Fans eagerly awaiting news on the highly anticipated Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake were finally thrown a bone this week, as Square Enix revealed it will be coming to multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch.
While light on additional specifics, the publishers posted a very brief teaser on social media showcasing the iconic Erdrick’s emblem along with the tagline “The legend of Erdrick draws near.” More crucially, accompanying platform icons confirmed the lusciously reimagined retro RPG will make its way to not just the Switch, but also PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.
The HD-2D art style has become a signature for Square Enix’s modern remasters and remakes in recent years, dazzlingly melding striking 2D pixel art character sprites and environments with subtle 3D lighting and depth effects. Live A Live, Triangle Strategy, and the recent Octopath Traveler II have all showcased the eye-catching visual style to great acclaim.
Originally announced way back in 2021 as part of the Dragon Quest franchise’s 35th anniversary celebrations, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has been patiently awaited by fans of the classic 1988 NES RPG ever since. News on its development progress has been virtually non-existent save for series creator Yuji Horii vaguely stating last September that it was “progressing quite steadily.”
The legend of Erdrick draws near.
#DragonQuestDay #DQDay #DragonQuest pic.twitter.com/KFtqhVY61q— DRAGON QUEST (@DragonQuest) May 27, 2024
While the tweet tease from Square Enix is frustratingly light on additional details like release timing or pricing, the confirmation that it’s spreading its wings to all major modern gaming platforms is sure to delight RPG enthusiasts everywhere.
Originally released for the NES in 1988, Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation was a pivotal entry that expanded the series’ world and scope dramatically. It introduced the ability to create and customize a party of heroes for the first time, setting it apart from the first two Dragon Quest games.
The game was a smash hit in Japan, paving the way for Dragon Quest’s rise as a marquee RPG franchise alongside Final Fantasy. It received enhanced remakes for the Super Nintendo in 1996 and Game Boy Advance in 2001 before also getting mobile ports in the 2010s.
But those past refreshes were relatively basic updates that didn’t fundamentally overhaul the visuals and presentation. That’s where the HD-2D Remake aims to breathe new life into this seminal classic that purists and fresh audiences can both enjoy.
According to Square Enix, the unique visual style “provides a unique three-dimensional feel by adding 3D effects to pixel-based backgrounds.” However, they’ve also acknowledged that doing full HD-2D remakes is quite expensive compared to more traditional approaches.
“It’s probably worth noting that it costs more than you’d think,” producer Tomoya Asano remarked last year. “In that respect, it’s a good match for the titles [we] want out of Square Enix.”
It remains to be seen exactly when the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will materialize and how much of a splurge it will require. But with multi-platform availability now confirmed after years of teasing, fans can rest assured the “legend of Erdrick” is indeed drawing nearer after over three decades. This could very well be the definitive way to experience one of gaming’s most seminal role-playing adventures for the modern era.
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