Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined will be missing some content that was included in the release of the original early-2000s game and the Nintendo 3DS remake, according to some newly revealed information from the series' creator. Content that will not be making its way into Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined includes some special areas, scenarios, and the gambling mechanic in the original game's casino.
The announcement of Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined at the Nintendo Direct showcase earlier this month was a special treat for fans, many of whom had been anticipating the re-release of a classic game in the series but didn't know which one to expect. The initial reveal indicated that Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined would have an updated story from its original 2000 release in Japan, along with modern-day graphics and the addition of voice acting.
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is Exciting, But It Doesn't Address the Elephant in the Room
Although Square Enix recently announced a remake of Dragon Quest 7, it is still leaving fans in the dark about the future of the series.
Cut Content in Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined
- Casinos
- Immigrant Town (The Haven)
- Monster Meadows
- Excellence Grading Organisation
- El Ciclo scenario
- Grondal scenario
- Providence scenario
Appearing as part of the Square Enix lineup at Tokyo Game Show 2025, the development team behind Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined have revealed some sections of the classic game that will not be in the new version, which is set for launch on February 5, 2026. During a livestream event discussing the game, which was presented entirely in Japanese, series creator Yuji Horii noted these changes will see the removal of Immigrant Town, also known as The Haven; Monster Meadows, the Excellence Grading Organization, and the Casino, according to a translation by The Gamer. It will also see the removal of three scenarios in El Ciclo, Grondal, and Providence.
From its initial reveal earlier in September, the development team had stated that the main storyline from the original Dragon Quest 7 would be streamlined for the remake. While it is regarded as one of the best Dragon Quest games by many fans of the series, full playthroughs can take up to 100 hours to complete, and the content cut from Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined did not tie heavily into the original game's main story, which is a reason Horii gave for leaving these sections out of the remake. For example, The Haven and Monster Meadows are areas where players can recruit human and friendly monster NPCs to live, respectively, and the game's three casinos' functions are to cash in tokens for prizes that include some powerful equipment.
While some fans may be disappointed that not all the content from the original game will be appearing in the remake of Dragon Quest 7, they may be able to look forward to more Dragon Quest remakes coming in the future. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was released in November 2024 with Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D Remake in development, and some comments Horii made about a week ago may hint that the Zenithian Trilogy that consists of the fourth through sixth entries in the series may be coming as well.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- February 5, 2026
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, HexaDrive
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
WHERE TO PLAY
"There's more to the world than this island... And we're going to prove it!"
Set sail on an adventure spanning past and present in DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined!
As a bright-eyed young fisherman's son, you've lived your entire life on the peaceful island of Estard. Your journey begins with a simple question: is there more to the world than this small island kingdom?
On a quest for answers, you and your childhood friends discover the Shrine of Mysteries and are swept back in time. There, you uncover the shocking truth that entire lands have been sealed away by a malevolent force.
The fate of the world now rests in your hands.
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined brings a timeless classic to life in a whole new way with charming diorama visuals, updated gameplay mechanics, and a streamlined story.
For seasoned adventurers, rediscover a tale of plucky companions that is brimming with joy and heartbreak. For fledgling heroes new to the series, this is a great place to begin your DRAGON QUEST journey.
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure
