Dragon Quest II adds underwater Seabed region in HD-2D Remake

Square Enix revealed a new underwater region for the Dragon Quest II portion of its upcoming Dragon Quest I II HD-2D Remake, showing gameplay and artwork for a Seabed or Ocean Floor area that was not in the original 1987 game. The addition was unveiled by producer Masaaki Hayasaka during the Xbox Showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2025, and the publisher has released screenshots and story details ahead of the remake's October 30, 2025 launch.

According to Square Enix, players will gain access to the underwater zone after obtaining the ship that allows map traversal. On one stretch of the journey the party encounters mermaids who lead them to Mersea, an underwater city inhabited by merfolk. Those inhabitants are under threat from Hargon's forces, including a new champion boss named Mariella. Players will be tasked with helping the Mermaid Guard repel attacks, explore sunken wrecks and treasure vaults, and ultimately confront Mariella in coastal and deeper Seabed dungeons.

The publisher's materials and screenshots depict the party traveling beneath the waves protected inside an air bubble while navigating new ocean maps. The update shows new sea monsters and ghost ships, and mentions...