Dragon Quest I&II HD-2D Remake Retains Infamously Dense Shakespearean Localization
The remake's decision to preserve the original's heavy period English localization, rather than modernizing it, means a new generation of players will encounter the same famously challenging translation that drew complaints in the 1980s.
Reporting from 1 sources: Game Spark.
The HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest I&II uses the original English localization, which renders all dialogue in early modern English reminiscent of Shakespeare. The article notes that even ordinary citizens speak in this classical style, making the text difficult even for native English speakers. Later games in the series toned down this approach, but the remake keeps it intact.
The HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest I&II does not simplify the original English localization. Instead, it keeps the full early modern English script that had ordinary citizens speaking in Shakespearean style, a choice that made the 1986 original notoriously difficult for native English speakers. The article from Game Spark notes that later entries in the series toned down the classical and British elements after complaints, but the remake follows the same translation as the original. The localization was handled by Satoru Iwata at the time.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.