DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,171 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake Game Cover
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"DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake" is a captivating revamp of the classic RPG and starting point of The Erdrick Trilogy. The game follows the journey of Ortega's child, seeking to complete their father's mission of defeating the Archfiend Baramos. Pre-order the digital version to receive a free trouble-free travel kit, including various helpful items. This nostalgic adventure is perfect for both new and returning fans of the franchise.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,171 reviews
story124 positive mentions
grinding71 negative mentions
  • The HD-2D graphics are stunning, bringing a fresh and vibrant look to the classic game.
  • Quality of life improvements, such as autosave and faster battle speeds, enhance the overall gameplay experience.
  • The addition of the Monster Wrangler class and new content, including the Monster Arena, adds depth and variety to the game.
  • The game can feel too easy, especially with full HP/MP restoration on level up, making it less challenging than the original.
  • High random encounter rates can disrupt exploration and make the game feel tedious at times.
  • Some players are disappointed with the censorship changes and the lack of character animations during battles.
  • story692 mentions

    The story of "Dragon Quest III HD-2D" is generally regarded as simple and straightforward, reflecting its origins as a classic NES title. While it retains the charm and nostalgic elements of the original, many players note that the narrative lacks depth compared to modern RPGs, focusing more on gameplay and exploration than intricate storytelling. The remake introduces some new content and character backstories, particularly for the protagonist's father, Ortega, but overall, the plot remains basic, appealing primarily to long-time fans of the series rather than those seeking a complex narrative experience.

    • “The story, while fairly basic, was solid and has me excited for the HD-2D remake of 1 and 2 coming out next year.”
    • “The amount of story in here is right on the money; I never felt like everything was constantly coming to a halt so I could be beaten in the head with a 5-minute text box fest like I have with many games of this style.”
    • “The story follows the journey of the hero, who is tasked with defeating the evil dragonlord and saving the world.”
    • “The story is lacking, the enemies are brutal and spam you with repetitive combat, yet somehow this painful experience is fun-ish.”
    • “The remake does nothing to flesh out or add to the story, leaving parts extremely lackluster, the emotional climax of the story was unsatisfying, and the ending's tone felt off given the context of what happened.”
    • “It's a well-made dragon quest 3 remake, but the story is extremely barebones and nearly linear.”
  • graphics247 mentions

    The graphics of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and the effective blend of classic pixel art with modern lighting effects. While some players express a preference for fully 3D visuals, many appreciate the depth and charm added by the HD-2D art style, which enhances the nostalgic experience of the original game. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful, immersive, and a significant improvement over previous versions, making the game visually captivating for both new players and long-time fans.

    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning.”
    • “The hd-2d art style is a visual treat, bringing the classic pixel art to life with vibrant colors and detailed animations.”
    • “The blend of 2D sprites with 3D environments creates a unique and visually striking aesthetic that honors the original game's charm.”
    • “That being said, the graphics for this game were less than I expected.”
    • “While the game’s graphics may be aesthetically pleasing, they cannot compensate for its outdated, tedious, and unengaging nature.”
    • “If I could rate it in the middle, I would. It feels very lazily updated; the visuals are by far the worst in any hd-2d game. It doesn't feel like it used the style at all, just plopped pixel sprites in a high-detailed environment, as opposed to the catered environments of the other hd-2d games, with very little visual cohesion.”
  • music169 mentions

    The music in the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful orchestral arrangements, which enhance the nostalgic experience of the game. While many reviewers praised the remastered soundtrack for its emotional depth and quality, some noted that certain themes can feel repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, effectively complementing the game's stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack delivers hard, and gave me a theatrical vibe that I associate specifically with Dragon Quest.”
    • “Every battle theme, town theme, and dungeon melody has been brought to life with sweeping orchestral arrangements, elevating the music to a level of grandeur that matches the scale of the game’s world.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the game's visual beauty, creating an atmosphere that draws you deeper into the story.”
    • “The music is bland and repetitive.”
    • “I am so tired of the same 10 songs in every single game, just slightly different.”
    • “This franchise is sorely lacking in that regard and when you have to battle things constantly, I have grown tired of the same music over and over.”
  • gameplay131 mentions

    The gameplay of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake is a blend of classic turn-based mechanics and modern quality-of-life improvements, maintaining the nostalgic feel of the original while enhancing accessibility through features like autosave and streamlined inventory management. While some players appreciate the faithful recreation of older RPG elements, others find the mechanics dated and simplistic compared to contemporary standards. Overall, the game offers a satisfying exploration and combat experience, appealing primarily to fans of traditional JRPGs.

    • “However, everything comes together to create a game with an amazing gameplay loop and an unmatchable sense of adventure.”
    • “The gameplay holds onto the core mechanics that defined its era, while introducing quality-of-life improvements such as intuitive menus and better inventory management.”
    • “The gameplay is classic Dragon Quest, which means it’s still a perfect mix of exploring, grinding, and smacking slimes with a stick.”
    • “This game has lots of quality of life improvements but is still frustrating to play as it tries to keep the original's gameplay elements.”
    • “Gameplay leaves a bit to be desired, particularly toward the end.”
    • “It's a fun game, but it definitely shows its age with mechanics and encounter rates, so it isn't going to be for everyone.”
  • grinding73 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting it as a significant and sometimes tedious part of the experience. While some enjoy the nostalgic grind typical of classic JRPGs, others find it excessive, particularly in the late game, leading to frustration and a feeling of monotony. Quality of life improvements, such as faster battle speeds and adjustable difficulty, have been appreciated, but the high encounter rates and necessity for grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment for some players.

    • “The quality of life changes give a constant sense of progression with little to no grinding (except post-game, which is fine).”
    • “I finally decided to just give up because I was in grinding hell to the point that it feels like a 9-5 job.”
    • “The encounter rate is high, the post-game fights are unfair to borderline impossible, and the grinding to level up characters for post-game is tedious at best.”
    • “While the game’s graphics may be aesthetically pleasing, they cannot compensate for its outdated, tedious, and unengaging nature.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is generally well-received, with smooth performance reported across various platforms, including older systems and the Steam Deck. However, some users have experienced occasional stuttering issues, particularly on certain setups, which detracts from the experience. Despite these minor complaints, the game is praised for its visual appeal and technical performance, running well even at high resolutions.

    • “The game’s optimized for modern hardware, so even on older systems, it still runs beautifully.”
    • “Game runs like a dream in terms of performance; I play on a 7900 XTX and a Steam Deck, and it's fantastic on both, but surprisingly more enjoyable on a larger screen because this game hides a lot of stuff!”
    • “The game runs smoothly on PC, with support for high resolutions and ultra-wide monitors.”
    • “I think my biggest issue is that it has a consistent stuttering issue.”
    • “My only gripes are around the performance stutters from UE4.”
    • “My system should not be stuttering playing this game, but I eventually got over it.”
  • replayability13 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its diverse job system, customization options, and various gameplay challenges, such as hero-only runs and different class combinations. While some setups may be more effective than others, the blend of modern features with classic design ensures that players can enjoy multiple playthroughs. Despite some critiques regarding pricing, many reviewers agree that the replay value justifies the investment.

    • “What truly stood out to me was the job system, which adds incredible depth and replayability.”
    • “Huge customization and replayability, and a generally solid story, despite being nearly 40 years old.”
    • “Its a testament to both the remake's and the original's game design that Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake offers a large amount of replay value and features that were revolutionary in the 80's feel modern and right at home in 2024.”
    • “Doing things like a hero-only run or some other kind of conduct run would add to replayability, but on its own, it feels a bit overpriced.”
    • “The personality system for stat growth is quirky and adds replay value, even if its implementation is a bit cumbersome when rolling up a party.”
    • “This feature strongly encourages replayability and invites players to experiment with different combinations.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic storytelling, expressive character interactions, and evocative music, which together create a profound emotional resonance. While many players find the narrative deeply moving and impactful, some critiques point to a lack of depth in the remake, leading to an unsatisfying emotional climax. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of feelings, from heartfelt nostalgia to moments of genuine sadness.

    • “The expressive faces and vibrant battle animations bring an emotional resonance that complements the story’s themes.”
    • “The stirring battle themes, the serene melodies of peaceful towns, and the haunting notes of dark dungeons all resonate in a way that enhances the emotional impact of every scene.”
    • “The interactions between the characters are heartfelt, and their growth over the course of the journey is genuinely moving.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, with players enjoying the witty gags, pun-filled character names, and immersive voice acting that enhances the overall experience. The lighthearted tone complements the gameplay, making even grinding and random battles entertaining. Overall, the humor effectively enriches the narrative and encourages exploration of the game's world.

    • “The humor and art direction really hit the sweet spot for me.”
    • “Funny thing is grinding is fun, and I look forward to the random battles whilst doing so.”
    • “To me, the old Dragon Quest games (1-3) aren't so much about completing the story as it is seeing everything in the world, finding all the weird characters whose names are puns and have a funny accent, seeing all the monsters and finding every chest.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating blend of classic pixel art and modern lighting effects, complemented by a musical score that enhances both exploration and combat. While some critiques mention the music's inconsistency, the overall charm and visual beauty of the environments, along with effective humor and representation, contribute to an immersive experience that draws players into the story.

    • “The graphics, combining classic pixel art with modern lighting effects, create a captivating and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, graphics, and sound are amazing!”
    • “The music enhances the atmosphere, whether you’re exploring serene landscapes or engaging in intense battles.”
    • “One, the music doesn't help with the atmosphere.”
    • “Where this game lacks in story and character development, it makes up for in charm and atmosphere that still delivers.”
    • “I love the looks and atmosphere of the villages and dungeons.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews praise it as rich and seamlessly integrated into the narrative, others criticize it for lacking depth and meaningful progression. Additionally, there are concerns about changes to character designs and the removal of certain gameplay elements that may detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers charm and atmosphere, but opinions on character development vary significantly.

    • “The character development is also top-notch.”
    • “The character development is rich, and the narrative seamlessly weaves personal and global quests together, making the adventure feel both intimate and epic.”
    • “Dragon Quest 3, ah where to begin, be it the world, character design or genuine gameplay... this expands on a series that deserves more love within America.”
    • “There is little to no character development.”
    • “Where this game lacks in story and character development, it makes up for in charm and atmosphere that still delivers.”
    • “All the fake fan outrage over them changing the awful character designs from the original was a lie too as they didn't even change the most awful outfits which people were talking about.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability on both Steam Deck and PC, with users reporting smooth performance. However, some minor issues such as visual glitches and limitations in settings (capped at 1920x1080 and 60fps) have been noted, alongside occasional annoyances from random encounters.

    • “Runs great on both Steam Deck and PC.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck, perfection!”
    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs and glitches.”
    • “Settings are capped at 1920x1080 and 60fps, with some slight visual glitches like flickering shadows.”
    • “Random encounters can get annoying at times.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is perceived as exploitative, with many users feeling that it prioritizes profit over player experience, leading to accusations of being a cash grab.

    • “It just screams cash grab to me.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and unfair.”
    • “I can't enjoy the game without being constantly bombarded by ads and in-game purchases.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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