When the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake arrives on November 14th, RPG fans may be able to enjoy a brand new way to experience the classic – by taking on the role of the series’ iconic ‘Monster Master.’
Keen-eyed viewers have spotted tantalizing potential hints that the remade third installment could add monster taming mechanics and the associated Monster Master job class to its modernized reimagining. These clues surfaced in the remake’s recent trailer as well as details surrounding its newly-revealed Collector’s Edition.
At around the 1:21 mark in the Nintendo Direct trailer for the HD-2D remake, a mysterious character dressed in a distinctive red, horned outfit can be briefly glimpsed at the bottom of the screen. This garb bears a striking resemblance to the signature look of the Monster Master vocation first introduced in Dragon Quest VI and also featured in Dragon Quest X.
Further stoking the speculation, the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Collector’s Edition comes packaged with acrylic character figurines – one of which appears to depict the same Monster Master class amongst the lineup of more traditional jobs like Sage and Thief.
The Monster Master’s inclusion would represent a major new twist on the original Dragon Quest III, which did not feature any monster recruiting or taming mechanics in its original 1988 NES release. If added to the remake, it could open up fresh strategic possibilities by allowing players to actively enlist foes into their party.
Of course, the presence of a Monster Master outfit or figurine does not definitively confirm if or how such systems may be implemented. Square Enix has only specified that the remake will “modernize” the classic job system, leaving fans to theorize if monster taming could be part of those updates.
Alongside the potential new job, the HD-2D remake will breathe new life into the decades-old Dragon Quest III with strikingly remastered visuals blending 2D pixel art character sprites with enhanced 3D backgrounds and effects. The trailer showcases this nostalgic yet modern aesthetic brought to life by the engine first utilized in titles like Octopath Traveler.
While the Monster Master’s role remains unconfirmed, RPG enthusiasts don’t have much longer to wait and speculate. The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake marches onto Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and PC platforms in just a few months on November 14th, with HD-2D remakes of the first two games to follow as a bundle in 2025.
