We’ve seen Dragon Quest VII quite a few times, what with its PlayStation debut, 3DS remake, and now the Reimagined release headed to consoles and PCs worldwide. Each one’s offered a little something different, with Square Enix this time streamlining some elements, adding new content elsewhere, and going with a design direction that involved physical dolls being used as main character models. To learn more about this latest take on the tale, Siliconera spoke to Producer Takeshi Ichikawa about the project, as well as the new Dragon Quest Eden manga.
Jenni Lada: This is the third time we’ll be seeing Dragon Quest VII again. Which elements of the PlayStation and 3DS versions did you prioritize when preparing Dragon Quest VII Reimagined?
Takeshi Ichikawa: Although many aspects of this title have been completely reimagined from the ground up, its core narrative and the original version’s unique atmosphere remain intact.
One of the already shared Dragon Quest VII Reimagined updates and changes is the new segment with an older version of the character Kiefer returning to the party. How did the team decide this would be a good narrative direction and implement it into the game?
Ichikawa: Kiefer makes a certain decision partway through the story, and because we believe many players were eager to see the developments that follow, we decided to add it as a new episode.
It was confirmed that there will be streamlined elements. How did you determine which scenarios to omit in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and how does this then influence and alter the overall plot?
Ichikawa: In our effort to streamline the overall story progression and provide a more engaging narrative, we decided to cut subplots that have little or no direct relevance to the main scenario. However, this wasn’t merely a matter of trimming. We reimagined the experience to deliver fresh scenarios even for players who have already played Dragon Quest VII, incorporating changes such as converting certain scenarios into optional content that can be played at any time after the stone tablet is assembled, as well as adding new episodes, including the adult Kiefer scenario.
The Dragon Quest VII Reimagined class system will allow character multiclassing via moonlighting with another job. How did you ensure this would be balanced, and does this mean the class skill acquisition will be more like the PlayStation version than the 3DS remake?
Ichikawa: As the story progresses in this title, each character can equip two vocations simultaneously. With the addition of this moonlighting feature, each vocation was rebuilt to better highlight its unique identity. While the hybrid skill system from the PlayStation version is not included, the spells and abilities learned in each vocation have been completely overhauled. We hope you enjoy this revamped vocation system, which offers a distinctly different experience from before.
We know dolls for the main cast of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined were made, but did you also construct dolls for any other major characters? Also, what will happen to the dolls now that the game is finished?
Ichikawa: Dolls were created for the six party characters, while other characters and monsters were produced directly as in-game models. The dolls are currently on display at various events.
The Dragon Quest VII manga will return with Dragon Quest Eden in Japan. Did the Reimagined team do any consulting work on the adaptation?
Ichikawa: While we have shared details of how this title has been reimagined with the artist and the manga editorial team, the manga adaptation is being produced as an independent work in its own right. We hope you will enjoy each version for what it offers.
What did you learn from the Dragon Quest VII Reimagined development process and how would you apply that to future games in the series and Square Enix titles?
Ichikawa: While I cannot speak about other games, I believe that developing this title taught me both the challenge and the appeal of preserving the original’s strengths while reimagining it as a modern game.
The Dragon Quest VII Reimagined remake is available on the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 5, 2026.