DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Role Playing

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake screenshot

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,341 reviews

story248 positive mentions

grinding137 negative mentions

Beautiful graphics and music that enhance the nostalgic experience.
Faithful remake with quality of life improvements, making it more accessible to new players.
Engaging gameplay with a robust job system and customization options for party members.

High random encounter rate can disrupt exploration and pacing.
Some players may find the story and character development lacking compared to modern RPGs.
Censorship and changes to character designs have disappointed some long-time fans.

story
1,384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
80%
2%
The story of "Dragon Quest III HD-2D" is generally regarded as simple and somewhat dated, reflecting its origins as a classic NES title. While it retains the charm and nostalgic elements of the original, many players find the narrative to be light and lacking depth compared to modern RPGs, with some noting that it relies heavily on player imagination to fill in gaps. However, the remake introduces additional story elements and character backstories, particularly for the protagonist's father, Ortega, which some players appreciated, even if the overall plot remains straightforward and episodic.
- “The story of Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake remains as captivating as ever. Following the legendary hero Ortega's footsteps, players embark on a quest to defeat the archfiend Baramos and restore peace to the world.”
- “The remake adds new depth with additional story chapters and backstories, particularly focusing on Ortega’s journey. The character development is rich, and the narrative seamlessly weaves personal and global quests together, making the adventure feel both intimate and epic.”
- “What truly makes Dragon Quest III special is its sense of adventure. The pacing of the story is impeccable, with moments of quiet introspection punctuated by epic battles and heart-pounding twists.”
- “The quests and plot themselves are very light, and you can actually skip whole towns and quests by accident.”
- “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.”
graphics
498 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The graphics of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, blending classic pixel art with modern lighting effects to create a captivating atmosphere. Many reviewers praised the HD-2D art style as a perfect homage to the original game, enhancing the nostalgic experience while introducing vibrant colors and detailed animations. Overall, the graphical overhaul is seen as a significant improvement, making the game visually appealing and immersive for both new players and long-time fans.
- “The hd-2d visuals are, in a word, breathtaking.”
- “The stunning visuals, unforgettable soundtrack, refined gameplay, and timeless story all come together to create an experience that is nothing short of magical.”
- “The graphics, combining classic pixel art with modern lighting effects, create a captivating and immersive atmosphere.”
- “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.”
- “Background graphics are not that lively, especially waterfalls, water clarity, trees, grasses, clouds, etc. These should be further enhanced if you want to make dreams come true, especially on PC as I own an RTX 4090.”
music
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The music in the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its orchestral arrangements that enhance the game's atmosphere and evoke nostalgia. While some players noted a sense of repetitiveness in the soundtrack, the overall quality and emotional impact of the music were highlighted as standout features, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience. The remastered score, rooted in the legacy of Koichi Sugiyama, is celebrated for its beauty and ability to resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
- “The music is a key part of the Dragon Quest III experience, and in this remake, it is absolutely unforgettable.”
- “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 soundtrack of Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake is a standout, with compositions that perfectly capture the essence of the game’s world.”
- “One, the music doesn't help with the atmosphere.”
- “In the first few hours of locations that you visit, the soundtrack goes from forgettable, to oddly serious, to a little bit charming, but definitely leans heavily on oddly serious.”
- “I am so tired of the same 10 songs in every single game, just slightly different.”
gameplay
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
70%
2%
The gameplay of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake remains largely faithful to the original, featuring classic turn-based mechanics and exploration typical of traditional JRPGs, while introducing quality-of-life improvements like autosave and streamlined inventory management. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and enhanced visuals, others criticize the dated mechanics and encounter rates, suggesting that the game may not appeal to newcomers unfamiliar with older JRPG styles. Overall, it offers a blend of modern refinements and classic gameplay, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay stays faithful to the original, while introducing quality-of-life improvements such as intuitive menus and better inventory management.”
- “The core experience remains the same, but the quality-of-life improvements, such as autosave, faster battle speeds, and a more streamlined inventory system, make it much easier to enjoy the game without feeling bogged down by outdated mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is classic Dragon Quest, which means it’s still a perfect mix of exploring, grinding, and smacking slimes with a stick.”
- “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.”
- “The changes they made are extremely minimal and fundamentally change nothing in terms of gameplay.”
- “Gameplay: a 36-year-old game plays like a 36-year-old game.”
grinding
141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
97%
Grinding is a prominent aspect of the game, often described as both a nostalgic and tedious experience. While some players enjoy the classic JRPG grind and find it rewarding, others feel that the high encounter rates and endgame grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment. Quality of life improvements, such as battle speed-ups and adjustable difficulty, help mitigate some of the grind, but many still find it a necessary, if monotonous, part of gameplay.
- “The quality of life changes give a constant sense of progression with little to no grinding (except post-game, which is fine).”
- “The random encounters, especially in the late game, can become quite tedious and sucked some of the fun out of completing the main quest for me.”
- “The encounter rate is high, the post-game fights are unfair to borderline impossible, the grinding to level characters for post-game is tedious at best.”
- “By the last third of the game, I didn't care for checking every nook and cranny and just wanted to get this tedious game over with.”
optimization
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
56%
25%
The optimization of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is generally praised, with smooth performance across all platforms, including older systems and the Steam Deck, where stuttering issues are notably absent. While the game supports high resolutions and ultra-wide monitors, some players report consistent performance stutters, particularly on certain setups, and lower-quality textures in the overworld that slightly affect immersion. Overall, the game runs well and is visually appealing, though minor performance hiccups exist.
- “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.”
- “My only gripes are around the performance stutters from UE4.”
- “I think my biggest issue is that it has a consistent stuttering issue.”
- “Despite the game’s strong visual appeal, textures in the overworld are of lower quality to favor performance, slightly diminishing immersion.”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
35%
12%
The game boasts significant replayability, driven by its extensive class customization, job system, and various challenge modes, such as hero-only runs. Players appreciate the depth and variety offered, making it easy to experiment with different strategies and setups. While some feel the game may be overpriced for its replay value alone, many agree it remains a worthwhile experience, blending nostalgic elements with modern gameplay features.
- “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 80s, feeling modern and right at home in 2024.”
- “What truly stood out to me was the job system, which adds incredible depth and replayability.”
- “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.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic storytelling, heartfelt character interactions, and evocative music that enhances the overall experience. While many players find the narrative deeply moving and resonant, some critiques point to the remake's failure to enrich the story, resulting in a lackluster emotional climax. Overall, the game successfully evokes strong feelings of destiny, friendship, and self-discovery, leaving a lasting impact on players.
- “The expressive faces and vibrant battle animations bring an emotional resonance that complements the story’s themes.”
- “The emotional payoff of the narrative is profound, and the ending (without giving too much away) still hits as hard today as it did in 1988.”
- “The interactions between the characters are heartfelt, and their growth over the course of the journey is genuinely moving.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, with players enjoying the witty dialogue, pun-filled character names, and immersive voice acting that enhances the experience. The lighthearted atmosphere and funny gags encourage exploration and engagement with the game's world, making even grinding feel enjoyable. Overall, the humor complements the art direction and soundtrack, creating a delightful and entertaining experience reminiscent of classic titles.
- “The humor and art direction really hit the sweet spot for me.”
- “It's funny, sure, but it's also a smart way of implementing balance: it tells you that you should prepare before doing dungeon crawls because it might be a long way back or a lot of wasted MP if you need to escape early.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely 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, humor, and visual beauty contribute significantly to an immersive experience, particularly in the game's villages and dungeons. Additionally, the inclusion of diverse representation adds depth to the atmosphere, enriching the overall narrative.
- “The graphics, combining classic pixel art with modern lighting effects, create a captivating and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The music perfectly complements the game's visual beauty, creating an atmosphere that draws you deeper into the story.”
- “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 development
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
Character development in the game is described as rich and top-notch, with a narrative that effectively intertwines personal and global quests, creating an intimate yet epic adventure. However, some reviews note a lack of character development in certain aspects, suggesting that while the charm and atmosphere are strong, the depth of character growth may not meet all players' expectations. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the development and others feeling it falls short.
- “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. I hope this can be the start of seeing more games coming to America. If you like turn-based JRPGs with good music, I heavily suggest giving this series a try.”
- “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.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game runs smoothly on both Steam Deck and PC, with users reporting a stable experience. However, it is noted to have some bugs and glitches, including visual issues like flickering shadows, and limitations in settings capped at 1920x1080 and 60fps. Random encounters may also detract from the experience for some players.
- “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 (e.g. flickering shadows).”
- “Random encounters can get annoying at times.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is widely perceived as exploitative, with many users labeling it a blatant cash grab.
- “It just screams cash grab to me.”