Dragon Quest 3 Remake Devs: "If This Fails, I'm Out of the Industry!"

Remaking a beloved classic like Dragon Quest 3, 36 years after its original release, was no small feat for the team at Square Enix. The pressure was immense, as producer Masaaki Hayasaka and concept artist Naoki Ikushima revealed in an interview with Famitsu.

The success of Octopath Traveler 2, which popularised the HD-2D art style, did little to alleviate the weight of expectation. "Obviously, I was aware of the fact that it's a legendary title, so the greatest pressure I felt was, 'If this fails, I won't be able to stay in the industry'," Hayasaka admitted, albeit with a hint of humour. "I'll have to live my life branded as the man who failed to remake a legendary game."

The team worked closely with series creator Yuji Horii, ensuring the remake captured the spirit of the original. While a 3D remake was initially considered, it was quickly discarded due to its potential to significantly alter the core experience. "HD-2D was a better option as it would allow us to balance the nostalgia with the new," Hayasaka explained.

The changes that did make it into the final game focused on improving accessibility and quality of life. "The hint feature was our idea," shared Hayasaka. "While our base concept was to preserve the playing experience of the original as much as possible, we wanted to thoroughly change the parts of the original that were difficult to interact with or made it difficult to play."

These additions include user-friendly hints and other accessibility features, ensuring the game is enjoyable for both veteran players and newcomers.

Early impressions of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake have been positive, with many praising its "pixel-perfect overhaul." However, the game's retained difficulty is sure to please seasoned players while potentially frustrating those new to the series.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is available now, inviting players to embark on a nostalgic journey or experience the legendary RPG for the first time.