Playing Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake is an experience that will leave you feeling like it’s one of the best Square Enix games of the past 10 years. This remake showcases how HD-2D projects are becoming one of their top gems, successfully blending current graphics and technical components without altering its essence. It’s truly a game from 1989, but with all the arguments to prove that it’s actually a game from 2024.
The story of a young hero exploring a vast fantasy world to find a way to defeat a monster threatening humanity is the core of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake. To introduce this classic to a new generation, new elements were added, new mechanics were introduced, and some processes were simplified to avoid inconveniences for new players (such as allowing fast travel from a dungeon or obtaining teleportation magic early on).
With a truly magical aesthetic, a wonderful soundtrack, overall improvements, more story, voices, and a very fun combat system supported by a very competent AI, it’s extremely hard not to fall in love with Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake.
Turn-based combat system in first person
In the quest to create a true remake of Dragon Quest 3, the teams updated the visuals and created beautiful HD-2D sprites to admire, although they are rare to see in combat. Only when selecting actions can you appreciate the character models as the camera transitions to first person when the orders are carried out. There, the focus is all on the enemies and the beautiful visual effects of spells or special attacks.
Despite not seeing the characters attacking, something possible in more recent games but faithful to the classics, the battles in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake are entertaining, especially because the AI is very competent. You can almost play the entire game just controlling the protagonist and only in some boss fights feel the need to control more party members. Even in the most difficult battles, the AI proved to be very competent in using buffs and most effective attacks, another example of how the production team updated the game without distorting its classic essence.
More story, new bosses, new Vocation, Arena, and many secrets
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake showcases some adjustments in the world map design and some locations, but overall it’s a title that you can even play with guides created for the original version. However, there are several new features created to expand a game already full of content in its original NES version. One of the efforts to expand the narrative is in sequences that show the adventures of Ortega, a way to explain how the protagonist follows in his father’s footsteps and to see the past, but it also does so with the help of new bosses, which also help in expanding the narrative.
This world is full of secrets and locations that you don’t even need to enter to finish the campaign, but in your quest for information and out of curiosity, you will surely explore them all. There are several vocations, Monster Wrangler is a new one, using animal attacks, and series veterans surely expected the return of Sage, a very useful, mandatory but optional vocation and a “secret”. Additionally, there’s a Monster Arena where you can battle the creatures found in dungeon points, cities, or hidden locations on the world map.
You can’t recruit these creatures after battles, you have to find them in the scenarios or world map, but if you manage to convince them, they will be at your disposal to fight in the Arenas. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake follows the original, loaded with secrets, which also applies to recruiting monsters, as some require specific items to trust you. The extra content in support of existing secrets undoubtedly makes it much more interesting and enhances its ambition to position itself as a game from the past with current visuals.
Graphics and sound
Square Enix and ARTDINK once again used the Unreal Engine 4 for an HD-2D project, the second remake in this visual style after Live A Live, which is easily understandable as it only takes a few seconds to be captivated by the visual charm. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake is an extremely beautiful game to admire, giving the full effect of playing a current game while still feeling like traveling through time. From the characters, cities, visual effects of spells, and the characteristic monsters with this graphic style, it is one of its greatest triumphs.
Even without seeing the characters executing attacks during battles, we only see them when choosing actions, or with the 3D elements on the world map that graphically fall below the rest, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake dazzles with its locations, at any time of the day as the light creates a very unique and beautiful effect. It’s a retro tone, but clearly current, nostalgic and charming, with immense charm that effectively conveys the feeling of walking through magically filled locations.
Exploring the captivating world of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake is even better with the soundtrack composed of themes created with the help of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. The series’ music has been universally appreciated for decades, but Square Enix satisfies fans’ desires by presenting new symphonic versions of the classic themes.
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Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake
The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake represents the type of initiative that its most dedicated fans eagerly anticipate from Square Enix, showcasing the successful incorporation of cherished classics into their esteemed franchise portfolio. The HD-2D aesthetic renders the game visually stunning on modern screens while remaining true to the original design, evoking the nostalgic feel of playing a game from the 80s/90s with updated graphics. Undoubtedly, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake stands as one of Square Enix’s most notable endeavors in recent years.
Key Features
- HD-2D Aesthetic
- Traditional JRPG Gameplay
- Competent AI in Battles
- Enhanced Overall Experience and Design Improvements
- Immersive Soundtrack
- Abundance of Secrets to Encourage Exploration
Despite its strengths, players may encounter challenges such as the need to grind for money to acquire weapons and armor, as well as potential confusion regarding gameplay objectives. However, these aspects do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake.
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