There’s just something special about the timeless charm of a classic Japanese RPG, and explaining that to someone who hasn’t felt it can be tricky. Despite the occasional headache from random battles or maze-like dungeons, the cadence and depth of a truly well-crafted RPG are irresistible to me. Dragon Quest III HD-2D captures this essence perfectly, offering that nostalgic warmth and satisfaction that older games are known for. It’s astounding how a game first released in the 1980s continues to hold its ground more than 35 years later. The remake is impressively restrained, preserving almost all of the original’s magic while adding just enough modern enhancements to keep it relevant today.
For those not acquainted with the Dragon Quest saga, Dragon Quest III was the turning point that engraved the series into Japanese culture. The game was such a sensation at its 1988 launch, selling over a million copies on the first day, that it led to the legendary (albeit false) tale that the government banned Dragon Quest releases on weekdays to prevent mass absenteeism. Given its innovativeness at the time, that hype was deserved. The first two installments, also getting their own HD-2D remakes, laid the foundation. The original introduced players to the concept of an RPG with a solo hero on a quest. Dragon Quest II expanded this idea with a full party and deeper mechanics, though it stumbled a bit. Dragon Quest III, however, was where it all clicked.
Players step into the shoes of the 16-year-old offspring of Ortega, a fallen hero who perished battling the nefarious Baramos. The journey begins with a personality quiz that influences your character’s growth, and you then embark on a global mission to avenge Ortega’s death. You assemble a team from various characters and classes, embarking on numerous side quests that enrich the tale. The class system starts simply, but as your team levels up, you can switch classes, keeping all learned skills but resetting to level one. This flexibility brings a strategic depth that adds layers of enjoyment. Whether you push a magic user to the ultimate Sage class or turn a Priest with healing expertise into a melee powerhouse, the possibilities are vast. Revisiting this class system after years away felt like reacquainting with an old friend.
The turn-based combat remains wonderfully familiar. Although I found myself using the Tactics auto-battle setting more, especially for random skirmishes, the system itself remains steadfast if not groundbreaking. It’s the type of comfortable and predictable experience that doesn’t thrill with innovation but wraps you in the coziness of familiarity.
The remake enhances the base game with thoughtful additions. The Monster Arena, for example, lets players recruit monsters for Pokémon-style battles. There’s also more narrative depth added for Ortega, offering nice character expansion without overshadowing the main plot. Beyond these narrative touches, the game includes all the modern conveniences you’d hope for: voice acting in multiple languages, customizable battle speeds, difficulty settings, autosaves, and so on.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D manages to expand the reach of this seminal game, making it accessible to a broader audience. It might not come with exhaustive behind-the-scenes material like some historical re-releases do, but it carries similar importance. By treating Dragon Quest III with the respect and care it deserves, this remake ensures that more players can experience a pivotal piece of gaming history, one that has influenced countless RPGs over the decades. While there may have been more technically advanced RPGs since its original release, few can claim the significant legacy and foundational impact of Dragon Quest III.
