Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined Thrives on Steam, Yet Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remains the Fan Favorite

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Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is seeing record player numbers and positive reviews on Steam, but it’s still trailing behind Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, which remains the franchise’s top launch on the platform.

Specifically, we’re looking at Steam’s peak concurrent player stats. Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined hit an all-time peak of 27,390 players as of yesterday, likely its highest count following its launch weekend, while Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D boasts a peak of 45,357 from its November 2024 launch—a significant lead over 7 Reimagined.

As noted by users on ResetEra, both titles have surpassed other entries in the Dragon Quest series, which rank as follows:

While it may not be a popular opinion, I believe Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D rightfully holds its top position as an outstanding remake and entry point into the series. However, the original Dragon Quest 11 deserves a lot more recognition. I’d argue it’s an equally valuable entry with the best storytelling in the franchise, but I admit I’m biased since it was my first Dragon Quest experience.

Regarding Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, I’m pleased to see players enjoying it. It’s certainly not a bad game, but I share the sentiment of others who feel that the numerous changes made by Square Enix have made it more accessible, yet ultimately less fulfilling as a JRPG. It’s worth playing, but in my view, it lacks much of the charm that makes Dragon Quest such a uniquely rewarding, albeit challenging, series.

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii points out that Final Fantasy protagonists “speak a lot,” highlighting a “key difference” between the two legendary JRPG franchises: “You’re not necessarily becoming the protagonist.”