Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Released: 11/14/2024
Score Breakdown
84.8
Critic Average
19 reviews
77
Steam User Score
4,589 reviews
71
Metacritic User Score
295 reviews
Disparity Breakdown
85 vs 77
85 vs 71
Average of both sources
Review Disparities
Each point represents a critic review. Hover for details. Positive = critic higher than users. Negative = critic lower.
90
90/100
11/22/2024
Launch Window“Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a shining example of how to remake a classic RPG and a brilliant reminder of why the original is an essential work.”
90
90/100
11/19/2024
Launch Window“You won't find a more fundamental JRPG than Dragon Quest III, and this is easily the best way to experience it”
80
80/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is welcoming for newcomers, a fan's dream, and a truly timeless classic.”
91
91/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a triumph - an absolute must-play for anyone who appreciates timeless design, stunning visuals, and the type of game that rewards both patience and strategy. It is joy distilled for those of us who grew up in a certain era and a wonderful glimpse into the past for those lucky youngsters who did not. It delivers on its promise to take stewardship of the classics and makes me thrilled that this is the pedigree we can expect from Square Enix going forward.”
80
80/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is how a classic game should be remade. The new graphics style brings Dragon Quest III into the modern era while maintaining the original iconic designs. The quality-of-life improvements also make the 36-year-old game feel modern without sacrificing the core elements of the original experience.”
90
90/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“It's been a long time coming, and we're happy to report that Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake largely lives up to expectations. Disappointing performance issues aside, this is a faithful adaptation of a treasured RPG classic that elevates its strongest aspects while doing its best to make up for any shortcomings. Some may be put off by its relative simplicity but, refreshingly, it neither overstays its welcome nor spreads itself thin with too many half-baked ideas. It goes without saying that fans of the original will want to snap this up, but if you're looking for a good 'entry-level' RPG or you just want to know what the long-running franchise is all about, Dragon Quest III is the game for you.”
80
80/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a wonderful way to play a classic of the genre, with gorgeous visuals and super fast combat.”
85
85/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest III HD-2D is unapologetically a remake made for long-time series fans. Anyone looking for a faithful representation of the classic game with updated graphics will get precisely that. The addition of Ortega's backstory is mildly interesting, but it doesn't elevate the story, which remains extremely basic. Gameplay and exploration remain the highlights of Dragon Quest III HD-2D and will provide hours of enjoyment for turn-based RPG enthusiasts. While it might serve as an entry point for newcomers to the franchise, its mechanics stand in contrast to what many expect from a contemporary RPG, potentially deterring them within a few hours.”
80
80/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is probably one of the best remakes I’ve ever played. Doubly so, as it nails what made the original game so special.”
100
100/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Square Enix brings back a cornerstone from the JPG golden era through a remake that does exactly what it needed to do: adapt both its visual style and gameplay to current standards. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake thus becomes a living legacy to the cultural heritage of the original entry.”
90
90/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Even among modern JRPGs, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake surprises with the great freedom it offers in the gameplay (even at the cost of sacrificing the narrative facet). And thanks to this new version and its improvements, we can discover a little piece of video game history in its final version.”
80
80/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake gives an NES classic the royal treatment it deserves.”
80
80/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“I admit, as fun as it looked with its shiny, new coat of paint and new features to play with, I approached Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake with some cynicism. How couldn’t I with a title like that? Seriously, it sounds more like I bought a used car than played a video game. But the charm and timelessness of Dragon Quest 3 will shine through anything, and having it on a big screen and operating like a modern game was admittedly exciting. For all the bells, whistles, and flourishes, this is still the classic adventure that inspired millions of players over thirty years ago. A polish job like this just makes it shine brighter.”
90
90/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“A classic entry in the series comes back revamped in many aspect less the major ones such as combat system and generally balancing.”
75
75/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a wonderful new version of perhaps the single most influential JRPG. It isn't a top-to-bottom remake or a surprising meta-retelling – it's classic Dragon Quest, brighter and better than ever.”
90
90/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a superbly well-done remake that honors the legacy of its source material while being a great JRPG in its own right. The new Monster Wrangler Vocation and overhauled Vocations are enjoyable to play with and offer tons of character-build theory-crafting potential, the new HD-2D graphics are gorgeous to behold. What's more, there’s a decent amount of engaging and rewarding side quests to partake in, and the new difficulty and accessibility options make the game feel more welcoming for newcomers to the Dragon Quest series while maintaining the challenge of the original title for series veterans.”
90
90/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Square Enix has taken one of the most beloved Dragon Quest games and given it a heavy visual uplift along with a slew of quality-of-life improvements.”
90
90/100
11/13/2024
Early Review“Some excellent enhancements make this the ultimate version of Dragon Quest III, but it could still do more to make it wholly welcoming to newcomers.”
60
60/100
