Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined "isn't meant to supplement or improve upon" previous versions of the classic JRPG, but simply to "represent" the game "for today"

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A remake shouldn't be a replacement for the original game

The protagonist of Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined stares into the distance
(Image credit: Square Enix)

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is, as the name implies, a reimagining of the PS1 original, and one that takes some big liberties with the source material. It seems Square Enix doesn't view the remake as a replacement for its aged predecessor, but rather more of a companion piece aimed at a new generation of players.

"Past iterations of DQVII represent the DQVII of that time," Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined producer Takeshi Ichikawa tells me in an email interview. "This new installment isn't meant to supplement or improve upon them, but simply to represent DQVII for today. I'd be happy if those who can compare this experience with past ones enjoy doing so, and for newcomers, I believe this game will define what becomes their very own DQVII experience."

In Ichikawa's view, each installment in Dragon Quest's 40-year history, "possesses its own timeless charm that’s independent of the era." As we continue to see more and more remakes of classic entries in the venerable JRPG franchise, Ichikawa says "I consider those compelling elements from the original games to be especially crucial in remake projects."

Dustin Bailey
Dustin Bailey
Staff Writer

Dustin Bailey joined the GamesRadar team as a Staff Writer in May 2022, and is currently based in Missouri. He's been covering games (with occasional dalliances in the worlds of anime and pro wrestling) since 2015, first as a freelancer, then as a news writer at PCGamesN for nearly five years. His love for games was sparked somewhere between Metal Gear Solid 2 and Knights of the Old Republic, and these days you can usually find him splitting his entertainment time between retro gaming, the latest big action-adventure title, or a long haul in American Truck Simulator.

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