Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review – One of the Best Returns

Dragon Quest III has remained a favorite among JRPG fans. News of a remake, which features HD-2D graphics similar to Live A Live, left players excited to experience this new take on a classic. Square Enix’s commitment to remaking beloved titles has proven to be a great move, as it gives newcomers, and returning fans a reason to return. With Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, fans can look forward to an experience that’s visually stunning, and retains what made the original so beloved.

Compared to the original game, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake stays faithful to its roots, while introducing new elements that set it apart. One of biggest additions is voice acting for key scenes, which adds depth to the story. While the plot is largely unchanged, fans of the original may notice towns and character names were changed. Additionally, the remake expands on Erdrick’s lore; offers new insight on the journey of Ortega; and much more.

The Start of an Epic Journey

For newcomers, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake follows the protagonist, a young hero destined to vanquish a great evil. Upon reaching his sixteenth birthday, the hero is summoned by the King of Aliahan, and is tasked with saving the world by defeating the Archfiend, Baramos. Throughout this perilous journey, players explore diverse regions; uncover the fate of his father, Ortega; and delve into the lore of Erdrick, the legendary hero of the Dragon Quest series.

During the protagonist’s quest to defeat Baramos, players will enlist the help of various mercenaries. At the start of the adventure up to three characters can be recruited. Like in the original game, players choose from various starting classes, or “vocations.” These are traditional options like Warrior, Mage, or Priest. These classes can be upgraded after meeting certain requirements, like reaching level 20 and obtaining a special book, though this requires starting over at level one.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake introduces a new vocation called Monster Wrangler, which allows players to capture monsters, and use their abilities. This gives players a wide range of supportive/offensive skills to overcome the various challenges present on this adventure. If Monster Wrangler doesn’t suit your style, there are other vocations to choose from, such as Thief, Sage, and more. With the variety of monsters encountered on the journey to defeat Baramos, it’s ideal for players to mix and match vocations to create a balanced and powerful party.

As someone who played the original game, I really appreciate the quality-of-life improvements in the remake. The original Dragon Quest III had a combat system that could sometimes feel slow and tedious, but in the remake, players can speed up combat. There are also various options for auto-battle, which is especially helpful given how quickly enemy levels increase. For those who prefer the original experience, said improvements can be disabled. Another improvement I love is the modernized UI, and dynamic battle animations, which make the experience even more engaging.

Catching monsters has long been a staple in the Dragon Quest series, and in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this feature makes a welcome return. The new Monster Wrangler class is enhanced by the addition of Monster Arena, and the ability to capture monsters. With so many different creatures to catch, players using the Monster Wrangler can explore a wide variety of strategies, making this class both fun, and versatile to play. Additionally, Monster Arena allows players to pit their monsters against others. Winning battles in the arena rewards players with items, gold, or even mini-medals, adding extra incentive to collect and train a powerful team.

The progression in the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake stays true to the original. Players travel from one town to the next, but now there’s less worry about getting lost. By opening the town or world map, players can easily view their next objective. Additionally, if players come across an important scene, they can save it by pressing the start button, allowing that moment to be recalled at any time. These features make exploring Alefgard more manageable by mitigating some of the originals shortcomings.

Amazing Designs

The main highlight of the remake is the stunning reimagined visuals. Fans of other HD-2D titles will appreciate the new aesthetic. Character and NPCs look fantastic, as do classic locations with their new 3D backdrops. Coupled with voice acting in key scenes, the overall presentation sets this remake apart as one of the most beautifully crafted updates of a classic game.

For players considering Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake on the go, I’m happy to confirm that the game is Steam Deck verified. It runs exceptionally well on the device, maintaining a smooth 60 FPS for roughly 10-13 watts. This efficient performance allows for approximately 3.5 hours of gameplay on a single charge. Fortunately, the game is easy on hardware requirements, and performs well on other handheld PCs as well. To balance performance and battery life, players don’t need to adjust many settings—the game runs beautifully on max settings at 720p, which is optimal for the Steam Deck.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review Verdict

Editor’s Note: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was reviewed on PC, and a copy was provided to us for review purposes.