How to Open Locked Chests in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

JRPGs mostly present a linear narrative that offers us little agency. To compensate, exploration is generally extremely rewarding, favoring intrepid adventurers who go out of their way to hunt for treasure.

Dragon Quest is no stranger to these endeavors. Although the series is more streamlined than other JRPG franchises out there, its titles feature various collectibles, such as the infamous Mini Medals and locked chests.

These locked chests can be a bit of a nuisance, since you will encounter several of them throughout your adventure, but can only open them after finding specific keys. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined also features these keys, and by the time you obtain them, you've likely forgotten the locations of the chests you found earlier.

But fret not, dear reader, because this guide exists exactly to help you. Not only will I tell you where to find every one of the locked chests in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, but I'll also show you where to find the keys to unlock them.

How to Open Locked Chests in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

You will only be able to open locked chests in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined after obtaining the Thief's Key in Pilgrim's Perdition, the Magic Key in Palazzo di Bulgio, and lastly, the Ultimate Key in the Cathedral of Light.

Thief's Key

The Thief's Key can be obtained as soon as you finish the main story events in Alltrades Abbey. After saving the Abbey, Zoom to Pilgrim's Perdition and enter a house to the north. There, you'll find a chest containing the Thief's Key.

With this key, you'll be able to open some locked chests. Many will still remain shut, and for those, you will need the Magic Key or the Ultimate Key. Personally, I think it's a bit of a cheap shot that the game doesn't distinguish between chest types by color, as seen in other games in the franchise.

Magic Key

The Magic Key will only be yours once you've unlocked the Flying Carpet. Once you're soaring through the skies like Jasmine, head to the L'Arca Region and look for the Palazzo di Bulgio north of L'Arca village. Enter the mansion and head to the top floor to find the Magic Key inside a chest.

Ultimate Key

The Ultimate Key can only be obtained toward the end of the game, in the Cathedral of Light. The story will mandatorily take you to the Cathedral. Then, you must head up the stairs to the top of the outer terrace, cross the balcony all the way to the west side, and descend to the monster prison. You'll find the Ultimate Key among the chests in the north cell.

Every Locked Chest Location

Below is a list of chests categorized by the key required. A bit of backtracking is necessary, but I highly recommend it, especially if you're collecting Mini Medals, as the rewards are well worth the effort.

Thief's Key Chests

#1 - Pilgrim's Perdition (Past) | Mini Medal

Since you're already here to get the key, open the chest to the southwest of the church.

There is another chest in the west house that remains locked until you get the Ultimate Key.

#2 - Pilgrim's Rest (Past) | Seed of Resilience

Still in the Alltrades Abbey region, Zoom to Pilgrim's Rest and grab this chest inside the only building.

#3 - Pilchard Bay (Present) | Mini Medal

Return to the present and go to your hometown. Go inside the item shop building to find this one with another Mini Medal.

#4 - Estard (Present) | Seed of Life & Seed of Magic

Zoom to Estard and enter the item shop via the back door. Go to the counter to find two chests with different seeds.

#5 - Emberdale (Past) | Seed of Magic

Return to the Emberdale Region in the past. Enter Palmela's room to find this seed inside the chest.

Magic Key Chests

#1 - Palazzo di Bulgio (Present) | Mini Medal

Start testing your Magic Key by heading down one floor in the Palazzo itself to open the previously locked chest.

#2 - Estard (Present) | Mini Medal

Zoom to Estard and enter the house to the west of Pike's. Go to the second floor for another medal.

#3 - Dig Site (Present) | Mini Medal

Another medal for your collection, found inside the tent at the Dig Site.

Ultimate Key Chests & Doors

1 - Cathedral of Light (Present) | Mini Medal

This is your final and longest backtracking session. From here on out, no lock can stand in your way.

After grabbing the key, go to the south cell, open it, and break the urn.

#2 - Pilchard Bay (Present) | Mini Medal

Go to the only standard house in the village that's not yours and open the chest downstairs.

After grabbing the key, go to the south cell, open it, and break the urn.

#3 - Estard Castle (Present) | Mini Medal & Seed of Strength

Take the raft, circle the moat, and once you hit dry land, head down to the dungeon. Open the cells and break the urns.

#4 - Estard Castle (Present) | Kingsblade, Pallium Regale, Platinum Shield & Mini Medal

Head to the Treasure Room (stairs south of the dining room, you may need to rotate your camera). You'll get the Kingsblade, the Pallium Regale, a Mini Medal, and a somewhat underwhelming Platinum Shield.

#5 - Estard (Present) | Gold Fragment & Seed of Strength

In the village, take the stairs to the Underground Path and unlock the north cell. The Gold Fragment will be lying on the ground, and the Seed of Strength is out in the overworld.

#6 - Emberdale (Present) | Mini Medal

Found in a chest on the second floor of the Gaffer's house.

#7 - Burnmont (Present) | Flame Sword, Mini Medal, Magma Staff & 1500 Gold

There are four chests in this dungeon. You can reach them by repeatedly jumping into the central crater until you hit Level 1, grabbing them along the way.

#8 - Al-Balad (Present) | Mini Medal

Inside the Mayor's House (the northernmost one).

#9 - Aeolus Vale (Present) | Seed of Therapeusis & Seed of Agility

Found in two chests inside the armor shop.

#10 - Villa Priores (Present) | Agility Ring & Seed of Agility

You can find two chests inside the Praetor's house. I think the game is calling your party members slowpokes.

#11 - Hubble Castle (Present) | Mini Medal & Seed of Strength

Go to the Earth Tower and descend to the dungeons. Open both cells and smash the urns to find a Mini Medal in one and a Seed of Strength in the other.

You can find more seeds in the same place in Hubble Castle of the past, but it's hardly worth the hassle.

#12 - Pool of the Cave (Present) | Dryspell Fan & Elfin Elixir

This will take a while, but you'll be able to enter the Altar in the Pool of the Cave once again. Two chests await you inside, one containing the Dryspell Fan and the other an Elfin Elixir.

There are more cells and chests requiring the Ultimate Key in the end-game and post-game areas, but since the key is a prerequisite just to reach those areas, a specific guide for them would be redundant.