Last night's Dragon Quest presentation showcased a total of six diverse games - including the announcement of Dragon Quest XII (even if it was just a flaming logo). However one of the most tangible surprises was a remake of Dragon Quest III built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 4. This joins Octopath Traveler and the upcoming Project Triangle Strategy in the HD-2D series and it looks blooming gorgeous.
While platforms weren't detailed, we would be incredibly surprised if this didn't find its way to Switch, especially given it's the primary home of that HD-2D lineup and Nintendo and Dragon Quest go together like strawberries and cream. However, Switch received ports of the entire Dragon Quest trilogy only two years ago, so is there really a need to remake DQ3 specifically? Yes, yes there is.
While 2019's ports are a 'fine' way to experience one of the most important trilogies in the industry, they don't exactly present them in the best light. These were originally developed for mobile and their origins show. Dragon Quest III was certainly an improvement over the prior mobile games but it still fell victim to ugly, large and overly smooth sprites.
This will likely be the Switch's second version of Dragon Quest III and here's how good it looks compared to what's currently available:
The HD-2D version's looking pretty tasty, right?
For a more in-depth exploration... well, you'll just have to watch the video above, won't you?
Comments 37
I'm buying this day one for sure! I was actually thinking about getting the first 3 dragon quest games on switch for a while but I decided not to. I'm really glad I held off lol!
It’s the only dragon quest I’m missing from the franchise. And yes, because of the sprites. Looking very much forward to this version!
it's Octopath Traveler meets OG Dragon Quest
I've been debating about picking up the first three games on the Switch. However, it would be ages before I got to them. I'll happily wait for this release as well as the hinted HD-2D versions of I and II!
@Slowdive Don't tempt me with a sale
The only reason I decided not to pick them up is that I'm almost done with my backlog haha (only 12 games to go woohoo!)
I mean, are we asking about "need for remake" even rhetorically after Trials of Mana happened in the wake of the original finally coming westward? Two versions are better than neither anyway.
Yeah, the remake looks way better!
But the mobile ports are not bad. They're actually pretty good.
I just grabbed the older Switch ports on sale. I kind of hope the rest of the older Dragon Quest games (I - VI) get this treatment so I can experience them all like this. I was gonna play through this series at one point but wasn't sure which versions would be best because there's a lot to choose from (NES, Super Famicom, Game Boy Color, DS, mobile, etc).
@Slowdive Thank you! x)
@Quarth I agree they're not bad at all and I played through all three to completion, it's a little hard to go back to the NES versions without all the QoL they bring. They just don't look great though
@JonComms Yeah, the graphics is the only "bad" thing about them, but I don't mind as long as the games are fun.
@Vortexeo They're not that long, at least not I (around 10 hours) and II (around 20 hours). But I can understand why you're hesitating, as I also suffer from the backlog blues.
Bought the snes Version and i can recommend to play that one with a fan translation.
It's a night and day difference between them, the 2019 version had terrible framerates and dreadful battle sequences.
@Giygas_95 The NES localizations were pretty technically impressive for their time.
Unfortunately, the GBC ports are the opposite. The menu localizations look like the most amateur fan-made creation, and the dialogue was using very dry, literal translations.
Still, the GBC version of DQ3 is somehow the version I played the most of. Getting to a point where the world opens up, and then getting lost.
@KingMike I did actually play and finish the first two on an NES emulator. Fast forward was a godsend for grinding. Maybe I can tolerate not having fast forward in the Switch ports though.
I am totally hyped for this game. Never played the original or the re-release.
Now imagine we see Chrono Trigger, FF6 or Super Mario RPG in the 2D-HD style?
The HD2D remake looks amazing! In the meantime I'll play through Dragon Warrior III on GBC. I like it better than the mobile version that got ported to Switch.
Me and my buddy were just talking about how much we love DQ3. Very nice surprise. Now SE, please give ff6 the octopath treatment next.
I'd just been thinking I wanted to play DQ3 soon so this news is really welcome. I started it before but never finished it.
But I'm really on the fence between playing the remake or the NES or SNES versions. I think the remake is beautiful but it's very stylised which adds a layer of something on top of the original game, it really changes the atmosphere - that's neither positive or negative but I think it will make for a different experience so I'm not sure what would make a better first (full) playthrough. Then again, if Jon was happy to first experience it through the gross mobile port, maybe the game content itself supersedes any art-styles applied to it.
I would hope a few (at least optional) QOL additions are made, too. Party management and the mapping functions in the old DQ games were a bit cumbersome/lacking.
The day-to-night transition featured in the video (from the mobile version) is nothing short of lazy and contemptible. I am astounded at Square Enix and the porting house responsible for that.
The original port was based off of the very dated mobile port, so it not a surprise to see this version looking way better. Would love to see more classic rpgs done this way.
I am glad to see the revered third game is receiving respectful treatment. I wonder, though, about the impetus for this remake. Was it driven from top-down - from people like Yuji Horii, or the suits above him - in order to introduce more people to the deep lineage of Dragon Quest? Or is there a creative impetus that arose from among the developers?
I'd love to get some insight into the motivation for this project.
I bought the Switch port of DQIII after playing, and loving, XI. I didn't like it to say the least. BUT I know DQIII is a fan favorite, so I'm definitely gonna pick this one up! Redemption!
Looks amazing.
Glad that Octopath Traveler sold as much as it did.
I was not really a fan of any of the DQ remakes on Switch. I thought the new art made it look bland and I missed the enemy animations from the GBC version.
Also I really need to get around to playing Octopath Traveler one of these days...
The mobile ports are awful. Theres a cursed item you can’t even get on DQ1 for completion sake. There was a side quest at the end of Dragon Quest 3 that I couldn’t finish. Please give all the games this treatment or just give us the SFC versions. Please.
@Slowdive they better be ready to pre-process my debit card
The mobile is a fine game. It is not much different than the original DQ3
"Looking tasty?" Strawberries and cream"? Somebody was hungry when writing this article!
The extremely "photoshoppy" looking enemy sprites are the worst part about the 2019 version. :-/
I'm sorry if the artist responsible for them is reading this. -_-
Day one insta-
Am I the only person who thought Octopath looked terrible? The artwork was nice, but the background blur hurts my eyes and I can't bear to play the game. This game looks better so I might try it. It has been years and years since I played it on GBC...
The remake looks much blurry, even they characters.
I wonder if they will even consider DQI and II remakes...?
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