A remake of 2000's Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is reportedly in development at Square Enix. If the rumors about the Dragon Quest 7 remake turn out to be true, it would mark the continuation of the trend that has seen the Japanese gaming giant re-release old Dragon Quest games for modern systems in recent years.
With 11 mainline entries under its belt, it's safe to say the Dragon Quest franchise has had impressive longevity in the industry. Having first hit the shelves in 1986, the IP has appeared on several different platforms, ranging from the NES to PS5, over its nearly four-decade-long existence. While the latest chapter in the saga, Dragon Quest 11, rolled out in 2017, the latest release under the banner, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, came out more recently in 2024. Later in 2025, a compilation of the first two titles is also set to receive the HD-2D Remake treatment.
Dragon Quest 11: Why You Should Start Over in 2025
With Dragon Quest 12 still in development and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake reshaping the series' legacy, now is the perfect time to revisit DQ11.
It seems that the Dragon Quest remake spree might not be ending anytime soon, as Square Enix is actively developing the remake of Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, per the "internal documents" spotted by MP1st. The JRPG, which initially came out on the original PlayStation, will reportedly land at some point in Q4 FY 2025-26 or early in FY 2026-27 "if things remain on track." In other words, the rumored game is expected to make it out between January and March 2026 or by the first few months of the succeeding fiscal year, which starts in April 2026. Moreover, the report highlights that, unlike the previously announced re-releases of vintage Dragon Quest titles, the Dragon Quest 7 project is referenced in the company's documents as a remake and not an HD remake or remaster. Precisely, this suggests that the in-development remake might not just be a graphical upgrade but a more comprehensive refresh of the original. Further, the source also noted coming across a short teaser depicting the game's logo against a cloudy backdrop, which it described as "minimalist but evocative."
Dragon Quest 7 Remake Rumored Release Window
- Q4 (Jan–Mar) FY 2026 or early FY 2027
Regardless of whether the rumored Dragon Quest 7 remake comes out in late FY 2026 or early FY 2027, the source appears certain that the game will launch in 2026. If that is what eventually happens, Square Enix will have shipped three different Dragon Quest remakes in three consecutive years. Keeping in mind Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake's success, another such project being in the works seems more likely than not.
However, before any of that, the prolific Japanese studio will be focused on releasing Dragon Quest 1 & 2 2D-HD Remake on PC and consoles on October 30, 2025. It would be interesting to see how this particular game fares in comparison to the well-received Dragon Quest re-release from last year.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- August 26, 2000
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- enix
- Franchise
- Dragon Quest
WHERE TO PLAY
From one little island to a world of possibilities!
Join young Auster and his friends, Prince Kiefer and Maribel, as they embark on a quest to restore long-forgotten lands. Use mystical stone tablets to travel back in time and come to the aid of troubled towns. Solve perplexing puzzles and face unique monsters in classic turn-based battles to shape the world’s past and present.
In this huge adventure, you must conquer dungeons and defeat enemies that block your path. To overcome monsters, issue commands to individual party members in turn-based battles – or, if you’re confident that your party can handle the situation, you can activate “tactics” to let fights play out automatically.
Using over 50 different vocations, any hero can hone their skills and learn powerful new abilities. You could become a mage, a pirate or even a shepherd! Master a variety of professions to build an unstoppable party of heroes.
Test your team’s fighting prowess against hundreds of unique monsters, including many favourites from the DRAGON QUEST series. You can also befriend certain creatures, which lets you acquire their abilities to use in battle, or send them to seek out special items for you.
