Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Preview: Elevating a Masterpiece

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Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Preview: Elevating a Masterpiece

As a longtime fan of the Dragon Quest series, I must say that the upcoming remake of Dragon Quest 3, dubbed the “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake,” has me absolutely thrilled! Having played the original back in the day on my trusty Game Boy, I can attest to its masterpiece status. But as with any remake, there’s always a touch of apprehension about changes that might be made to this classic title.

Many enthusiasts of the Dragon Quest series view Dragon Quest 3 as a true masterpiece. The prospect of a remake for this classic game stirs both excitement and apprehension among fans. While many are eager to revisit the original, some may harbor concerns over potential changes. However, it appears that the team behind Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has carefully taken into account the significance of the original game. Despite the shift in graphics for the HD-2D remake, it seems that this concern is unwarranted as the development team behind Octopath Traveler has worked diligently to maintain the masterpiece status of Dragon Quest 3 while creating its remake.

At Gamescom, Game Rant had a short hands-on experience with the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. Initially, they engaged with novel elements like Monster Arenas before exploring the atmospheres of its cities and the overall map layout. The team behind this remake seems to grasp what made the original Dragon Quest 3 unique, focusing on adding mechanical enhancements or incorporating features deeply connected to the game’s world and the gameplay, such as Monsterms Aren’s world and lore, like the introduction of Monster Arenas, the new content remains faithful to the franchise’s legacy. Game Rant also conversed with producer Masaaki Hayasaka (through a translator), who shed some light on how they approached creating fresh content while preserving the spirit of the series.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Feels Like a Solid Improvement

The biggest change when hopping into this Dragon Quest 3 remake is obviously the HD-2D graphics, but they are as crisp as any other game that has undergone this transformation. Fusing 2D pixel art with 3D graphics really makes a game pop, and it works with a lot of classic games for a reason. It does the same exact thing here: it doesn’t sacrifice the aesthetic or vibe of the game whatsoever, while elevating the visuals of the titles. It also modernizes and improves the UI, alongside other quality-of-life improvements like new animations and adjustable dialogue/battle speed, and every mechanical improvement goes a long way in making this originally 1988 game feel like a 2024 one. Other improvements to Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake include 3 separate difficulty modes, the ability to save anywhere, performance and graphics modes, new enemy animations and status changes to reflect health loss, new story content, improved fast travel, quest markers, and more.

At the onset of the demonstration, we experimented with the fresh Monster Arena segment. In this area, participants engage in team battles reminiscent of Pokemon, but with less control over combat as it aligns more with the passive approach seen in the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake’s battle system. Although the Monster Arena is a novelty, it draws inspiration from the original game.

In contrast to the original arenas where players wagered on monsters fighting, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake places you in control of the action, with you leading the combat. As Hayasaka clarified,…

In the classic version of “Dragon Quest 3”, there was a feature akin to a monster battling arena where players could wager on the results of monster fights. However, this betting system, which was part of the original design, isn’t something we would want to incorporate in a contemporary game because it might not function as effectively in today’s gaming environment.

In the remake of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, a fresh profession emerges, known as the Monster Wrangler. While this role was initially introduced in Dragon Quest 10 (and is inspired by its version), it introduces a unique twist to the gameplay of Dragon Quest 3. Although we haven’t had a chance to experience this class firsthand yet, based on trailers and footage, it appears to blend Monster-focused skills with healing capabilities during combat.

Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake Nails Its Vibe

Following our adventure, I found myself wandering through the vibrant city streets, immersed in its unique atmosphere before venturing out into the vast world beyond. I delved into its challenging combat scenarios, feeling the pulse of its captivating environment. Interestingly, Masaaki Hayasaka mentioned that they pondered over creating fresh animations for attacks, more akin to a first-person perspective rather than the side views we see in the original game. However, they ultimately opted against this change as it would prolong combat (despite speed enhancements) and didn’t align perfectly with the overall feel of the game. Above all, preserving the essence of the original was paramount for this remake. As Hayasaka put it, we were determined to uphold the legacy of the original game.

1. To preserve the brilliance of the original, our top priority is to treat it with utmost respect, retaining all elements that contributed to its greatness initially. I understood that if we merely altered things, criticism would arise, such as “Why did they change this? This isn’t what we desired, this isn’t how it was before.” Our goal was to avoid creating that situation.

Any alterations being made to the game serve either to enhance its mechanics or align with the setting of Dragon Quest 3, thereby creating a sense of nostalgia as old elements are given a fresh, updated feel while retaining their essence. Although it’s not due for release for a few more months, the HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 3 seems poised to meet fan expectations with its blend of familiarity and innovation.

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2024-09-04 01:05