Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Reviews
Some excellent enhancements make this the ultimate version of Dragon Quest III, but it could still do more to make it wholly welcoming to newcomers.
Square Enix has taken one of the most beloved Dragon Quest games and given it a heavy visual uplift along with a slew of quality-of-life improvements.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is welcoming for newcomers, a fan's dream, and a truly timeless classic.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is how a classic game should be remade. The new graphics style brings Dragon Quest III into the modern era while maintaining the original iconic designs. The quality-of-life improvements also make the 36-year-old game feel modern without sacrificing the core elements of the original experience.
A vast fantasy romp whose charming, breezy tone is occasionally threatened by little irritations and ugly stereotypes.
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.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a wonderful way to play a classic of the genre, with gorgeous visuals and super fast combat.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D is unapologetically a remake made for long-time series fans. Anyone looking for a faithful representation of the classic game with updated graphics will get precisely that. The addition of Ortega's backstory is mildly interesting, but it doesn't elevate the story, which remains extremely basic. Gameplay and exploration remain the highlights of Dragon Quest III HD-2D and will provide hours of enjoyment for turn-based RPG enthusiasts. While it might serve as an entry point for newcomers to the franchise, its mechanics stand in contrast to what many expect from a contemporary RPG, potentially deterring them within a few hours.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is probably one of the best remakes I’ve ever played. Doubly so, as it nails what made the original game so special.
Even among modern JRPGs, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake surprises with the great freedom it offers in the gameplay (even at the cost of sacrificing the narrative facet). And thanks to this new version and its improvements, we can discover a little piece of video game history in its final version.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake gives an NES classic the royal treatment it deserves.
I admit, as fun as it looked with its shiny, new coat of paint and new features to play with, I approached Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake with some cynicism. How couldn’t I with a title like that? Seriously, it sounds more like I bought a used car than played a video game. But the charm and timelessness of Dragon Quest 3 will shine through anything, and having it on a big screen and operating like a modern game was admittedly exciting. For all the bells, whistles, and flourishes, this is still the classic adventure that inspired millions of players over thirty years ago. A polish job like this just makes it shine brighter.
A classic entry in the series comes back revamped in many aspect less the major ones such as combat system and generally balancing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a wonderful new version of perhaps the single most influential JRPG. It isn't a top-to-bottom remake or a surprising meta-retelling – it's classic Dragon Quest, brighter and better than ever.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, while not the definitive edition that includes all of the previous side content, embodies the perfect version of Erdrick's adventure that both old and new fans can appreciate as if a brand new adventure from Yuji Horii.
Make no mistake, this is definitely the superior version of Dragon Quest III. The modern mechanics and slick visuals strike that balance between retro and modern sensibilities. Combat is as easy or as difficult as you need it to be. I wish the auto-battle system was less powerful, but it’s still an optional mechanic. Beyond all my gripes about it, playing this game was still a relaxing, compelling experience. I love level grinding, scouring dungeons, and taking down nasty monsters. The story is simple, but in a sweeping, grand fashion perfectly suited for Dragon Quest. Whether or not you’ve played the original, you’ll have a great time with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
There's a Shakespearean love story that has cursed a village, a wayward king waiting for the right opportunity to get rid of the crown, a fantasy world modelled on our own, and a story that has decisively influenced Japanese fiction: Dragon Quest III is an invaluable piece of history, and this remake is the best way to play it. Provided you are able to stomach a dose of antiquated mechanics.
Review in Italian | Read full review
That eternal Dragon Quest charm is especially potent in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake - a thoughtful repackaging of a classic RPG. With its quality of life additions and delightful 3D visuals, it's easy to argue that this is the adventure's definitive form - even if some of its structural weaknesses remain in place.
Dragon Quest 3 Remake is a real sweet that brings us back to a time we sometimes miss terribly. With its beautiful 2D-HD graphics, reorchestrated music, non-negligible comfort options, excellent full French translation and sometimes timid new features, Artdink Corporation and Team Asano deliver the best version of one of the founding episodes of the license. A game that is good for nostalgia and whose touches of modernity sublimate a timeless work. A must for lovers of the saga and fans of turn-by-turn role-playing games and a very good gateway for neophytes.
Review in French | Read full review
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is the definitive version of one of the pillars of this industry. With this title, Square Enix has made it clear that they are capable of honoring the extensive legacy they have, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Final Fantasy VI or Chrono Trigger will get this treatment in the future. Make no mistake, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is one of the best remakes ever, and something that everyone should play.
Review in Spanish | Read full review