Dragon Quest 3 Remake: How to Change the Time of Day

Key Takeaways:

1. Changing the time of day in Dragon Quest 3 Remake is crucial for unlocking exclusive content, characters, and quests.
2. Inns and specific items like the Night Light and Tick-Tock ability provide easy ways to manipulate time.
3. Certain monsters, side-quests, and towns are only accessible during specific times, making time control a valuable tool for players.

In the Dragon Quest 3 Remake, players are treated to an immersive RPG experience that includes a dynamic day-and-night cycle. This feature isn’t just for aesthetics; it has practical implications, as many events, characters, and quests are only available at certain times of day. From special monsters to hidden side-quests, understanding how to control time in this game can open up a wealth of possibilities for players.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about changing the time of day in Dragon Quest 3 Remake, how to do it quickly, and why it’s worth the effort.

The Importance of the Day and Night Cycle in Dragon Quest 3 Remake

One of the unique aspects of Dragon Quest 3 Remake is its real-time day and night cycle, which affects gameplay in various ways. As you wander through towns, cities, and the vast overworld, you’ll notice NPCs mentioning that certain events only happen at night. This mechanic is a nod to the original game’s design and adds depth by encouraging players to explore different times of day for hidden content.

Why does this matter? Because the time of day determines which NPCs appear, which shops are open, and which monsters roam the lands. This cycle can influence quests, item availability, and even specific encounters with rare monsters. Let’s dive into how you can change the time of day in the game and why you should make the most of this feature.

How to Change the Time of Day in Dragon Quest 3 Remake

Method 1: Using Inns to Advance Time

The easiest and most accessible way to change the time of day in Dragon Quest 3 Remake is by visiting an Inn. Inns are scattered across the game’s towns and cities, marked by a sign with a white bed. While you could technically let time pass naturally by exploring, this can be impractical, especially if you’re waiting for a specific time to complete a quest or encounter an NPC.

When you enter an Inn, an NPC at the front desk will offer you two options:

• Stay Overnight: This option lets you rest until the next morning, which is perfect if you want to skip straight to dawn.
• Rest Awhile: This option gives you a bit more control over the time, allowing you to choose specific times like Dawn, Noon, Dusk, or Night. This flexibility can be essential if you need a particular time to meet certain NPCs or enter specific shops.

It’s important to note that resting at an Inn isn’t free; it will cost the same as staying overnight. The price varies depending on the location and the level of your party. As you level up, the cost of replenishing your health and MP at Inns may increase, so plan your budget accordingly.

Method 2: Using the Night Light Item

As you progress through the game, you’ll eventually unlock a useful item called the Night Light, which allows you to change the time of day without needing to visit an Inn. This item becomes available after you gain access to the ship in Portoga and reach the village of Theddon. Here’s how you can obtain it:

1. Visit Theddon at Night: In Theddon, you’ll notice that the NPCs turn into skeletons at night, which is a unique and eerie feature of the village.
2. Find the Night Light: Head upstairs in one of the village shops and search the drawers. Here, you’ll discover the Night Light, a handy item that lets you alter the time of day while you’re exploring the overworld.

However, the Night Light has limitations. It can only be used when you’re in the overworld, not when you’re inside towns, dungeons, or during battles. Still, it’s a powerful tool that offers you greater freedom to explore the game’s content at your own pace.

Method 3: Unlocking the Tick-Tock Ability

Another method for changing the time of day comes from the Tick-Tock ability, which can be learned by characters with the Mage and Sage vocations. Similar to the Night Light, the Tick-Tock ability allows you to manipulate the time while in the overworld.

To use Tick-Tock, simply select it from the menu, and choose the time you wish to change to. Like the Night Light, Tick-Tock only works outside of towns and dungeons, and it can’t be activated during combat. But having multiple ways to control time adds versatility to your gameplay, particularly if you haven’t yet acquired the Night Light.

Why Changing Time of Day Matters in Dragon Quest 3 Remake

Now that you know how to change the time of day, let’s explore why you’d want to. Adjusting the game’s clock opens up a wealth of hidden content and unique experiences that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Here are some of the main reasons to use this feature.

1. Encounter Rare Monsters

One of the most exciting aspects of Dragon Quest 3 Remake is the opportunity to encounter rare monsters that only appear at night. These aren’t your typical foes; they’re unique monsters that players can recruit to fight in the Monster Arena. Hunting them down requires a bit of timing and patience, but changing the time to night makes it possible to encounter these elusive creatures.

Capturing these monsters can give your party a distinct advantage in battles, especially in the arena where recruited monsters can fight on your behalf. These night-time monsters often possess unique abilities and can turn the tide in challenging fights.

2. Access to Special Side-Quests and NPC Interactions

Certain side-quests and NPCs are only available at specific times of day, which means changing the time can open up new storylines and interactions. For example, you might come across NPCs who reveal important information or offer special rewards only during the night.

These time-sensitive interactions add layers to the storytelling and world-building, making the game feel more alive and dynamic. By experimenting with different times, you can uncover quests that are easily missed if you only explore during the day.

3. Unique Shops and Merchants

In some towns, certain merchants only open their shops at specific times. An entire town filled with unique shops and NPCs might only be accessible at night, offering exclusive items that aren’t available during the day. By changing the time to match these unique opening hours, players can access rare items, powerful equipment, and even special services that enhance their gameplay experience.

These hidden shops add to the sense of mystery in the game, rewarding players who pay attention to NPC hints and explore thoroughly.

4. Unlocking Secret Areas

Throughout Dragon Quest 3 Remake, you’ll find areas that are only accessible at certain times. For instance, in the village of Theddon, the transformation of NPCs into skeletons at night opens up previously inaccessible parts of the town. Using time manipulation, you can unlock these secret areas, which often contain valuable items, lore, or NPC interactions.

This mechanic encourages players to revisit locations they’ve already explored, as these areas can reveal new secrets depending on the time of day.

Tips for Efficiently Using Time Control

Changing the time of day can be a powerful tool, but it’s also easy to waste time and resources if you don’t plan ahead. Here are a few tips to make the most of your time control options:

• Plan Side-Quests and Exploration Around Time-Sensitive Content: If you’re on a side-quest that requires interaction with an NPC at night, use an Inn or the Night Light to fast-forward to the required time instead of wandering around aimlessly.
• Save Money by Using Tick-Tock and Night Light: Inns charge for resting, so if you have access to Tick-Tock or the Night Light, you can save some gold by changing time in the overworld.
• Pay Attention to NPC Hints: NPCs will often give clues about when certain events or characters appear. Use these hints to figure out the best times to explore specific areas or revisit locations.

The day-and-night cycle in Dragon Quest 3 Remake isn’t just a cosmetic feature; it’s a fundamental part of the game that impacts how you explore, interact, and progress through the story. By learning to manipulate time using Inns, the Night Light item, and the Tick-Tock ability, you can unlock a host of hidden content, rare encounters, and exclusive items. Whether you’re hunting down rare monsters, engaging in time-sensitive side-quests, or seeking out special shops, mastering time control will enrich your journey in this beloved RPG classic.

FAQ

1. How do I change the time of day in Dragon Quest 3 Remake?
To change the time of day, visit an Inn and select “Rest Awhile” to choose a specific time. Alternatively, you can use the Night Light item or the Tick-Tock ability in the overworld to adjust the time without visiting an Inn.

2. What is the Night Light, and how do I get it?
The Night Light is an item that allows you to change the time of day while you’re in the overworld. It can be found in the village of Theddon after you acquire the ship in Portoga. Head to the shop in Theddon, go upstairs, and search the drawers to obtain it.

3. Are there any monsters that only appear at certain times of day?
Yes, some monsters only appear at night, and these rare creatures can be recruited to fight in the Monster Arena. Changing the time to night can increase your chances of encountering them.

4. Why would I want to change the time of day?
Changing the time of day allows access to certain NPCs, side-quests, unique shops, and rare monsters that only appear at specific times. It’s essential for fully exploring all content in Dragon Quest 3 Remake.

5. Can I use Tick-Tock and Night Light inside towns or dungeons?
No, both the Tick-Tock ability and Night Light item only work in the overworld, not within towns, dungeons, or during battles.