Following its debut with Octopath Traveler in 2017, the HD-2D art style has proven to be a powerful means of revitalizing classic titles from the 16-bit generation. This aesthetic not only evokes nostalgia for older games but also incorporates modern quality-of-life enhancements that alleviate some of the challenges experienced by players in the past. The 2022 remake of Live A Live, an underrated game from 1994, served as a promising indication of this approach, making Dragon Quest III—a cherished classic—an ideal candidate for a reimagining. Our initial impressions from the preview were quite favorable, leaving us eager to discover whether this remake stands as a timeless reinterpretation or becomes an experience others might wish to overlook.
Dragon Quest III is recognized as a prequel to the original Dragon Quest, though its emphasis lies more on adventure than intricate storytelling. After the introductory scenes, where your character receives a mission to defeat Baramos on behalf of their father, the narrative transitions mostly into an exploration-focused experience. The story unfolds through brief cutscenes that touch on localized challenges, appearing more like a collection of unique events rather than a cohesive journey toward a grand objective. The undertaking of saving the world suggests a significantly greater scope beyond simply tackling one adversary, and Dragon Quest III shines brightly in terms of worldbuilding. By interacting with various NPCs, players can uncover smaller side quests yielding valuable rewards, narrated with charming regional accents present in both text and sporadic English or Japanese voiceovers. Compared to contemporary titles, the amount of voice acting is reduced, yet it enhances the personality of each region.
Originally, players were meant to discern their next steps by engaging in conversations throughout the game world. However, new guided markers help direct players toward their immediate objectives if they find themselves confused or prefer to concentrate on the main storyline. Exploration is central to Dragon Quest III, and while players will encounter a few minor roadblocks, such as doors only accessible through specific keys—part of early game objectives—the vast world remains open for leisurely exploration, with plenty of surprises rewarding curiosity. Towns and cities hide useful items within pots and drawers, and glimmering points on the overworld provide various helpful loot. Secret areas may contain valuable treasures or even new monster companions for the Monster Arena. The Zoom spell allows players to revisit previously explored regions at any time, and the ever-changing day/night cycle dramatically alters the towns and cities, influencing NPC behavior.
The world within Dragon Quest III possesses deep historical and cultural significance, beautifully enhanced by the HD-2D visual style. Each location, while maintaining the original design, has been significantly expanded and altered, creating a fresh experience that feels entirely new. The impressive scale of architecture in cities looms large, while caves and dungeons have their minimalistic structure working to produce a sense of claustrophobic tension. Although there were some minor frame drops in busier environments and occasional blurriness that seemed slightly out of place, the game’s use of lighting is excellent, with depth frequently showcased through fixed camera angles, as foreground items temporarily come into focus. Sprites have also been improved, displaying greater animation and detail during attacks, and flashy visual effects highlight their spells sophistication.
Combat is turn-based, demanding strategic engagement from players, with success hinging on effective use of the Vocation system. This simplified iteration of the Job/Class mechanics prevalent in modern RPGs allows players to choose from familiar archetypes such as Warrior, Thief, and Mage, each with unique spells and abilities. Character growth mainly depends on randomly assigned personalities at the time of hiring, influencing the stats. When a character reaches level 20, they can switch to a new Vocation, resetting their level to 1, while keeping a portion of stats and learned abilities. This system distinguishes itself from contemporary RPGs, where players typically choose to stick to a single class for the entire experience or upgrade to advanced classes later on.
Level progression in Dragon Quest III is intentionally slow, encouraging players to frequently change Vocations for a more diverse skill set or adapt their team to counter enemy strengths and weaknesses. This system is crucial: the HD-2D Remake presents a noteworthy challenge, demanding precision and caution. For newcomers to traditional RPGs, the game may prove quite daunting, while seasoned players may find themselves facing frustrating game overs. Enemies possess a range of aggressive tactics, from ambushing players to healing one another, inflicting lasting status ailments, and attacking multiple times, making encounters feel punishing, especially due to the high random encounter rate.
Overall, the game demands a careful strategy and diligent preparation to mitigate the risk of losing your party. The experience gained per battle is minimal, and buying better equipment from shops can be costly. This difficulty is not unique to Dragon Quest III and shouldn’t be seen purely as a downside, but it could deter some players. In the HD-2D Remake, the adjustments made to lessen the challenge could be perceived as insufficient. The easiest mode, Dracky Quest, only prevents HP from dropping to 1, alleviating some frustrations but failing to tackle the relentless enemy encounter rate or the extensive preparations required for boss fights. It feels more like a temporary solution for those who might struggle rather than a true quality-of-life improvement.
In summary, the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake successfully maintains the essence of the original game, offering an immersive adventure set within a vibrant and culturally rich world filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered, as well as challenges sure to test both newcomers and veterans alike. The HD-2D graphics do justice to the original design, enhancing the depth and detail of the world and significantly improving upon the previous mobile version. While further accessibility features could have broadened its appeal, it remains a memorable experience that players will treasure. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is set to launch on Nintendo Switch on November 14, 2024.
8/10
A copy of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for Nintendo Switch was provided by Square Enix for the purpose of this review.