Square Enix and developer Artdink Corporation have revealed new information about Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, focusing on the game’s remade world and the protagonist’s father Ortega.
Fans of the original title will remember Ortega, but the new game will include new scenes to give more backstory about the man and his quest.
“Father to the game’s protagonist and one of Aliahan’s finest,” the character’s intro reads. “Long ago, he set off on a quest to rid the world of the Archfiend Baramos, leaving behind his beloved wife and baby. After scouring the realm in search of Baramos, Ortega met an untimely end when he fell into the maw of a volcano during an epic battle.”
New locations announced are Portoga, a seafaring nation with a bustling port; Jipang, a small island nation known as the Golden Country and Land of the Rising Sun; and Ibis, a desert kingdom.
The new title will have fully-voiced cutscenes and its soundtrack will feature a full orchestra. These elements were supervised by the creator of the franchise himself, Yuji Horii. Random encounters have been added, along with new abilities not seen in the original title, though the combat will remain turn-based and can be sped up.
“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 dynamic day/night system will make the game feel more realistic, and in a frightening twist, monsters will be able to make their way into towns. NPCs will provide hints for stumped gamers, and unique treasures have been added around the map.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will be released on November 14 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. Square Enix has also teased that the Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remakes are coming sometime in 2025. The games were first released in 1986 and 1987, respectively.
