DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake Review

The Dragon Quest series has been a part of the JRPG pillar for a long time and has contributed greatly to how we perceive the Japanese role-playing game. Its existence can be felt, as many games incorporate many things that Dragon Quest introduced ages ago, missed by the sights of the majority. With Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate still waiting in the wings, fans are once again given a golden opportunity to go back to the history of the franchise that they love so much using the DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake.

The remake was developed by Square Enix, Team Asano, and Artdink, and it attempts to modernize one of the most cherished and popular JRPG titles. Announced over three years ago, the remake has been highly anticipated by both veterans and newcomers alike, each with high expectations.

Now, after stepping back into this rebuilt classic, it's clear that DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake delivers a nostalgic experience that captures the essence of its origins while offering a fresh visual style. But is it worth playing? Let's get into the review.

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is an installment that serves as a prequel to the adventure of a character named Ernst. Ernst is sent to deal with the Archfiend Baramos, a foe his father Ortega had failed to overcome. Following in the footsteps of the King of Aliahan, Devrik is summoned to the stage once more. The narrative is more complex than it may seem in the beginning, but essentially, it is a story of heroism.

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake enhances the graphics of the original game while retaining its appeal. However, this is not merely a graphical enhancement; there are some notable gameplay changes as well. For example, the irritating backtracking problems have been resolved entirely.

The Zoom spell and Chimera Wing item no longer function similarly to an Evac spell, which allowed back travel only to certain locations outdoors. Previously, spells such as Zoom would not work inside buildings with ceilings; however, in this instance, it is no longer a problem.

Despite these changes, exploration hasn't been reduced at all. In fact, I'd argue it's been expanded. The world map is filled with hidden areas and collectibles, giving you even more reasons to wander and explore. It's almost always rewarding. These secret spots, often marked by unique geography, hold treasures and recruit able monsters.

The first thing you'll need to do in the DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is form a party, which is a key decision but one you can adjust later. In the starting town, you have two options: stick with the default party the game assembles for you, which includes what are considered essential jobs, or create your custom party members. These characters are silent, apart from a lighthearted "puff-puff" scene, so the focus is mainly on their gameplay roles, voices, and sprite designs.

The job system lies at the heart of DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake's progression. While there aren't many jobs, each one feels distinct. As an example, combat-oriented jobs such as the Mage and the Priest allow for casting a multitude of spells while in battle, or the case of the Thief, performing actions like stealing items from the opposing side.

The protagonist, however, is an exception as he is fixed to a certain class known as the Hero class, which can blend into any party configuration. The remake also introduces a new job, the Monster Wrangler, another flexible class. This job allows access to different abilities depending on how many monsters you recruit.

On that note, let's talk about monster recruitment. The main side activity in Dragon Quest III HD 2D Remake revolves around monster arenas, something long-time fans will recognize, especially if they've played the recent Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. As you explore, you'll come across monsters that you can recruit. These monsters can form teams of three and battle other groups in the arena.

But finding these creatures takes a bit of effort—you'll need to take advantage of the game's day and night cycle, which moves in real-time but can be sped up using a spell or by resting at inns. Some monsters only appear at night, and townsfolk may even give you hints about where to find them. So, it's always worth chatting with the NPCs in each town or village.

Much like the majority of the games in this series, DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake has a turn-based combat system. Players and enemies reciprocate by using spells, weapon attacks, items, and other actions until one of the parties attains victory. The system is simple, and as it was in the earlier versions, the play changes to first person when executing commands.

If you control the party members individually, the remake introduces party tactics for which you do not. These tactics will determine how your party will be placed in the fight. A common use of offensive and defensive tactics prompts the party to have an offensive stance without mercy, while Conserve MP is used to limit their casting of spells, to which Fight Wise offers both offense and defense. You may choose to animate every single action or leave it to the tactics to control the movements of your party.

If you desire a combat mode that is much faster to play, the game lets you choose any of the three tactical combat speeds—normal, fast, and ultra-fast. Although ultra-fast might sound unnecessary, when applied together with the party tactics system, it enables one to farm for XP and gold much quicker.

There is no question that the original Dragon Quest III has already solidified itself as one of the better games in the series. In addition, for those who are looking for something more, the remake comes with three types of difficulty: Drai Quest, Dragon Quest, and Draconian Quest.

In Drai Quest, the members of the party inflict much more damage, while the bosses do not heal their health. Dragon Quest is the standard mode, while Draconian Quest is tougher or rather more extreme, with even more challenging bosses and a less rewarding system with regard to experience points and gold.

It appears that the random battle rates in the DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake are as annoying as they were back in the past. There are moments in the game when one is almost compelled into battle after barely moving a couple of feet. This gets especially dreary in the last dungeons after the player finishes the game and has to go back to look for some treasures, yet deals with an increasingly hostile environment.

While there are items that can temporarily prevent random encounters, they feel more like a workaround for a problem that's been exacerbated in the remake. Considering the other quality-of-life improvements, the balance feels off. A feature to reduce the frequency of random battles would be a welcome addition, particularly for newcomers to the classic Dragon Quest formula, as it would help alleviate the grind.

One significant aspect inherited from previous installments of Dragon Quest III would be the mini-medals, which are items that can be collected and exchanged for good gear at the base town. However, fans need to note that some of these medals have had their locations altered, with many of them hidden around the world map in today's secret locations. This elevates the adventure, as it does not feel like an exact copy of the previous one but rather a new task.

Visually, the characters and enemies keep their classic sprite style, while the environments are fully rendered in 3D with realistic lighting and shadows. This combination creates a modern aesthetic that still preserves the nostalgic look and feels beloved by fans.

The only con is the characters' depth of field in specific areas doesn't really look as good. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed and admired how amazing the environments looked throughout my playthrough. There's also an updated version of Dragon Quest III's soundtrack, and it is superb. Most notably, the world map theme is one of those tunes that one can listen to for hours on end, without fail, every single time.

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake, while incorporating contemporary elements, is able to successfully polish a masterpiece that has remained a classic for years. The new graphics and engaging music stand out as the highlights of the remade products without failing to invoke the required nostalgia.

Enhanced perspective, a totally new and improved party system, and captivating monster recruiting are some of the aspects of the remake that have gone beyond the original game but still retain the beauty and simplicity that made that game so popular for ages. However, several aspects, especially the grind of random battles and the need for grinding every so often, can be ridiculous, especially for some players who are just beginning their adventure in this franchise.

Even so, the remake manages to make the Dragon Quest series enjoyable, even for those who have not been acquainted with it before. It doesn't matter whether you are experiencing this classic for the first time or having a go on it after some years with the help of a fresh take on the story, DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a trip down memory lane worth taking.