The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is being praised as a standout reimagining of a classic JRPG. Its HD-2D aesthetic blends retro pixel art with modern 3D visuals, creating a strikingly vibrant and nostalgic experience. Quality-of-life improvements like auto-saves, rebalanced difficulty options, and modernized exploration enhance accessibility without sacrificing the charm of the original gameplay.

Critics commend its faithfulness to the 1988 game, though some note that its simplicity might not appeal to everyone. Performance issues and small text sizes on certain platforms are minor drawbacks. Overall, it’s celebrated as the definitive way to experience this legendary RPG.

The story of a hero to be

Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend Baramos. Ortega failed his quest, and Baramos still threatens the world. Now, on their 16th 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.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake key features:

A fully modernised remake of the original classic

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 modernised 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.

Experience a timeless musical score

An immersive, authentic and diverse musical composition that captures the timeless essence and magic of the Dragon Quest universe.

Verdict:

Critics generally praise the remake, with ratings like 4.5/5 from Hardcore Gamer and 8.5/10 from God is a Geek. It’s an ideal choice for series veterans and a great entry point for newcomers to experience the charm of a timeless RPG. If you’re drawn to visually captivating retro-style games with a modern twist, this title is a must-play.

System Requirements

Minimum:
    Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    OS: Windows® 10 / Windows® 11 64-bit
    Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200 / Intel® Core™ i3-6100
    Memory: 8 GB RAM
    Graphics: AMD Radeon™ RX 460 / Intel® Arc™ A380 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 750
    DirectX: Version 12
    Storage: 20 GB available space
    Additional Notes: 1280x720, Graphics Preset "Lowest", 60FPS. 16GB RAM required when using Intel Arc GPU.

Recommended:
    Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    OS: Windows® 10 / Windows® 11 64-bit
    Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200 / Intel® Core™ i3-6100
    Memory: 8 GB RAM
    Graphics: AMD Radeon™ RX 470 / Intel® Arc™ A580 / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060
    DirectX: Version 12
    Storage: 20 GB available space
    Additional Notes: 1920x1080, Graphics Preset "Highest", 60FPS. 16GB RAM required when using Intel Arc GPU.

Pros

Visual and Musical Excellence: The game utilizes Square Enix's HD-2D style, blending 3D environments with pixel art, creating a nostalgic yet modern experience. The orchestral remaster of the soundtrack elevates the atmosphere, especially for fans of the series.
Enhanced Gameplay Features: Quality-of-life improvements, such as auto-save after battles and the introduction of a God Mode, make it accessible to newcomers without losing its traditional challenge. Features like the day-night cycle and the Recall function enrich exploration and questing.
Classic RPG Elements Retained: The game stays true to its roots, offering strategic turn-based combat, meaningful side quests, and challenging progression through grinding and exploration.
Monster Collecting and Arena: The inclusion of monster recruitment and battling in the Monster Arena adds a unique layer of strategy and fun.

Cons

Performance Issues: Some platforms experience minor performance hiccups, particularly during graphically intense sequences.
Simplistic Mechanics: While the game stays true to its origins, its straightforward gameplay may feel limited for players seeking more complex RPG systems.
Random Targeting in Combat: The inability to select specific enemies within a group can be frustrating, as attacks may miss optimal targets.