Dragon Quest II

File:Dragon Warrior II Image.png

Dragon Quest II is a role-playing video game. It allows the player to control more than one character, each of whom has their own characteristics, and it is the first game in the Dragon Quest series to do so.Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power September/October, 1990; issue 16 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 67. The game introduced a party system where, instead of beginning the game with an entire party as was common in previous computer RPGs, the player begins the game with only one character and gradually recruits more party members during the course of the game.{{cite web|url=http://dqnine.com/#/iwata/|title=Dragon Quest: Sential of the Starry Skies|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Square-Enix|at=The History of Dragon Quest|access-date=2010-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815052448/http://dqnine.com/#/iwata/|archive-date=2011-08-15|url-status=dead}} The player controls his or her characters as they move in the game world. They can search treasure chests, talk and trade with villagers, equip themselves with weapons and armor, and cast spells.

While wandering fields, towers, caves, seas, and dungeons, the player randomly encounters monsters, after which the game shifts to battle mode.{{cite web|title=The GameSpy Hall of Fame: Dragon Warrior|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/492/492001p2.html|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.|archive-date=2012-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210145341/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/492/492001p2.html|access-date=22 June 2013|author=William Cassidy|date=2002-02-01}} The game's battle mode introduces groups of monsters, which is an upgrade from the one-on-one battles of Dragon Quest. In the battle mode, the player gives orders to the characters on how to fight the monsters. Once the player defeats all of the monsters, the characters gain experience points and gold. The experience points raise the characters' experience levels. This improves the characters' attributes, and they may also learn new spells.

To win, the player must fight monsters to improve the characters' experience levels and get gold to buy better weapons and armor. Eventually, the player's characters become strong enough to make it to the next town or dungeon. This repeats until the player reaches the final boss and defeats him. However, the gameplay is not necessarily linear, especially after the player gets the boat. Exploration is a key component of the game. The game offers a few spots to save the game.{{cite book|title=Dragon Warrior II Instruction Booklet|year=1990|publisher=Enix America Corporation|page=8|chapter=Starting the Game}} In most of the towns, talking to a king or minister saves the game. In the American version, which incorporated a battery for saved games rather than the password system of the original, talking to the king also allows for the deletion and moving of saved games.

Dragon Quest II is noted for greatly expanding upon the gameplay of the previous game, Dragon Quest. The game is the first in the series to feature multiple heroes and enemies in a battle, as well as a sailing ship. It also allowed the player to land the ship anywhere, making it possible to explore the entire game world in an open-ended manner. It included other new gameplay features such as weapons which cast spells when used in battles.(1990) Nintendo, Enix America Corporation Licensed Nintendo of America Inc. Dragon Warrior II Map (in English) ENI-D2-US. Compared with its predecessor, Dragon Warrior II offers a wider array of spells and itemsEnix Corporation Unveiled Secrets of Dragon Warrior II map (in English) Enix America Corporation. and a much larger world. The game also expanded the inventory management system of its predecessor by giving each character an individual inventory that holds up to eight items, placing a greater emphasis on conservative item management between the characters. Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line was also the first Dragon Quest game to include a game of chance (played with Lottery Tickets that the player finds), and was also the first Dragon Quest game to use multiple key types and to include travel doors (warp gates).{{cite book|title=Dragon Warrior II Instruction Booklet|year=1990|publisher=Enix America Corporation|pages=24, 26|chapter=Grographical Features}}

Dragon Quest II is set one hundred years after Dragon Quest. The story begins with an attack upon Moonbrooke Castle by the wizard, Hargon, who seeks to summon the demon, Malroth, to destroy the world. A wounded soldier escaped the battle and fled to the kingdom of Midenhall, where he informs the king of the attack before he dies. The king then commands his son, who is a descendant of Erdrick (known as Loto in Japanese translations and some later localizations), to defeat Hargon.{{cite book |editor=Prima Games |title=Dragon Warrior Monsters Official Strategy Guide |year=2000 |publisher=Prima Publishing |isbn=0-7615-2730-3 |page=234}}Editors of Nintendo Power: Nintendo Power September/October, 1990; issue 16 (in English). Nintendo of America, Tokuma Shoten Publishing, 66.{{cite book|title=Enix Corporation Unveiled Secrets of Dragon Warrior II | publisher=Enix America Corporation | page=3|chapter=Midenhall Castle }}

The Prince begins his quest alone, but is later joined by two cousins: the Prince of Cannock and the Princess of Moonbrooke. After finding the Prince of Cannock, who began a similar journey at the same time as the Prince of Midenhall, they restore the Princess of Moonbrooke to her human form, having been transformed into a dog during Hargon's assault on Moonbrooke Castle, which was reduced to ruins.{{cite book|title=Enix Corporation Unveiled Secrets of Dragon Warrior II | publisher=Enix America Corporation | page=9 |chapter=Moonbrooke Castle }} As the trio quest to find and defeat Hargon, they secure a ship that allows them to travel across oceans to reach new continents, including Alefgard, which is where Dragon Quest took place. There, they meet the grandson of Dragonlord, the villain from the previous game, who gives the party valuable information.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Warrior |developer=Enix |publisher=Enix |date=2000-09-27 |platform=Game Boy Color|quote=Dracolord's grandson: You can call me Kid Draco... }} He tells them that, by collecting the five crests hidden around the world, the party can create the Charm of Rubiss, allowing them to defeat Hargon and his illusions. After obtaining the Charm of Rubiss, the party travels to Hargon's castle in the ice-covered plateau of Rhone and confronts Hargon in his throne room. Hargon is defeated, but he offers himself to Malroth and the demon emerges to destroy the heroes. Together, the three heroes slay Malroth and return to Midenhall, where the Prince is named the new king.

Like other main games in the Dragon Quest series, Yuji Horii wrote the story for Dragon Quest II, Akira Toriyama did the artwork, and Koichi Sugiyama composed the music. Co-creator Koichi Nakamura, Chunsoft's president, directed the game and did half of the programming.{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/features/koichi-nakamura-interview-console-rpg | title=Koichi Nakamura Interview: On the Birth of the Console RPG | author=Jeremy Parish | website=1UP.com | access-date=2013-06-21 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512112519/http://www.1up.com/features/koichi-nakamura-interview-console-rpg | archive-date=2013-05-12 }}

Planning for Dragon Quest II began in April 1986, a month before the release of the original Dragon Quest. With the system and memory map decided, they started development in early July. At the beginning of development, producer Yukinobu Chida asked director and programmer Koichi Nakamura for a definite release date, and he offhandedly set one.{{cite book | script-title=ja:テレビゲームの神々―RPGを創った男たちの理想と夢 | author = Yutaka Tama | date= September 1994 | publisher = Koei |url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html | isbn = 978-4877191467}} Then the development team was divided into two groups, with one designing the story, as well as the monsters, and one doing the programming. The initial deadline was set for early November, but the game ultimately suffered a small delay.{{cite magazine | magazine = Famitsu | issue = 8 | script-title = ja:「ドラゴンクエストII」ができるまで（前編） |trans-title=Making of "Dragon Quest II" (Part One) | year = 1987 | author=Yuji Horii |author-link=Yuji Horii|language=ja|url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-80.html}} The development team had finished programming almost everything by the time of the initial release and believed the game could be released by the end of that year.{{cite magazine | magazine = Famitsu | issue = 14 | script-title = ja:「ドラゴンクエストII」ができるまで（後編） |trans-title=Making of "Dragon Quest II" (Part Two) | year = 1987 | author=Yuji Horii |author-link=Yuji Horii|language=ja|url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-81.html}} (Translation is [http://shmuplations.com/dragonquestii/ available]) In the Japanese magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump, published on November 11, 1986, it was announced that the game would be released in late December.Weekly Shōnen Jump issue 50 in 1986, released on 11 November 1986.[http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html] However, the developers found that the game was too difficult, so it was delayed for a month to adjust the balance.{{cite magazine|magazine=WiLL (マンスリーウィル) 増刊 すぎやまこういち ワンダーランド |title=すぎやまこういち×中村光一 制作チームも"冒険"してきました|publisher =ワック出版局 | date=2011-11-09 |url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html}} They had to finish the final version in mid-December, which they did, and then rushed to deliver to Nintendo to make the physical game cartridges. The game was released on January 26, 1987.

The developers believed that Dragon Quest{{'}}s one-vs-one combat system was "tedious" and too simple, and that the leveling system was "boring", so they decided to have Dragon Quest II use a party system with players controlling multiple characters. In another game from the time entitled Wizardry, players can control a party of up to six characters directly; Nakamura saw this, liked the idea, and wanted to do something similar. Due to technical restrictions, they decided to use only three characters; the Famicom video game system supports the display of up to eight sprites side by side, and one game character used two units in a direction, so it was possible for up to three characters to talk with a non-playable character (NPC). Yuji Horii believed many players would play Dragon Quest II without first playing Dragon Quest, and thus had players search for the other party members. During development, the staff discussed the idea of deprecating the "stair" command of the predecessor several times. Nakamura has stated that the Cave of Rhone found in the game is inspired by a classic trick to exit mazes, that of always moving forward while sticking to the right-hand side wall to avoid traps.{{Cite episode |title= チュンソフト |series= ゲームセンターCX|network=フジテレビONE, フジテレビNEXT|series-no=1 |date=2004-02-24 |number=8 |language=ja}}

In the story group, monsters were the first thing designed. The monsters' names, skills, and personalities were decided first, after which they were drawn by artist Akira Toriyama. Yuji Horii allowed Toriyama to paint full drawings rather than directly create the pixel art that would be shown in the game.{{cite book|chapter=メイキング・オブ・モンスター 堀井雄二VS鳥山明 対談|title=Dragon quest monsters |publisher= Shueisha | date=1996-12-01|isbn=978-4087820171|url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html}} The artwork was then converted into computer graphics; as Toriyama was unfamiliar with computer graphics technology, other staff took charge of this. Many new monsters needed to be designed to make the game feel real, and the process was laborious for Toriyama. But he has also said that, compared to the manga comics he was used to, he enjoyed painting more, so on balance the experience was positive.{{cite magazine | magazine= Kokoku Hihyo | script-title=ja:鳥山明インタビュー | date = July 1987 |url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html}} Yuji Horii stated that for his process, like other manga and film creators, he quickly outlines the story's plot in his mind. With regard to map design, a blank map was used to create the physical shape of the place, like a castle, cave, or tower, and then the key elements and story were created together afterwards. The scenarios were mainly written by his friend Hiroshi Miyaoka. Compared with write lines in writing paper and design map in graph paper, staff wrote both two in 5 mm graph papers of A4, as they felt that was easy for organizing; their manuscript thickness is 15 cm.{{cite book | title = ファミコン神拳 奥義大全書 特別編 キム皇のファミコン神拳110番 | publisher = Shueisha | date =1987-04-25 | url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-35.html}}

Compared with its predecessor, the game was more advanced in nearly all technological aspects. Koichi Nakamura programmed with several students, but since it was his first time working with a team, he did not know how to delegate work or communicate his goals.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-08 |title=すべては『ドアドア』から始まった――チュンソフト30周年のすべてを中村光一氏と振り返るロングインタビュー【前編】 {{!}} ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/08054671.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609010607/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/08054671.html |archive-date=2014-06-09 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=ファミ通.com |language=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/chunsoft30th Translated] by Shmuplations. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180929101840/http://shmuplations.com/chunsoft30th Archived] on 2018-09-29) Since the students were unfamiliar with the coding process, they did not know how to debug or to keep track of whose code it came from, so Nakamura had to do it himself, which caused delays.{{cite web | url = http://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/08054671.html | script-title=ja:すべては『ドアドア』から始まった――チュンソフト30周年のすべてを中村光一氏と振り返るロングインタビュー【前編】| author=世界三大三代川|website=famitsu.com | date=2014-06-08}} In programming, they did the maps first. Then they worked on characters, including numbered characters in maps for assigned lines, and designed the NPC's moving route. The next step was programming the items, while the final step was setting the monsters data and converting Toriyama's artwork. This work was completed by the end of October.

Due to the aforementioned balance issues, the game was initially very difficult, especially in the later stages. Nakamura had written a program that simulated every single combat that he used to adjust the game's setting for character leveling and the strength of enemies players would encounter. This program failed to account for larger monster groups, however, which fell outside the model and caused the game to be very difficult. Furthermore, enemies leveling and weapons power were designed by area, but Koichi Nakamura did not think over the boat, so if players get the boat to some land might be quickly defeated. The developers realized there was a balance problem and did some modifications, such as limiting the number of enemies in Midenhall to groups of three, and moving the Cannock Castle closer to Midenhall Castle.

Due to a lack of cartridge space, many ideas were abandoned during development, such as an alternate ending that the Lorasia Prince is assassinated by the Prince of Cannock's sister if he dies in the final battle. Some elements were later used in remakes or sequels: a subplot about the Prince of Cannock being cursed was added to the Super Famicom remake and later remakes.[http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-83.html Special Goods of Famicom & Super Famicom Dragon Quest I·II·III] Also, the Promontory of Olivia in Dragon Quest III was initially an idea for Dragon Quest II.{{cite magazine| title=ドラゴンクエスト3マスターズクラブ|author=ファミコン必勝本編集部|magazine=JICC出版局 |date=November 1, 1988|url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-83.html|isbn=978-4880634876}} The game cartridge's ROM capacity is 1 Mbit, but only about 10 bytes of free space remains in final products.[http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/02/heres-what-etrian-mystery-dungeons-first-print-bonus-in-japan-includes/ First Print Bonus] of Etrian Mystery Dungeon. p. 42

The North American release of the game as Dragon Warrior II was created by Enix themselves and published in 1990.{{cite web| url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131926/the_history_of_dragon_quest.php?page=1 | title= The History of Dragon Quest | publisher= UBM Tech| author=Kurt Kalata | date=February 4, 2008 | access-date=2013-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122135029/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131926/the_history_of_dragon_quest.php?page=3|archive-date=2015-11-22}} Unlike the original Japanese Famicom version, which used passwords for saving, the NES version used an internal battery backup instead to record the player's progress. The storyline introduction in Moonbrooke is presented exclusively in Dragon Warrior II. In the Japanese original, the game starts right with the injured soldier from Moonbrooke entering Midenhall castle, seeking help from its king.Narration (first line of game translated): One day, a single wounded soldier arrived after a long struggle at Lorasia Castle.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Quest II |developer=Enix |publisher=Enix |date=1986-01-26 |platform=Famicom}} The dialogue of the American localization often used (intentionally) archaic English vocabulary, among other differences from the Japanese version.{{cite web|title=Dragon Quest II|url=http://www.dqshrine.com/dq/dq2/|publisher=dqshrine.com|access-date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084455/http://www.dqshrine.com/dq/dq2/|archive-date=2012-07-04}} Like Dragon Warrior, the American version of Dragon Warrior II was censored in some aspects; for example, it used a ghost-like sprite instead of the original defeated character's coffin with cross sprite.

Koichi Sugiyama composed and directed the music for the game. The first album of Dragon Quest II, Suite Dragon Quest II ~Gods of the Evil Spirits~, was released in February 1987. It covers ten orchestra version soundtracks with a twenty-five minute "original sound story"; this suite was performed by the Tokyo Strings Ensemble. Some of the tracks are classical and some are jazz.{{cite web|title=Suite Dragon Quest II ~Gods of the Evil Spirits~|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq2-ss/index.html|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Patrick Gann|archive-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611081521/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq2-ss/index.html|url-status=dead}} On August 20, 1987, the first "Family Classic Concert" was held. In this concert, Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest II's music was performed by the Tokyo Strings Ensemble.{{cite web|script-title=ja:ファミリークラシックコンサートの歴史|url=http://sugimania.com/family/01.html|publisher=Sugiyama Kobo|access-date=21 June 2013|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074745/http://sugimania.com/family/01.html|archive-date=5 March 2016}} Later in October 1987, the concert recording was released as a symphonic suite CD under the title Dragon Quest in Concert.{{cite web | author=Patrick Gann | year=2007 | title=Dragon Quest in Concert | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-ic/index.html | access-date=31 August 2007 | archive-date=21 August 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821134300/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-ic/index.html | url-status=dead }} Music of Dragon Quest II were also released as a piano CD,{{cite web|title=Dragon Quest on Piano Vol. II|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-piano2/|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Patrick Gann|archive-date=9 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609020516/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-piano2/|url-status=dead}} a Drama CD{{cite web|title=CD Theater Dragon Quest II|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq2-drama/|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Patrick Gann|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603051923/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq2-drama/|url-status=dead}} and several Symphonic Suite albums.{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq2-sfc/index.html|title=Super Famicom Edition Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest II|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Patrick Gann|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608105743/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq2-sfc/index.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq1%262/|title=Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest I•II|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Patrick Gann|archive-date=5 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605192636/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq1%262/|url-status=dead}} Dragon Quest II's musics were also collected in music compilations, like Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Best Selection Vol.1 ~Roto~ (1997),{{cite web|url=http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-best1/|title=Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Best Selection Vol.1 ~Roto~|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=SonicPanda|archive-date=9 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609205118/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-best1/|url-status=dead}} Dragon Quest Game Music Super Collection Vol. 1–3 (2001–2002),{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dqmusic1/|title=Dragon Quest Game Music Super Collection Vol. 1|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Damian Thomas|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625202840/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dqmusic1/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dqmusic2/|title=Dragon Quest Game Music Super Collection Vol. 2|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Damian Thomas|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602234713/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dqmusic2/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dqmusic3/|title=Dragon Quest Game Music Super Collection Vol. 3|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Damian Thomas|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604233140/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dqmusic3/|url-status=dead}} Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Complete CD-Box (2003){{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-ssbox/|title=Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Complete CD-Box|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Damian Thomas|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625202845/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-ssbox/|url-status=dead}} and Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Scene-Separated I~IX (2011).{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-ssbox1-9/|title=Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest Scene-Separated I~IX|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Bob Richardson|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603202520/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq-ssbox1-9/|url-status=dead}}

"Only Lonely Boy", the background music in the game's name and password input interface, was arranged as a vocal promotional song and released as a single by Anna Makino named “Love Song Sagashite”.{{cite web|title=『ドラゴンクエスト2』のBGMがラブソングに... 『初音ミク』が歌うゲーム音楽をリッスンナゥ！（動画あり）|url=http://www.kotaku.jp/2012/07/dora_miku.html|publisher=Kotaku Japan|access-date=14 July 2013|author=haruYasy|language=ja|date=2012-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604064052/http://www.kotaku.jp/2012/07/dora_miku.html|archive-date=4 June 2013|url-status=dead}} Since the sequel takes place 100 years after the original Dragon Quest, Sugiyama decided to use pop music to suggest the game took place at a later time than the previous game.{{cite magazine| title=ドラゴンクエスト4マスターズクラブ: すぎやまこういちインタビュー|author=HIPPON SUPER!編集部|magazine=JICC出版局 |date=January 1991|url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html}} This music is also used for Japan professional baseball team Chiba Lotte Marines' fight song.{{cite web|script-title=ja:ゲイムマンの「レトロゲームが大好きだ」は今回が最終回です！ (1/5)|url=http://gadget.itmedia.co.jp/gg/articles/1202/03/news026.html|publisher=ITmedia|access-date=21 June 2013|author=ゲイムマン|language=ja|date=2012-02-03}} The song that is played when wandering the fields of Dragon Quest, "Unknown World", is also played when the Hero is in that area.{{cite magazine | magazine= Kokoku Hihyo | script-title=ja:高橋源一郎インタビュー | date = July 1987 |url=http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-11.html}} The ending theme "My Road, My Journey"{{cite web| url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201110/05051399.html | script-title=ja:松崎しげるが『塊魂』の名曲を熱唱！ 光田康典氏、坂本英城氏も登場した吹奏楽＆オーケストラステージをリポート | publisher=Enterbrain | date=2011-10-05 | language=ja | access-date=2013-04-12}} is also the ending song of related anime Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai.{{cite web | url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/dai_daiboken/ | script-title=ja:ドラゴンクエスト・ダイの大冒険 | publisher=Toei Animation | language=ja | access-date=2013-04-13 | archive-date=2011-06-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605101906/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/dai_daiboken/ | url-status=dead }}

{{Video game release table

| 1 = Famicom/NES | 1A = 1987 | 1B = 1990| 1C = n/a

| 2 = MSX | 2A = 1988 | 2B = n/a | 2C = n/a

| 3 = MSX2 | 3A = 1988 | 3B = n/a | 3C = n/a

| 4 = Super Famicom | 4A = 1993 | 4B = n/a | 4C = n/a

| 5 = Game Boy Color | 5A = 1999 | 5B = 2000| 5C = n/a

| 6 = Cellphones | 6A = 2005 | 6B = n/a | 6C = n/a

| 7 = Wii | 7A = 2011 | 7B = n/a | 7C = n/a

| 8 = Android, iOS | 8A = 2014 | 8B = left| 8C = left

| 9 = PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS | 9A = 2017 | 9B = n/a | 9C = n/a

| 10 = Nintendo Switch | 10A = 2019 | 10B = left | 10C = left

}}

Dragon Quest II was ported to MSX computers in February 1988,{{cite web|title=ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々 (MSX1版)|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=23570|publisher=Enterbrain|access-date=22 June 2013|language=ja}} but the ported version had many issues like choppy scrolling, black-surround characters titles, poor graphics, along with sluggish combat and menus. The MSX2-ported version was released in May 1988 in Japan.{{cite web | url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=23571 | title=ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々 (MSX2版) | publisher=Enterbrain | language=ja}}

On December 18, 1993,{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/archive/dq1-2_sfc/|title=ドラゴンクエスト I・II|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=2012-03-24|language=ja}} Dragon Quest II was remade and combined with Dragon Quest as part of Dragon Quest I & II for the Super Famicom, which used Dragon Quest V's engine. Besides enhanced in graphics and sound, gameplay was also improved. The Super Famicom remake features an improved enemy targeting system: if an enemy is defeated before a character who was assigned to attack can perform its attack move, the character will attack another enemy rather than do nothing like in the Famicom version. And like its successors, players can find stat-improving items from pots or dressers.{{cite web|title=Dragon Quest I+II|url=http://www.dqshrine.com/dq/dq1-2/|publisher=dqshrine.com|access-date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022174320/http://www.dqshrine.com/dq/dq1-2/|archive-date=2012-10-22}} The Super Famicom remake was only released in Japan.

In 1999, Dragon Quest I & II was released for Game Boy Color; the game is also compatible with the Game Boy. A year later, it was localized in America as Dragon Warrior I & II. This remake is similar to the Super Famicom version, but with 8-bit graphics. Compared with the NES version, it featured better graphics and was less difficult. The remake also provided a quick-save function to allow players save and load game anywhere unless they reset the Game Boy.{{cite web|title=Dragon Warrior I+II|url=http://www.dqshrine.com/dw/dw1-2gb/|publisher=dqshrine.com|access-date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019223126/http://www.dqshrine.com/dw/dw1-2gb/|archive-date=2012-10-19}} In the Game Boy Color localization, the main characters' and towns' names were retranslated to be similar to the original Japanese names: legendary hero "Erdrick" was retranslated as "Loto", and the castle name "Midenhall" was re-dubbed "Lorasia". The original translation had a lot of errors, and Enix changed the names to help fix that.

Dragon Quest II was remade for Japanese NTT DoCoMo brand cell phones in 2005.{{cite web| url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0910/02/news089.html | title=ふぉーんなハナシ：携帯版「ドラクエIII」に採用された"新要素" | author=田中聡 | publisher=ITmedia | date =2009-10-02 | language=ja | access-date=2013-06-21}} The remakes size was four times bigger than the original Dragon Quest port,{{cite web| url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0505/17/news047.html | title= FOMA向け「ドラゴンクエストII」完全移植版を制作| publisher=ITmedia | date =2005-05-17 | language=ja | access-date=2013-06-21}} and since phone capacity was limited, the game was divided into two parts. The first part was pre-installed in cell phones and the second part could be downloaded for free. The world map was provided by a pre-installed PDF file.{{cite web| url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0505/17/news029.html | title=フルブラウザ＋2.5インチ液晶＋ドラクエII──「N901iS」| author=斎藤健二 | publisher=ITmedia | date =2005-05-17 | language=ja | access-date=2013-06-21}} In 2006 Japanese mobile companies BREW and SoftBank also started selling the game on their mobile platforms.{{cite web|title=BREW対応「ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々」を配信開始|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0601/20/news009.html|publisher=ITmedia|access-date=22 June 2013|language=ja|date=2006-01-20}}{{cite web|title=ドラクエ2やFF2など、ソフトバンク端末向けアプリ投入──スクウェア・エニックス|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0609/19/news107.html|publisher=ITmedia|access-date=22 June 2013|language=ja|date=2006-09-19}}

Both the Famicom and Super Famicom versions of this game, along with Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest III, were re-released under the Dragon Quest 25th Anniversary Collection compilation for the Wii in Japan on September 15, 2011.{{cite web|title=Dragon Quest Collection to Come With Bonus Dragon Quest X Video|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2011/063011b.html|author=Cassandra Ramos|publisher=RPGamer|access-date=21 June 2013|date=2011-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704015606/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2011/063011b.html|archive-date=4 July 2011|url-status=dead}} The Wii compilation featured interruptive save functions for each games.{{cite web|title=FC版のI・IIには「ふっかつのじゅもん」も。Wii「ドラゴンクエスト25周年記念 ファミコン＆スーパーファミコン ドラゴンクエストI・II・III」の最新情報が到着|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/132/G013271/20110518072/|publisher=4gamer.net|access-date=21 June 2013|author=Gueed|language=ja|date=2011-05-26}} The compilation also included original copies of the strategy guides for the games, along with original artwork and material on the games' development.

Square Enix announced the first eight Dragon Quest titles would be re-released on Android and iOS in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/ja/news/2013/html/56a7abe635cc1de7c0719e76f250d640.html|title=「ドラゴンクエストVIII」の世界がスマートフォンで展開！ 「ドラゴンクエスト」シリーズ スマートフォンに続々登場！|publisher=Square Enix|date=2013-10-08|access-date=2013-10-08|language=ja}} This Dragon Quest II was based on the previous cell phone version while optimized for smartphones and was released on June 26, 2014, in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/1406/19/news104.html |title=スマホ向け「ドラゴンクエストII」が6月26日に配信開始 |publisher= ITmedia Mobile}} An English version was released on October 9, 2014, under the title Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line.{{cite web|date=2014-10-09|access-date=2016-02-07|author=Square Enix Members|title=DRAGON QUEST II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line is now available on iOS and Android|url=http://na.square-enix.com/us/blog/dragon-quest-ii-luminaries-legendary-line-now-available-ios-and-android}} Square Enix registered this trademark in Japan in 2013, and in United States in early 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/11/20/dragon-quest-fans-heres-glimmer-hope-localized-games/ |title=Dragon Quest Fans, Here's A Glimmer Of Hope For Localized Games |author=Spencer|date=2013-11-20|access-date=2016-02-07|publisher=Siliconera}}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/02/10/dragon-quest-games-drawing-near-luminaries-legendary-line-trademark-registered-usa/ |title=Dragon Quest Games Drawing Near? Luminaries Of The Legendary Line Registered In The USA |author=Spencer|date=2014-02-10|access-date=2016-02-07|publisher=Siliconera}}

In the Nintendo Direct in June 2024, a HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest and II was announced to be released in 2025 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Several guide books were published: the first was published by Shueisha in February 1987,{{cite book | title = ファミコン神拳 奥義大全書 巻の四 ドラゴンクエスト2 | publisher = Shueisha | date = February 1987 | isbn= 978-4834210545}} the second by Tokuma Shoten in July 1987,{{cite book | title = ドラゴンクエスト2完全攻略本 | author = ファミリーコンピュータMagazine編集部 | publisher = Tokuma Shoten | date = July 1, 1987 | isbn = 978-4197234707 }} and the third by game publisher Enix in 1988 as an "official guide book".{{cite book | title =ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々 公式ガイドブック | publisher = Enix | date= October 1, 1988 | isbn = 9784900527027}}

Similar to other early main games in the series, Dragon Quest II was novelized and adapted to game books. The Dragon Quest II Novel was written by Hideo Takayashiki and published in 1989; it was reprinted in 1991 and 2000. The Dragon Quest II Game Book series was also published in 1989.{{cite web|url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/lineup-book/janrubetu/game_other.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603134356/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/lineup-book/janrubetu/game_other.html|archive-date=2013-06-03 |script-title=ja:ゲーム関連書籍 |publisher=Square Enix|access-date=22 June 2013|language=ja}}

{{Video game reviews

| title =

| NES = true

| GBC = true

| iOS = true

| NS = true

| SNES = true

| GR_GBC = 82%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/378081-dragon-warrior-i-and-ii/index.html |title=Dragon Warrior I & II for Game Boy Color |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=21 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012541/https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/378081-dragon-warrior-i-and-ii/index.html |archive-date=9 December 2019 |url-status=dead}}

| MC_iOS = 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-quest-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line for iPhone/iPad Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=20 June 2018}}

| MC_NS = 60/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-quest-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=23 December 2019}}

| Fam_NES = 38/40{{cite magazine|title=実験!! ゲーム家族のクロスレビュー: ドラゴンクエストII 悪霊の神々|magazine= Weekly Famicom Tsūshin|issue=343 |page=107|date=14 July 1995|language=ja}}

| Fam_SNES = 35/40{{cite web| url=http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/index.php | script-title=ja:週刊ファミ通クロスレビュープラチナ殿堂入りソフト一覧 | publisher=geimin.net | date=2013-05-16 | language=ja | access-date=2013-06-21}}

| Fam_GBC = 30/40ゲームボーイ - ゲームボーイ ドラゴンクエストI・II. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.111. 30 June 2006.

| GamePro_NES = 18/25{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f5/GamePro_US_016.pdf |title=Nintendo ProView: Dragon Warrior II |last=Arcade |first=Johnny |magazine=GamePro |date=November 1990 |pages=86–87}}

| GSpot_GBC = 9.6/10

| IGN_GBC = 8/10{{cite web |first=Marc|last=Nix| year=2000 |title=Dragon Warrior I & II Return to the days of yore with Enix's Game Boy Color RPG revival | url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/164/164493p1.html |access-date=2008-04-10}}

| NP_GBC = 8/10{{cite magazine |author= |date=September 2000 |title=Now Playing |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |issue=136 |page=111}}

| TA_iOS = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2014/10/13/dragon-quest-2-review/ |title='Dragon Quest 2' Review – That Awkward Step Between Modest And Epic |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |website=TouchArcade |date=13 October 2014 |access-date=20 June 2018}}

| award1Pub = RPGamer

| award1 = Game Boy Color Award of the Year for 2000{{cite web | year=2000 | title=RPGamer's Awards 2000: Game Boy Color RPG of the Year | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/awards/2000/rpggbc.html | access-date=2008-04-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514201738/http://www.rpgamer.com/awards/2000/rpggbc.html | archive-date=2008-05-14 | url-status=dead }}

}}

Dragon Quest II received both critical and financial success in Japan. The Famicom version sold 500,000 copies on its first release in Japan,{{cite journal |title=Digest of Japanese Industry & Technology: DJIT. |journal=Digest of Japanese Industry & Technology (DJIT) |date=1993 |issue=276–282 |page=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jj9UAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Japan Trade & Industry Publicity |quote="Dragon Quest II," released in the following year of 1987, sold 500,000 copies on the first release, and 2,200,000 copies in total.}} and {{nowrap|2.4 million}} copies by the end of the year,{{Cite journal|last=Fujii|first=Daiji|date=2005-06-10|title=The Birth of "Final Fantasy": Square Corporation|url=http://ousar.lib.okayama-u.ac.jp/40488|journal=岡山大学経済学会雑誌 (Okayama Economic Review)|publisher=Okayama University|volume=37|issue=1|pages=63–88 (67–71)|issn=0386-3069|via=Okayama University Scientific Achievement Repository}}{{cite web|date=2004-02-09|title=February 2, 2004 - February 4, 2004|url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/explanatory/download/0404-200402090000-01.pdf#page=27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506015857/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/explanatory/download/0404-200402090000-01.pdf|archive-date=2006-05-06|access-date=2008-12-15|publisher=Square Enix|page=27}} grossing several hundred million dollars.{{Cite journal|last=Fujii|first=Daiji|date=2005-06-10|title=The Birth of "Final Fantasy": Square Corporation|url=http://ousar.lib.okayama-u.ac.jp/40488|journal=岡山大学経済学会雑誌 (Okayama Economic Review)|publisher=Okayama University|volume=37|issue=1|pages=63–88 (82)|issn=0386-3069|via=Okayama University Scientific Achievement Repository}} The Famicom version's total sales had later increased to {{nowrap|2.41 million}} as of 2008.{{cite web|script-title=ja:日々是遊戯：歴代「ドラクエ」シリーズでもっとも売れたタイトルは!?|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0906/18/news082.html|publisher=ITmedia|access-date=16 July 2013|language=ja|date=2009-06-18}} The Super Famicom and Game Boy Color remakes together shipped in excess of 1.92 million copies worldwide. The Japan Mobile version was downloaded more than one million times.{{cite web| url= http://www.4gamer.net/games/036/G003681/20101102006/ | title= 携帯アプリ「DQIII そして伝説へ・・・」100万DL達成記念にデコメ配信 | publisher= 4Gamer.net | date= November 2, 2010| access-date=July 22, 2013 | language= ja}} The game was included in a 2011 compilation called Dragon Quest Collection for the Wii, which sold 403,953 copies.{{cite web| url=http://andriasang.com/comznq/game_sales_4gamer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123140412/http://andriasang.com/comznq/game_sales_4gamer/|archive-date=January 23, 2012| title=2011 Game Sales Chart and Sales Trends | publisher=andriasang.com| author=Anoop Gantayat| date=January 16, 2012 | access-date=April 4, 2013}}

Readers of {{ill|Family Computer Magazine|ja|ファミリーコンピュータMagazine|vertical-align=sup}} gave it a score of 28.02 out of 30,{{Cite magazine | script-title = ja:5月10日号特別付録 ファミコンロムカセット オールカタログ |date = 1991-05-10 |publisher = Tokuma Shoten |magazine = Family Computer Magazine |volume = 7 |number = 9 |pages = 114–115 }} and named it the best overall cartridge game of the year.{{Cite magazine | script-title = ja:5月10日号特別付録 ファミコンロムカセット オールカタログ |date = 1991-05-10 |publisher = Tokuma Shoten |magazine = Family Computer Magazine |volume = 7 |number = 9 |page = 379}} In 2006, readers of Famitsu magazine voted the game the 17th best video game of all time.{{cite web | author=Campbell, Colin | date=March 3, 2006 | title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | work=Edge-Online.com | access-date=2007-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110224117/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100|archive-date=2012-01-10}}

The game is generally known for fixing problems found in the first game, including improvements such as allowing parties of three characters, having a larger world, better graphics, and the ability to carry more items.{{cite web | author=Provo, Frank | date=September 24, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206211834/http://www.gamespot.com/dragon-warrior-i-and-ii/reviews/dragon-warrior-iandii-review-2635235/|archive-date=2013-02-06 |title=Dragon Warrior I&II review | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gbc/rpg/dragonwarrior1_2/review.html?tag=mncol;txt| work=Gamespot.com | access-date=2009-09-23}} Other noted improvements were keys that can be used multiple times and new strategic elements introduced because of larger parties and larger groups of enemies. The game's music is often praised, despite its limited 8-bit capabilities. Considered a classic for the RPG genre, the game is regarded as praiseworthy.{{cite web | author=Wheeler, Commodore | date=September 21, 2000 | title=Dragon Warrior I&II | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/dragonwarrior1%262/Dragon_Warrior_1%262.html | work=RPGfan.com | access-date=2009-09-23 | archive-date=2019-06-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603051925/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/dragonwarrior1%262/Dragon_Warrior_1%262.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | author=Nix, Mark | date=October 4, 2000 | title=Dragon Warrior I&II | url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/164/164493p1.html| work=IGN.com | access-date=2009-09-23}} Japanese reviews highlighted the Famicom version's difficulty, stemming from issues such as the many traps in the Cave of Rhone, and the final boss's ability to cast a "Healall" spell, and this has led to some critics calling the game "the most difficult Dragon Quest".{{cite magazine|magazine=オトナファ|date=2009-02-20|title=Enterbrain Review|page=53|publisher=Enterbrain|location=Japan|language=ja}} After Dragon Quest III was released, director Koichi Nakamura said "In result, Dragon Quest II received favourable reviews from everybody, but as myself on the creator's side, I feel that I did about only half what I wanted to do."{{cite book | title = 虹色ディップスイッチ | publisher = アスキー | chapter = 中村光一×堀井雄二「『ドラクエIII』の楽しみどころ」 | year = 1990 | url = http://dragonquestage.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-84.html}}

Remakes of Dragon Quest II were also successful and well received. Famitsu awarded the Japanese Super Famicom remake a 35/40. The Game Boy Color remake got a 30/40 from Famitsu, and the U.S. version, Dragon Warrior I & II, received fairly high marks, including an 8.0 out of 10 from IGN, a 9.6 out of 10 from GameSpot, and 8 out of 10 from Nintendo Power. It also received the RPGamer's Game Boy Color Award of the Year for 2000.

The release of Dragon Quest II also promoted sales of the original Dragon Quest, and with the success of Dragon Quest II, the series became a Japanese cultural phenomenon.{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:読者が選ぶ心のベストゲーム100|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|issue=900|date=2006-03-03|language=ja}} The sequel to Dragon Quest II, Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation, was released in 1988 in Japan. It serves as a prequel to the first two games and follows the ancestor of the main characters, the legendary hero, Erdrick;{{cite web|title=Remembering Our Dragon Quests|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/26419|publisher=Nintendo World Report, LLC.|access-date=22 June 2013|author=Nathan Mustafa|date=2011-05-27}} the three games are collectively called "Erdrick Saga Trilogy".{{cite web|title="ロトの伝説三部作"がWiiに！ 『ドラゴンクエスト25周年記念 ファミコン＆スーパーファミコン ドラゴンクエストI・II・III』|url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201105/26043927.html|publisher=Enterbrain|access-date=21 June 2013|language=ja|date=2011-05-26}} Also with the success of the Game Boy Color remake, Enix released a Game Boy Color Dragon Warrior III in 2001, which was based on the Japan-only Super Famicom update of the original Dragon Quest III.{{cite web| author=Dustin Hubbard and Dwaine Bullock | year=2001 | title=Dragon Warrior III at DQ Shrine| url=http://www.dqshrine.com/dw/dw3gb/| access-date=April 10, 2008}} The world of Dragon Quest II was later used as the setting of Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart on the Game Boy Advance.{{cite web | url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/dq/dqm3/reviews/dqm3strev1.html | title=Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart - Staff Retroview | author=Michael Baker | publisher=PRGamer | access-date=2013-06-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613161533/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/dq/dqm3/reviews/dqm3strev1.html | archive-date=2013-06-13 | url-status=dead }}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Portal|Japan|Video games}}

• {{Official website|http://www.jp.square-enix.com/dqsp/dq2/en|Official Dragon Quest II for smartphone site}}
• {{Official website|http://www.square-enix.com/jp/archive/dq2/|Official Dragon Quest II site}} {{in lang|ja}}
• {{Moby game|id=/dragon-warrior-ii}}
• {{Moby game|id=/dragon-quest-ii-luminaries-of-the-legendary-line|name=Dragon Quest II for mobiles}}

{{Dragon Quest series|state=expanded}}

{{Matrix Software}}

{{good article}}

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