Revamping a game that has been beloved for decades poses significant challenges, especially when it holds a treasured place in gaming history. The Dragon Quest franchise has held a prominent status in Japan, but it’s truly Dragon Quest III that elevated it to an iconic level that resonates even today. As such, this installment has already undergone multiple remakes, creating an additional obstacle for the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. The essential question remains: How does one honor the original game while implementing enough innovations to differentiate it from previous editions? Based on my experience with the early hours of the PC version, it seems Square Enix may have found a way to strike that balance effectively.
The most significant change in this iteration is its visual presentation. True to its name, the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake adopts the HD-2D aesthetic that made its debut in Octopath Traveler, a style that has since appeared in various other titles. For a franchise that deeply respects its roots, this modern visual update is a fantastic choice for revitalizing its sprite-based legacy. Even the most straightforward locations are rendered beautifully, allowing for enhanced complexity and vivid detail in nearly every setting. The castles exude grandeur, towns are more animated and colorful, and caves evoke a sense of confinement and mystery. It’s a remarkable evolution.
While the combat doesn’t benefit as much from this graphical overhaul, the more intricate backdrops and striking lighting effects do enhance the experience. The monsters are more animated than ever, and I was particularly impressed by the new death animations. Staying true to its heritage, battles are primarily viewed from a first-person perspective, with your party members visible only during turns. Given the detailed nature of the sprites—showing equipped weapons, for example—it’s somewhat disappointing we can’t see the party in action during conflicts.
Having journeyed through Dragon Quest III multiple times over the years, I was eager to uncover what new elements this remake might hold. Predictably, the expanded areas invite exploration; in towns and dungeons, this means more visually rich environments enriched by the classic RPG experience. The visual and gameplay enhancements provide a fresh take while still honoring the beloved original.
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