DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake
- November 14, 2024
- ARTDINK
- 7h median play time
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Get on PS Store"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
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox Series X|S
Cloud
PlayStation
Xbox
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Reviews
- Beautiful graphics and art style that modernizes the classic while retaining its charm.
- Quality of life improvements, such as faster battle speeds and customizable party appearances, enhance the gameplay experience.
- The orchestral soundtrack and voice acting add depth and immersion to the game.
- High random encounter rate can disrupt exploration and make the game feel tedious.
- Some players feel the game is too easy, especially with the ability to restore HP and MP on level-up.
- Censorship changes, such as the Body Type A/B system, have drawn criticism and may alienate some fans.
- story584 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Dragon Quest III HD-2D" is largely a nostalgic homage to the original, featuring a straightforward hero's journey where players take on the role of the child of a legendary warrior. While the narrative is considered sparse and simplistic compared to modern RPGs, it retains the charm and lightheartedness typical of the series, with some added depth through new character backstories and voice acting. Overall, the game prioritizes exploration and combat over a complex plot, making it a classic experience for fans of the franchise, though newcomers may find the storytelling lacking.
“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 combination of a compelling story, engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and memorable music makes it a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Whether you’re revisiting the world of Dragon Quest III or experiencing it for the first time, this remake delivers a timeless adventure that stands the test of time.”
“The character development is rich, and the narrative seamlessly weaves personal and global quests together, making the adventure feel both intimate and epic.”
“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.”
- graphics205 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning HD-2D art style that beautifully blends classic pixel art with modern lighting effects. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and vibrant visuals that enhance the overall experience, making it a visual treat reminiscent of classic JRPGs. While some critiques mention minor issues with immersion and texture quality, the overwhelming sentiment is that the graphics significantly elevate the remake, making it a must-play for both new and returning 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 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. There is very little visual cohesion.”
“Price is way too high for what this is: an old-style RPG with minimal upgrades to the graphics.”
- music139 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its orchestral arrangements that enhance the overall atmosphere and nostalgia of the Dragon Quest series. While some players noted a desire for new compositions, the remastered soundtrack is described as beautiful and emotionally resonant, effectively complementing the game's visuals and gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the immersive experience of the game.
“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 is rendered via orchestra, full of classic Dragon Quest themes and riffs, and everything comes together to give you a real sense of adventure.”
“One, the music doesn't help with the atmosphere.”
“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.”
- gameplay106 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
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 incorporating quality-of-life improvements like autosave and streamlined inventory management. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and modern refinements, others criticize the dated mechanics and random encounter rates, suggesting that the game may not appeal to newcomers unfamiliar with older JRPG styles. Overall, it offers a blend of old-school charm and updated visuals, making it a solid experience 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 game strikes a perfect balance between classic JRPG mechanics and modern conveniences, such as auto save and objective markers.”
“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.”
“Another portion of negative reviews is about random encounters and outdated gameplay.”
“The changes they made are extremely minimal, and fundamentally change nothing in terms of gameplay.”
“It's a mostly faithful remake of the 1988 original, so the story is less of a focus and the gameplay is not as complex as a modern JRPG.”
- grinding57 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant focus, with many players noting its necessity for progression, especially in the post-game content. While some enjoy the nostalgic grind and find it rewarding, others find the high encounter rates and repetitive nature tedious, particularly in the late game. Quality of life improvements, such as auto-battle options and adjustable difficulty, help mitigate some of the grind, but the experience remains heavily rooted in classic JRPG mechanics.
“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.”
“While the game’s graphics may be aesthetically pleasing, they cannot compensate for its outdated, tedious, and unengaging nature.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, "Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake" is praised for its strong optimization, delivering a smooth experience across various platforms, including older systems and the Steam Deck. While some users noted minor performance stutters on certain setups, the game generally runs well with high-resolution support and solid visuals, despite some lower-quality textures in the overworld. The addition of voice acting enhances immersion, contributing to the game's overall technical performance.
“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.”
“My system should not be stuttering playing this game, but I eventually got over it.”
“Overworld graphics: despite the game’s strong visual appeal, textures in the overworld are of lower quality to favor performance, slightly diminishing immersion.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, thanks to extensive customization options, class changes, and various challenge modes. Players appreciate the blend of classic and modern design elements that encourage experimentation and multiple playthroughs, making it a worthwhile experience despite some concerns about pricing. The inclusion of unique systems, like the personality system for stat growth, further enhances its replay value.
“Huge customization and replayability, and a generally solid story, despite being nearly 40 years old.”
“It's 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.”
“This feature strongly encourages replayability and invites players to experiment with different combinations.”
“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.”
“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 feel modern and right at home in 2024.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its gorgeous graphics, heartfelt character interactions, and a nostalgic story that resonates deeply with players. The music enhances the emotional experience, evoking memories and feelings tied to the game's themes of destiny, friendship, and self-discovery. However, some critiques note that the remake fails to add depth to the narrative, resulting in a lackluster emotional climax.
“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.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 combination of funny accents and a lighthearted atmosphere contributes to a delightful gaming experience, making even grinding and random battles entertaining. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that complements the game's art direction and storytelling.
“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.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game 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 and visual beauty, along with humorous elements and strong representation, contribute to an immersive experience that effectively draws players into the game's world.
“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 development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its richness and the seamless integration of personal and global quests, creating an intimate yet epic narrative experience. However, some players express disappointment over changes to character designs and the removal of certain gameplay elements, indicating a mixed reception regarding visual updates. Overall, while the game may lack in certain story aspects, it compensates with charm and atmosphere, appealing to fans of turn-based JRPGs.
“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.”
“But there is a downside, changes to both sprites and character designs being one, but the larger one for me is the fact that we lost the pachisi, or t'n't boards, from the SFC/GBC version; although I will not lose sleep over the monster medal removal.”
“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.”
“Where this game lacks in story and character development, it makes up for in charm and atmosphere that still delivers.”
- stability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative 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 limited 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
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative 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 when it constantly pushes me to spend more money.”
