Being the developer of a beloved, storied franchise like Dragon Quest is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the series has built up a large fan base that is fully invested and will purchase every new entry without question. On the other, it can be difficult to attract new fans, who may find the prospect of bringing themselves up to speed on the series to be a little overwhelming. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D's developer is well aware of this challenge.
The Best War Games spoke with producer Masaaki Hayasaka (via translation) at Gamescom 2024 to discuss how, despite the original game's legacy, the new project will be a great opportunity to discover Dragon Quest for the first time. Even though it's one of the most popular JRPG series of all time, there are likely still many RPG fans who want to hop in but haven't yet, and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is the perfect time for those to jump in, according to Hayasaka.
Every Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Class Explained
With Dragon Quest 3 being remade for modern consoles, it's worth taking a look at what players can expect from its class system.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Should Please Both Old and New Fans Alike
For new Dragon Quest fans who are deciding what the best entry point will be, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake should be a standout choice. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is not the first game of the Erdrick trilogy to be released, but it is the first chronologically, with Square Enix planning to follow this release with remakes of the other two titles as well. This release timeline will cater to both old and new fans, giving those nostalgic and interested an experience worthy of its original masterpiece status. As Hayasaka said,
"I think what I want to say to Dragon Quest fans, even to those people who haven't played Dragon Quest yet, maybe they've heard of it, but they've not jumped in. I know that there are a lot of people still, particularly outside of Japan, who are new to the series. We really think that this will be a great entry point, somewhere that a new fan can jump in, or maybe an older fan can rediscover the series."
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D's Simplicity Could Attract Newcomers to the Series
Modern-day gaming can be a complex experience. Photo-realistic visuals don't always provide the escape from reality that some gamers seek. Complex, layered gameplay mechanics can take a while for players to learn in an age where not every gamer has the luxury of time. Some prefer a simpler experience, one that they can dive in and out of, and one that provides a colorful, welcoming alternative to AAA games. Masaaki went on to say that, for those gamers in particular, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D should provide respite.
"There are lots of games out there, particularly AAA games that are super photo realistic, and there's so much content to explore, it can perhaps be a little overwhelming. I think that what Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D has is a very distinctive visual style. It's approachable, and it has a kind of simplicity to it because it is, after all, a remake of a 40-year-old game. Compared to a lot of modern games, there's that sort of relaxing, simple gameplay that I think might be a breath of fresh air for a lot of players."
It certainly seems like the studio has its target market in mind. If Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D's simplistic, stylistic gameplay is able to attract these players, in addition to its regular fans, then the game should enjoy a successful launch when it releases later in the year.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- November 14, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Artdink
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Dragon Quest
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
