Summary
- DQ3's plot is iconic and includes swerves and diverse character interactions.
- New scenarios in the remake focus on Ortega, which flesh out DQ3's already-famous story.
- Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake needs to balance Ortega's new story content properly to preserve the spirit of the original game.
After years of waiting, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has suddenly drawn close to its release. By adopting one of the most popular practices Square Enix has used for its modern “old-school” turn-based RPGs, the all-time classic Dragon Quest 3 has assumed its most enticing form yet. Thanks to Dragon Quest 11, the Dragon Quest franchise has become much more popular and well-known in the West, making now the ideal time to bring this particular entry, which has already been remade multiple times, into what may be its final form.
To make this iteration count, Square Enix has pulled out all the stops to make Dragon Quest 3 feel as modern as any other contemporary game. Voice acting in multiple languages, multiple difficulty levels, completely remade assets, and even new content like superbosses will be added to this HD-2D Remake. Not only that, but Dragon Quest 3’s two predecessors and chronological sequels, Dragon Quest 1 and 2, are also being remade. It's clear that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is stepping up its game, but it needs to make sure that it doesn't overstep its boundaries while adding to the original game’s narrative.
Dragon Quest's New HD-2D Remakes are Bittersweet News for DQ12
Although news of even more HD-2D Dragon Quest remakes is exciting, they might be bad news for the unreleased Dragon Quest 12.
Dragon Quest Has A Very Particular Relationship With Story
Dragon Quest is typically known for its straightforward storylines, emphasizing its identity as a back-to-basics fantasy RPG that follows a group of explorers who delve into dungeons and fight to save the land. Its story and characters can't be dismissed, as they contribute a lot to the best Dragon Quest entries, but on the whole, it's easy to stereotype Dragon Quest as having fewer involved plotlines than Final Fantasy and its other RPG peers. Although true to an extent, Dragon Quest 3 did a lot more for the series’ storytelling than many realize.
Dragon Quest 3’s Plot Is Too Iconic To Mess Up
Back in its day, the reveal that Dragon Quest 3 was a prequel to its fellow Erdrick Trilogy games was a big deal. The various swerves it took were also more involved than what Dragon Quest 1 and 2 offered, and while they seem quaint today, having a large named cast participating in multiple plotlines was groundbreaking for a game that came out just after Final Fantasy 1. Even the main Hero gets in on the narrative action, following in the footsteps of their legendary father, Ortega, while also trying to figure out what happened to him. That's where DQ3 HD-2D comes in.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake’s New Scenarios Are Risky Endeavors
Ortega’s original quest is slated to be the subject of new sequences in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, giving extra context to his pivotal journey and interactions with certain other characters. Considering how often players hear about what Ortega has done or what has allegedly happened to him in the original Dragon Quest 3, this is a major addition to DQ3's remake. It has the potential to radically change the context of certain minor characters alluded to in the original game, as well as let the player fight several major foes exclusive to Ortega’s quest, but it also comes with a major risk.
New Story Elements Could Make Or Break Dragon Quest’s Remakes
Dragon Quest 3’s importance within its franchise cannot be understated. It's not a stretch to describe DQ3 as fundamental to Japanese gaming culture. Even surrounded by straightforward writing and existing inferences to Ortega’s story, any additions to DQ3’s lore will be under heavy scrutiny. They could prove worthwhile, fleshing out the setting more and possibly even connecting to Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake to better the whole Erdrick Trilogy, but also risk upsetting DQ3’s original pacing and tone. It's too soon to say how it will turn out, but if it’s handled with as much care as the rest of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, then everything should work out in the end.
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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
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy.
Story:
Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos. Ortega failed his quest, and Baramos still threatens the world. Now, on their sixteenth birthday, Ortega’s only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortega’s quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.
A fully modernized remake of the original:
Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, bringing players into the world of DRAGON QUEST III like never before, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements.
Traditional DRAGON QUEST style battles:
A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more.
Immersive world:
Deep exploration of a vast world map with an abundance of rich and captivating locations to discover, challenging players to overcome many unexpected encounters during the journey.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Dragon Quest
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
