Dragon Quest III was never my favorite entry in the franchise (that honor goes to DQ V), but it’s a game that’s grown on me over the years since I first played the mobile port. In fact, when the HD-2D remake was announced, I found myself unexpectedly hyped. Now that I’ve finally got my hands on the game (three and a half years after said announcement), I thought I’d reflect on my first five hours of playtime.
Note: I will be talking about the Switch and Xbox versions of the game. There are no story spoilers regarding new content.
Performance and Visuals
The Xbox Series X version (and, presumably, the Playstation version) runs flawlessly at 60 FPS with stunning visuals, while the Switch version, locked at 30 FPS, has lower graphical fidelity. This is not a surprise, and the difference is largely negligible, being most noticeable when comparing both platforms side-by-side. However, if buttery smooth gameplay and crisp visuals are your priority, you’re going to want to play on something other than the Switch.
New Quality of Life Features
A few changes stood out immediately, such as an optional objective tracker on the map, quest markers placed above important NPCs and triggers, configurable battle speed (although, it feels like the default speed is slower than every DQ game that has come before), and an abundance of items.
So very many items. Every interactive container houses gold, medicinal herbs, or moonwort bulbs. The overworld abounds with sparkly spots that give items as well—often more than one per spot. Chimaera Wings are plentiful in the early game, making travel quite accessible.
Fast travel is now available within buildings and dungeons, sans the usual head-bonking from past games. Even landmarks like Dreamer Tower and Promontory Cave can be zoomed to once discovered.
If this all sounds a bit too easy for you, you might be pleased to learn that Draconian Quest from DQ XI returns, but in my first five hours, it feels toned down. There’s no configuration—just a flat difficulty boost with harder-hitting monsters and reduced experience gains. Call me crazy, but I’ve also noticed fewer sparkle spots on the world map In Draconian Quest as well–but still enough to fill my bags with more herbs and wings than I need.
It might be things ramp up later, but so far, it’s been manageable, even during my first excursions around Romaria and Khoryv.
The World
The game feels slightly bigger overall, making the starting town, Aliahan, give off that “big town” feel early on. Everything is laid out the same as previous takes on DQ III, but the scale feels more authentic for a fantasy world. Aliahan Castle alone feels fully realized and the town itself took me forty-five minutes to finish up checking every nook and cranny, talking to everyone, and set up my party members at Patty’s Party Planning Committee.
The environment design is a highlight, blending the original layouts with new geometry. Cavern tunnels, once boxy corridors, now feature craggy walls, uneven slopes, and background effects that do well to immerse the player.
The ambient sound design is simply superb. Subtle sounds of water, wind, and nature create an atmosphere that wasn’t possible in the original version. Paired with the new visuals, the world feels more alive than ever before.
Personal Observations
Added cut-scenes and dialogue are a pleasant treat for returning players. I can’t say the early game’s story has been altered significantly (though there are minor insights provided that weren’t present before), but it offers extra flavor and context. Also,a petty nitpick–I wish there was the option to select my pronouns. It feels like a missed opportunity in a remake that’s modernized in so many other respects.
Finally, another anecdote–the game pointed me toward Reeve right away, after leaving Aliahan. It’s funny, but after all these years I have not once gone directly to Reeve, instead making a beeline for the Promontory Cave.
If you have objective markers on, in Reeve you will learn about the secret shortcut to bypass the initial section of Promontory Cave and jump straight to Dreamers Tower (forgoing the treasure found in the cave proper).
It’s a trivial change–just one I found odd. The original game gave very little direction. It’s probably a positive thing that HD-2D is offering a bit more help for modern gamers, leaving things like the Promontory Cave treasure for explorers. But it makes me wonder if this version will lose some of its flexibility, with newcomers following the games instruction a little too closely.
Final Thoughts
Dragon Quest III HD-2D is shaping up to be a must-play for fans and newcomers alike. It’s DQ III to the core, really, with some modern dressing and quality of life improvements that newcomers might expect. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia or experiencing it for the first time, there’s a lot to love about this release.
Perhaps I’ll do an actual review when I’ve finished the game. But for now, these are my initial thoughts on my experience.
