Final Preview of Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD: Embark on an Epic Adventure in This Stunning Remake

The anticipated release of Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD is almost upon us, and before we dive into the full launch, I’ve got one last preview to share. As a long-time fan who has played Dragon Quest 3 countless times, this remake holds a special significance for me. It’s packed with delightful touches that enhance the experience—ranging from updated quality-of-life features and adjustable difficulty settings to more granular customization options for your party. While there are a few minor frustrations, my overall impression is one of affection for this remake.

Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD has met my expectations and then some. In this preview, we’re focusing on a specific segment of the game without revealing major plot twists, so don’t worry about spoilers!

What is Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD?

For those who may not be familiar, Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD is a refreshed version of the legendary RPG originally released in 1988. This title made an unprecedented impact in Japan and also achieved remarkable popularity internationally. Players embark on an adventure to vanquish the sinister Archfiend Baramos, gathering local heroes to assist in their quest.

It all begins here, at Aliahan Castle (Image via Square Enix) — The journey starts here, at Aliahan Castle (Image via Square Enix)

As the offspring of the famed hero Ortega, players are tasked with wielding sword and shield to fulfill their father’s mission. The game features various villains to defeat and people to rescue, but it’s clear that companionship on this journey is crucial. Players can visit Patty’s Party Planner to gather adventurous allies, choosing either standard pre-made characters or crafting entirely new ones from scratch.

Set in a vast world filled with hidden secrets and formidable challenges, it’s noteworthy that this story unfolds before the events of Dragon Quest 1 and 2. This trilogy of games, known as the Erdric or Loto Trilogy, also connects to other installments in the series—a topic for another discussion.

The early game hours of Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD provide a perfect entry point for newcomers

What captivates me about Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD is its splendid equilibrium of original difficulty and accessibility for new players. Dragon Quest titles have often gained a reputation for being notably more challenging than their RPG contemporaries from Japan.

Take for instance the Famicom/NES version of DQ3, which lacked quest markers. Without conversing with every NPC or having a guide, players faced a frustrating journey. In contrast, as you engage with NPCs in Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD, your quest objectives update periodically. There’s even an option to disable this feature if you prefer a more classic experience without hints.

Each class offers unique benefits - sometimes not immediately evident (Image via Square Enix) — Each class brings unique strengths to the team, even if not instantly apparent (Image via Square Enix)

The initial hours in this game are surprisingly soothing, allowing players to familiarize themselves with its mechanics. If you’re new to the Dragon Quest franchise, this is an excellent gateway into the series.

At the outset, you can create any party composition and undertake relatively easy quests, setting the stage for your hero’s journey. Importantly, the early tasks in Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD emphasize the importance of interaction and exploration—elements that are even more crucial now due to added features and enhancements.

What’s fresh and exciting in Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD?

Look for locations like this - they're called Secret Spots. You can find amazing items and monster pals here (Image via Square Enix) — Seek out spots like this—known as Secret Spots—for amazing rewards, including friendly monsters (Image via Square Enix)

This remake introduces fantastic new features and quality-of-life updates that truly enhance the gameplay experience. Occasionally, you’ll encounter rock and tree formations that seem out of place, and exploring these can lead to valuable items or encounters with friendly creatures. Notably, the way the Monster Arena operates has been revamped. No longer reliant on blind luck with monster bets, you can now recruit friendly monsters during your adventures.

These creatures can appear in various settings—be it towns, dungeons, or the aforementioned Secret Spots. Locating them all can be a bit tricky; while some will join your group readily, others may require coaxing from a Monster Wrangler.

Look at this team! They're unstoppable! (Image via Square Enix) — Check out this team! They’re a force to be reckoned with! (Image via Square Enix)

You can form a party of up to three monsters and enter various arenas across the world, where they will battle on your behalf, offering enticing rewards in gold and items—who doesn’t enjoy the thrill of collecting them all?

Another exciting addition to the game is the Recall function. If an NPC shares vital information, you can highlight and revisit it later, which proves invaluable for recalling hints about creature locations or other quest-related tasks.

Quality-of-life enhancements shine in Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD

It's the little things - like being able to Zoom/Chimaera Wing anywhere (Image via Square Enix) — It’s the small things—like the ability to Zoom or use Chimaera Wing anywhere (Image via Square Enix)

Was Dragon Quest 3 an almost perfect game? Absolutely. However, it wasn’t without its shortcomings. One major change allows players to fully restore HP and MP upon leveling up. Given the scarcity of MP restorative items in the original, this tweak is a welcome addition, albeit it’s modified for this version.

These resources were limited, but it often felt like players had an abundance compared to the original. Now, you can acquire them much earlier without the cost of gold. While they do still break, I’ve found myself with more than enough to last through the early stages of the game.

As for additional easing of the experience, the Zoom spell can now teleport you beyond just towns; you can even reach dungeons and other outlying locations. I particularly appreciate this change when paired with the friendly monster mechanics and returning to areas for level grinding, especially for hunting elusive Metal Slimes.

Even difficult encounters can be simplified with Dracky Quest difficulty (Image via Square Enix) — Even challenging encounters can become manageable with the Dracky Quest difficulty (Image via Square Enix)

Another notable change that may stir mixed reactions is the introduction of adjustable difficulty levels. Players can select from three settings, tailoring the challenge to their preferences. The easiest option, Dracky Quest, provides a very relaxed experience, which is completely fine; you should play to your heart’s content.

There are definite advantages to lowering difficulty to Dracky Quest while focusing on leveling or acquiring gold. At this level, you cannot fall below 1 HP, making the grind much more forgiving. Of course, for those wishing to experience traditional Dragon Quest 3 challenges, the default setting still offers that classic feel—with an option to ramp it up further.

Melee classes are much more engaging now thanks to new abilities (Image via Square Enix) — Using melee classes is now much more engaging due to the addition of new abilities (Image via Square Enix)

From my perspective, the early hours on the Dragon Quest difficulty were a breeze, but I’ve also been through this game multiple times. Difficulty settings can be adjusted at any time in the options menu, so if you find the challenge not to your liking, feel free to tweak it!

The final quality-of-life adjustment introduced is the availability of Abilities. It may seem minor, but the original title limited players to spells alone. Now, even classes that do not cast spells can utilize a range of powerful abilities—including the newly introduced Monster Wrangler.

The new Monster Wrangler class is a game-changer

The Monster Wrangler boasts impressive combat abilities! Don't overlook it (Image via Square Enix) — The Monster Wrangler brings fantastic combat abilities to the table! Don’t miss out (Image via Square Enix)

While I initially formed a party consisting of Hero, Warrior, Pilgrim, and Wizard, I later experimented with the Monster Wrangler, and I must say, it adds a lot of enjoyment to gameplay. Not only does it facilitate monster recruitment effortlessly, but it also possesses some incredibly powerful combat abilities!

With its striking aesthetics, exceptional melee damage potential (when built appropriately), and an AOE healing and attack feature, the Monster Wrangler has proven invaluable in numerous situations. If you’re undecided about incorporating a Monster Wrangler into your roster, take it from me—it is a fantastic addition to your team.

Final Thoughts – DQ3 2D-HD exceeds expectations

Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD is expansive - we can't wait for you to embark on your adventure (Image via Square Enix) — Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD is expansive and we eagerly anticipate your adventure (Image via Square Enix)

The opening moments of Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD brought me immense joy. It truly embodies everything I had hoped for. My only slight frustration revolves around the challenge of tracking down certain friendly monsters, which can be tedious until you unlock the ability to shift the time of day and gain additional mobility options.

This remake features stunning visuals, fluid gameplay, and solid turn-based combat. Additionally, the voice acting was an unexpected highlight—something I didn’t realize I would appreciate so much until I experienced it in-game. From the marvelous graphics to the thoughtful quality-of-life improvements, Dragon Quest 3 2D-HD is shaping up to be an incredible experience.

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