How is the reception for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined in the American and Western markets?

 


The wait is over! Dragon Quest VII Reimagined has officially launched, much to the delight of fans. This marks the third remake of the classic title, featuring a complete overhaul of the graphics and the inclusion of previously cut story content. The gameplay has also been streamlined, offering a more accessible difficulty level compared to its predecessors.

While Dragon Quest is a massive phenomenon in Japan, it has historically struggled to match the global reach of Final Fantasy. Now that the Reimagined version is out, many are curious about how international critics are rating it. We’ve gathered the data—let’s dive into the reviews from various outlets



Starting with IGN US, which gave the game a 7 out of 10. Their verdict can be summarized as follows:

"Every iteration of Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden has its share of flaws, yet it remains a brilliant experience. The way the game unfolds its world is unique within this long-running series. A core highlight remains seeing how your actions in the past reshape the present—a mechanic that is just as captivating today as it was when you first popped that disc into your PlayStation.

In terms of gameplay, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined successfully fixes the pacing issues of the original, but this comes at a cost. Many elements feel overly simplified or stripped back—specifically the satisfying sense of challenge, the game’s distinct personality, and that crucial feeling of discovery. While it’s incredibly accessible for newcomers, we wish there were more difficulty options to allow long-time fans like us to truly test our skills."



Moving on to Comicbook, which awarded the game a perfect 5 out of 5, calling it "one of Square Enix’s boldest remakes to date."

They praised the deep gameplay and the joy of discovery as the game’s absolute highlights. Furthermore, they lauded the new job system features, noting that the diverse range of vocations and specialized classes are even more engaging than those in the original.

Comicbook seems to feel that the heart of the adventure in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined lies in searching for the stone tablets and voyaging to discover new islands. This process leads to the pure joy of uncovering the journey’s story—an experience that remains profoundly rewarding even for those who have played the original version.



Nintendo Life awarded the game a 90 out of 100, noting that "while it must be admitted that some of the original's charm has been lost," they were hesitant to call it the 'definitive version.' > Nevertheless, they hailed it as the "most enjoyable experience to date," stating that "satisfying gameplay updates, such as the 'Double-play' feature and the stunning visuals, ensure that the game is anything but a disappointment."

The website Jeuxvideo.com gave it an 85 out of 100, commenting: > "The adventure can occasionally feel too easy due to accessibility features that provide a bit too much assistance, but the game still succeeds in elevating the original experience, making it more fun and engaging than ever."

Finally, RPGamer scored it an 80, saying: > "From a newcomer’s perspective, it is a fantastic adventure. The beautiful art style and the intriguing class-based combat system are particularly standout features."



Those are the reviews from international media outlets, and almost all of them (with the exception of the RPGamer reviewer who hadn’t played the original) agree on one thing: the game features stunning graphics, an engaging job system, and a much tighter, more interesting narrative pacing. > However, the main drawback echoed by everyone is that the difficulty is far too low. Compared to the original—which was notoriously difficult—this version was clearly tuned down to appeal to newcomers. Many feel that a balance similar to Dragon Quest XI’s difficulty would have been ideal. Hopefully, a 'Hard Mode' will be added in the future to give veterans and second-playthrough players a more satisfying challenge.

But what about you? What are your thoughts on Dragon Quest VII Reimagined?"

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