Countless video games of varying genres have embraced the pure notion of adventure, but that approach has grown in scale and complexity over the years. For that broad reason alone, the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has been one of my most anticipated titles since its initial announcement over three years ago.
Dragon Quest, especially its mainline entries, usually embraces simplicity with its overall progression. And in an incredibly jam-packed time of releases, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake seems to be an ideal palette cleanser to wrap up the year. Now, after fifteen hours of this gorgeous adventure, it’s clear that Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake won’t appeal to all newcomers by default. Instead, it’s a promising revisit that sticks to its roots above all else. These thoughts come after playing the game, but if you missed it, check out our previous coverage for more hands-on features.
A Timeless Story in Stunning HD-2D Graphics
The opening hours of Dragon Quest III HD-2D signal a simple yet effective premise. The silent protagonist is tasked with becoming the destined hero of their world following the assumed failure of their father, Ortega, several years ago. This collective task consists of reaching and defeating the dark lord Baramos, and the main character’s mother hesitantly and proudly sets their child off on this gargantuan mission. Still, they’re not alone, as the player is tasked with forming a four-person party with three blank-slate characters.
First and foremost, it’s worth establishing that Dragon Quest III HD-2D is not a narrative-heavy or character-focused experience. The early hours have signaled that nothing has changed in the foundational directions of this genre-defining quest, and that may not click with everyone. This game thrives on the heart of adventuring, and if you click with that, you’ll be in for a densely packed ride.
An Unmatched Visual Experience
As someone who has played the original Dragon Quest III, albeit via the unsightly Switch port, the sheer presentation of Dragon Quest III HD-2D is nothing short of astounding. The lighting on the character models and environments breathes an unprecedented degree of vibrancy into these familiar sights to the point where, despite structural familiarities, the jarring upgrade in quality makes it all innately new. The HD-2D art style is old news by now, but this latest release is an inarguable testament to how stunning it can be when pulled off well.
The world map is especially impressive, feeling what I imagine fans of the original NES version felt when they first gazed upon it. It’s a gorgeous vista of color and distinction that makes every location stand out. Further, one of the most abundantly noticeable facets of this remake is how grander the world map is in scope, thanks to hidden areas and collectibles scattered about. Additionally, when considering the day and night cycle, which impacts the towns’ inhabitants and the presence of recruitable monsters, it’s clear that exploration is at the heart of this journey.
A Classic Gameplay Style That Won’t Suit Everyone
Still, as mentioned earlier regarding not necessarily appealing to newcomers, the encounter rate here can be a turn-off for those unfamiliar with these older experiences. Unlike other games such as Star Ocean The Second Story R, Dragon Quest III HD-2D doesn’t feature its monsters on the world map. They’re randomly stumbled upon, and the rate at which this occurs is rather frequent. Admittedly, depending on your class, you can learn a skill that lessens the encounter rate of weaker enemies, but that’s more meant for backtracking and the like. As a result, you need to be open to the notion of continuous encounters since that isn’t really a factor you can ignore.
Final Thoughts on the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
There’s plenty more to say about Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, though I’ll have to refrain for the sake of the full review next month. Regardless, it should be evident that this revisit isn’t redefining the adventure into something it never was for vaster appeal. In its barest form, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake embraces its origins with a few gameplay enhancements and an endearing coat of paint. So, I’m looking forward to the rest of this classic experience once more (to be honest, I’m actually at the end game as of the time of this writing).
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on November 15, 2024
