With all that said, “streamlined” is the best word to describe Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined. While the 3DS remake took its own measures to make the intro more palatable, this one is aiming for a truly streamlined experience – one that keeps the pace moving while still delivering an adventure that only Dragon Quest can provide. So does it succeed? I would say, yes. Immensely so. In fact, it may well make a case for one of the finer entries in the series, and one of the better role-playing games you can play this year.

"Despite being based on a game that’s more than 25 years old, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined managed to subvert my expectations in so many ways. Not only that, but it’s well-written…"

Your life is much less unassuming here than in previous titles – the word “hero” isn’t so much accurate as the term “adventurer.” As a resident of Estard, you work with Prince Kiefer to fix up a boat and set out to explore, despite everyone (including your mother) reminding you that this is the only island in the world. Things take a turn when Kiefer discovers some mysterious ruins, which demand some stone tablets in return for granting entry. One thing leads to another, and after Maribel, the mayor’s spirited daughter, joins in, you’re transported to a brand new world that’s clearly not Estard.

Right away, the pacing throughout all this is fantastic, from engaging with the combat system, getting to know all the important characters – from Kiefer’s father King Donald (and no, the Sutherland connection isn’t lost on me) to the protagonist’s skeevy uncle Pike – to traveling to the first world. So far, so good, but what about the rest?

I don’t want to delve into too many details about the entire plot set-up and its various revelations, but the basic goal is to search out more stone tablets, venture to other worlds, and so on. The key takeaway is that they’re all in some kind of bind. Take Ballymolloy, for example, where the legend of a warrior who stood up to the monsters is revealed to be a tragedy of epic proportions.

You’ll often step in and play the hero, but it’s not always so straightforward, which highlights the strength of Reimagined’s storytelling. Some places fall to tragedy, and there isn’t anything to be done. Others may see you win the battle, but the story is far from finished. It feels like opening new chapters in a book, except they’re all connected in exciting ways.

And while some felt like they ended sooner than I would have expected, I was always hankering to see what the next world held, which characters I would meet, who would temporarily join up to lend a hand, and much more. Despite being based on a game that’s more than 25 years old, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined managed to subvert my expectations in so many ways. Not only that, but it’s well-written – even with such an extensive side cast, each one makes an impression, from the royalty to the downtrodden; from the cutpurse who betrayed me to the fortune-teller known as, what else but, Palmela. Conversations rarely felt bogged down by extraneous details.

"While it may feel overtly simple in the beginning, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined’s combat system opens up delightfully over time, especially as you learn new skills, master your Vocation, and gain different monster hearts with unique benefits (like increased dodging, higher crit chance or defying death from a lethal attack)."

The main cast is equally as endearing, from Kiefer and his bright enthusiasm (that hides more than its fair share of self-doubt) to Maribel and her sometimes-spoiled-but-ultimately-good-hearted demeanour, to Ruff, who’s about what I’d expect given the predicament he’s gone through (but more charming). Other characters remain, and the current cast goes through their fair share of changes (again, no spoilers), and it’s all laid out so naturally that it rarely feels rushed. The voice acting is also superb, and the main cast especially shines in their roles (though the protagonist remains mostly silent).

The streamlining aspects also apply to the battle system, which receives the Tactics system seen in the HD-2D Dragon Quest remakes, Auto Battle, and Battle Speeds to adjust the speed of animations. You can adjust all of this on the fly, which is great, but the actual combat also shines in its relative simplicity. Enemies have unique tactics and elemental weaknesses, from the standard throwaway Slimes to the Mouseflaps who can simultaneously attack if there’s more than one. Multi-area attacks are especially useful for wiping the battlefield, but if battles have mixed groups of enemies, you need to prioritize which ones to attack.

Adding a further wrinkle to all this is the new Vocational Perks. After enough time in battle, characters can get “worked up,” and unlock a special move unique to their Vocation. From the start, the protagonist grants protection to everyone from a single hit – a clutch tactic when a boss is charging up for a particularly devastating attack. Maribel can make it easier to exploit elemental weaknesses, which works in tandem with her magical prowess. Kiefer, meanwhile, can throw all pretense of defense to enhance his attack and crit rate, though you could also opt to spend a turn doubling the damage of his next attack. And so on.

While it may feel overtly simple in the beginning, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined’s combat system opens up delightfully over time, especially as you learn new skills, master your Vocation, and gain different monster hearts with unique benefits (like increased dodging, higher crit chance or defying death from a lethal attack). If there’s one drawback, it’s that it does take a bit of time before you unlock the ability to change Vocations and learn other Skills. The new Moonlighting, which allows for equipping two Vocations at once, effectively multi-classing to create wicked hybrid set-ups, takes more time on top of that. It’s not dozens of hours, to be fair, but if you battle regularly, your Vocations will be maxed out much before that destined time.

Thankfully, it’s an easy enough issue to ignore, especially when you’re consistently discovering new weapons, armor, accessories, and more to tune your party in different ways. And with the ability to change Vocations anywhere, it’s not difficult to jump to a new Job for the sake of experimentation.

"Perhaps the only drawback for me is the strange depth of field effect, which also causes some pop-in for certain environmental assets. It was also present in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, and while it’s not as annoying, I still found it distracting."

Even with such extensive streamlining, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is still a sizable experience. It’s also quite gorgeous, retaining the original’s aesthetic and seamlessly translating it into the modern age. The development team’s approach to creating the character models – where it handcrafted dolls for the main cast and scanned them in – and setting up the towns as these dioramas pay incredible dividends. Perhaps the only drawback for me is the strange depth of field effect, which also causes some pop-in for certain environmental assets. It was also present in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, and while it’s not as annoying, I still found it distracting.

Regardless, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is a winner in almost every way that a mainline entry in the series should be. It has a compelling plot with lovable characters, interesting locations with unique tales, an enjoyable combat system with more than enough depth to its character-building, a stellar presentation, and yet, it all feels so seamless and easy to digest – like a cozy novel that you’re eager to return to. If you’ve ever balked at trying to play through the original, then it comes highly recommended.

This game was reviewed on PS5.

Aside from getting an early taste of Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, playing the demo also brings with it an extra reward for the full game—the Day Off Dress costume for Maribel. The trailer doesn’t mention whether or not the demo has to be completed to get access to the costume, however. The demo will be available on PC (via Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2.

As for the opening movie itself, it does a great job of setting up the fairy tale-styled aesthetics that the Dragon Quest franchise is known for. Kicking things off by showing us the village where Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined will begin, the opening movie also focuses on showing off the camaraderie between its three heroes: the player character, rebel prince Kiefer, and the spoiled daughter of the richest merchant in town, Maribel. We also spot other characters from throughout the game’s story and the adventures they embark on.

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, as its name implies, is a reimagining of classic PlayStation-era RPG Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past. While the core of the game is quite similar to the original, Square Enix has confirmed several changes to the writing to streamline it while still telling the same story. It will also feature optional side quests, stories, and minigames that players can discover and experience.

One of the bigger areas receiving changes is the combat system, with the turn-based combat receiving upgrades thanks to an updated vocation system. Along with this, the title will feature a new mechanic, dubbed Moonlighting, which allows characters to have two Vocations at the same time. Characters will also have access to a new Let Loose ability that allows them to unleash more of their power, as well as a new Monster Master vocation that revolves around befriending and summoning powerful monsters to partake in combat.

The central story of Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined revolves around the denizens of a town that has no contact with the greater world outside their borders. A call to adventure, however, prompts the three protagonists to set off and discover the world at large, all while also having to fend off the forces of Demon King Orgodemir. Check out the previous Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined trailer for a closer look at the RPG’s main cast. Also, check out details about a brand new ending that will be available depending on the player’s choices.

Developed by HexaDrive and available on PS5 for free, the story follows Anita, who awakens in the Villa, a dilapidated apartment complex. After receiving a message from her friend Maya to find something, she embarks on a haunting journey through the building, trying to remember how she got there.

The runtime is about two hours, and unlike most other titles, it’s in first-person. There’s only one monster to beware of, which pops up during specific chase sequences while the story focuses on themes of bullying and suicide. You can check out our review here.

Outside of Silent Hill: The Short Message, Konami has also released Silent Hill 2 remake, which sold over two million units. Silent Hill f is in development for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and though it’s the next mainline title, it’s a “completely new title, independent of the series,” per the publisher.

"When we talk about “dodging” in this game, it doesn’t refer to stylish maneuvers. Instead, it conveys the image of an ordinary child desperately running away from monsters, throwing objects to distract them, and constantly trying to survive in this world by avoiding danger."

Could you walk us through the decision to emphasize dodging as the central gameplay mechanic in a horror game as opposed to focusing on out-and-out combat or stealth?

To put it simply, it’s because the protagonist of this game is an ordinary child. In most games, not just horror, characters typically have some kind of special ability that allows them to overcome obstacles. However, in reality, that’s not usually the case. For example, even the act of shooting a gun is not something one can do easily, especially for someone without experience. Imagine a child in that situation—it would be even more challenging.

When we talk about “dodging” in this game, it doesn’t refer to stylish maneuvers. Instead, it conveys the image of an ordinary child desperately running away from monsters, throwing objects to distract them, and constantly trying to survive in this world by avoiding danger.

How do you plan to build on the games central mechanic throughout the length of the experience to keep things fresh for the player?

Players will face evolving stages and different enemies as they progress. With only the limited actions available to a young child, the experience of strategizing and finding creative ways to navigate challenges should feel fresh and engaging throughout the game.

Niraya of mentions that exploring the world itself will be terrifying. Is this because of enemies and monsters the player might encounter within it, or is it because the world itself induces fear through its themes and atmosphere?

I would say it’s more about the themes and atmosphere of the world itself that induce fear. Humans naturally fear the unknown, and there’s something unsettling about exploring a place that feels familiar yet is entirely alien. There are peculiar objects that shouldn’t exist in that time period. It’s an eerie situation to wander through such spaces without a clear path forward. Of course, there are also monsters that will suddenly attack, and you never know when or where they will appear. We aim to make every element in the game contribute to the sense of fear.

"Players will face evolving stages and different enemies as they progress. With only the limited actions available to a young child, the experience of strategizing and finding creative ways to navigate challenges should feel fresh and engaging throughout the game."

As horror game developers, do you decide the core mechanic of your game first, or do the setting and concept take precedence?

That’s an interesting question. The process began with the decision to create a horror game, and from there, we sought to differentiate ourselves from other titles by focusing on a mechanic that wasn’t centered on combat or simply running away. This led us to the idea of “dodging.” So, in response to your question, it would be accurate to say that the setting and concept came first.

Roughly how long will an average playthrough of the game be?

We anticipate that an average playthrough of the game will take around 6 to 8 hours.

Do you intend to bring Niraya of to consoles down the line?

While we haven’t made a final decision yet, we are positively considering bringing Niraya of to consoles in the future to reach a wider audience.

The Unreal Engine 5-developed first-person horror title focuses on Anita, who awakens in the rundown apartment complex. Maya, her best friend, informs her that she can’t leave until she finds “it.” Throughout the journey, Anita remembers their relationship while avoiding a mysterious cherry blossom-covered monster.

Silent Hill: The Short Message received mixed reviews when it launched, with many criticizing the overall gameplay, dialogue and story-telling. You can check out our review here.

As for the franchise’s future, Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2, a remake of Konami’s 2001 classic, launches on October 8th for PS5 and PC. Check out the latest gameplay here. Other titles like No Code’s Silent Hill: Townfall and NeoBards Entertainment’s Silent Hill f are also in the works, though release windows have yet to be announced.

『SILENT HILL: The Short Message』
300万ダウンロード突破

怪奇現象が次々と起こる廃墟のマンションで、
異形のクリーチャーから逃げきれるか。

PlayStation®5で無料配信中ですので、
ぜひ一度プレイしてみてください。

PS Storehttps://t.co/UIPnH4ixHQ#SILENTHILL #SHTSM pic.twitter.com/SkPEy5JNgE

— SILENT HILL (@silenthill_jp) July 31, 2024

Per the teaser’s description, the story’s protagonist has arrived in an “unknown world”, and players must help them return home. In the process, there are puzzles and mysteries to solve and monsters to avoid. The new title will be announced on July 19th at BitSummit Drift in Miyako Messe in Kyoto, Japan. It’s also playable at the developer’s booth from July 19th to 21st.

Alongside HexaDrive’s new game, BitSummit Drift will feature over 100 titles from indie developers. These include Hotel Barcelona from White Owls (developer of Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise), Chicken Police: Into the HIVE! by The Wild Gentleman, and Tokyo Underground Killer by Phoenix Game Productions (which worked on Resident Evil 4 remake).

The title will receive new merchandise, including a 1/6 scale Sakura Head statue from Gecco, overseen by concept artist Masahiro Ito. It’s priced at 54,780 Yen, stands 410 mm (roughly 16.14 inches) tall and will be available from September to November 2024. Fans can also check out the soundtrack, composed by Akira Yamaoka, and available worldwide on Spotify and Apple Music.

Featuring over 80 tracks, it also includes songs absent from the game. Check out our review for more details. We gave it a 7 out of 10, praising its soundtrack and visuals while criticizing the simple gameplay and the narrative’s heavy-handed nature. Stay tuned for further updates in the meantime.

Over on Twitter, Konami has announced that Silent Hill: The Short Message has now surpassed 2 million downloads, less than a week since its launch. That’s up from 1 million downloads 5 days after release, so the game’s certainly kept up impressive momentum following its release.

In our review of the game, we gave it a score of 7/10, saying, “Silent Hill: The Short Message isn’t going to set the horror genre ablaze, but it doesn’t have to. As a free offering, it’s a solid showcase with a heavy atmosphere and heavier subjects, even if its narrative could have been more subtle.” Read the full review through here.

Silent Hill: The Short Message is available exclusively on PS5.

『SILENT HILL: The Short Message』

200万ダウンロードを突破しました。
PlayStation®5で無料配信中ですので
ぜひ一度プレイしてみてください。

PlayStation Store：https://t.co/UIPnH4ixHQ
公式サイト：https://t.co/nbv0zTpl5P#SILENTHILL #SHTSM pic.twitter.com/g2zIfH3hoS

— SILENT HILL (@silenthill_jp) February 12, 2024

Silent Hill: The Short Message isn’t set in the titular town – instead, it follows a teenager named Anita, who awakens in an abandoned apartment complex in the town of Kettenstadt, Germany. Unable to leave and stalked by a strange creature, she seeks her friend Maya, who tells her that she must find “it.” The Unreal Engine 5 title is short, roughly an hour and a half, and offers a first-person perspective with live-action footage interspersed throughout.

Check out our review of Silent Hill: The Short Message here, though it’s worth noting that other critics have given it mixed or negative reviews. Konami’s upcoming titles in the series include Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2, No Code’s Silent Hill: Townfall and NeoBard’s Silent Hill f. Stay tuned for more announcements on all three in the future.

『SILENT HILL: The Short Message』

100万ダウンロードを突破しました。
プレイいただいた皆さまありがとうございます。

公式サイト：https://t.co/nbv0zTpl5P#SILENTHILL #SHTSM pic.twitter.com/aQKTTPURhU

— SILENT HILL (@silenthill_jp) February 6, 2024

Konami’s Super Bomberman R has sold over 2 million units worldwide since first launching in 2017. It was first available for the Nintendo Switch before releasing for Xbox One, PS4 and PC in 2018. On Twitter, the publisher confirmed that a commemorative campaign would launch in the future to celebrate.

Developed by Hexadrive, M2 and Konami, Super Bomberman R features a new story campaign that can be played solo or in local co-op. The plot is a slight reboot and sees the eight Bomberman Brothers battling the dastardly Emperor Buggler. There are about 50 stages to complete in Story Mode but the real appeal is multiplayer.

Battle Mode returns with support for up to 8 players locally or online and 19 Battlegrounds to fight on. It offers 27 characters in total, each with their own abilities. Those interested in multiplayer alone may want to wait for Super Bomberman R Online – the battle royale spin-off will be coming to PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch later this year and support cross-play.

https://twitter.com/bomberman573/status/1372029926426218496