Review of Dragon Quest III HD-2D

This game doesn’t even show its age.

Sometimes, I struggle to convey why the slower pace of old-school Japanese RPGs appeals to me so much. Despite occasionally grumbling about things like random encounters and labyrinthine dungeons, I adore the rhythm of a solid RPG—it’s like savoring hearty comfort food. Dragon Quest III HD-2D could very well be the game I recommend to others to capture that classic, nostalgic warmth. It’s astonishing how an NES RPG from the 1980s still feels so fresh after more than 35 years. Even more surprising is how this polished remake stays true to the original without feeling outdated. Essentially, it’s the same 1988 game, only dressed in modern enhancements. It’s a clever, brilliant remake that preserves the original genius while feeling anything but bygone.

For those who aren’t as versed in Dragon Quest’s storied history, Dragon Quest III was the game that catapulted the series to cultural prominence in Japan. When it launched in 1988, it sold over a million copies on day one, sparking the urban myth that the Japanese government banned weekday releases of Dragon Quest games (it’s not true). That frenzy was well-deserved because for its time, Dragon Quest III was remarkable. The first two entries—which are also set to get HD-2D remakes in the future— laid the groundwork. The debut game introduced the world with a single-hero battle party and a straightforward quest. Dragon Quest II expanded on this with a full party and deeper mechanics, though it was a bit clunky gameplay-wise. But Dragon Quest III? It absolutely shined, hitting it out of the park.

You play as the 16-year-old offspring of Ortega, a fabled hero who fell while battling the evil Baramos. After an initial section where a quiz influences your character’s stat growth, your journey begins to avenge your father and defeat Baramos. You’ll assemble a four-person party with characters and classes of your choice, setting off on episodic adventures to aid diverse groups along the way. The class system starts off simple but deepens as you progress. Once party members hit higher levels, you can switch their classes—keeping acquired abilities and skills while resetting their level to one. This offers an enjoyable puzzle to create effective and interesting party members. You might level up a magic user into a Sage, or train a healing Priest class to learn top-tier healing spells before shifting them into a melee role, crafting a tough-as-nails ally who can also revive fallen comrades. Picking up Dragon Quest III again and diving into its class system was like reuniting with an old friend.

The traditional turn-based combat system further enhances that familiar comfort. Combat remains largely unchanged. I often used the Tactics settings to auto-battle during random overworld encounters. While it’s not my all-time favorite battle system, it’s reliable and comforting. It’s cozy, but not in the pastoral way of a farm sim—more in its familiar atmosphere and essence.

The remake’s tweaks and additions enrich the experience. The Monster Arena stands out, allowing you to recruit monsters for battles reminiscent of Pokémon duels. There’s also expanded narrative content that gives more depth to your hero’s father, Ortega. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a welcome addition, shedding more light on an important figure in Dragon Quest lore. Besides new content, the remake includes a slew of modern touches, like voice acting (available in English and Japanese), adjustable battle speeds, three difficulty levels, convenient auto-saves, and more. If there’s a contemporary feature you’d hoped for, it’s probably here.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D reintroduces a pivotal game to a broader audience. While it doesn’t try to be anything more than a classic RPG, its quality remains strikingly evident over generations. This might lack the archival depth of some recent video game museum releases, yet it aligns with their spirit by lovingly restoring a monumental title for today’s players. There might be superior RPGs crafted over the past 35 years, but many wouldn’t have reached their heights without Dragon Quest III paving the way.