Summary
Director Yuji Horii said players will be in for a surprise if they play theDragon Quest HD-2Dremakes chronologically. Horii didn’t give any hints about the surprise, and despite what each installment numbering suggests,Dragon Quest’s chronological order begins withDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, a prequel, and ends withDragon Quest 2 HD-2D.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakeis a remade version of the classicDragon Quest 3, initially released for the NES in 1988. The third title in theDragon Questfranchise has seen numerous re-releases and ports, culminating in the announcement of a full-fledged remake in 2021. Since then, Square Enix has shared a wealth of information and has introduced all thenew features inDragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake, such as vocations, story content, and quality-of-life improvements.
In an interview withFamitsu, Yuji Horii mentioned that players can expect a surprise if they follow the entireDragon Quest HD-2Dremake trilogy chronologically.The Erdrick trilogy begins withDragon Quest 3, continues withDragon Quest 1, and finally concludes withDragon Quest 2. Horii stated that the surprise would be found at the end ofDragon Quest 2.It’s speculated that players will need to save data from the previous games on their chosen platform to unlock this surprise.
Players Will Receive a Surprise At the End of Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake
Horii only teased the surprise without revealing any details about what it might be. Fans were ecstatic when theremakes ofDragon Quest 1and2were announced using the same HD-2D engine. However, the fanbase had some questions regarding those remakes. When the three games were initially released, their gameplay mechanics evolved clearly from one to the next. The first game had players controlling only one character, the second introduced a 3-members party, and the third presented vocations, a system akin to classes.
Starting the remake withDragon Quest 3 HD-2Dmakes sense chronologically, but gameplay-wise, it seems that Square Enix might need to reinvent the wheel for the first two games so that their gameplay isn’t as barebones as the original versions. This is especially true for players whostart their journey withDragon Quest 3 HD-2Dand then try the other remakes, which won’t be released until 2025.
Even so, Square Enix claims they have been doing everything possible to remake the RPG by adding modern features without removing what made it a classic. Many considerDragon Questto be the forefather of JRPGs, and the publisher has said that it will respect everything that madeDragon Quest 3a masterpiece. With just a month until the official release of the RPG, players will soon get hands-on experience to see if these promises are fulfilled.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
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DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy.Story:Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos. Ortega failed his quest, and Baramos still threatens the world. Now, on their sixteenth birthday, Ortega’s only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortega’s quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.A fully modernized remake of the original:Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, bringing players into the world of DRAGON QUEST III like never before, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements.Traditional DRAGON QUEST style battles:A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more.Immersive world:Deep exploration of a vast world map with an abundance of rich and captivating locations to discover, challenging players to overcome many unexpected encounters during the journey.
