Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is the best-case scenario for a faithful remake of a classic roleplaying game, and a shining example for developers to follow when setting out to revisit old, beloved adventures. It spruces up the 36-year-old original with great quality-of-life improvements that enhance the journey without unrecognizably transforming it, along with a beautiful new coat of paint that proves Dragon Quest and the HD-2D art style are a perfect match. But it only works as well as it does because Dragon Quest III is still an incredible RPG in its own right, with great turn-based battles, a highly-adaptable class system, and an intriguing world to uncover that’s littered with secrets. There are only a few areas where I wish it felt a bit more modern, like the clunky inventory management and your party’s lack of personality, but I still respect its unflinching dedication to the original’s vision. Remakes may be all the rage right now, but Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake still confidently stands among the best of them, and is a perfect reminder of why the original is one of the most important RPGs in the genre.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D is a masterclass in how to give an old game a modern update. The stunning graphics, combined with the captivating music, create an impressive audiovisual experience. But it's mainly the gameplay improvements, the new story segments with Ortega, and the delightful feeling of exploring the world that make Dragon Quest III HD-2D capable of providing you with many dozens of hours of gameplay enjoyment. Bring on the remakes of parts one and two.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake made me a fan of Dragon Quest. This remake is an excellent introduction to Square Enix’s third RPG pillar.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake manages to bring together the best of both worlds: the charm and freedom of old-school games with the comfort and fluidity of modern titles. This starts from a visual point of view with a more successful HD-2D style than ever that looks like an achievement for Team Asano. Controller in hand, the adventure benefits from so many comfort options that it becomes more fluid than ever and modular to satisfy all audiences. Thanks to all this, we find with great pleasure the feeling of freedom typical of Famicom games with gameplay that shines as much by its simplicity as by the combinations offered. And if we can criticize it for the structure of its dungeons, some less beautiful environments and its technique on Switch, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake still succeeds in its bet to bring back to taste a timeless classic in the best possible conditions.

With Dragon Quest 3, it really feels like Square Enix has cemented itself as the king of remakes and remasters. From Final Fantasy 7 Remake, to Star Ocean 2, and now this — Square Enix has consistently shown why remakes can be meaningful and the role they play in the larger ecosystem of video games. Dragon Quest 3 isn’t just a rehash of a tremendously influential RPG, it’s a chance to really reinforce why this game was so important in the first place. That creates a bridge for new fans to get into the wide world of Dragon Quest while honoring the lasting legacy this game has left...But more than anything, it’s proof of why this franchise has endured for decades — Dragon Quest 3 is a chance to step into an enrapturing fantasy world where fears and worries melt away, and where the hero really does save the day. Good prevailing over evil is a simple joy, and that’s the beauty of it.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D helps bring a hugely important game to a wider audience. It’s not much more than a classic RPG, but the quality still shines through decades later. This might not have the archival material of some of the video game museum games that have come out lately, but it feels of a similar disposition as them because this is taking a titanic landmark game and giving it the tender loving care it deserves so it can be enjoyed by even more players in the current age. There might have been better RPGs made in the past 35 years, but most of them likely wouldn’t be as good as they are without Dragon Quest III leading the way.

I don't have much to complain about in this Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. I've completed the game on version 1.0.0 on Nintendo Switch and I haven't experienced any lag or bugs. The only downside is that it's Dragon Quest III. If you're not used to this kind of game, where you need to spend a lot of your time fighting to level up in an ever-increasing loop of hours, this might not be for you. But if you want to get to grips with the mythos and get swept up in a classic story with unparalleled visuals, then Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is your gateway to the series.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is an incredible game for fans of classic JRPGs and a great update of a timeless masterpiece with numerous quality of life improvements and beautiful graphics. While its difficulty may be somewhat high and its performance on Nintendo Switch is not optimal, this game is still a gem that we recommend you not to miss.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a delicious serve of JRPG comfort food. It’s got depth that kept me experimenting with new party setups, challenging enough situations to really test them, and an overall story that’s keeps things interesting from start to finish with a beautiful visual style and music to match.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a faithful recreation that respects and celebrates the best this classic JRPG has to offer.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has some points where it doesn't evolve enough and is somewhat simple in its story. However, that doesn't stop you from enjoying a colorful and fantastic adventure in a reimagining that respects the classic and brings it closer to modern audiences.

The legendary Dragon Quest III comes back to life with a perfect homage in the form of a remake. A challenging RPG that grips with its mechanics and charismatic world, although the passage of time hasn’t been kind to it.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake does an excellent job at preserving the spirit of the original game, cultivating a satisfying sense of adventure in a richly detailed and culturally diverse world that is teeming with hidden secrets to discover, and challenges that will test the skills (and often the patience) of newcomers and veterans alike. The HD-2D visuals more than live up to the name and add a new level of depth and detail to the world that make it a joy to explore, elevating the remake far beyond its previous mobile port. Although more could certainly have been done to make this more accessible to a wider audience, it remains an adventure that you’ll not soon forget.

Even among modern JRPGs, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is surprising for the great freedom it offers in terms of gameplay (even at the cost of sacrificing the narrative aspect). And thanks to this new version and its improvements, we can discover a little piece of video game history in its definitive version.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake gives an NES classic the royal treatment it deserves.

For a game that I’ve played a half-dozen or more times over on almost equally as many systems, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake definitely feels like the version I’d most recommend. It’s a beautiful remake of one the oldest JRPG classics, one that holds up to this day as an amazing game. The visual flourishes make everything a more fulfilling adventure to take part in, with something exciting to experience around the corner for newcomer and series veteran alike. Seeing all the game has to offer this old fan, I’m even more excited to see what changes are in store for the first two games in the series when they get their HD-2D Remake next year.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is one of the most faithful remakes I’ve ever played, for better and for worse. If, like me, you’ve played a version of this wonderful game recently, it might not be worth spending the cash on a new version that is functionally almost identical and left me wanting more. If you’ve never played DQ3 before, though, there’s no doubt that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is the best way to play one of the most iconic games in the series’ history.

It's been a long time coming, and we’re happy to report that Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake largely lives up to expectations. Disappointing performance issues aside, this is a faithful adaptation of a treasured RPG classic that elevates its strongest aspects while doing its best to make up for any shortcomings. Some may be put off by its relative simplicity but, refreshingly, it neither overstays its welcome nor spreads itself thin with too many half-baked ideas. It goes without saying that fans of the original will want to snap this up, but if you’re looking for a good ‘entry-level’ RPG or you just want to know what the long-running franchise is all about, Dragon Quest III is the game for you.