Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a pixel-perfect overhaul of a 36-year-old JRPG classic that's tough to recommend to newcomers

GamesRPGDragon Quest 3 HD-2D RemakeDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a pixel-perfect overhaul of a 36-year-old JRPG classic that’s tough to recommend to newcomersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGDragon Quest 3 HD-2D RemakeDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a pixel-perfect overhaul of a 36-year-old JRPG classic that’s tough to recommend to newcomersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Square Enix) Venturing forth from your small town on a quest to slay a demon king with a party composed of warriors, mages, and the like, in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake you’re best off patrolling a circle for a bit to let the experience points flow. This is an old school RPG through and through, and while this is the latest inSquare Enix’s “HD-2D” remake trend – adding some real visual flair while retaining its retro-looking pixel art core – it still feels like it’s from another age. No bad thing for those who can appreciate the classics, but it might be tough to win over new fans. Of course, if you don’t know that, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake just feels like a fairly basic RPG adventure. Simply recruiting a party from an inn at the beginning (who you can swap in and out later), they’re blank canvases that you make story with through clutch wins and losses in battles rather than anything more narrative-focused. The new Monster Wrangler class is, admittedly, a nice addition (and can learn monster moves). Which isn’t to say there’s no character arcs whatsoever, but, following in the footsteps of your father who failed to slay the great demon, they’re played out as flashbacks with him and the friendshemade rather than your own. It’s odd but it works, keeping the story lightweight while leaving just enough breadcrumbs to keep you curious as you travel the world in search of a way to track down and slay your foe. World warrior (Image credit: Square Enix) Eleventh hour(Image credit: Nintendo / Square Enix)Want another great Dragon Quest to play? In ourDragon Quest 11 S Definitive Edition reviewwe called it “the best way to experience one of this generation’s finest RPGs”! Eleventh hour (Image credit: Nintendo / Square Enix)Want another great Dragon Quest to play? In ourDragon Quest 11 S Definitive Edition reviewwe called it “the best way to experience one of this generation’s finest RPGs”! (Image credit: Nintendo / Square Enix) Want another great Dragon Quest to play? In ourDragon Quest 11 S Definitive Edition reviewwe called it “the best way to experience one of this generation’s finest RPGs”! The best bit arrives several hours in, once you’ve finally earned a boat as a reward from a king in exchange for some pepper (really). Given the task to track down six orbs, there’s very little restriction in how you set about getting them other than just sailing around in your boat and talking to the people in new lands you can reach. It’s so freeform that it feels refreshing to return to nowadays, where most games are afraid to let you get stuck. With that said, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake does offer objective markers as an accommodation for those who find that too time-consuming or overwhelming. It’s one of few accommodations that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is really willing to offer. There’s a “Dracky Quest” difficulty that makes fights easier and essentially makes it impossible to die in battle. But there’s not much in between. Don’t expect anything like theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remasterseries that allow you to multiply experience gained, toggle battles off, or fast forward action. (Image credit: Square Enix) The party’s auto-battle AI seems quite clever, which can help when mopping up weaker goons in random battles. Nominally there is an “Ultra fast” speed toggle in battle too. But even though the hits fly somewhat faster, it’s still quite a slow-paced affair, much of it coming from slow text crawl at the end of each fight, or brief though frequent load screens. In some ways, the (much) visually inferior2019 version of Dragon Quest 3 already available on Nintendo Switchhas the edge on Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D on the same platform. While random battles' backgrounds here can be quite pretty, the classic approach of having them appear as pop-up windows helped keep things a bit snappy – though even there it’s not exactly quick. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Playing normally, you’ll be seeinga lotof battles. They appear constantly, and it’s a good thing too as some parts of the game will absolutely kick your ass if you’re not levelled properly or have a bad party composition. It’s typical of the era, and for classic Dragon Quest, but as nice as it is to revisit such a mechanics-first RPG, the effort can also be a bit exhausting – even though the HD-2D visuals make the game look gorgeous. Visually speaking, every town and dungeon has been modernized fantastically to feel more like real, natural spaces even when the structures are obviously corridor heavy. But for everything else, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D resists modernization. It’s admirable and nostalgic… but, lacking in the accommodations that make it easier to recommend my other favourite RPG classics to friends (like Final Fantasy 4), it feels like the HD-2D approach is missing a trick here. Disclaimer Did you know that theDragon Quest creator Yuji Horii says losing half of your money after falling in battle was intended as a kindness? Looking for another adventure? Check out ourbest JRPG gameslist for what to play next! 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Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel 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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”