Just when we thought we couldn't be any more excited for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Square Enix comes along and pushes our hype levels into overdrive. The remake's official Japanese site has today been updated with new information and screenshots and several Japanese outlets have published extended gameplay footage showcasing the adventure in action.
Let's start with the biggie and take a look at some of the new footage. Six different Japanese outlets have been permitted to share up to half an hour of gameplay and each showcases different elements ‚ so yes, there's a lot to catch up on. Dengeki Online's capture drops us into the game's random encounters from the get-go, Famitsu's contains a good deal of environmental exploration and 4Gamer's shorter clip gives a whistle-stop tour of several locations in bite-sized chunks.

We have attached Famitsu's 29-minute gameplay video at the top of this article, but you can find all of the fresh footage in the following rundown from the official @DragonQuest Twitter account:
The website updates also give us a bit more information on what the remake will have in store when it comes our way on 14th November. Three sections have been added to — 'Character', 'World', and 'System' — with the following summaries (translated by Gematsu) and new screenshots.
■ The Protagonist (You)
You are the child of Ortega, Aliahan’s celebrated hero. On the morning of your sixteenth birthday, you set out on the same fateful path as your father once did to defeat the Archfiend Baramos.■ A World of Adventure
On your journey, you and your allies will explore all corners of a vast world. What mysteries await in the towns, castles, caves and towers they will discover? Perhaps the locals can provide a clue or two on how to solve some of the world’s problems.■ Spells and Abilities Pave the Way to Victory
When exploring the world and its dungeons, monsters are never far away. Tense, turn-based battles proceed in classic Dragon Quest fashion, with you dishing out the orders to your party members. Attack with your trusty weapons, or employ a multitude of spells and abilities, each with their own unique effects, to take down foes in style. Defeating monsters rewards you with experience points which level up your party, and gold coins which allow you to purchase more powerful equipment.
And if it's a closer look at the new Protagonist character art you're after, Square Enix has you covered there, too! Back to the Dragon Quest Twitter account we go. Type A is voiced by Toby Laurence in English and Nobuyuki Hiyama in Japanese while Jenna Sharpe and Yuuko Minaguchi take on VA duties for the Type B.
Phew! Is that enough Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake newness for ya? We still have a few months to go before this one comes to Switch in November (and even longer before the first two games in the series get the HD-2D treatment next year), but things are looking really rather good, if you ask us.
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Last month, we were lucky enough to go hands-on with the game and explore the early environments for roughly 45 minutes. We were super impressed with what we saw, suggesting that this might be "the perfect introduction to the sizeable series" for those who have long been wanting to dive in. You can check out our full preview below.
Where is your Dragon Quest III hype level sitting now? Let us know in the comments.
[source dragonquest.jp, via youtube.com, gematsu.com]
Comments 56
Very beautifully and stunning indeed. November couldn't come any sooner.
RIP Akira Toriyama
It looks so pretty UGH. Nothing beats a good old school JRPG!
Won't watch it as I've already preordered the game and at this point I want to see more of it by playing it myself (especially if it's extensive footage like this instead of short parts) hopefully sooner rather than later - potentially even as soon as my discounted physical copy arrives, but it all depends on my gaming schedule then!
“Type A” and “Type B” sounds like a silly character name, maybe they are just doing that to stay true to the original? (I don’t know if the original does that or not but I doubt that’s a new name for a new game). Also why isn’t it like that in Super Smash Bros? I believe Type A has a costume! 🤣
Glad female hero is still here, gotta start with that “Sexy/Vamp” personality for stat bonuses lol.
@PikminMarioKirby In the original, you could just choose gender (i.e. what pronouns the game used), but it didn't have any effect on the character's graphics or the story. Later remakes (I think the SNES one started it?) added a fully separate design.
No idea why the Heroine didn't make it into Smash other than maybe Sakurai deciding to focus on adding as many Hero's of different games as costumes instead of multiple versions from the same game.
I want the bloom effect from octopath though
Absolutely love the music, I had the first person fighting in the video though, I would much rather see the team in action
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Oh game looks gorgeous. 😍
So most of the 2D elements (trees and other prop scenery) that are in the other HD-2D games are now fully 3D? Not that I'm complaining, it looks fantastic. I just don't see the Switch version running so smooth both Octopath traveller games had framerate dips and so did triangle strategy, they weren't game breaking sure, but I do worry slightly. Sure it'll amount to nothing. I was also expecting the pixilated textures as well, like I'm use to with HD-2D games. Oh well Still can't wait to play this.
@PikminMarioKirby Dragon Quest games allow you to name the protag so they try not to mention any names in materials (or they make a super generic placeholder name like Eleven...for DQ11's protag). This protag didn't have a name originally but they were given one in the audio drama cd back in the day but that isn't canon. However the generally accepted canon name thanks to DQ11 is Arusu (haven’t played the english version so I don't know what name is used there). Otherwise they are just called Yuusha/Hero(ine) or by a title I won't spoil. The "type" versions are just the female and male character models. (I didn't realize that you can't just say female/male anymore).
2D-HD is truely an awesome game engine. And this game looks beautiful. I am absolutely going to get it, since I never played the original games.
Ugh...the random encounters are still there
This game looks absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to playing this one. Switch is my preferred choice for a JRPG.
My favorite battle theme in the series. Just wish it was longer before it looped
I'm glad people aren't making a fuss over this game being $60. I do however wish the package included the full trilogy instead of just DQ III, but enough work looks like it was put into 3 to justify the price. It looks like a completely new game.
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I can't wait for this, only thing I'm not looking forward to is my bank balance. That's this, Mario and Luigi, Mario Party, Metaphor Re Fantazio, Fantasy Life, Ys X and SAO Fractured Daydream in the space of 45 days 😭.
Really excited to try this one out. I've only ever played DQ 11 and this looks beautiful.
Can’t wait for this to come out!
i think the walking animation is stiff and doesn't have much difference between the rest of the party, but thats just a nitpick
Does look beautiful though from looking at it the footage ive seen seems to be from the PS5 or PC release.
Am hoping that the game holds up well on switch since that is my preferred way to play.
Looking forward to this. One of the DQ games I know least about and I am a DQ fan. Looking swell.
What is type A and B, do they mean male and female? Why is the story no lomger about Erdrick?
This is going to be another localizer butchering isnt it?
@Overzeal I believe Erdrick is the TITLE you are given, not necessarily the name of the character. I remember in Sakurai’s Smash video for the hero when the canon name of the III protagonist is “Arusu”. That is to say, Arusu is a descendant of Erdrick, meaning he is a descendant of a legendary hero. Hopefully this makes sense!
While the Type A / B thing is dumb imo (since it’s just male and female with a different title), I don’t understand people complaining about you, the player, being the protagonist
This looks awesome! I’ll definitely check this out at some point. I did purchase the original a few weeks ago, so maybe I can play that while waiting
@OwenGamer22
Bad translations are all the rage nowadays (and I mean that literally) people dont want a new or "updated" story for a remake, they want the original.
I'm very excited for this release, but I'm not gonna watch any footage for now. I'd rather play it in my own time and be surprised that way. Since it falls somewhat close to Christmas, I'll probably slap it on my list instead of buying directly.
According to early impressions it appears the iconic 'puff-puff' has been removed from this remake
Not a deal-breaker, but unfortunate sanitizing nonetheless.
https://x.com/DragonQuestFax/status/1811414168701940115
Some other nice details at the above link.
It looks nice but it's not hd-2d like octopath traveller II was. The environments looks great and the characters I guess good but together they're kind of clashing to me.
What I want is for the option to be there to change between the original chiptunes and the Sugiyama Kobo orchestral soundtrack I know they're itching to put in there. Nothing wrong with the orchestrals; they're among the best in the video game business. It's just a little straining on the ears to constantly hear them. Variety is the spice of life, and choice is always good.
@Narrator1 In the twitter link I posted just a few comments above yours it confirms a toggle for symphonic and synthesized music. So you should be good to go
@Overzeal nothing has changed. Erdrick/Roto/Loto is a title. You name the protagonist. DQ 3 (SNES forward),4, 9and 10 let you play as a female protagonist. Only difference is the “Type a/b naming” not sure why they did that though.
Actually let me clarify. The protagonist in 3 has been female or male since the SNES remakes (which is the version I play. I have the wii release).
Nope, not watching any video footage. I just want to play the game when it's available.
"Shut up and take my money!" -Fry
Can't wait for this. But, I put it on my Christmas list for my family. I'll have to wait a bit longer to play after release. It's fine. DQ is usually the kind of game you savor, not binge. I did that with the last game. Although, if I let the family get this for me for Christmas, I'll be off for several days, so some binge playing will likely happen.
This game just keeps looking better and better. Hope the wait for 1 & 2 won't be too long. Wonder if the soundtrack will get a release on streaming too.
this was the ps5 version in the video..switch version wont look as good,.
Looks amazing, pretty excited for this one and the 1+2 remake.
this art is beautiful!
Gonna grab for Switch because feels better to play something like this in the bed or whenever I want than living room on a PS5.
Taking my account out of retirement to express my absolute joy over this remake. RIP Toriyama!
Appearence A, Appearence B ....its sad that we live in an age where we are afraid of saying male and female...
@GarlicGuzzler To alert staff please report comments, they come directly to use then
I'm pretty indifferent to the HD2D look (I'm more of a fan of the "glowy pixel art" look that Sea of Stars has), but this does look lush - can't wait to play it; hopefully should be done with SoS well in time for November!
@HeyNavComm it would have been perfect for them to have just put out a I-III Trilogy package, but hey I'll take it! Be nice to have I+II to look forward to
I love that this player likes to make his party take a wavy path just to feel the power trip and amusement of watching them mimic the hero's silly meandering path. I can't help but do that in RPGs.
@glennthefrog That is not true, the ESRB page says puff puff will be in the game (in some fashion). That account you linked is known for posting bait, humorous or otherwise.
@Daggot I’m curious what will happen in regards to that. I know Dragon Quest is a bit on the protective side with their orchestrated music, but since Sugiyama passed away (May he rest in peace), will some restrictions perhaps be lifted?
The wait for this is starting to hurt. Perhaps I should get back on 10 and 11.
@OwenGamer22 That's certainly what I'm hoping. Fingers crossed.
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Trying not to watch too much, because I'm super excited for this!! Square Enix still is the premiere publisher for some of the most lush and ornate JRPG's. So many great features with this HD2D release, from soundtrack to graphics options and more! Also looks to be the most polished HD2D game to date, taking many lessons learned from the previous entries into DQIII.
I'm happy for this remake but I wish they would do one for Dragon Warrior IV I mean cmon it's a great game why nobody talks about it.
Also they should make a 3D version like Dragon Quest Echoes of an Elusive age, that would be awesome.
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