Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake: Everything You Need to Know About the Return of a Classic JRPG

Key Takeaways:

1. Enhanced Visuals and Story – The remake of Dragon Quest 3, brought to life with a stunning HD-2D visual style, includes new content and storytelling layers, especially around the hero’s father, Ortega.
2. Familiar Gameplay with Modern Twists – Retaining the beloved turn-based combat system, the remake also adds new vocations, faster battles, customizable characters, and even a Monster Arena.
3. Available on Multiple Platforms – Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is set to release on November 14, 2024, across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

With the release of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, fans of the beloved RPG series are ready to revisit the classic adventure that set the foundation for role-playing games worldwide. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Dragon Quest franchise, this remake promises an experience that balances nostalgia with innovative upgrades. With a release date set for November 14, 2024, let’s dive into what this epic remake has to offer.

A Glimpse Back: What is Dragon Quest 3?

Originally released in 1988 as Dragon Quest 3: The Seeds of Salvation, this game quickly earned a legendary status among JRPGs. The story centers on a young hero whose quest to defeat the Archfiend Baramos mirrors a journey that their father, Ortega, once began. Set in the kingdom of Aliahan, the protagonist sets out to complete their father’s unfinished business, embarking on an adventure across diverse landscapes and encountering a cast of allies and foes.

What’s New in Dragon Quest 3 Remake?

The Dragon Quest 3 remake promises more than just a graphical update. With the HD-2D visuals pioneered by games like Octopath Traveler, Triangle Strategy, and Live A Live, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake adds depth and dimension to each scene while remaining true to its roots.

Enhanced Story Elements

In addition to retelling the original story, this remake introduces new episodes focusing on Ortega, providing more insight into the legendary hero’s journey. Players will discover new lore, face fresh challenges, and experience more profound narrative moments that expand on the original plot.

New Gameplay Features

This remake adds a host of new features to elevate gameplay, including:

• Monster Arena: Players can recruit friendly monsters, enter them in battles, and test their might in thrilling tournaments.
• New Vocations: The addition of a new “Monster Wrangler” vocation lets players harness unique monster skills, adding a fresh layer of strategy to battles.
• Customizable Characters: You can name, gender, and customize your hero’s appearance and personality, which influences how your character levels up and develops in the game.

Platforms and Editions: Where and How to Play

Release Platforms

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam, ensuring accessibility across major gaming platforms.

Collector’s and Standard Editions

• Collector’s Edition (exclusive to Square Enix’s online store): Includes the physical game, collectible game case, character and monster acrylic blocks, Adventurous Accessory Kit, and exclusive digital wallpapers.
• Pre-order Bonuses: Elevating Shoes, Seed of Strength, Seed of Defense, Seed of Agility, Seed of Life, and Seed of Magic are available for those who pre-order.

Gameplay Mechanics and Changes

Classic Turn-Based Combat with Speed Options

For fans of traditional JRPG combat, Dragon Quest 3 Remake maintains the original’s turn-based battle system. Players can form a party of up to four characters, including the protagonist, each with customizable traits and vocations. The remake also adds the ability to speed up combat, making battles flow faster without losing their strategic depth.

Customizable Party Members and “Helping Hands” Feature

Players can customize each party member’s appearance, vocation, and even voice. A new feature, Helping Hands, allows you to share party members across different save files, enabling a more personalized experience.

Vocations and Character Personalities

Vocations play a key role in Dragon Quest 3 Remake. Each party member can specialize in various roles such as Warrior, Mage, Priest, Thief, or the new Monster Wrangler. As characters gain experience, they can change vocations at Alltrades Abbey, retaining previously learned spells and skills. Each character’s personality, determined at the start of the game, impacts stat development, and you can alter personalities with certain items later.

The Expansive World of Dragon Quest 3 Remake

Players can expect to explore a richly detailed world with towns, dungeons, and diverse landscapes, including:

• Portoga: A bustling seafaring nation renowned for its shipbuilders and trading ports.
• Jipang: Known as the Land of the Rising Sun, this beautiful area is filled with cherry blossoms and traditional architecture.
• Ibis: A desert kingdom known for its beautiful flora, which thrives in the arid climate and relies on a single well for its water supply.

With dynamic day-night cycles, players will experience a world that feels alive, where different creatures and characters appear depending on the time of day. In true Dragon Quest fashion, caves, dungeons, and hidden areas are abundant, with treasures and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

New Vocation: Monster Wrangler

The Monster Wrangler vocation is one of the most exciting additions to the remake, allowing characters to unleash monster-like abilities in battle. These powerful abilities can target multiple foes and offer both offensive and support options, making Monster Wrangler an excellent choice for players who want versatile options in combat.

Battle Strategies and Character Development

Strategic Combat: With the return of classic, turn-based combat, players must rely on their party’s unique abilities and synergy. Characters like Warrior and Martial Artist serve as primary damage dealers, while Priests support the party with healing magic.

Sage Vocation: The rare Sage vocation can wield both priest and mage spells, making it an invaluable asset in challenging encounters. This vocation requires special conditions to unlock, rewarding dedicated players with one of the game’s most versatile characters.

New Feature: Monster Arena

For players looking for an added challenge, Monster Arenas offer exciting battles that reward players with valuable prizes. Found throughout the game world, these arenas allow players to field teams of friendly monsters in tournaments. Successfully winning tournaments grants players extra gold and unique items.

Uncovering Secret Spots and Hidden Treasures

One of the joys of Dragon Quest is exploration, and this remake encourages players to search for hidden locations marked by inconspicuous landmarks like trees or rocks. These areas contain valuable treasures, friendly monsters, and items that make the journey worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the release date for Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake? A: Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake will be released on November 14, 2024.

Q: Will Dragon Quest 3 Remake have a physical edition? A: Yes, there will be a physical edition available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Q: What platforms can I play Dragon Quest 3 Remake on? A: The game will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.

Q: Is Dragon Quest 3 Remake a remaster or a full remake? A: It’s a full remake featuring extensive upgrades, new visuals, added content, and quality-of-life improvements.

Q: Does Dragon Quest 3 Remake include new story content? A: Yes, new episodes focus on Ortega’s journey and other expanded story content that enriches the original plot.

Q: Do I need to play previous Dragon Quest games before Dragon Quest 3 Remake? A: No, Dragon Quest 3 Remake is a standalone story that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the series.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is more than just a visual upgrade. It’s a full-fledged tribute to one of the most beloved entries in the Dragon Quest series, bringing enhanced visuals, new features, and expanded stories for old and new fans alike. Whether you’re exploring the vast world, facing off against monstrous foes, or discovering new lore about Ortega, this remake promises to offer hours of adventure, nostalgia, and excitement.