A stunning remake kicks off the Erdrick Trilogy
By Paul Hunter
More than 30 years after Dragon Quest III released on the NES, the beloved RPG is back on modern consoles with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Developed by Artdink and published by Square Enix, this stunning remake breathes new life into a classic that originally debuted as Dragon Warrior III in North America. The game, which has left a lasting impact on the gaming landscape, is set in the vibrant Overworld and serves as a prequel to the first two entries in the series.
This remake utilises Square Enix's innovative HD-2D art style, which combines pixel art with modern 3D graphics. This unique visual approach creates a captivating atmosphere that immerses you in beautifully rendered environments, filled with rich colours and intricate details that enhance the nostalgic charm of the original game.
Dragon Quest III is often regarded as one of the best entries in the series, thanks to its fantastic story filled with memorable characters. The game follows the journey of a young Hero tasked with defeating the evil archfiend Baramos. Our Hero can enlist the help of a diverse cast of allies, which you can assign jobs that each have their own unique abilities and purpose.
This remake not only preserves the essence of the original but also introduces quality-of-life improvements that make the gameplay more accessible. Let's kick off the adventure and see what all this remake has to offer!
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has, in my view, one of the best RPG narratives of all time. The story begins with you, the son or daughter of the legendary warrior Ortega, who sets out on a personal mission to defeat the malevolent archfiend Baramos, who threatens the peace of the realm. This quest is not just about battling evil; it’s also about self-discovery and following the path of your famous father, who previously failed to vanquish Baramos.
One of the standout elements of the story is the rich lore that surrounds the characters and the world. As you explore the land, you encounter various towns and villages, each with its own unique culture and history. Many of the towns take inspiration from real-world locations like "Romaly" for Rome, "Portoga" for Portugal, "Jipang" for Japan, complete with Portoga being a port town and Jipang featuring cherry blossoms and hot springs. This immersive world-building makes the Overworld feel familiar yet mysterious at the same time.
The narrative is further enhanced by the diverse cast of characters you meet throughout your journey. Most towns are ruled over by eccletic royalty each with their own backstory and personality, and often times sprinkling in a wee bit of silliness. These rulers often aid your journey, whether that's giving items to advance the story or even giving you new modes of transportation. There is also new story content involving Ortega, including all-new cutscenes that reveal more details about your elusive father.
Speaking of humour, the dialogue have tons of silly moment that provides a nice balance to the game's more serious moments. Whether you're chatting up a talkative slime monster or getting a sexy puff puff, the light-heartedness keeps the story fresh and funny. All in all, the story of Dragon Quest III is beautifully crafted with its rich lore, memorable characters, and timeless themes, that all combines into an unforgettable adventure.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake does a fantastic job of revitalising the classic RPG with modern gameplay enhancements while staying true to its roots. Updates include the new auto save feature, the ability to change difficulties including the new Draky mode where your characters can't die, and the new Monster Wrangler vocation.
Progressing through the story has also been improved in several ways, such as being able to cast Zoom in dungeons, the ability to check your current objective at any time, and a new "Rest" option at inns to pass time until the night. Furthermore, using the new Volunteer system you can create companions from scratch including their personality and vocation, while inside dungeons there's a handy new mini-map to help you explore, and there are even new monsters and bosses to find and battle. There are many other helpful quality of life additions and it's clear this remake received a lot of care and attention.
As far as the combat goes, much like the original game it features turn-based combat requiring a great deal of strategy. Combat can be brutal at times, with the game regularly throwing difficulty spikes at you that requird good old level grinding to get past. Shops often sell very high priced items that again necessitate battle grinding to get enough money to afford. I really enjoyed the stiff challenge, but recognize that it might come as a shock to younger gamers not used to the punishing difficulties we had in the '90s.
The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake shines brightly in its presentation, showcasing a beautiful blend of modern graphics and classic charm. The game's HD-2D art style really pops, especially the richly detailed backgrounds that are incredibly photogenic. The character designs also remain faithful to the original while benefiting from enhanced detail, with each character meticulously crafted and having expressive animations that bring them to life.
The updated enemy designs also look great, taking the classic looks of the original by Akira Toriyama and updating them with additional details and more fluid animations. The key locations you visit are equally impressive—from bustling towns to eerie dungeons, each location is filled with intricate details. The depth created by the new 3D elements, like towering mountains or large cathedrals, make the world feel more expansive and alive.
Lighting effects in the game are also impressive, particularly the dynamic lighting used to create realistic environments and to set the mood. For instance, the flickering torches in dark dungeons cast realistic shadows, adding to the sense of adventure, while the updated day/night cycles has the sunlight filter through trees, creating a warm and inviting environment.
As you'd expect from a Dragon Quest game, this remake boasts a beautifully orchestrated soundtrack that enhances the emotional impact of your adventuring and battling. Each piece of music is carefully composed to match the tone of the scenes, whether you are in a tense battle or exploring a serene village, the music complements the action perfectly.
Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Developer: Artdink, Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: Role-Playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
More than 30 years after Dragon Quest III released on the NES, the beloved RPG is back on modern consoles with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Developed by Artdink and published by Square Enix, this stunning remake breathes new life into a classic that originally debuted as Dragon Warrior III in North America. The game, which has left a lasting impact on the gaming landscape, is set in the vibrant Overworld and serves as a prequel to the first two entries in the series.
This remake utilises Square Enix's innovative HD-2D art style, which combines pixel art with modern 3D graphics. This unique visual approach creates a captivating atmosphere that immerses you in beautifully rendered environments, filled with rich colours and intricate details that enhance the nostalgic charm of the original game.
Dragon Quest III is often regarded as one of the best entries in the series, thanks to its fantastic story filled with memorable characters. The game follows the journey of a young Hero tasked with defeating the evil archfiend Baramos. Our Hero can enlist the help of a diverse cast of allies, which you can assign jobs that each have their own unique abilities and purpose.
This remake not only preserves the essence of the original but also introduces quality-of-life improvements that make the gameplay more accessible. Let's kick off the adventure and see what all this remake has to offer!
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has, in my view, one of the best RPG narratives of all time. The story begins with you, the son or daughter of the legendary warrior Ortega, who sets out on a personal mission to defeat the malevolent archfiend Baramos, who threatens the peace of the realm. This quest is not just about battling evil; it’s also about self-discovery and following the path of your famous father, who previously failed to vanquish Baramos.
One of the standout elements of the story is the rich lore that surrounds the characters and the world. As you explore the land, you encounter various towns and villages, each with its own unique culture and history. Many of the towns take inspiration from real-world locations like "Romaly" for Rome, "Portoga" for Portugal, "Jipang" for Japan, complete with Portoga being a port town and Jipang featuring cherry blossoms and hot springs. This immersive world-building makes the Overworld feel familiar yet mysterious at the same time.
The narrative is further enhanced by the diverse cast of characters you meet throughout your journey. Most towns are ruled over by eccletic royalty each with their own backstory and personality, and often times sprinkling in a wee bit of silliness. These rulers often aid your journey, whether that's giving items to advance the story or even giving you new modes of transportation. There is also new story content involving Ortega, including all-new cutscenes that reveal more details about your elusive father.
Speaking of humour, the dialogue have tons of silly moment that provides a nice balance to the game's more serious moments. Whether you're chatting up a talkative slime monster or getting a sexy puff puff, the light-heartedness keeps the story fresh and funny. All in all, the story of Dragon Quest III is beautifully crafted with its rich lore, memorable characters, and timeless themes, that all combines into an unforgettable adventure.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake does a fantastic job of revitalising the classic RPG with modern gameplay enhancements while staying true to its roots. Updates include the new auto save feature, the ability to change difficulties including the new Draky mode where your characters can't die, and the new Monster Wrangler vocation.
Progressing through the story has also been improved in several ways, such as being able to cast Zoom in dungeons, the ability to check your current objective at any time, and a new "Rest" option at inns to pass time until the night. Furthermore, using the new Volunteer system you can create companions from scratch including their personality and vocation, while inside dungeons there's a handy new mini-map to help you explore, and there are even new monsters and bosses to find and battle. There are many other helpful quality of life additions and it's clear this remake received a lot of care and attention.
As far as the combat goes, much like the original game it features turn-based combat requiring a great deal of strategy. Combat can be brutal at times, with the game regularly throwing difficulty spikes at you that requird good old level grinding to get past. Shops often sell very high priced items that again necessitate battle grinding to get enough money to afford. I really enjoyed the stiff challenge, but recognize that it might come as a shock to younger gamers not used to the punishing difficulties we had in the '90s.
The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake shines brightly in its presentation, showcasing a beautiful blend of modern graphics and classic charm. The game's HD-2D art style really pops, especially the richly detailed backgrounds that are incredibly photogenic. The character designs also remain faithful to the original while benefiting from enhanced detail, with each character meticulously crafted and having expressive animations that bring them to life.
The updated enemy designs also look great, taking the classic looks of the original by Akira Toriyama and updating them with additional details and more fluid animations. The key locations you visit are equally impressive—from bustling towns to eerie dungeons, each location is filled with intricate details. The depth created by the new 3D elements, like towering mountains or large cathedrals, make the world feel more expansive and alive.
Lighting effects in the game are also impressive, particularly the dynamic lighting used to create realistic environments and to set the mood. For instance, the flickering torches in dark dungeons cast realistic shadows, adding to the sense of adventure, while the updated day/night cycles has the sunlight filter through trees, creating a warm and inviting environment.
As you'd expect from a Dragon Quest game, this remake boasts a beautifully orchestrated soundtrack that enhances the emotional impact of your adventuring and battling. Each piece of music is carefully composed to match the tone of the scenes, whether you are in a tense battle or exploring a serene village, the music complements the action perfectly.
The Verdict
The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a remarkable tribute to one of the most cherished RPGs in gaming history. Whether it's the brilliat HD-2D art style breathing new life into the classic visuals or the numerous quality-of-life improvements, this is easily the definitive version of a classic. If you are a fan of RPGs or looking for a captivating adventure, this remake is definitely worth your time.Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Artdink, Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: Role-Playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.