Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Reviews
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is the best way to experience this RPG classic. With new QoL features, expanded story content, and a gorgeous new visual style, this is an unmatched entry in the whole franchise. And while there are a few things that feel dated, it still stands out as a masterpiece of the genre.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake offers an experience that respects and enhances the legacy of the original game. It maintains the soul of the classic game but the combination of an improved and expanded narrative, quality of life improvements, the refinement of mechanics and a superb audiovisual section makes this remake a mandatory gem for any player who likes JRPGs, knows or not the original game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a fantastic re-imagining of one of the best entries in the Dragon Quest series, even if it misses some quality-of-life improvements I would have loved to see. The game is drop-dead gorgeous and has a solid gameplay loop that I enjoyed. The extra features to speed up battles and automatically let your team fight helps with late-game grinding, and the vocation system is a joy to play around with. The new content is also a nice touch, and I particularly enjoyed playing with the new Monster Tamer vocation. However, there are some little nuisances here and there that I wish were touched on. Some of the text can take a long time to read, with some unnecessary pauses, which is in stark contrast to how fast-paced other parts of the game are, and it ends up feeling like a nuisance. It's small in the grand scheme, but it happens in almost every battle or whenever you need to save, and many other JRPGs go a lot faster when doing something similar. However, Dragon Quest 3 is a joy to play on the Steam Deck. The small compromises don't hinder the performance and playability of the Steam Deck, and it deserves that Verified badge it has. Regardless of how you play it, whether you want better battery life or 60 FPS, it will be wonderful no matter what.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is an enjoyable JRPG with an engaging story, beautiful world, hidden treasures, deep dungeons, and challenging battles, enhanced by quality-of-life upgrades that make it more accessible; it's a nostalgic treat for fans and a worthy entry for newcomers, showing why the series is beloved—and with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake completing the trilogy next year, I’ll definitely be back for more.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
While it’s perhaps not quite as necessary these days to form long lines to purchase Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, playing the most up-to-date version of this legendary JRPG is equally as encouraged today as it was back then.
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.
Is this really the definitive version of Dragon Quest III? Is this the version with all the content from all the other versions? Nope, not everything from the Gameboy Color version has been added. Is this the best version of the game? In my opinion, yes. Combat could have been balanced a bit better with fewer fights that for no reason suddenly give you a game over screen. The extra vocation, the stories of Ortega, the monster arena and all the other small quality of life additions limit the damage and ensure that this has once again become a fantastic remake.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Even more than 26 years after its original release, Dragon Quest III has lost none of its likeable adventure flair. Although the HD-2D Remake could have been more modernized here and there, this does not change the fact that this is the best version of the JRPG classic.
Review in German | Read full review
An excellent new take on one of the true classics of the JRPG genre. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake offers newcomers a wonderful entry point while also giving veterans a reason to tackle this quest again.
Square Enix and Artdink have gone above and beyond to make sure this has been modernized and enhanced so that first-time players will have just as magical an experience as those who played the original in 1988. That’s the sign of passion and exactly what a remake should be
I really appreciate Square-Enix going the extra mile to ensure one of the JRPG genre’s most celebrated early examples is available with a lot of thought and effort put into it.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a true masterclass in how to create a faithful remake of the original material, preserving all the magic of the 1988 game while making it accessible to a new audience through a series of quality-of-life improvements in combat and exploration. Just like the original game, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a must-play title for any fan of Japanese RPGs.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake successfully balances the preservation of the original game while making it accessible to modern players. With features like autosave, a recall function, and difficulty selection, players can enjoy the classic game on their terms. The graphical overhaul and fully orchestrated soundtrack enhance the visual and auditory experience, allowing players to appreciate the game as it was originally intended. However, there are minor issues such as the extremely slow pace of combat and uneven difficulty settings, which can easily turn off certain players.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake captures the essence of what a video game should be. It's a simple game, yet it has so much charm and personality that it invites you to play. The HD-2D graphical style and the soundtrack blend perfectly with the game's vision, combining nostalgia with the power of modern technology. Though challenging and with demanding grinding, it's recommended for all audiences, serving as a love letter to the series' fans and a stunning gateway to the world of JRPGs, which are gaining increasing recognition. However, the lack of localization in some languages is a downside, limiting the recommendation for those without an advanced level in the available languages.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake doesn't offer a ludicrous 100-hour playtime like Persona, recent Final Fantasy games or even the franchise's own Dragon Quest XI Echoes Of An Elusive Age, it doesn't need to because a game doesn't need to be 100+ to be a rich and rewarding experience. These combinations of the old and new are what make the Dragon Quest franchise still so iconic and relevant to this day. Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake continues that tradition, adhering it to a tee while also dishing out some welcome quality-of-life additions.
“Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake” does justice to the original in all respects. The visual and acoustic presentation is simply brilliant. The few additions to the story make sense and don't distort the spirit of the original – even if its storytelling feels a bit old-fashioned. The new quality of life features in the menus and during battle are a welcome addition. Though, I would have liked the option to switch off the random battles completely.
Review in German | Read full review
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake accomplishes its goal of bringing a decades old game to modern standards, offering a gorgeous art style and some quality-of-life additions. The tactical nature of the combat still works, although the lack of tactics during boss fights is disappointing. A chunk of battle animations could have used more love as it doesn't feel like complete remake. The story isn't as compelling as more focused modern RPGs, but it does still offer satisfying world-building and a few emotional beats. That said, the pros outweigh the cons for this remake, even if the remaking could have gone a bit further.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a true treat for longtime fans and a great starting point for new players. The combination of HD-2D visuals and fidelity to the source material are top-notch, creating an experience that balances nostalgia with modernity.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake gives this classic a fresh coat of paint with a gorgeous HD-2D look and smart gameplay tweaks that make revisiting it feel worthwhile. With quality-of-life improvements and a flexible job system, it sticks close to its roots but doesn’t shy away from modern touches. While the high encounter rate and straightforward story might feel like holdovers from the past, it’s a satisfying trip back to a genre staple for those who don’t mind a little grind along the way.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is an excellent remake. Despite some cumbersome traditional gameplay mechanics the series holds onto, like item and party management, the classical turn-based combat is well-paced and offers a fair challenge to everyone.