Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Review: JRPG Comfort Food

As a seasoned gamer with a heart full of nostalgia for the golden days of JRPGs, I must say that the recent remake of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D has brought back memories like an old friend you haven’t seen in years. With its updated visuals and orchestral soundtrack, it’s a delight to journey once more through this iconic world.

The launch of Dragon Quest 3 on February 10, 1988, was a monumental cultural phenomenon in Japan. The game sold over a million copies on its first day (an extraordinary feat for that time), leading to numerous truancy arrests. Although Dragon Quest 3 didn’t achieve the same Western success as Dragon Warrior 3, it left an indelible mark on the Dragon Quest franchise. This iconic and pioneering JRPG series has seen more remakes and ports of Dragon Quest 3 than any other game in its lineage.

After three previous versions of Dragon Quest 3, one might wonder what Square Enix has done to enhance one of the most cherished entries in the Dragon Quest series and make the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake worthwhile. Here’s the answer: plenty. The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake breathes new life into the foundational game in the trilogy, modernizing it for today’s audience using the same captivating HD-2D visual style as the Octopath Traveler games. It also boosts several aspects of the core gameplay to create a richer experience without compromising the essence of the original. Essentially, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is an authentic JRPG that maintains all its traditional elements, but now represents the ultimate version of this classic game.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D’s Additions to the Story Enhance An Already Pivotal Series Entry

In every version of Dragon Quest 3, the storyline has remained consistent, and this is true for Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D as well. The narrative unfolds much like a classic “Hero’s Journey,” starting with the main character waking up on an important day and being pulled into an epic adventure. For Dragon Quest 3, the protagonist is a young character whose name is chosen by the player. On his 16th birthday, he decides to seek the king of Aliahan to follow in his father’s footsteps. Ortega, the hero’s father, embarked on a quest years earlier to slay the Archfiend Baramos, but he never returned. Although there are rumors that Ortega fell into a volcano and perished, many still hold out hope that the great warrior is alive. Consequently, the hero’s journey also involves finding out what happened to his father and possibly reconnecting with him.

The main story content in the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake focuses on Ortega’s journey and his relationships, which adds depth to the narrative that was missing in earlier versions of the game. As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter people who knew Ortega, including allies, enemies, and former companions. Each of these encounters offers a glimpse into Ortega’s strength and character. These flashbacks have been enhanced with new animations and fully-voiced dialogue, creating a more immersive experience that wasn’t available in previous versions of Dragon Quest 3. By the end of the game, these emotional insights deliver a satisfying conclusion.

In the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, the high-quality voice acting extends to every line of dialogue, which gives each region on the game’s world map a unique personality, culture, and dialect reflecting real-world countries they represent. The map of Dragon Quest 3 is known for being modeled after Earth, with each nation representing a real country and its people. Some connections are clear (like Jipang mirroring Japan), while others may not be immediately obvious but become apparent through the accents and speech patterns of the NPCs. While these character accents can sometimes veer into parody, the sincerity in the voice actors’ performances ultimately reinforces the playful and whimsical mood that has been a defining feature of the Dragon Quest series for over 35 years.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake’s Visual Improvements Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg

One significant aspect of the “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake” that will catch the eye of returning players before they delve into other enhancements made by Square Enix, is its fresh visual approach. The HD-2D style, as seen in the “Octopath Traveler” and “Triangle Strategy” games, combines the charm of old and new aesthetics beautifully. It merges sharper 3D backgrounds with more detailed 2D pixel art sprites to give a sense of depth and dimension to the traditional 2D RPGs, enhancing their one-plane visuals from the past. The general opinion about the visual style of “Octopath Traveler” was that it provided an ideal foundation for Square Enix to remake several classic games from their library, and the “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake” reinforces this idea.

For those who’ve delved repeatedly into the realm of Dragon Quest 3 throughout its various editions (including myself), the revamped visual design offers a fresh perspective on familiar territories. The castles and towns, set against immersive 3D landscapes, create a stunning pop-up book aesthetic for the overworld map. The water effects are especially noteworthy, and players will have ample opportunity to admire them once they’ve acquired their very own ship, the game’s primary means of transportation. Even a casual stroll around the overworld map or within towns is visually captivating, making one hesitant to use the Zoom spell for quick travel, for fear of missing intricate details that showcase the dedication of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D’s artists in recreating one of the most iconic JRPG worlds.

In the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, stunning upgraded graphics are just the beginning. The remake offers numerous gameplay enhancements, making it the best version of Dragon Quest 3 to play yet. Drawing from improvements made in the Dragon Quest 11 Definitive Edition, features like auto-battle, faster battles, and customizable Tactics for each party member are included in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D. These quality-of-life changes make random encounters more efficient and turn the occasional necessary grind into a breeze.

In Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, what sets combat apart and gives it a strong contention for the title of the best in the series is its dynamic tactical system that allows players to strategize both before and during battles. Now, each character in your party can be given unique tactics, with options like:

• Show No Mercy (launch an all-out assault against enemies with complete disregard for MP use)
• Fight Wisely (a balanced approach that combines offense and defense)
• Focus on Healing (places a priority on restoring health and removing debuffs)
• Don’t Use MP (avoids using all spells and abilities in favor of pure melee attacks)
• Watch My Back (all party members focus on supporting the Hero)
• Follow Orders (characters act according to player input)

One way to rephrase this in a more natural and easy-to-read manner is: “What’s truly remarkable about this system is how precisely and efficiently its AI directs party members. To assess its performance, I tried it out on a tough boss that I usually struggle against using the ‘Follow Orders’ setting. I was amazed to discover strategies I hadn’t even thought of, and moreover, the AI successfully defeated the boss for me when I had previously hit a skill ceiling, thinking I needed to seek out additional battles.

Throughout much of my gaming life, I’ve been accustomed to the challenging difficulty levels that JRPGs often present. However, I must admit that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D took me by surprise with its sudden difficulty peaks. The boss fights in particular could be quite formidable for players who aren’t familiar with the original Dragon Quest 3 or newcomers to the series. Veteran gamers, when faced with an invincible boss, usually resort to spending hours grinding on random battles. However, novice players might find this traditional RPG progression method a bit off-putting. Fortunately, the challenging points in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D occur at very specific and crucial stages of the main storyline where nearby enemies are powerful enough and provide sufficient rewards to allow players to retreat, gain some strength, and then return to challenge the boss again without delay. The new auto-battle and Tactics systems only make this process smoother.

What the Monster Wrangler Job and Changes to Personalities Bring to Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the enthralling Monster Arena from the latest edition of Dragon Quest 3 on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices is back in the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake! This time around, it’s not just a return, but an enhancement. The new remake offers refreshing changes that make the experience more immersive and rewarding.

The role of the Monster Wrangler in the latest game is crucial for maximizing the potential of the new Monster Arena and the attractive prizes obtainable from tournament victories. Some of the rarest monsters, found globally, can be shy or hostile towards humans, requiring gentle encouragement before they agree to join forces with the Hero and his party. Certain monsters will scurry away upon hearing human footsteps, while others are deterred by our scent and disappear if we approach too closely. The presence of a Monster Wrangler simplifies these challenges, enabling players to easily capture, recruit, and include newly discovered monsters in their expanding team of friendly beasts.

In Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, the Monster Wrangler stands out for its versatility and power, adding a dynamic twist to the game’s strategic balance. The Monster Wrangler’s abilities, which include wielding strong weapons comparable to those of the Warrior in terms of damage, as well as multi-target attacks and healing capabilities, make it an essential member for any party, offering a unique blend of offense and support.

In the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, similar to other versions of Dragon Quest 3, players can manage the Hero’s three companions. From a roster of nine distinct professions, you can recruit any combination of three. Each profession in the game’s job system comes with unique starting stats and potential for stat growth, which influences how your characters develop as they gain levels. A standout feature is the ability to switch vocations at any moment, keeping all progress intact. This flexibility allows players to create unconventional character classes that might not be possible otherwise. However, there’s a catch: when changing professions, your characters reset to level 1. But they start with improved stats and an array of powerful abilities, making it simpler to elevate them back up to the party’s level.

In the updated version of Dragon Quest 3, the Personality system could have benefited from more explanation and refinement. At the start of the game, the Hero communicates with a mysterious light in a dream, which helps to define the Hero’s character based on answers given to various questions. This method is used to determine the Hero’s personality, while the personalities of companions are assigned randomly when they join the party. A character’s personality affects how their stats grow after leveling up. Players can alter a character’s personality by using certain accessories or reading books found in Dragon Quest 3’s world.

The game Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D fails to clarify how character statistics develop based on personalities, and which personalities are ideal for certain jobs, which is unfortunate considering its significance in character development and party composition. However, it does offer more comprehensive explanations for the books and accessories that modify personalities, reducing some uncertainty about the effects of using or wearing these items on a companion. Additionally, players now have greater control over customizing their party members’ visual appearance in Dragon Quest 3, providing them with more agency than ever before in shaping the aesthetic of their adventuring party. Despite still requiring guidance to determine which personalities offer the best stat growth for specific companions, this customization feature adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay experience.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is an Unabashedly Old-School JRPG With a Modern Sheen

Besides enhancing the graphics and game mechanics, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake includes more detailed side missions and has relocated the 110 Mini Medals, adding a new twist to their discovery. There’s a wealth of content for players to explore beyond the main quest, which usually takes around 25–35 hours to finish. Add the new side activities and the option to tackle post-game challenges, and players are in for an expansive adventure that significantly surpasses earlier versions of Dragon Quest 3.

In essence, the upgraded version of “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D” stands out not just due to its updated content and expanded length, but as the ultimate edition that many dedicated fans consider a cornerstone among all JRPGs ever launched. The enhanced graphics and orchestral soundtrack offer an immersive journey back into the world of “Dragon Quest 3”, providing an experience never before witnessed or heard. Furthermore, refinements to gameplay mechanics and additional story elements make “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D” the ideal starting point for newcomers to the series.

In essence, the updated version of Dragon Quest 3, titled Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, maintains the essence of the original game while making it suitable for modern players. This preservation comes with keeping elements like its time-consuming, classic JRPG gameplay and sometimes confusing mechanics intact. However, throughout your journey, you’ll find yourself constantly reminded of fond memories due to the strong sense of nostalgia that fills each gameplay moment. Essentially, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D serves as a comforting dish for JRPG enthusiasts, and if the upcoming remakes of Dragon Quest 1 and 2 offer similar experiences, I eagerly look forward to revisiting this familiar table once more.

The reimagined version of Dragon Quest 3 titled “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake” will be available starting November 14 on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. In preparation for our review, we received a PlayStation 5 code from Game Rant.

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2024-11-13 18:06