You always know what to expect with a mainline Dragon Quest title. This series has long been the standard-bearer for reliable, timeless Japanese RPG mechanics. Yet, somehow Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake brings that sense of comfort to a new level, offering a heartfelt nod to nostalgia with its impressive rebuild of a classic.
Dragon Quest 3 sits at an interesting point in the franchise timeline, coming before the narratives in Dragon Quest 1 and 2. It’s essentially the origin story for the series’ recurring heroes and themes. However, this was during a time when intricate storytelling wasn’t really the main focus. The plot remains straightforward: you’re the chosen hero tasked with defeating the ultimate evil. Honestly, do you need any more reason to dive into a globe-spanning fantasy quest?
As is typical of Dragon Quest, the appeal lies in its charming delivery. The dialogue is brilliantly localized, and the remake even adds voice acting, though it’s somewhat of a rarity. Most of the game sticks to text, but the key scenes benefit from this added layer of spoken dialogue, which really brings it to life.
This remake doesn’t just rest on its original narrative; it introduces new story elements, fleshing out the backstory of your character’s father, Ortega. While these glimpses into Ortega’s journey are enjoyable, don’t expect vast changes. The additional content is more like small enhancements rather than sweeping overhauls.
If you’re thinking these new additions seem sparse, you’d be right. However, the so-called ‘HD-2D Remake’ shines with its complete graphical overhaul. The transformation to 3D environments, enhanced with stunning lighting effects, is nothing short of remarkable.
This visual upgrade gives the adventure a greater sense of place and importance. The towns and cities feel more inviting, but what truly stands out is the overworld map. The game’s expansive wilderness now feels more significant and memorable in 3D, with varying terrains and elevations enriching your journey between locations.
Another handy feature in the remake is the inclusion of optional objective markers. Fans of classic RPGs know how opaque the storytelling progression can be, and Dragon Quest 3 is no exception. When you eventually gain access to much of the map, these markers can be a blessing for players unsure of the next step in their adventure.
The remake also offers some welcome quality-of-life improvements in combat, though there’s a sense it could have gone further. First off, you can increase the speed of battles—a feature to be genuinely grateful for. While the game’s simple yet tactically engaging combat remains, battles originally progressed at a snail’s pace, with text pop-ups for every action. Being able to accelerate that tempo is a true game-changer.
Further augmenting the experience, two new difficulty modes have been introduced, usable at any time. ‘Dracky Quest’ caters to those seeking a more relaxed experience, whereas ‘Draconian Quest’ ups the ante for the hardcore audience.
Regardless of the difficulty setting, Dragon Quest 3 is known for its grind-heavy gameplay. Whether you’re leveling up your party or gathering more gold, the necessity to grind through repetitive battles remains ingrained in the series’ DNA.
In this remake, the grind becomes especially noticeable. The transition to 3D environments expands the game’s scope considerably; dungeons are larger and the world map much more extensive. Yet, the frequency of random encounters hasn’t been reduced, which poses a problem.
At times, it feels like you can barely walk ten seconds without getting dragged into another battle. This becomes particularly taxing in later dungeons when backtracking for missed treasures and facing steady waves of tougher enemies.
You do have the option to use items to temporarily avoid these encounters, but this often feels like a workaround for an issue that’s exaggerated in the remake. Considering the various other improvements introduced, it leaves an imbalanced feel. Being able to reduce the encounter rate would greatly ease the experience, especially for newcomers to the series.
Despite these gameplay gripes, it’s challenging to fault this remake. The elements that made Dragon Quest 3 beloved remain intact, such as creating and customizing your party with unique jobs. Plus, new features like a comprehensive monster arena add to the richness of the experience. All in all, it stands as a sturdy yet inviting RPG.
### Conclusion
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake offers that timeless charm reminiscent of the series, thoughtfully repackaged into an engaging classic RPG. With its quality of life enhancements and delightful 3D visuals, it’s easy to see this as the definitive form of the adventure, even though some structural hiccups persist.
