Every legend has a beginning, and the starting point of the unquestionably best JRPG saga is Dragon Quest III. Originally released in 1988 for the Japanese Famicom, its overwhelming popularity established the legend (with certain shades of truth) that the releases of each new numbered installment of Dragon Quest had to be festive. 36 years later, that classic returns shining with new light.
Everything that made it a cult game is still in place, but the treatment received is exceptional. The result: Square Enix takes us back to the golden age of Made In Japan role-playing through an impeccable remake. And although it might seem that the name of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake itself It already tells you everything you can expect from the game, the truth is that, as you will see, there is a special effort to surpass the teacher herself. Something that, I’ll tell you, is achieved in spades.
As you may have already read in the headline, I played and enjoyed like a Cossack with the Dragon Quest III original. I confess that I couldn’t do it at the time for a simple reason: the first title in the saga to reach Europe was Dragon Quest VIII, and we are talking about the times of PS2. However, Square Enix tends to re-release its classics on modern systems and since 2019 you yourself can enjoy the charm of the classic with playable and visual improvements en Nintendo Switch. That said, what is proposed to us with this new Remake of Dragon Quest III it goes much further.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake It is imposed as a master lesson when it comes to relaunching the classic role-players born in the 8-Bits. Taking the essence, the plot, the characters and of course the blessed turn-based combat of the original and accommodating them to that aesthetic that we fell in love with in Octopath Traveler or Triangle Strategy. With new pixel art and 3D settings with a touch of retro charm, created to look like delicious dioramas in which it is a pleasure to get lost. And yet, in the end what prevails are the sensations of adventure.
Much more than a visual update
If you have never played a game of Dragon Quest and you are bored with role-playing games made in Japan in which it takes you forever to draw your sword, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake It’s for you. First of all, because, despite being the third installment, it is the beginning of the saga. But in addition, after more or less specifying your personality, you will have gathered your own team and you will have set out in search of adventures from the first stages of the game. A double success no matter how you look at it that does not dilute the milestones and history.
There are lots of clichés that justify themselves: the Enix saga set the standards for JRPGs for generations and that implies that management, equipment or turn-based combat systems do not try to reinvent what already worked, but rather revalidate what in His day was a lesson.
All in all, you will be happy to know that even as soon as you start there are facilities such as being able to speed up battles or delegate actions to the characters themselves, so you can not worry if you wish.
However, what will first amaze you is its exquisite presentation. Square Enix is betting on an HD-2D that far exceeds what was seen in previous first-party titles when it comes to accommodating each castle, each open area and each city to what has already been seen in NES and its later remakes.
Something that earns whole points given that the original game introduced the concept of the passage of days with day and night cycles and that, as we delve into travel, whole nuances are gained.
What it’s like to play Dragon Quest III almost four decades later
The artistic section of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has an additional value, and that adds points to this definitive version: our heroes and monsters are pixelated versions that are born from the original designs of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, who has participated in each and every one of the installments of the saga and whose legacy and traces gain extra value by receiving the same treatment as other new Square Enix classics.
Achieving that feeling of reunion with a masterpiece, but also giving those who know it well the impression that absolutely everything is new. Which is better.
Of course, this effort to be faithful to the 1988 game and give the whole a leap in quality also ends up being noticed beyond the screen. Although the turn-based combats have almost no mystery, I can tell you – without details – that there will be some interesting additions to the adventure companions who accompanied us. Something similar to what was already done in the remake Dragon Quest III from Super Nintendo, everything must be said, but it will steal a smile from those who are big fans of the saga.
However, what will really end up being your obsession is the soundtrack. From the fanfare of the saga when welcoming us to its themes when walking through the world maps, which gain volume, detail and depth.
And what about the plot? Well, it is something that in iGamesNews we will save for the analysis – which will be shortly – but what I can tell you is that it has been enriched without touching anything that we already liked. Managing, based on successes, to offer a remake that, without having the pretensions and epicness of Final fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, achieves everything it aims to: pay the definitive tribute to the classic and, from there, claim the quintessence of the genuine role made in Japan.
Because the visual leap is obvious, but the way in which Dragon Quest III It achieves excellence and transmits the genuine sensations of adventure that have always been above everything shown on screen. And the best proof of this is its already essential remake.
HD-2D Remake Release Date
The launch of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake It is scheduled for November 14, 2024 on both Nintendo Switch and PS5, Xbox Series X /S and PC through Steam and the Microsoft store. Additionally, the digital editions include a bundle of items that you will receive at one of the first inns in the game.
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