Review of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for PS5

You’re never left guessing with a classic Dragon Quest installment. This legendary series has remained steadfast in its dedication to the traditional Japanese RPG format for years. Yet, the nostalgic punch it packs in the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is truly remarkable. It’s a heartwarming reimagining of a beloved game, steeped in sentimentality.

Dragon Quest 3 serves as a prequel within the series’ lore, setting the stage for the heroes and themes to come. Though born from an era where storytelling wasn’t as intricate, its simplicity doesn’t detract from its charm. The premise is straightforward: you’re the destined hero, poised to thwart the malevolent force threatening the world. That’s a perfectly good reason to embark on a far-flung fantasy quest, isn’t it?

Much like the rest of the Dragon Quest series, this game exudes warmth and charm through its storytelling. The dialogue sparkles with excellent localization, and the remake gives voice to key moments — a delightful touch, albeit not widespread. The majority of interactions remain text-based, but those that do feature voice acting offer a bit of extra zest.

Bringing some fresh elements to the narrative, the remake explores new dimensions of the protagonist’s father, Ortega. These added glimpses into Ortega’s past are a delightful addition, though don’t expect a complete narrative overhaul; these new aspects are sprinkled throughout rather sparingly.

While it might seem the updates are modest at first glance, the standout transformation lies in the game’s visuals. The ‘HD-2D Remake’ term doesn’t do justice to the stunning graphical revamp. Environments, now built entirely with 3D assets and bathed in beautiful lighting effects, have never looked better. This evolution significantly enhances the sense of immersion and grandeur.

With its revamped visuals, the world feels more inviting. Towns and cities beckon with newfound allure, but the overworld map impresses most. A sprawling wilderness extends before you, richer in detail and variety, bringing a fresh dynamism to your travels.

On the gameplay front, optional objective markers have been added, easing potential frustration for those who might struggle with the sometimes cryptic nature of classic RPGs. Particularly when the game opens up and you can explore large portions of the map, these markers are a welcome guide.

Combat, too, benefits from quality of life improvements, though some of us wonder if these could have gone even further. The ability to speed up battles is a blessing, as it counters the original’s slower pace. Combat remains engagingly tactical, yet hasty attacks and informative text now whizz by.

Moreover, the game introduces two new difficulty settings — ‘Dracky Quest’ for those seeking a more relaxed journey and ‘Draconian Quest’ for those hungry for a challenging experience.

Nevertheless, the grinding nature synonymous with Dragon Quest is still there. Gaining levels and gathering gold through battles that can feel repetitive is part of the series’ charm, albeit one that can wear on patience.

In 3D, the game world expands significantly, with larger dungeons and a vast map. Yet, the frequency of random battles remains as high as ever, which can be a bit grating. Venturing through dungeons, especially when revisiting areas for missed treasures, can become laborious due to constant enemy encounters.

Items exist to temporarily halt encounters, but they feel more like a workaround than a solution to the issue presented by the remake’s scale.

Considering the other user-friendly tweaks introduced, it feels like a missed opportunity not to address the grind more thoroughly. A toggle to reduce battle frequency would have made the experience more accessible, especially for newcomers to the series.

Despite these gameplay hiccups, Dragon Quest 3’s core strengths endure. Creating party members with custom jobs remains as engaging as ever, and features like a full-featured monster arena enrich the overall experience. Altogether, this remake is a well-rounded and inviting RPG offering.

### Conclusion

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake captures the series’ timeless charm with impressive flair. Through thoughtful quality of life upgrades and enchanting 3D visuals, this version arguably stands as the definitive edition of a classic RPG. While it doesn’t completely iron out every imperfection, its enduring magic is undeniable.