The HD-2D art style is almost like a cheat code for remakes, because it captures the spirit of classic RPGs while modernizing them in a way that remains true to their original forms. That’s certainly the case for the Dragon Quest games, which are ripe for remakes in this vein and one reason why the initial announcement of Dragon Quest 3 was such a big deal. Now, after three years of radio silence, I was finally able to see the Dragon Quest 3 remake first-hand and despite the new graphical update, it’s exciting to see that this is very much a faithful recreation of the decades-old original.
I got to play roughly 45 minutes of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake on PlayStation 5, and as someone whose gaming life revolved around RPGs of its era, I certainly appreciate a good modernization of one. Much like other Square Enix HD-2D RPGs Octopath Traveler and Live-A-Live, it’s further proof that this direction is such an effective way to preserve the look and feel of classic pixel art with visual flourishes that are only made possible by today’s technology.
The demo starts early on in the story when the hero picks up a full party consisting of a Warrior, Cleric, and Mage. From the hero’s hometown of Aliahan, I ventured out onto the open region to travel to the northern town of Reeve. Here and in the overworld, the lighting and bloom effects give a pop to an already vibrant old-school look. Although the lay of the land remains the same, its redesign gives the world a greater sense of scale. Promontory Passage, which is the ruins that leads to the Dreamer’s Tower (the first dungeon), are a stark contrast from the original and the environmental details paint a much more lively picture that wasn’t previously possible. Even compared to the mobile remasters of Dragon Quest 3, the difference is night and day, yet it didn’t feel like I was playing a completely different game.
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