Square Enix released a Dragon Quest VII Reimagined demo this week, offering three hours of gameplay that transfers to the full release on February 5. The demo arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC platforms.
Players who complete the demo unlock the "Day Off Dress" cosmetic for character Maribel, with all progress carrying over to the February launch. This marks the second modernization of the 2000 PlayStation classic, following the 2013 3DS remake that reached Western audiences in 2016.
The Reimagined edition introduces a "Moonlighting" mechanic allowing characters to equip two vocations simultaneously, alongside a dedicated "Monster Master" vocation. Square Enix's remake abandons the original's pixel art and the 3DS version's cel-shading for a diorama-like visual style that blends realistic environments with Akira Toriyama's signature character designs.
Gameplay features include a turn-based combat system with visible enemies, a job system using classic archetypes, and quality-of-life improvements like an interactive map with story markers. The demo showcases interactive world elements where players can talk to any NPC and enter most buildings to find hidden items.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined follows a young hero and friends swept from their island home and sent back in time by ancient tablet fragments. The group discovers an evil sealing away entire lands, forcing them to find more fragments to travel into the past and protect the world.
The remake sets a new precedent for Dragon Quest remakes, diverging from the HD-2D style used for recent Dragon Quest I-II-III remakes. Early impressions highlight the game's attention to detail, from combat animations to camera rotation that reveals secret building entrances.
Square Enix's February 5 launch targets multiple platforms simultaneously, including the upcoming Switch 2 alongside current-generation consoles and PC. The demo represents a significant departure from the version shown to press in November, offering a more comprehensive preview of the final experience.
