no guides) in prep to play this, I cannot wait.
Switch 1 gets a true physical cart but no upgrade to S2. That is a real bummer for me. This might be my first game key card purchase.
Same here unfortunately :\ Most likely will buy it digitally instead actually rather than a key card.
The advantage of GKC is it's generally cheaper and you can also resell it after beating the game.
Realized this one when I bought the P3 Reload GKC, it's way more cheaper than the discounted Eshop digital when it was on sale last month.
Unfortunately the art direction on this is just something i can't get past, compared to 11 as my first and then 3 remake after (though that one was a little disappointing after 11 already)
This is the best looking DQ game ever made
I agree, but i dont like the art style itself. Graphically it looks stellar and smooth. Animations even better. But as a comparison; it looks like Dragon Ball to a fan of Dragon Ball Z, more cartoonish and playful.
I hate the humans but thats just the style (I really dont like toriyama's humans), love love the monsters though!
On the DB front, I hate pretty much every design except vehicles.
Yeah, pretty much in the same boat. Although since we're looking at the humans in every cutscene i just get frustrated. And since my backlog is already huge, I'm passing on this one.
Excited for this, I loved dq11 as my first insert into the franchise and liked three as well but looking forward to a more 11 type of gameplay. Will be trying this out when I’m home.
Will be there a physical release? For switch 2?
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Aww :/ thx
I really like the game art style but the combats are too slow I have to get used to them by playing the game
instead I really liked the first puzzle
Perhaps I will actually finish DQVII after buying it for a 3rd time.
I burned out at the 100 hour mark in both the original PSX and 3DS versions.
Never played a DQ before, played FF and some other similar games a long time ago though
Demo has been so fun, I’ve been playing about 3 hours so far not really rushing it and haven’t hit the end yet so that’s pretty exciting. Definitely buying the full game
I like it
Never played it before but this demo was gorgeous! I love the look of it. So pretty!
Loved the demo… it downloaded it on both S1 and S2 so I could compare.
S1 looks amazing on OLED but I think the 30fps bothers me too much.
S2 the game plays great and is smooth 60fps with very occasional minor stutter here and there (probably asset streaming). Also looks ok on the LCD screen of S2.
I’ve been playing DQ VII on my 3DS for a while. This new reimagined version seems to have cut a lot of content from the original. Not complaining, just noticing the difference there.
I don’t see where I can download the demo (for switch). If I preorder do I automatically get the demo?
You have to go onto the eshop page for the full game, and there should be a "download demo" link below the option to preorder.
...unless they've taken it down in the last 48 hours. I downloaded the demo for Switch 1 last week and have already finished it.
As someone who isn’t a fan of demos due to spoilers and the need to binge the game, can you unlock the free costume just by booting up the game and quitting?
You could just start with the demo when you have the full game, I suppose?!
You can literally just carry your save progress over to the main game, why don’t you just play it closer to the release date?
The demo is just the first part of the game. So you can play, then if you buy the full game, your save just gets ported over. The demo doesnt lock you out of anything, so its just the first 3 or so hours of the actual real game.
Hopefully I'll like the demo. I wasn't exposed to DQ growing up so I don't know which ones are popular. I really liked XI a few years ago, but tried the DQ3 remake recently and didn't care for it at all.
The characters are so ugly...
Wonder if it's AI?
Real physical models based on Toriyama's drawings that were digitally scanned and used to create the models in game.