Play Dragon Quest 2 Online

Summary

Dragon Quest II (known as Dragon Warrior II in its early North American release) pushes the original formula into a true adventure. The game starts you off solo, then gradually adds up to three companions, each with its own eight‑slot inventory, letting you juggle multiple heroes and enemies in a single battle.

A sailing ship unlocks true exploration; you can drop anchor on any coast and wander into new towns, dungeons, or hidden islands. New mechanics like weapons that double as spell‑casters, a broader spell list, and a variety of key types keep the puzzle‑solving fresh, while travel doors act as warp gates for quick shortcuts. A quirky lottery‑ticket mini‑game adds a light‑hearted diversion between quests.

Development began just a month after the first Dragon Quest, aiming for a combat feel inspired by Wizardry. Akira Toriyama supplied painted artwork that was later pixel‑converted, and balance headaches forced a one‑month delay to polish the experience.

The MSX port arrived in February 1988, hampered by choppy scrolling, cramped character titles, and sluggish menus. An upgraded MSX2 version followed in May, smoothing out many of those rough edges while preserving the game’s ambitious scope.

Storyline

Dragon Quest II is set a century after the original adventure. The wizard Hargon assaults Moonbrooke Castle, hoping to summon the demon Malroth and bring ruin to the world. A dying soldier warns King of Midenhall, who orders his son – a descendant of Erdrick – to stop Hargon. The prince departs alone, soon joined by his cousins, the prince of Cannock and the princess of Moonbrooke, who has been cursed into a dog.

The party restores the princess to her human form, acquires a ship, and sails across oceans, even reaching Alefgard. There they learn that five hidden crests must be gathered to forge the Charm of Rubiss, the key to defeating Hargon. After securing the charm, they storm Hargon's ice‑covered castle on the Rhone plateau, defeat the wizard, and then slay the summoned Malroth. The heroes return to Midenhall, where the prince is crowned king.

In the post‑game, the Will of Darkness corrupts Malroth into Malwrath, a stronger form controlled by Calasmos. With Rubiss and the spirit Ramia’s help, the party destroys Malwrath and discovers that Hargon had been possessed by Calasmos. Ramia then guides them to Aliahan, the birthplace of the Dragon Quest III hero, revealing the deeper roots of their legendary ancestor.