Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake review: Guess who’s back, back again?

by

As a seasoned gamer who’s been around the block a few times, I can confidently say that remakes are like old friends you meet again, some better looking and some not so much. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake falls squarely into the “better looking” category, even if its name could use a bit of a makeover too.

Recently, I’ve been pondering: What factors make a video game remake worthwhile? It appears that the answer is highly dependent on the game being revamped. For instance, I might question the purpose of a remake like Resident Evil 4, but then be utterly captivated by something like Romancing SaGa 2. The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake (such an intriguing title!) seems to straddle the line between necessity and value. It’s arguably one of the least essential remakes ever made, yet due to its updated appearance and the timeless charm of the original, it continues to offer a captivating and soothing journey.

A re-re-re-re-remake of a classic

If you’ve ever experienced Dragon Quest 3, be it the NES version, the SNES remake, the Game Boy Color edition, or the mobile update – essentially any iteration of this game – you’re already familiar with what awaits. This is a timeless role-playing game odyssey, arguably the epitome of the genre. It’s the game that sparked those “Dragon Quest Day” tales, and in Japan, it remains the ultimate representation of RPGs. A glimpse into your childhood memories reveals why. Dragon Quest 3 offers a grand adventure with an engaging premise, a vast world to traverse filled with hidden gems and unsolved enigmas, and a flexible party system that empowers you to shape your own storyline.

In a fresh take on the original HD-2D version, this remake offers an abundance of features and more. The visual aesthetics are undoubtedly the star attraction, built upon and enhanced since its introduction in Octopath Traveler. There’s a unique twist here – instead of traditional pixel art, the environments and characters have been given a modern touch. The landscapes are fully developed, while the characters maintain a distinctive 2D style that isn’t merely imitative. This game also showcases the incredible monster designs by the late master Akira Toriyama, with humorous sound effects and the most intricate 2D animation these creatures have ever experienced. Even if the HD-2D concept doesn’t appeal to you, there can be no argument against the ambition behind creating an NES game that looks this stunning.

Doing a great job with jobs

I particularly enjoy Dragon Quest games that incorporate the “Vocation” system, as I find character customization through classes or jobs to be engaging. The appeal lies in the ability to modify and enhance my characters, especially when the effort invested leads to significant rewards. This remake of Dragon Quest 3 enhances its Vocation system to resemble modern games more closely, offering numerous reasons to develop multiple characters across various vocations. As you switch between roles, your character grows stronger and gains access to a wider range of abilities. The time spent grinding is rewarded with improved and diverse characters. Furthermore, you can now customize their appearance and voices, which is an exciting new feature! It’s quite unusual to hear voice acting in traditional Dragon Quest games, but it’s been included in this remake!

Finding things and finding your way

Another new feature I wasn’t super into is the monster arena. Other games in the series have had similar minigames, but the way this one is implemented feels awkward. It’s essentially a scavenger hunt, with monsters hiding out in the world and appearing under certain conditions. Once you see one you have to sneak up on it using the right item or ability, that is unless you have a Monster Wrangler on your team. This new Vocation is neat, getting strange new abilities based on how many monsters you’ve found. I used the class and had fun seeking out monsters, but the arena itself was kind of a dud. When you find a monster it comes at a set level, and doesn’t power up until you find another of the same species. Since monsters are rare and some are pretty tough to find, you can end up in a situation where you simply don’t have the stats to progress in the arena. In that way it doesn’t feel functionally distinct from finding mini medals, which are also in the game.

Beyond minor disagreements, this classic game now offers an array of advanced navigation tools, making it simpler to explore and determine your destination. Previously, finding your way might require a mix of guesswork or interacting with every character for hints, which you’d then have to remember correctly. Now, there’s a “Recall” feature that saves significant information like dialogues, signs, and hints in a menu for easy access. Additionally, you can set waypoints for main objectives or choose not to use them if detailed guidance isn’t your preference. As someone with a poor memory for specific details, I found these options incredibly useful, as they let me navigate independently without needing to consult old guides.

Previously released guides might not have been entirely useful in any case, since this re-make incorporates fresh content into the narrative (and sometimes presents things differently from the original). This allows for a deeper exploration of the hero’s journey as he follows his father’s path, giving you a glimpse into some of your father’s past adventures instead of merely hearing tales about them. The new elements don’t transform the storytelling into something entirely different from its origins on the Famicom, but it’s enjoyable to have fresh material if you’ve already played Dragon Quest 3 multiple times.

Initially, I must confess that despite its gleaming fresh coat of paint and updated features, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake stirred up a touch of skepticism in me. After all, the title itself seemed more fitting for a pre-owned vehicle than a video game. Yet, the endearing quality and timelessness of Dragon Quest 3 is undeniable, making it an attractive prospect to have it on a larger screen and modernized for gameplay.

On November 14, 2024, you’ll be able to play the remastered Dragon Quest 3 in HD-2D on your PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For the purpose of this review, I was given a PC code by the publisher.

Read More

2024-11-13 21:28