As someone who has grown up with the iconic “Dragon Quest” series, diving into the remastered version of “Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake” felt like stepping back into a beloved childhood memory. From the moment I set foot in this magical world filled with quirky characters and fantastical creatures, I was hooked.
Over time, there has been a lot of discussion about the Dragon Quest series, particularly after the massive success of Dragon Quest 11 in 2018. The main question that keeps coming up is when the next main sequel (The Flames of Fate, announced in 2021) will be released. Since the announcement of the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, some fans have been wondering if Square Enix plans to return to the original series.
First introduced on the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan back in 1988, Dragon Quest 3: The Seeds of Salvation is frequently recognized as a defining game within its franchise and the role-playing genre. Its unique class system, featuring multiclass capabilities, set it apart from other games during that period. Moreover, the scope of exploration was significantly expanded compared to earlier releases, providing players with greater freedom in how they choose to traverse. Many narrative devices and mechanics featured in this game are still recognizable in modern titles today.
In contrast to some titles that might be exaggeratedly celebrated due to nostalgia, Dragon Quest 3 doesn’t fall under this category. The HD-2D Remake, therefore, delivers as anticipated. It preserves the essence of the original, encompassing its narrative and combat mechanics, while incorporating modern conveniences, striking graphics, and re-done music. This remake not only serves as an engaging introduction to what makes Dragon Quest charming, but it also stands firmly as a high-quality role-playing game on its own merits.
Right from the start, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake offers an exhilarating feeling of adventure, making routine tasks feel like exciting quests.
You might be familiar with the tale of Dragon Quest 3 by now. The narrative unfolds with Erdrick, son of Ortega, embarking on a mission to meet the king of Aliahan. His goal is to vanquish the Archfiend Baramos and avenge his father, the valiant hero Ortega, who vanished while trying the same quest. Unlike Erdrick, other characters must be enlisted for the journey, depending on the abilities required. You can choose their professions (which influences the development of specific stats) and personalities (affecting the growth of certain stats), and customize their appearance to some extent by altering their hairstyles. Although there are limited options for character customization, the pre-made visuals and hair color modifications work effectively, especially given the sprites complement the original’s style well.
Right from the start, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake delivers an exhilarating sense of adventure, even during routine tasks. It transforms seemingly simple quests, like acquiring the Thief’s Key for accessing the Path of Promise and Ortega’s teleportal, into grand adventures. Every character in the towns showcases unique personality traits, even those with limited dialogue, and the voice acting is quite commendable in many parts.
The story is exceptionally well-crafted within a larger context that elevates it as one of the standouts in the series (without giving away any secrets). However, getting to this peak may require some patience, as it unfolds gradually. Despite their rather understated personalities, Erdrick and his comrades play pivotal roles, enhancing the narrative’s sense of importance and firmly establishing them as heroes. Simultaneously, the plot provides a compelling journey for the protagonist that promotes growth and intrigue.
Another appealing aspect of Dragon Quest 3 lies in the thrill of discovering the world, never knowing what surprises await. The remake offers useful guidance, such as a marker on the map showing your current objective at all times. Yet, you are free to explore alternate paths, like choosing the Promontory Passage over the Dreamer’s Tower and gathering its hidden treasures. Your approach could lead you to enter the Dreamer’s Tower in an unconventional manner. Despite seeming insignificant compared to modern RPGs, it’s still astonishing how immersive this aspect remains.
Though the initial landmass might seem enigmatic due to its many secrets, the awe-inspiring instant when the map fully unfurls and reveals its vast extent can’t help but feel wondrous.
The game effectively motivates you to explore its vastness. You might feel compelled to check in on Erdrick’s mother back home occasionally, where you can learn the skill to rest without spending money. Additionally, exploring the upper floors could lead to discovering hidden gold coins. This feature is also present in other aspects such as secret locations marked on the world map. These hidden gems may offer rewards like a sorcerer’s staff for your Mage, an item you hadn’t found at any vendors until then.
Even though the initial continent might seem shrouded in mystery, there’s a thrilling moment when the map unfolds completely, revealing its vast expanse. Whether it stirs a sense of nostalgia or not, I was eager to explore what awaited me across the rest of the world. Each new location held promises of undiscovered wonders and hidden secrets.
In any game from the Dragon Quest series, the crucial element is always combat, and if you’ve dabbled in the more contemporary titles, you’ll find it quite recognizable. It adopts a purely turn-based format, arranging your party members in a single line, while enemies are strategically placed on the opposite side based on their types. You might even use a wide-range spell such as Whoosh to eliminate a whole row of identical adversaries at once.
When the opposing side presents a more diverse range of potential dangers, it’s crucial to consider both their strengths and vulnerabilities. A well-designed battle system results, offering an effective blend of strategies while maintaining an engaging pace that prevents combat from becoming excessively repetitive.
“I also have an issue regarding the latest Monster Wrangler Profession. It acquires fewer skills at the beginning compared to the others, resulting in a lack of effective Tongue Lashes during the initial stages.
One exciting feature introduced in the remake of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is the Tactics system, enabling you to modify your party members’ battle strategies. You can set them to fight aggressively, employ a balanced approach combining offense and defense, or even take full control over their actions. While you have direct command over Erdrick, inflicting physical or magical damage as well as strategic healing when necessary, the AI manages the rest of your party.
With the addition of faster battle sequences, it guarantees that minor skirmishes can be quickly resolved, thereby enhancing the general flow as you traverse. This is essential because battles with adversaries are spontaneous, implying you don’t have the option to choose whether to engage them.
I’m open to this idea, as it aligns with the core mechanics of the original game (even though I didn’t usually need to grind in my playthrough). It would be beneficial if the remake included an option to sort or filter enemies based on their level range, reducing the amount of lower-level foes that don’t offer much experience or gold.
A more engaging experience could have been achieved by refining the game’s flow during travel, making it clearer when stronger adversaries are encountered so players can be cautious. While the current setup is acceptable, an additional option would have added value. Additionally, I found that the new Monster Wrangler Vocation lacked early abilities compared to others, resulting in fewer opportunities for Tongue Lashing at the start of gameplay.
If you’ve previously enjoyed any game from the Dragon Quest series, yearn for a return to one of its finest installments, or seek a top-notch role-playing game, the remake of Dragon Quest 3 in HD-2D format offers an unmissable gaming experience.
Beyond enhancing gameplay mechanics, there’s another notable shift – the visual upgrades. As a gaming enthusiast who appreciates the artistry of games like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy, I must say that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is visually captivating. The sprite work is crisp, with enemies standing out as particularly impressive, blending seamlessly with the intricate 3D environments. These environments are rich in detail, boasting real-time shadows and high-definition textures.
“The depth of field effect appears less impressive in certain areas, leading to more background blur than expected, especially on the PS5 version. Occasionally, I noticed some shaky shadows, but overall, the gameplay performs smoothly.
If you’ve dabbled in a Dragon Quest game previously, yearn to revisit a standout title from the series, or crave a top-tier RPG adventure, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is not to be missed. With a few minor hiccups, it highlights what made the original game exceptional while incorporating new elements that enhance combat and exploration. Whether Square Enix needed to produce this remake or not, it’s an outstanding update for one of the greatest games ever created.
This game was reviewed on PS5.
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2024-11-13 18:11